Bible Contradiction? Who did Jacob wrestle with?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Who did Jacob wrestle with?

Here are the answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

God

“Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was dislocated while he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” But he said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have contended with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29 And Jacob asked him and said, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And he blessed him there. 30 So Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.”” ( Genesis 32:24-30)

An Angel

“The Lord also has a case against Judah, And will punish Jacob according to his ways; He will repay him according to his deeds. 3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel, And in his mature strength he contended with God. 4 Yes, he wrestled with the angel and prevailed; He wept and implored His favor. He found Him at Bethel, And there He spoke with us,” (Hosea 12:2-4)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Mid to Late April 2024 Presuppositional Apologetic Links

Here are the links on Presuppositional apologetics from April 8th-30th, 2024!

1.) Cave to the Cross’ Apologetics: Summary Of Presuppositional Reformed Apologetics – Ep.269 – Faith Has Its Reasons – Apologetics And The Authority Of Revelation – Part 1

2.) Apologetics Sermon Illustration # 94: Beware of parasitic false teachers and Polyergus breviceps Parasitic ants

3.) Introduction to Apologetics Series: Methods I (10 of 31)

4.) Back to Basics of Presuppositional Apologetics

5.) Evolution, Creation, and Legal Rights for Trees

6.) Guest Post: Understanding Van Til’s Trinitarian Apologetics in a Baptist Context

7.) Can Evolution Explain the Origin of Lungs?

8.) Guest Post: Faulty reasons not to believe

9.) The Myth of the Given & Its Presup Apologetic Application

10.) Free Audiobook: The Word of Flux: Modern Man and the Problem of Knowledge

11.) Panda Thumbs and Bad Atheistic Theology

12.) Pros & Cons Of Presuppositionalism Reformed Apologetics – Ep.270 – Faith Has Its Reasons – Apologetics And The Authority Of Revelation – Part 2

13.) Kant and Van Til | A reply to the Reformed classicalist

Missed the last round up?  Check it out 

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Apologetics Sermon Illustration # 94: Beware of parasitic false teachers and Polyergus breviceps Parasitic ants

GO TO PART 93

Point: Contrary to the spirit of our age, the New Testament has a lot to say about false teaching and false teachers.  Believers are to be on the alert for them, to resist false doctrines , refute them, warn others about it and not to fellowship with false teachers.  Sometimes Christians today lack discernment and often will just let false teachers go because they use Christian vocabulary with different meanings; that is, false teachers have a pass among some Christians because their false teachings are “sprinkled” with a little bit of Christianese even though the true meaning of their contents are not Christian at all.  There is a level of deception by false teachers that Christians be discerning and alert for.  It might be appropriate to get the idea across that Christians must be aware of false teachers (be it in the form of a cult leader, compromiser, Liberal or secularists) with the following illustration.

Picture: The large blue butterfly is different than most butterflies in that when it is young as a caterpillar it eats insects!

According to Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_blue):

The large blue butterfly is well known in behavioural ecology as it is a brood parasite of a single species of red ant, Myrmica sabuleti

Here’s a fascinating video:

 This is analogous to the tactics of false teachers equivocating Christian terminology in order to gain acceptance: Deception, “sweetness,” preying on others, etc.

Conclusion

As Christians we must be careful to discern, warn and refute false teachers and their false teaching that comes into our midst and wishes to take over.

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Progress in answering alleged Bible contradiction from the Pastoral Epistles

Since I have been studying the Pastoral Epistles I thought I do a post with all the alleged Bible contradictions I refuted so far that involves passages from 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus..

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Presuppositional Apologetics’ Round up: Third Week to Last Week of March 2024

Here are the links related to Presuppositional apologetics that was rounded up from the web from March 16th-31st, 2022.

1.) Cave to the Cross’ Biblical Standards For Theology & Philosophy – Ep.265 – Faith Has Its Reasons – Christianity In Conflict – Part 1

2.) Bible Contradiction? If God likes you, will everyone else like you too?

3.) Introduction to Apologetics Series: Foundations V (5 of 31)

4.) Linking Genesis and the Resurrection

5.) Did Bahnsen Contradict Himself?

6.) Greg Bahnsen Lectures: Worldview Apologetics (Two Part series)

7.) Absence of Evidence is not Evidence of Absence

8.) Increasing Bunko in Secular Science Papers

9.) Neat review

10.) Chonky Boi vs. Objective Idealism…?

11.) Introduction to Apologetics Series: Foundations VI (6 of 31)

Missed the last round up?  Check out the last installment

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Bible Contradiction? If God likes you, will everyone else like you too?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: If God likes you, will everyone else like you too?

Here are the answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

If God likes you, so will your enemies.

“When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He causes even his enemies to make peace with him.” ( Proverbs 16:7)

If you are faithful to God, you will be persecuted.

“Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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What does Thomas Watson mean when he said “GOD IS THE SWEETEST FRIEND, BUT THE WORST ENEMY”?

I thought I share some quick thoughts on a question that arose from someone overseas: “What does Thomas Watson mean when he said ‘GOD IS THE SWEETEST FRIEND, BUT THE WORST ENEMY.’”

Here’s my quick take:

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Greg Bahnsen Lectures: Worldview Apologetics (Two Part series)

Greg Bahnsen is my favorite apologist and has shaped me in so many ways.  He’s one of my role models with his example of scholarship, intellect, boldness to defend the faith, his desire to be biblical and also his pastoral heart.  And everything he did was so intense.

Here is a quick bio of Bahnsen:

Greg L. Bahnsen, (1948-1995), was an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and a full time Scholar in Residence for the Southern California Center for Christian Studies. He received his Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Southern California, specializing in the theory of knowledge. He previously received the B.A. (magna cum laude, philosophy) from Westmont College, and then simultaneously earned the M.Div. and Th.M. degrees from Westminster Theological Seminary. Dr. Bahnsen lectured to a broad range of evangelical Christian groups at many colleges and conferences. He was an experienced apologist and debater, a clear and cogent teacher of the Christian worldview who was devoted to training believers in understanding and applying the Christian faith to every area of life. He published numerous scholarly articles, a number of well-known books, and has over 1,500 recorded lectures and sermons.

Among those 1,500 lectures Bahnsen taught a two part series titled “Worldview Apologetics (Two Part series).”

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Mid-March 2024 Presuppositional Apologetics’ Links

Here are links related to Presuppositional apologetics’ gathered from March 8th-15th, 2024.  There’s a lot of good links for this installment!  Enjoy!

This was posted later; I spilled tea on my laptop and glad I didn’t lose anything!  

Reminder Announcement: Want to Write a Guest Posts for Our Blog for Spring 2024? (If you are writing guest posts don’t forget its due March 31st!)

1.) Cave to the Cross’ Episode: The Founders Of Reformed Apologetics – Ep.264 – Faith Has Its Reasons – Reformed Apologetics – Pt. 2

2.) Animated Series: Introduction to Apologetics Mini Series from Brian Kurkjian

3.) The Origins Controversy and Religious Motivation

4.) Bible Contradiction? Does God want some to go to hell?

5.) The Validity of Some Circular Reasoning

6.) Introduction to Apologetics Series: Foundations IV (4 of 31)

7.) Charles Darwin and the Methods of God

8.)  Cornelius Van Til The Father Of Presuppositionalism

9.) More on Mixed Fabrics and the Gospel

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Bible Contradiction? Does God want some to go to hell?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Does God want some to go to hell?

Here are the answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

God wants everyone to go to heaven.

“This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

God wants some to go to hell.

“The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil.” (Proverbs 16:4)

“He has blinded their eyes and He hardened their heart, so that they will not see with their eyes and understand with their heart, and be converted, and so I will not heal them.”” (John 12:40)

“So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.” (Romans 9:18)

“For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, ¹² in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness” (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Early March 2024 Presuppositional Apologetics’ Links

Here are Presuppositional Apologetics’ links gathered between March 1st-7th, 2024.  Enjoy!

An announcement: Want to Write a Guest Posts for Our Blog for Spring 2024?

1.) Cave to the Cross’ John Calvin’s Apologetic – The OG Presuppoisitionalist

2.) Bible contradiction? Should you serve God alone?

3.) Evolution and Human Exceptionalism

4.) Apologetics Sermon Illustration #93: Unbelievers attacking Christianity is like Someone with a water gun against the Sun

5.) Objections To Presuppositional Apologetics Answered

6.) “You were never an Atheist”; the new “no true Scotsman”

7.) Evolution and Human Exceptionalism

8.) How To Approach Easter Prophecy

9.) Introduction to Apologetics Series: Foundations III (3 of 31)

Missed the last round up?  Check out the re-blogged post from a friend  or that of another reblog here 

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Apologetics Sermon Illustration #93: Unbelievers attacking Christianity is like Someone with a water gun against the Sun

GO TO PART 92

Point: Presuppositional apologetics is really a worldview apologetics that among other things, analyzes the foundational beliefs of those who challenge the Christian worldview.  In other words, Presuppositionalists engages in an internal critique against an opponent’s presuppositions to show how they cannot provide the “solid foundation” to make human experiences intelligible and meaningful.  Sometimes people might not understand what the presuppositionalists is doing so an illustration is in order.

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Bible contradiction? Should you serve God alone?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Should you serve God alone?

Here are the answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

Yes

“Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’”” (Matthew 4:10)

“Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ.” (Matthew 23:10)

No

“Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ;” (Ephesians 6:5)

“Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.” (Colossians 3:22)

“All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against.” (1 Timothy 6:1)

“Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative,” (Titus 2:9)

“Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.” (1 Peter 2:18)

“Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” (Colossians 3:18)

“Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:20)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Apologetics Sermon Illustration #92: Bible Interpretation and example of Movie’s Ending that interprets Beginning and End

GO TO PART 91

Point: Sometimes when one engage in apologetics the issue of alleged Bible contradiction comes up.  There are times when those who assert that there are contradictory verses in the Bible fail to acknowledge how different part of the narrative (beginning, middle, end) help interpret other parts of the story.  Are there any examples of this error to get the point across to a skeptic of their foolish methodology and mistake?

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Early to Mid-February 2023 Presuppositional Apologetics’ Links

Here are the links related to Presuppositional apologetics gathered between February 1st-14th, 2022.

1.) Cave to the Cross’ Apologetics Show: Scripture, Miracles, Prophecies, & Uniqueness Of Christianity – Ep.259 – Faith Has Its Reasons – Presenting Evidence That Demands A Verdict – Part 1

2.) 300 Alleged Bible Contradictions Answered

3.) Evolutionary Racism and the Tasmanian Genocide

4.) Review: Surviving Religion 101

5.) Presuppositional Apologetics – Part 01 – Contrasting Methods – Pastor Patrick Hines Podcast

6.) College Prep Apologetics Series: The Defense of the Faith (Part 2) (6 of 7)

7.) Apologetics Sermon Illustration #91: Meaning depending on Context and “Problem of Evil Conference”

8.) The Fading of the Alleged Fact of Evolution

9.) Three Part Canon Series

10.) College Prep Apologetics Series: Unbelieving Worldviews (7 of 7)

Missed the last round up?  Check out last week’s post

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