136
BIBLE “CONTRADICTIONS” … ANSWERED (Contradictions 26-30)
A Booklet by
Brad McCoy, Th.M.
© Copyright
1985 Reprinted with author’s permission. May be distributed freely but not
sold.
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Note: I thought it would be
interesting for a few posts, to consider some alleged Biblical
contradictions. I hear this all the time, but no one who makes the
complaints will sit down with me and study them. Brad McCoy was my
Theology Professor in Seminary. He is an outstanding theological scholar
and teacher. At my request, he provided me with a booklet he
self-published in 1985. The booklet can be reproduced, but not sold. - dh
**
UPDATE ** Recently, I conversed with Dr. McCoy and he confirmed directly
with me that I can post from his booklet. In addition, he informed me
that the book was recently updated to – “150 Bible Contradictions Answered!” He sent me this self-published manuscript
which, by the way, is excellent. If you would like the new manuscript,
let me know and I will pass it on to Dr. McCoy. I see it cost him about
$5.00 to send it to me, so you should be willing to make a contribution to Dr.
McCoy's church to help defray the mailing cost and perhaps a bit more, maybe
$20.00 or so.
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(This
booklet is a response to the pamphlet “136 Bible Contradictions” printed by
Crusade Publications of Redmond, Washington.)
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“Contradictions”
26-30
#26
Compares Deuteronomy 6:5 and Matthew 22:37 which commands love for God with 1
John 4:18 which states that there is no fear in love and contrasts these ideas
with Deuteronomy 6:13/1 Peter 2:17 which commands a fear for God.
1
John 4:18 has in view a Christian’s love for God specifically a love that
motivates a God honoring lifestyle which eliminates any fear of God’s
displeasure when He evaluates the believer’s Christian life. The command to “fear” God found many times in
the Bible is an injunction for a believer to maintain a reverential respect/awe
for God (as opposed to an abject fright, see Romans 8:1). Such respect is consistent with and
inseparable from a proper love for God as commanded in Deuteronomy 6:5 and
Matthew 22:37.
#27
Deuteronomy 30:11 which states that God’s commandments are “not too difficult
for you” is contrasted to Romans 3:20-23 which indicate that no one can
perfectly keep the Law of God.
Deuteronomy
30:11 focuses on certain specific commands in the immediate context. It is affirming that those commands were not
so complicated so as to be beyond the basic comprehension and obedience of the
people. Romans 3:20-23 is written to a
completely different context. It is
written from the absolute perspective stating that no human being can perfectly
keep all of the Law of God.
#28
Judges 1:19 which states that God was with Judah but He (sic) could not drive
out the inhabitants of the land because they had iron chariots is contrasted
with Genesis 17:1 and 35:11 which state that God is Almighty/Omnipotent.
Judges
1:19 does not say that God could not drive out the inhabitants of the land, but
that Judah could not drive them out (see the NASB and the NIV). Just because God chooses not to do a specific
act through and/or in His people does not mean that He is unable to do so.
#29 Judges 14:19
which indicates that the Spirit of the LORD caused (sic) Samson to murder
thirty Philistines is contrasted to Galatians 5:22-23 which states that the
fruit of the Spirit is love, peace, patience, etc.
Judges
14:19 does not state that the Spirit of the LORD caused Samson to kill the
Philistines. It simply indicates that
prior to the act, the Spirit of the LORD came upon Samson. This explains how one man could overcome
thirty men all by himself. It does not
however indicate that the Spirit of the LORD led or compelled him to do
so. It is always possible for people to
misuse abilities/powers that are given to them by God. Galatians 5:22-23 describes some fo the major
character traits that the Holy Spirit can produce in the believer who yields
himself in obedience to His control/leading.
#30 1 Samuel 31:4-6
which states that Saul died by falling on his sword is contrasted to: (1) 2 Samuel 1:8-19 where an Amalekite
reports to David that he killed Saul, (2) 2 Samuel 21:12 which indicates that
Saul was slain by the Philistines, (3) 1 Chronicles 10:14 which states that
Saul was slain by the LORD.
1
Samuel 31:4-6 gives the specific historical details of the wounded Saul fleeing
from the Philistine army and committing suicide so as to avoid being taken
prisoner. 2 Samuel 1:8-19 accurately
records a lie told by the Amalekite who was hoping to gain favor with King
David. 2 Samuel 21:12 is an example of
the figure of speech metonymy – cause put for effect; i.e. the advancing
Philistine army being the ultimate cause for Saul’s suicide. They had wounded him, were about to capture
him, and in response to them he committed suicide. 1 Chronicles 10:14 indicates that Saul’s
death ultimately was according to God’s providential will (see 1 Samuel
28:16-19).
Doug
Douglas
S. Holden, Douglas Holden, Doug Holden, Brad McCoy, Theology, Doctrine, Bible
contradictions
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