How do those Christians who take the Bible literally, deal with its contradictions?
105754
I totally agree with the inference of your question. I have read the answers and looked up a suggested site that presents both sides of the argument - a very good reference.\nMy pet (pun intended) contradiction is about the number of birds that went into Noah's Ark. Gen. 6:20 ≠ Gen. 7:3  \n\nFirst let me say, that I only see a literal contradiction, the meaning or spirit of the story of Noah and the flood is far more important than the contradictions in detail.\n\nThe explanation by the apologist is that the reference to two animals refers to the order the animals boarded the Ark, so allowing for seven pairs of the same species of animal.\n\nFor me, a reasonable explanation of the difference is that one root story (Ch 6) came from a tribe  where the animals would be seen as only being needed for propagation, while the other root story (Ch 7) was from a tribe where, clean animals would have been needed for food supplies as well as propagation.\n\nThe answer to your question is I suggest, that those who hold to a literal interpretation, deny the contradiction by going to extreem lengths of explaination to maintain the possibility of literal truth.  They do this because literal truth is an easier to argue, than finding a compassionate integration of God's message into the reality of human life.
1102083
I have found that theologians will twist the bible to whatever point they are trying to make.  It's not too hard because there are many points that are self-contradicted by the bible itself.  You can use the bible for almost any side of almost any argument.
558891
If everybody could approach the Bible as rationally as you do, then there would be no need to point out contradictions. But so many millions of people do take the Bible as the infallible word of God and to be interpreted completely literally. Using a flawed book as the sole code by which you live is dangerous, and Atheists feel obliged to point this outto them.
695275
As Y / Answers team says: keep going -you're on a roll! \nYeah, the bible is full of contradictions as are the folks who follow it. Forgive them, for they know not what they do.
375977
Don't you have that backwards? I've met many people who believe every word in the bible even if you can prove that it is a miss translation, or against known facts. The bible can be used to "prove" anything you like if you take it out of context and add your own spin.
386867
I'm not sure what exactly you're looking for in an answer here...\n\nIn any case, I more or less agree with you. The Bible is most certainly not an instruction manual. Although, as theologians understand it, it was written by many "guys." But you're on the right track. The bible is not supposed to be taken literally. It is full of metaphors, and honestly, contradictions. People should, as you said, think freely, and interpret the Bible (or any religious text) in the way that makes the most sense to them, and brings them as individuals closer to God. But just as the Bible should not be taken literally, it also should not be twisted around for an individual's own agenda.\n\nTo expand on your ideas a bit, the bible literalists that you disagree with so fervently ought to realize that God is too big for one religion. This number is not exact by any means, but the last time I looked up statistics on the matter, only about one third of the world was Christian. God loves everyone. To say that only Christians are right in God's eyes and that He'll send the other two thirds to eternal torment in Hell does not sound loving at all. These are not the words of God. They are the words of human beings who are afraid of people who are different from them.\n\nI believe that there is a God, but I also believe that there are many paths to Him. Buddhists, Muslims, Christians, Jews, Wiccans, Pagans, Agnostics... they all view spirituality differently, but none of them are wrong, as long as they do not use God or their beliefs as a way of manipulating or hurting others.\n\nThis includes forcing others to believe what they believe, or requiring them to behave in certain ways. And while laws are important and needed, religion should play no part in them.\n\nI hope I've given you some more to think about on this matter. Thanks for the question.
730892
I'm sure you'll be told you're reading the wrong version of the bible. everytime someone finds something bad in one of them, there's either a contradictory statement for rebuttal or it's just the wrong version.
370725
Its a bit of both. How they perceive the bible that differs.
1046399
Wow, this is an easy question. I think you know the answer already, but basically this is simple combination of ignorance, brainwashed mindsets, and fear.\n\nThrough these qualities they foolishly think the bible is the literal word of god, so they just blindly follow that no matter how absurd out-dated their reasoning is.\n\nhere is a great list of absurdities listed in the bible:\nhttp://skepticsannotatedbible.com/abs/long.htm
1093782
There are a lot of contradictions in the Bible. Kind of makes sense, considering that the four gospels were just four of dozens that were picked and chosen into one book. So, with all those accounts and perspectives, that humans witnessed, there's bound to be some difference.
999383
Yes. Absolutely. Everything in the Bible is absolutely and inescapably the Reality of the Universe. If something contradicts what is written in the Bible, it must be false, because the Bible is infallible. If something in the Bible contradicts something else in the Bible, you must have misunderstood it, because the Bible is infallible.
723690
There are all kinds of contradictions in the bible.
1019943
Read it yourself, often, and pray about it.  The truth will be revealed to you as you get to know God's word better.  You should take the Bible literally for the most part.  Use your common sense.  There are parts that are merely symbolic.  When Jesus uses parables to illustrate a point, he tells us that's what he's doing.  I think if you study it yourself you will find that God speaks to us through the Bible and that many of the controversial parts are not as complicated as they seem.
1163271
your first rule of reading the bible you need to accept that it does not make sense and it is full of contradictions\nit is only a book of fairy tales
412409
The Bible has a lot to say agains those who teach God's Word falsely.
809934
obviously some Christians believe that the Bible they hold in their hands wasn't just written by God but was edited and collated by God as well.  apparently some Christians don't know about the Nicene Council and how it decided which gospels were to be put into the Bible, which were to be left out and how the ones that were kept would be revised to ensure power for the elite.  i see Christians saying that they'd not read any newly publicly released gospel because it contradicts the Bible, obviously many failing to understand that the Bible has been rewritten and revised many times to make the text conform to history, religious dogma and "prophesy".   \n\nJesus himself could return and say "but but that's not what I said!  That's not what I meant!"  and the Christians would rebuke him saying that he contradicts the Bible.
856847
Your question is a good one, however, I believe that it is difficult for a Christian to participate in the conversation/discussion/debate about truth if one cannot refer to the Bible.  As a Christian (who also happens to be a scientist), I believe in what the Bible says as absolute truth.  Truth and fact are not the same to me because my belief says that facts do not always represent the truth, but that the truth stands no matter what facts say.  \n\nScience attempts to prove the facts,  I could prove facts using science or "logical" arguments, but the truth stands regardless to fact and for me is substantiated by what the Bible says.\n\nHad to weigh in though... I do enjoy an interesting debate.