Contradictions in the Bible—Why Are They There?
930854
The word Gospel usually designates a written record of Christ's words and deeds. It is very likely derived from the Anglo-Saxon god (good) and spell (to tell), and is generally treated as the exact equivalent of the Greek euaggelion (eu well, aggello, I bear a message), and the Latin Evangelium, which has passed into French, German, Italian, and other modern languages. The Greek euaggelion originally signified the "reward of good tidings" given to the messenger, and subsequently "good tidings". Its other important meanings will be set forth in the body of the present general article on the Gospels. \n\nThe existence of numerous and, at times, considerable differences between the four canonical Gospels is a fact which has long been noticed and which all scholars readily admit. Unbelievers of all ages have greatly exaggerated the importance of this fact, and have represented many of the actual variations between the Evangelical narratives as positive contradictions, in order to disprove the historical value and the inspired character of the sacred records of Christ's life.\n\nMany a time the variations are due to the fact that not one but two really distinct events are described, or two distinct sayings recorded, in the parallel passages of the Gospels. At other times, as is indeed very often the case, the supposed contradictions, when closely examined, turn out to be simply differences naturally entailed, and therefore distinctly accounted for, by the literary methods of the sacred writers, and more particularly, by the respective purpose of the Evangelists in setting forth Christ's words and deeds. Lastly, and in a more general way, the Gospels should manifestly be treated with the same fairness and equity as are invariably used with regard to other historical records.
436048
There were a bunch of books left out of the Bible. Mostly this was done to maintain consistancy. You can read some of them at my link. I have read most of the ones on this page and there is little "new" information.
1082446
The bible is 99% pure, however there still exist copyist errors which you most definitely have pointed out.  The first is a numbering copyist error and the second, one of the daughters is actually Merab.  However the christian faith does not rest on tiny pieces of data like these examples.  All of the questionable material of the bible has absolutely no impact on the doctrine of Christianity--they are all very minute details such as the ones you have pointed out.  The other 'supposed' contradictions out there commit several logical fallacies such as quoting out of context and juxtaposition, and do not look at hebrew or greek colloquialisms
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.
412409
The Bible has a lot to say agains those who teach God's Word falsely.
657938
because the bible is fiction, full of self-contradicting garbage and most of the "authors" are anonymous.  it is one of the most poorly written mythical stories of all time.\n\nproof that the bible is false?  simple.  2 points.\n\n1. What you pointed out.  Nobody, NOBODY, gets the same message from it.  Hundreds of different denominations exist to worship, and they in-fight and battle one another constantly about it.  (One example -- look at all the christian church people who wish to make gay marriage illegal, even though it is blessed and performed by other christian churches, like episcopals).\n2. the bible (buy-bull) exists in over ONE HUNDRED different versions, editions and translations.  Each different, each claiming to be the word of God.  You don't get any more ridiculous than that.  YOU DON'T EVEN NEED DIFFERENT PEOPLE INTERPRETING IT DIFFERENTLY - THE BIBLE ITSELF EXISTS IN OVER 100 DIFFERENT FORMS, SAYING DIFFERENT THINGS!!  \n\nROFLMMFAO!!!!!\n\nIt is clearly a false myth that none of its followers can agree upon.
190601
Of course the Bible has errors, the Synoptics (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) don't even agree on what time of day Jesus was crucified.  The Bible was written by MANY differeny people and there are bound to be things that are inaccurate and just flat out wrong.  The Bible was written by people, not God, and there for it is a statistical impossibility that none of those people made absolutly no errors over a periond of two thousand years.  To me, the Bible is for inspiration and for insight into a lot of spiritual topics, but it is by no means without flaws.  To believe that the Bible is without flaws is a very, very rigid way to look at it and if someone doesn't think so, there is plenty of proof otherwise.  And those who always quote and espouse the stuff in the Bible usually can't come up with anything interesting theologically on thieir own.
492618
you are true.  if it would have been inspired by God, there would not be any contradictions. because inspiration is coming from God who is perfect\n\nfor the people above who said that there is an interpretation for that.. yes you can interpret it in any way as you wish.. but you cannot clarify the contradiction of numbers. e.g Johoiachin age and period of reign\n\n2 Kings 24:8 Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother's name was Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.\n2 Chronicle 36:9 Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD.\n\nWas Johoiachin 18 years old when he began to reign, or was he 8 years old? Did he reign for 3 months, or did he reign for 3 months 10 days?\n\n=======================================\n\n200 or 245 singers\nEzra 2:65  Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women.\nNehemiah 7:67 Beside their manservants and their maidservants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and singing women.\n\nWere they 200 or 245 singing men and women? People might say in response to avoid that same context problem... But you can check that the context is the same. \n\n=======================================================\n"Then woe to those who write the book with their own hands and then say: 'This is from Allah', to traffic with it for a miserable price. Woe to them for what their hands do write and for the gain they make thereby" The noble Qur'an 2:79"\n\n"Do they not consider the Qur'an (with care)? Had it been from other Than Allah, they would surely have found therein Much discrepancy." [Al-Qur’an 4:82]\n\n\n=============================================\n\n\nEDIT >>> TO JULIA\n\nas you are very sure that bible is free from contradictions,, can you please answer that what was the age of Johoiachin when he began to reign? 8 or 18 ? scorll up for details.
522625
good question the christian bible is one of the most contradicting books ever
794939
I have been going through the same thing right now.  I have done a lot of research and it is something that is really hard to prove.  Also there are 5 or 6 books that aren't in there and it makes me wonder who decided which books belong in the Bible and which don't.  Also have you noticed that other religions are just a loyal and believe just as strongly in their religions or "bibles" laws.  It's a strange thing.  Sometimes it makes me wonder if I always believed just because I was born here and my parents do .... I'm interested to see the answers you get though.
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.
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.
873862
Because the Bible is a book that demands life-changing action, and declares that we are morally responsible to someone greater than ourselves.  If man can prove the Book false, he can do whatever he pleases!
650662
More proof that the Bible is contradictory.
362940
I have been reading about that as of late and find it interesting.  plausible. The bible has seen a lot gone through a lot in that i mean translations.  It also stands that some books were purposely left out.  With that in mind I don't feel it proves with out a shadow of a doubt that its true.  However it does leave enough room for the thought and probability.
711045
The thing that we must remeber is that the bible may be corrupt. There is significant proof for the bible being selectively edited and this could mean that a lot of it isn't true. Also Evolution seems a much better theory. It is more believable and we have more proof for it. I hope this answers ur question.
180861
To understand the many "seeming" contradictions of the Bible you must understand the way it is put together and its intention.  Whether you believe it was handed down from the divine or a brilliant work of man made literature the intention is still the same.  To pick any one sin or thing that is considered wrong, but somehow "permitted" in the Bible is to miss the point of the Bible.\n\nIf you step back and look at the structure, it may be clearer.  The Old Testament was meant to be instructive.  It is where there are tons and tons of Mosaic laws existed that governed how good people should behave.  The purpose of all those laws was to help us to see that there was no way we could obey them all on our own, because there were so many it was impossible.  The Old testament is there to prepare us for the New Testament...which revolves much around Jesus and his sacrifice.  But unless you read the history of how people operated in the "absence" of Jesus's sacrifce, then it would be hard to understand (if you are a Christian) why Jesus had to die on the cross and what it meant.  \n\nFor example, how do you save a drowning man...if he does not know that he is drowning?  The old testament had to show us through the history and what was done, what should have been done, and the prophecies about what would be done that WE AS PEOPLE were drowning. The need had to be shown in order for those who choose to believe to understand that they needed saving...that's why Jesus died.  \n\nSO,  it's not the intention of the Bible to say that incest is wrong, but some people in the Bible were able to do it.  You have to understand the purpose of it and the things that are relevant to your salvation (again, if you choose to believe).  What is relevant is that a lot of people did a lot of wrong things, some were punished, some were not...but through the sacrifice of Jesus our sins and shortcomings are made clean, and your reward is guaranteed if you accept him as your personal savior, repent your sins, and turn from them.  \n\nMain message..."All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God..." so it is necessary in the Bible to show us what sin is to know how to avoid it, what it's like to follow so many rules that you can't keep up with them and will surely fail, what it's like to struggle with that without any help....the New Testament shows us that Jesus is the answer to all of that.  The Bible is set up to show you what it's like to be in the dark so that you will want and desire the light.  Jesus is that light.  Once again, and finally, this is only true for those who believe.