Question:
could you give me a bible contradiction or...?
alvarezplayer83
2007-04-19 12:48:09 UTC
an argument for why you dont believe in God?example: where did cains wife come from?.I believe as a christian we should try harder to answer such things so give me something good and ill try to find an answer for it.
29 answers:
ashley m
2007-04-19 12:52:32 UTC
Contradictions

The Bible is riddled with repetitions and contradictions, things that the Bible bangers would be quick to point out in anything that they want to criticize. For instance, Genesis 1 and 2 disagree about the order in which things are created, and how satisfied God is about the results of his labors. The flood story is really two interwoven stories that contradict each other on how many of each kind of animal are to be brought into the Ark--is it one pair each or seven pairs each of the "clean" ones? The Gospel of John disagrees with the other three Gospels on the activities of Jesus Christ (how long had he stayed in Jerusalem--a couple of days or a whole year?) and all four Gospels contradict each other on the details of Jesus Christ's last moments and resurrection. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke contradict each other on the genealogy of Jesus Christ' father; though both agree that Joseph was not his real father. Repetitions and contradictions are understandable for a hodgepodge collection of documents, but not for some carefully constructed treatise, reflecting a well-thought-out plan.



Of the various methods I've seen to "explain" these:

1. "That is to be taken metaphorically" In other words, what is written is not what is meant. I find this entertaining, especially for those who decide what ISN'T to be taken as other than the absolute WORD OF GOD--which just happens to agree with the particular thing they happen to want...



2. "There was more there than...." This is used when one verse says "there was a" and another says "there was b," so they decide there was "a" AND "b"--which is said nowhere. This makes them happy, since it doesn't say there WASN'T "a+b." But it doesn't say there was "a+b+litle green martians." This is often the same crowd that insists theirs is the ONLY possible interpretation (i.e. only "a") and the only way. I find it entertaining they they don't mind adding to verses.



3. "It has to be understood in context" I find this amusing because it comes from the same crowd that likes to push likewise extracted verses that support their particular view. Often it is just one of the verses in the contradictory set is suppose to be taken as THE TRUTH when if you add more to it it suddenly becomes "out of context." How many of you have goten JUST John 3:16 (taken out of all context) thrown up at you?



4. "there was just a copying/writing error" This is sometimes called a "transcription error," as in where one number was meant and an incorrect one was copied down. Or that what was "quoted" wasn't really what was said, but just what the author thought was said when he thought it was said. And that's right--I'm not disagreeing with events, I'm disagreeing with what is WRITTEN. Which is apparently agreed that it is incorrect. This is an amusing misdirection to the problem that the bible itself is wrong.



5. "That is a miracle." Naturally. That is why it is stated as fact.



6. "God works in mysterious ways" A useful dodge when the speaker doesn't understand the conflict between what the bible SAYS and what they WISH it said.





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REFERENCES:

The King James version of the Bible. quotes provided.



Self-contradictions of the Bible.

William Henry Burr

ISBN 0-87975-416-8









Burr, William Henry, 1819-1908.

Self-contradictions of the Bible / William Henry Burr ; with an introduction by R. Joseph Hoffmann. [Buffalo, NY : Prometheus Books], c1987.

Series title: Classics of Biblical criticism.

UCB Moffitt BS533 .B798 1987

UCD Main Lib BS533 .B798 1987









Cooper, Robert, secularist.

The "Holy Scriptures" analyzed, or, Extracts from the Bible : shewing its contradictions, absurdities and immoralities / by Robert Cooper. 2nd ed., to which is added, a vindication of the work. Manchester, [Greater Manchester] : J. Cooper, 1840.

Series title: Goldsmiths'-Kress library of economic literature ; no. 31887.

UCLA AGSMgmt H 31 G57 Microfilm









DeHaan, M. R.

508 answers to Bible questions : with answers to seeming Bible contradictions / M.R. DeHaan. Grand Rapids, Mich. : Zondervan, [1968?], c1952.

UCSB Library BS538 .D43 1968









Thaddaeus, Joannes, fl. 1630.

The reconciler of the Bible inlarged : wherein above three thousand seeming contradictions throughout the Old and New Testament are fully and plainly reconciled ... / by J.T. and T.M. .. London : Printed for Simon Miller ..., 1662.

Series title: Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1052:9.

UCSD Central MICRO F 524 Current Periodical Microform









Poole, Matthew, 1624-1679.

Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Vol. II : wherein the sacred text is inserted, and various readings annex'd, together with the parallel scriptures : the more difficult terms in each verse are explained,... The third edition, with the addition of a new concordance and tables, by Mr. Sam. Clark; the whole corrected and amended by the said Mr. Sam. Clark and Mr. Edward Veale .. London : Printed for Thomas Parkhurst [and 6 others], MDCXCVI [1696].

Series title: Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1041:1.

UCSD Central MICRO F 524 Current Periodical Microform









"the x-rated bible" by ben edward akerley, published by american atheist press, austin texas, 1985.







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A good source of _literal_ Biblical self-contradictions is (surprise) "Self-Contradictions of the Bible," written by William Henry Burr in 1859 as a response to fundamentalism. It is currently published by Prometheus Books, 700 East Amherst St., Buffalo, NY 14215. P.B. also publishes a large number of books on religious inquiry and biblical critiques, the majority of which have a humanistic/atheistic slant. As far as "Self-Contradictions ..." goes, it contains about 140 textual inconsistencies, classified under "Theological Doctrines," "Moral Precepts," "Historical Facts," and "Speculative Doctrines."



"The Bible Handbook" is a compilation of several previous works by several authors, including W P Ball, G W Foote, and John Bowden. Also, the writing by Mr Foote is dated 1900, so we see that this is not a new endeavor. _The Bible Handbook_ by W.P. Ball, et al., available for nine dollars from the the American Atheist Press, P.O. Box 2117, Austin TX 78768-2117. It's a collection of biblical contradictions, absurdities, atrocities, immoralities, indecencies, obscenities, unfulfilled prophecies and broken promises. This 372-page volume will give the atheist tons of scriptural ammunition for shooting down the flimsy arguments of the reality impaired.





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Additional contributions were given by:



markn@mot.com (DX560 Mark Nowak)

JHAYNES@MPS.OHIO-STATE.EDU

loren%sunlight.llnl.gov@lll-lcc.llnl.gov

lmoikkan@Bonnie.ICS.UCI.EDU

gerry@cs.cmu.edu

gerry@frc2.frc.ri.cmu.edu

smith_w@apollo.hp.com

icsu7039@caesar.cs.montana.edu

XWUU@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU

bjorn%consens.UUCP@nac.no

EETLO29%TECHNION@TAUNIVM.TAU.AC.IL

refling@envy.eng.uci.edu

mgo@inel.gov

rkp@drutx.att.com

daveh@sequent.com

markn%mot.com@tin.berkeley.edu

aa485@cleveland.freenet.edu (John Strekal)





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God good to all, or just a few?

PSA 145:9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.



JER 13:14 And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the LORD: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them.





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War or Peace?

EXO 15:3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.



ROM 15:33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.





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Who is the father of Joseph?

MAT 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.



LUK 3:23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli.





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Who was at the Empty Tomb? Is it:

MAT 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.



MAR 16:1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.



JOH 20:1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.





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Is Jesus equal to or lesser than?

JOH 10:30 I and my Father are one.



JOH 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.





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Which first--beasts or man?

GEN 1:25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

GEN 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.



GEN 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

GEN 2:19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.





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The number of beasts in the ark

GEN 7:2 Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.



GEN 7:8 Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth, GEN 7:9 There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah.





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How many stalls and horsemen?

KI1 4:26 And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.



CH2 9:25 And Solomon had four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.





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Is it folly to be wise or not?

PRO 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.



ECC 1:18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.



1 Cor.1:19: "For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and wil bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."





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Human vs. ghostly impregnation

ACT 2:30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;



MAT 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.





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The sins of the father

ISA 14:21 Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities.



DEU 24:16 The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin.





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The bat is not a bird

LEV 11:13 And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,

LEV 11:14 And the vulture, and the kite after his kind;

LEV 11:15 Every raven after his kind;

LEV 11:16 And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,

LEV 11:17 And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl,

LEV 11:18 And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle,

LEV 11:19 And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.



DEU 14:11 Of all clean birds ye shall eat.

DEU 14:12 But these are they of which ye shall not eat: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,

DEU 14:13 And the glede, and the kite, and the vulture after his kind,

DEU 14:14 And every raven after his kind,

DEU 14:15 And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,

DEU 14:16 The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan,

DEU 14:17 And the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant,

DEU 14:18 And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.





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Rabbits do not chew their cud

LEV 11:6 And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.



'Gerah', the term which appears in the MT means (chewed) cud, and also perhaps grain, or berry (also a 20th of a sheckel, but I think that we can agree that that is irrelevant here). It does *not* mean dung, and there is a perfectly adequate Hebrew word for that, which could have been used. Furthermore, the phrase translated 'chew the cud' in the KJV is more exactly 'bring up the cud'. Rabbits do not bring up anything; they let it go all the way through, then eat it again. The description given in Leviticus is inaccurate, and that's that. Rabbits do eat their own dung; they do not bring anything up and chew on it.





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Insects do NOT have four feet

LEV 11:21 Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth;

LEV 11:22 Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind.

LEV 11:23 But all other flying creeping things, which have four feet, shall be an abomination unto you.





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Snails do not melt

PSA 58:8 As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun.





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Fowl from waters or ground?

GEN 1:20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

GEN 1:21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.



GEN 2:19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.





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Odd genetic engineering

GEN 30:39 And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.





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The shape of the earth

ISA 40:22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:



MAT 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;



Astromical bodies are spherical, and you cannot see the entire exterior surface from anyplace. The kingdoms of Egypt, China, Greece, Crete, sections of Asia Minor, India, Maya (in Mexico), Carthage (North Africa), Rome (Italy), Korea, and other settlements from these kingdoms of the world were widely distributed.





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Snakes, while built low, do not eat dirt

GEN 3:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:





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Earth supported?

JOB 26:7 He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.



JOB 38:4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.



Heaven supported too

JOB 26:11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.





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The hydrological cycle

ECC 1:7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.



JOB 38:22 Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,



Storehouses are not part of the cycle





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Order of creation

Here is the order in the first (Genesis 1), the Priestly tradition:



Day 1: Sky, Earth, light

Day 2: Water, both in ocean basins and above the sky(!)

Day 3: Plants

Day 4: Sun, Moon, stars (as calendrical and navigational aids)

Day 5: Sea monsters (whales), fish, birds, land animals, creepy-crawlies (reptiles, insects, etc.)

Day 6: Humans (apparently both sexes at the same time)

Day 7: Nothing (the Gods took the first day off anyone ever did)



Note that there are "days," "evenings," and "mornings" before the Sun was created. Here, the Deity is referred to as "Elohim," which is a plural, thus the literal translation, "the Gods." In this tale, the Gods seem satisfied with what they have done, saying after each step that "it was good."



The second one (Genesis 2), the Yahwist tradition, goes:



Earth and heavens (misty)

Adam, the first man (on a desolate Earth)

Plants

Animals

Eve, the first woman (from Adam's rib)





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How orderly were things created?

#1: Step-by-step. The only discrepancy is that there is no Sun or Moon or stars on the first three "days."

#2: God fixes things up as he goes. The first man is lonely, and is not satisfied with animals. God finally creates a woman for him. (funny thing that an omniscient god would forget things)





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How satisfied with creation was he?

#1: God says "it was good" after each of his labors, and rests on the seventh day, evidently very satisfied.

#2: God has to fix up his creation as he goes, and he would certainly not be very satisfied with the disobedience of that primordial couple. (funny thing that an omniscient god would forget things)





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Moses' personality

Num.12:3: "Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the fact of the earth."



Num.31:14, 17, 18: "And Moses was wroth...And Moses said unto them, "Have ye saved all the women alive? ... Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman, ... But all the women children ... keep alive for yourselves."





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Righteous live?

Ps.92:12: "The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree."



Isa.57:1: "The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart."





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Acts 1:18: "Now this man (Judas) purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out."



Matt. 27:5-7: "And he (Judas) cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests...bought with them the potter's field."





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Jesus' first sermon plain or mount?

Matt.5:1,2: "And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying...."

Luke6:17,20: "And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people...came to hear him.. And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples and said..."





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Jesus' last words

Matt.27:46,50: "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, eli, lama sabachthani?" that is to say, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" ...Jesus, when he cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost."



Luke23:46: "And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, "Father, unto thy hands I commend my spirit:" and having said thus, he gave up the ghost."



John19:30: "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished:" and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."





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Years of famine

II SAMUEL 24:13: So God came to David, and told him, and said unto him, shall SEVEN YEARS OF FAMINE come unto thee in thy land? or will thou flee three months before thine enemies, while they pursue. thee?



I CHRONICLES 21:11: SO God came to David, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Choose thee. Either THREE YEARS OF FAMINE or three months to be destryed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee;





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Moved David to anger?

II SAMUEL 24: And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Isreal and Judah.



I CHRONICLES 21: And SATAN stood up against Isreal, and provoked David to number Israel.





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The GENEALOGY OF JESUS?

In two places in the New Testament the genealogy of Jesus son of Mary is mentioned. Matthew 1:6-16 and Luke 3:23-31. Each gives the ancestors of Joseph the CLAIMED husband of Mary and Step father of Jesus. The first one starts from Abraham(verse 2) all the way down to Jesus. The second one from Jesus all the way back to Adam. The only common name to these two lists between David and Jesus is JOSEPH, How can this be true? and also How can Jesus have a genealogy when all Muslims and most Christians believe that Jesus had/has no father.





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God be seen?

Exod. 24:9,10; Amos 9:1; Gen. 26:2; and John 14:9

God CAN be seen:

"And I will take away my hand, and thou shalt see my backparts." (Ex. 33:23)

"And the Lord spake to Moses face to face, as a man speaketh to his friend." (Ex. 33:11)

"For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." (Gen. 32:30)



God CANNOT be seen:

"No man hath seen God at any time." (John 1:18)

"And he said, Thou canst not see my face; for there shall no man see me and live." (Ex. 33:20)

"Whom no man hath seen nor can see." (1 Tim. 6:16)





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CRUEL, UNMERCIFUL, DESTRUCTIVE, and FEROCIOUS or KIND, MERCIFUL, and GOOD:

"I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy." (Jer. 13:14) "Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not, but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling."



"The Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy." (James 5:11)

"For his mercy endureth forever." (1 Chron. 16:34)

"The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works." (Ps. 145:9)

"God is love." (1 John 4:16)





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Tempts?

"And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham." (Gen 22:1)



"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man." (James 1:13)





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Judas died how?

"And he cast down the pieces of silver into the temple and departed, and went out and hanged himself." (Matt. 27:5)



"And falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all of his bowels gushed out." (Acts 1:18)





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Ascend to heaven

"And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven." (2 Kings 2:11)



"No man hath ascended up to heaven but he that came down from heaven, ... the Son of Man." (John 3:13)





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What was Jesus' prediction regarding Peter's denial?

Before the cock crow - Matthew 26:34



Before the cock crow twice - Mark 14:30





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How many times did the cock crow?

MAR 14:72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.



MAT 26:74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

MAT 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.



LUK 22:60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

LUK 22:61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.



JOH 13:38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, still thou hast denied me thrice.



JOH 18:27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.





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Who killed Saul

SA1 31:4 Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.

SA1 31:5 And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.

SA1 31:6 So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together.

SA2 1:15 And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.





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How many beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount

MAT 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

MAT 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

MAT 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

MAT 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

MAT 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

MAT 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

MAT 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

MAT 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

MAT 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.



LUK 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

LUK 6:21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

LUK 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.

LUK 6:23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.





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Does every man sin?

KI1 8:46 If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near;



CH2 6:36 If they sin against thee, (for there is no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near;



PRO 20:9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?



ECC 7:20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.



JO1 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

JO1 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

JO1 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.



JO1 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.





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Who bought potter's field

ACT 1:18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

ACT 1:19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.



MAT 27:6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

MAT 27:7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.

MAT 27:8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.





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Who prophesied the potter's field?

Matthew 27:9-10 (mentions Jeremy but no such verse in Jeremiah) is in Zechariah 11:12-13





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Who bears guilt?

GAL 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.



GAL 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden.





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Do you answer a fool?

PRO 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.



PRO 26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.





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How many children did Michal, the daughter of Saul, have?

SA2 6:23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.



SA2 21:8 But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite:





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How old was Jehoiachin when he began to reign?

KI2 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.



CH2 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.





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Marriage?

Proverbs 18:22

1 Corinthians 7 (whole book. See 1,2,27,39,40)





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Did those with Saul/Paul at his conversion hear a voice?

ACT 9:7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.



ACT 22:9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.





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Where was Jesus three days after his baptism?

MAR 1:12 And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness.



JOH 1:35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;



(various trapsing)





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How many apostles were in office between the resurection and ascention?

1 Corinthians 15:5 (12)

Matthew 27:3-5 (minus one from 12)

Acts 1:9-26 (Mathias not elected until after resurrection)



MAT 28:16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.





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Judging

1 Cor 2:15 "The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:" (NIV)



1 Cor 4:5 "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God."





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Good deeds

Matt 5:16 "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (NIV)



Matt 6:3-4 "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secert. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (NIV)





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For or against?

MAT 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

(default is against)



MAR 9:40 For he that is not against us is on our part.

(default is for)



LUK 9:50 And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

(default is for)





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Whom did they see at the tomb?

MAT 28:2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

MAT 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

MAT 28:4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

MAT 28:5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.



MAR 16:5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.



LUK 24:4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:



JOH 20:12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.



God change?

malachi 3:6

james 1:17

1 samuel 15:29

jonah 3:10

genesis 6:6





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Destruction of cities (what said was jeremiah was zechariah)

MAT 27:9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;



zechariah 11:11-13

(nothing in Jeremiah remotely like)





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Who's sepulchers

acts 7:16

genesis 23:17,18





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Strong drink?

proverbs 31:6,7

john 2:11-11





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When second coming?

MAT 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.



MAR 13:30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.



LUK 21:32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.



1 thessalonians 4:15-18





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Solomon's overseers

550 in I Kings 9:23

250 in II Chron 8:10





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The mother of Abijah:

Maachah the daughter of Absalom 2 Chron 9:20



Michaiah the daughter of Uriel 2 Chron 13:2





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When did Baasha die?

26th year of the reign of Asa I Kings 16:6-8



36th year of the reign of Asa I 2 Chron 16:1





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How old was Ahaziah when he began to reign?

22 in 2 Kings 8:26



42 in 2 Chron 22:2





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Who was Josiah's successor?

Jehoahaz - 2 Chron 36:1



Shallum - Jeremiah 22:11





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The differences in the census figures of Ezra and Nehemiah.



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What was the color of the robe placed on Jesus during his trial?

scarlet - Matthew 27:28



purple John 19:2





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What did they give him to drink?

vinegar - Matthew 27:34



wine with myrrh - Mark 15:23





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How long was Jesus in the tomb?

Depends where you look; Matthew 12:40 gives Jesus prophesying that he will spend "three days and three nights in the heart of the earth," and Mark 10:34 has "after three days (meta treis emeras) he will rise again." As far as I can see from a quick look, the prophecies have "after three days," but the post-Resurrection narratives have "on the third day."



let me know when you are done k...
?
2014-10-21 11:41:23 UTC
Bible difficulties, or apparent Bible contradictions, exist. The opponents of Christianity often use them in their attempts to discredit Christianity. Sometimes these attacks undermine the faith of Christians who either don't understand the issues or don't have the resources to deal with them.



Opponents of Christianity will cite what they consider a Bible contradiction or difficulty by comparing one verse to another (or more) that seems to disagree with the first. In doing this, several verses are often referenced as being contradictory or problematic. Therefore, to make this section of CARM easy to use, it is arranged by verse for easy lookup. Since many of the same "difficulties" deal with one verse in opposition to another or even several others, I have listed all the verses addressed in the same answer. This makes the initial list look larger than it really is. For example, how many animals did Noah bring into the ark? Genesis 6:19-20 says two while Gen. 7:2-3 mentions seven. Therefore, both verses are listed and both links point to the same answer.



http://carm.org/introduction-bible-difficulties-and-bible-contradictions



If we read the Bible at face value, without a preconceived bias for finding errors, we will find it to be a coherent, consistent, and relatively easy-to-understand book. Yes, there are difficult passages. Yes, there are verses that appear to contradict each other. We must remember that the Bible was written by approximately 40 different authors over a period of around 1500 years. Each writer wrote with a different style, from a different perspective, to a different audience, for a different purpose. We should expect some minor differences. However, a difference is not a contradiction. It is only an error if there is absolutely no conceivable way the verses or passages can be reconciled. Even if an answer is not available right now, that does not mean an answer does not exist. Many have found a supposed error in the Bible in relation to history or geography only to find out that the Bible is correct once further archaeological evidence is discovered.



http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-errors.html



The Big Book of Bible Difficulties: Clear and Concise Answers from Genesis to Revelation

By: Norman L. Geisler, Thomas Howe

http://www.christianbook.com/difficulties-clear-concise-answers-genesis-revelation/norman-geisler/9780801071584/pd/071584?event=AFF&p=1011693&
J Bowden Hapgood
2007-04-19 13:41:55 UTC
Here's a better question. Give me on single shred of verifiable evidence throughout the entire history of the world to prove the bible is real. That god exists. A single verifiable miracle. One piece of supported evidence for a supernatural event. One document showing supporting evidence for the existence of Jesus, BESIDES the bible or a document whose source was the bible.



Ask anyone why they don't believe in Unicorns or Leprechauns. It's not real. No evidence. Why should there be different criteria for god?



Read, "Why I Am Not a Christian" by Bertrand Russell (short essay) for a simple account or "The God Delusion" for a more complex exploration.



The issue is not why 'not believe', the issue is why believe?



If a certain portion of the brain is stimulated, then people see a bright white light and experience the feeling the presence of god ...or aliens. What's the difference?



...for contradictions look on the net, there are a miriad of contradictions in the bible, just look them up on a skeptic site.



You're puting the cart before the horse. Peter 3:15 says you're to be able to give evidence for your faith. If the bible is the core document of your belief, shouldn't it's validity be of the utmost importance?



Let me finally sum up this way:

If you want to believe, then fine. However, realize it's without a good reason. If you had a good reason to believe, faith would be completely unneccesary.



How's that for some suggestions?!!
Alan
2007-04-19 12:53:29 UTC
Ok - consider the story of Exodus. The motivation was that the god did not want his people to be slaves. Fine. But now look at the 10 Commandments. Do you see anything prohibiting was is arguably the worst sin that one group of people can do to another? Why isn't "Thou Shalt Not Commit Slavery" a commandment? How could god and moses have forgotten that one?



Here's a possible answer - because the bible is a man made artifact and, at that time and place, people thought slavery was just fine. They just didn't want to be slaves themselves. People, back then, might have thought of the idea of "freeing the slaves" to be as crazy as "freeing the chickens". However, if there was a god then this sin should have been #1 on his list.
2007-04-19 12:53:32 UTC
The bible was written by a man, men are not perfect... especially in literature..



The bible has hundreds of contradictions... Type in "Bible Contradictions" in google... and look at the first 10-15 entries.. there are some good ones...



I am agnostic myself, I cant prove or disprove that any god exists...



I choose to live my life how I want it, not to be controlled by something/one I cannot see with my own eyes...



If when I die, I get a chance to see if a god exists, then I will willingly bow down before him, and take any punishment for not believing for so long... But I like my odds as they are right now...
mrzwink
2007-04-19 12:53:02 UTC
well cains wives is not realy a problem tbh.



the bible said he created adam and eve as the first humans, not the only one... infact, when cain kills abel, he runs away to join another tribe of man.



there are some contradictions in Corinthians, im not sure of the verses. 20 and 24 i believe. about having your wives be silent in the churches.
2007-04-26 08:19:01 UTC
It says Adam and Eve were the first people but cain's children go on to visit a village.
2007-04-19 12:55:14 UTC
I read in Deuternomy that if I find my family worshiping a false god I'm entirely within my rights to stone them.



That was one the Bible god's directives through Moses to the Hebrew folk. The Bible god was a real ruthless operator.



This is one of thousands of examples.



Study your Bible, but watch out you don't become an atheist. The Holy Bible is the best tool of atheists.
2007-04-19 12:52:33 UTC
Matthew and Luke disagree on Joseph's lineage.

Sure, by tradition Luke is giving Mary's lineage -- but that's by tradition and NOT in the Bible. Furthermore, giving Mary's lineage WITHOUT mentioning Mary would seem to be an uninspired decision.
2007-04-19 12:52:34 UTC
I believe in a superior power, but I'm not a Christian. The Bible is fiction like any other good novel, you prove it's true.
2007-04-19 12:51:54 UTC
Immediately after the Birth of Jesus, in one of the Gospels, Joseph is warned that Herod is going to try to kill Jesus.



The family flees to Egypt and stays there until Herod dies, presumably several years.



In another Gospel, Herod is never mentioned, the family never goes to Egypt and they are portrayed as going to Jerusalem immediately after the birth for a required cleansing ritual, and then returning to Galilee.



Can't be both without a Star Trek-style anomaly in the Space-Time Continuum.
Ra
2007-04-19 12:54:03 UTC
Here is a contradiction to your Bible:

I, the solar god Ra, exist. Look up at the midday sun and there I am, looking down at you. Your "YHWH" is invisible, and when he appears it is usually as an image in a flatbread. How silly.



If that is not enough to convert you, foolish mortal, then I feel this conversation is hopeless.
Music is my Balance
2007-04-27 08:51:13 UTC
The bible, the book of mormon, the kuron, so on as so forth are great tools to aid us in life, however, they were all translated by humans, therefore subjected to human error. Be not defined souly by these tools. They aren't perfect, so why are you expecting perfection.
thesongfairy
2007-04-27 11:45:14 UTC
Where did Cain's wife come from. She was his sister. They were twins and her name was Barbara. If you could read Hebrew you would know this.
2007-04-19 12:53:34 UTC
Was Jesus the first person to rise from the dead?



Acts 26:23

That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead.



Did others rise before him?



1 Samuel 28:11, 14

Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel .... And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel.



1 Kings 17:22

And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.



2 Kings 4:32-35

And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD. And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times.



2 Kings 13:21

And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.



Matthew 9:23-25

And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.



Luke 7:12-15

Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.



Luke 9:30

And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias.



John 11:43

And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
just curious (A.A.A.A.)
2007-04-19 13:00:35 UTC
during the great flood, it rained continuously for 40 days and 40 nights. in order to do so the air would be so humid you would drown from breathing. therefore, not even an ark could save noah and the animals. if your response to this is well, god could have protected them. if that's your response, then why even make an ark to begin with?
sammyc
2007-04-19 12:52:32 UTC
i dont have a q but i know what you mean im a christian to but wasnt cains wife one of his sisters?
MONK
2007-04-19 12:52:53 UTC
Here's a site's worth of contradictions. Let me know when you have resolved them, and I'll give you some more.



http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/by_name.html
leilani
2007-04-19 12:51:21 UTC
where DID cain's wife come from? i know incest was common practice in lot's family, but what did cain and abel do?
j.wisdom
2007-04-19 12:56:58 UTC
How many names are there for God in the OT and why

How many names are there for God in the NT AND WHY

Why are bats listed as birds?

Why did God not tell us all the plans he has?

Why do I enjoy atheism?
2007-04-19 12:50:56 UTC
Cain was from the 8th day creation, his wife was from the 6th day creation.

Adam and Eve were FORMED in Genesis 2:6

All the other Races were CREATED in Genesis 1:27
Sandy Sandals
2007-04-19 12:53:21 UTC
If we call came from Adam and Eve then we're all inbreds, right?
alphaomegadisciple
2007-04-19 12:53:46 UTC
Well i believe in God but i have to scratch my head on thou shalt not kill but then he commands people to be killed throughout the old testament.
Jabberwock
2007-04-19 12:52:48 UTC
I guess Adam and Eve's sons were hosing their daughters.
2007-04-19 12:54:34 UTC
You can start here with the contradictions:

http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/by_name.html



And for why I don't follow your god, look here:

http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/int/long.html

http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/cruelty/long.html

http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/women/long.html
paradiseemperatorbluepinguin
2007-04-27 11:14:29 UTC
It taste so, good, That i will stand with what you have said.

God bliss! you.
what a mockery
2007-04-19 12:50:48 UTC
noah was 400 years old.
dali333
2007-04-19 12:52:27 UTC
an eye for an eye ~ turn the other cheek
Not Of This World
2007-04-19 12:51:26 UTC
there is not contradictions in the Bible!! get over it!! people who don't have the Holy spirit in their hearts cannot receive revelation of God's word so, they misinterpret the bible !!


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