No Contradictions

How to Interpret the Bible

How can you believe a Book, that is one, is written by a bunch of old men with the intent to control the masses, two, is filled with impossible stories and contradictions. I mean, come on. Do you REALLY believe God created everything? Where did He come from? Do you really believe God wiped out everything and saved Man by saving one Family? Why are we not all one color? Do you really believe that Jesus was God? That He actually raised from the dead?

Uh? Yes. First, we must understand how to interpret the Bible. See, there are no Contradictions. Zero. There are however misunderstandings. There are misinterpretations. There are willful twisting to fit beliefs, Religion, and agendas. But there are NO Contradictions. Don't worry, I'll get more into this aspect in a few.

So how do you interpret the Bible? Literal interpretation. Literal interpretation, simply means, that we are to interpret the Bible as it is written. But in doing so, we must be careful not to chose one Passage alone. Example,,

"There is no God." {Psalm 14:1, Psalms 53:1}

Yup. Did you know that? The Bible actually, not once, but TWICE, tells us that there is no God. However, this is incomplete. We need the WHOLE Passage, and we need it in context to understand what it is actually saying. What is confusing or hard to understand in one part of Scripture, will be made clear in another. To interpret Scripture by Scripture means that we must not set one Passage of Scripture against another Passage. Each Passage must be understood in light of its immediate context, and also, in light of the context of the whole of Scripture.

Another key to understanding the Word, is this. It is written in various forms by many Authors. They all had different styles. So when reading, we must keep this in mind also. Poetry is to be treated as Poetry. Songs as Songs. Historical accounts are to be treated as History. Parables as Parables, and so on. When Jesus talks about a Mustard Seed. He is referring to having very little Faith and what that can grow into. He was not really talking about Mustard. ETC.

Let's look at some of these Contradictions that we hear so much about.. One Angel or two? How many Angles we at the Tomb? How about three??

"Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it." (Matthew 28:1-2)

But wait.. A young man?

"And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed." (Mark 16:5)

No wait again, two men?

"And it happened that while they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling apparel."(Luke 24:4)

They were Angels

"Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb. And so she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him "

"and she beheld two angels in white sitting, one at the head, and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying." (John 20:1-2, 12)

Now look at these together. An angel of the Lord moved the Stone and was sitting upon it outside Matthew 28:2. The two men Luke 24:4 were angels John 20:12. Mark 16:5 presents the only potential issue, and it isn't the only one at all. If there were two angels in the tomb, then there was at least one. This one was on the right. Therefore, we see that there was One angel outside and Two on the inside of the tomb. So Three?

Different versions of the same event, by different Witnesses, either based on different Points, or different Points of View. A guy robs a Bank, 10 Witnesses give 6 or 7 different descriptions of the same event, ETC. When you know the Truth, these are insignificant to the ACTUAL Lesson it is trying to teach you.

Jesus talks with One or Two Blind Men?

Two blind men

"And as they were going out from Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!" (Matthew 20:29-30)

One blind man

"And they came to Jericho. And as He was going out from Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Mark 10:46-47)

One blind man again?

"And it came about that as He was approaching Jericho, a certain blind man was sitting by the road, begging."

"And he called out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" (Luke 18:35,38)

Again, there is no contradiction. Matthew 20:29-30 makes it clear that as Jesus was leaving Jericho that there were Two Blind Men sitting by the road. Then you have Jesus COMING to or Approaching  Jericho.

However, even if these where the SAME event. The one focused on was Bartimeaus. Both called out for healing Matthew 20:29-30. However, Mark and Luke focused on Bartimeaus for some reason. Perhaps two different events? Perhaps he was the loudest and most determined? Perhaps he had more Faith? Perhaps they didn't get the other one's name? Who knows? Contradiction? I think not. Many other examples can be given.

You see, because,,

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."{2 Timothy 3:16-17}

The World will hate it. Goes into the whole Spirit vs Flesh thing. God vs Man. So of course people are going to attack it. Attempt to denounce it. Attempt to twist it for evil reasons. You also must remember how Jesus dealt with those that hated Him. He spoke in Parables and those who heard, heard but failed to understand. In other words, it was foolishness to them. But to His Disciples and those that God called to Him, it was the Wisdom of God. As a matter of fact. The Word even declares this..

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness;" {1 Corinthians 1:18-23}

The basic Message of the Bible is simple enough and clear enough for a Child to understand. Yet the Meat of Scripture, the more in depth Studies, keep the finest Scholars perennially engaged in an effort to sort them out. I believe that God has deliberately included some seemingly contradictions in His Word, to “snare” the proud. He has “hidden” things from the “wise ” and “revealed them to babes” (Luke 10:21), purposely choosing foolish things to confound the wise.

Another aspect of interpreting the Word is VERY Important.

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein." {Hebrews 13:8-9}

In other words, God does not change with the Times. His Word does not change with the Times. Jesus does not change with the Times. What WAS Sin then, is Sin now, and will kill you quicker at that. What was Good then, is Good now. There is no gray area. There is no compromise. It is NOT Compassion to attempt to Accept, Justify, or Glorify, SIN.

Let me ask you this. Your friend LOVES Fire. Loves it so much, they think it will never harm them. So they light a fire and go to walk into it. Is it compassion to let them? You know, to not hurt their feelings. To not make them feel bad. You should have compassion on them and let them love the fire all they want. Who are you to tell them they are wrong. What does it effect you if they light a fire and walk in it. You narrow minded hate filled person. Or is it TRUE Compassion to attempt to stop them from burning up and dying?

No the Bible is not simply a Book. It is alive. It is the Word of God. It is only by The Word, and spending time with God, allowing the Holy Spirit to commune with your Spirit, that you may build a solid foundation for yourself. The Word gives you Peace. The Word answers all your questions. The Word gives you Hope.

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." {Romans 15: 4}

There are no Contradictions. Zero. There is no falsehoods. There is no Hate. There is no control. It is not a list of don'ts. It is not a bunch of Rules and Regulations. It is the very LIVING WORD OF GOD!!! Every answer to every question can be found in it. It will feed your Spirit. It will protect you from the snares of the Devil. It is the Sword of the Spirit. It is something you need to spend as much time in as Possible. If you find it difficult to understand, then Pray. Ask God to allow His Spirit to teach your Spirit. What you thought you could never understand, or what you have been falsely told about, will open up to you in a whole new light. All you have to do is dive in..

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus IS Lord..