The Bible always has been, and always will be, attacked by destructive critics. Satan promoted doubt in God from the very beginning (Gen. 3:1, 4). The way one answers the question of whether it is really important and necessary to obey God is a matter that bears directly on his future prospects for death and suffering.
The nature of man in his fallen state is basically to rebel against God’s Word. In order to accept the truth of the Bible, man must acknowledge his personal condemnation because of sin. Man’s basic problem with the Bible is not intellectual but moral (Rom. 8:7).
The Scriptures predict an apostasy, or falling away, from God’s truth in the last days (1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-9). In the broadest sense the last days began with the first coming of Christ (Heb. 1:1-3). In these last days there will be a progressive, continuous attack on the trustworthiness of Scripture.
What about the difficulties that the Bible contains? The destructive critic alleges that the Bible contains errors and attempts to come up with apparent examples in order to disprove the clear scriptural doctrine of inspiration.
Why are there apparent difficulties in the Bible? Perhaps God has included them to prompt more study and prayerful meditation. The Bible was not designed to be read superficially. When two passages stand in apparent conflict, the sleepy reader is awakened to see how this conflict can be resolved.
God is also interested in our faith. He allows destructive critics to attempt to attack His Word. He also offers the grace and wisdom to strengthen the faith of the humble believer.
Apparent difficulties may at times aid the believer in valuing the essential over the trivial. The spiritual message of the Scriptures is rooted in accurate historical and scientific facts. We are not to miss the spiritual message that these facts reveal, however.
The apparent difficulties are also a proof that there was no collusion among the human authors. God used their varying personalities and gifts. In this regard the difficulties may strengthen our confidence.
Obviously, there is not space in this brief article to deal with many Bible difficulties. Even if a writer solved ten, somebody else would then offer eleven. We will examine some difficulties, however.
We can classify Bible difficulties in different ways. Pache put Bible difficulties into three categories—imaginary ones, those resolved through better information, and those that can be harmonized (The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture, Moody).
Haley used a different division. He referred to doctrinal, ethical, and historical discrepancies (Alleged Discrepancies in the Bible, Baker). The following paragraphs contain various illustrations of some apparent contradictions in the Bible.
Jesus asserted that all things are possible with God (Matt. 19:26). God’s prophet also revealed that nothing is too hard or difficult for the Lord (Jer. 32:17). The fact of God’s inability to lie (Heb. 6:18) is not a contradiction. God’s omnipotence is always in harmony with His character and His loving and righteous purposes. No one attribute of God will ever stand in contradiction to another divine attribute.
Isaiah 40:28 declares that God is never weary or tired. Why, then, does Genesis 2:2 and Exodus 31:17 refer to God as resting from His work? God did not rest from fatigue; instead, His rest means He had completed a planned creative activity. When God rested, he established a gracious pattern, which was for man to rest. Man needs regular rest periods since he is subject to fatigue.
Psalm 139:2-4 clearly teaches that God knows all things. Why, then, does Genesis 22:12 read as if God learned something about Abraham’s fear of Him? Since Scripture is designed to speak to man, it sometimes is written from the viewpoint of man. God observed from Abraham’s experience the truth of his obedience. This does not imply that God learned a new truth at this point, however.
Psalm 121:4 teaches the comforting truth that God does not sleep. Why, then, does another psalm petition God to wake from His sleep (44:23)? The Bible uses the language of appearance. From the psalmist’s viewpoint, the apparent inactivity of God made it appear that He was not alert.
Psalm 139:9-10 affirms the truth of God’s omnipresence. Why, then, does Scripture speak of Adam and Eve as trying to hide from his presence (Gen. 3:8)? Scripture speaks of God’s presence in several ways. It affirms His omnipresence but also speaks of His special manifested presence in His tabernacle (Exod. 40:34), temple (2 Chron. 7:1), and now in His people (1 Cor. 6:19). The believer is encouraged to cultivate the manifested presence of God in his life.
Scripture clearly declares that there is only one true God (Deut. 6:4; 1 Cor. 8:6). It also teaches that the Father is God (1 Pet. 1:2), the Son is God (Heb. 1:8), and the Spirit is God (Acts 5:4). These facts are not contradictory but complementary and are the basis for the biblical doctrine of the Trinity.
God is Spirit (John 4:24). He is also pictured as having fingers (Exod. 31:18). God revealed His truth in language that man can understand. Man writes with his fingers, and God uses anthropomorphisms that man can understand to reveal His capacities. In the same way, the Bible figuratively speaks of wings and feathers in revealing God’s protective care for His people (Ps. 91:4).
God is described as being unchangeable in His character (Mal. 3:6). He is also said to change His mind or repent (Jonah 3:10). God is unchangeable in His character and always acts with unchanging consistency as He works with mutable man. The unchanging God has always declared that He will bless man when he genuinely repents (Jer. 18:7-8).
No man has seen God at any time (John 1:18). In what sense did Moses see God (Exod. 33:18)? No one has ever seen God’s invisible essence. God has visibly manifested Himself and allowed man to see these manifestations at various times (cf. vs. 23).
How can the Bible say both that God tests or tempts man (Gen. 22:1) and that He does not tempt man (Jas. 1:13)? God never solicits man to enter into evil and sin. He tests or tempts man only to strengthen his faith. He never puts such a heavy burden on man that he has no choice but to sin (1 Cor. 10:13).
The Bible declares that all Scripture is inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16). Paul stated that sometimes he, not the Lord, spoke (1 Cor. 7:12). Paul simply distinguished the times when he was referring to a direct teaching of Christ from the times when he was simply writing from His own apostolic authority (1 Thess. 2:13). All of Paul’s writings in the Bible are Scripture and hence are equally authoritative.
The Scriptures emphatically teach that man is justified by God’s grace and not by works (Rom. 3:20, 28; Gal. 3:16-18). In what way was Abraham justified by works (Jas. 2:23-24)? The term “justify” has two meanings in Scripture. It can mean to declare righteous; in this sense its meaning is the opposite of the word condemn (Rom. 8:33-34). The word justify can also mean to show to be righteous. This is clearly the meaning in Romans 3:4 and 1 Timothy 3:16.
James used the word “justify” in a different way from Paul. James was not referring to Abraham’s initial justification but rather his later justification before man (Jas. 2:23-24).
Is it true in an absolute sense that no evil will happen to the just or the righteous (Prov. 12:21)? If so, why does the Bible also say that many difficulties and trials can come to a believer (Rom. 8:35; 2 Tim. 3:12)? The Bible promises that no permanent or ultimate harm or evil will affect the righteous. The Lord is able to take the evil that He allows to come our way and work it for good in His total plan (Rom. 8:28).
Is money a blessing of God or a curse? Money is seen as a blessing from God in some passages (Ps. 112:3). God clearly denounces rich people in other passages (cf. Jas. 5:1-3). The truth is that neither riches nor poverty in themselves are a certain sign of God’s blessing or curse.
The blessing of riches should never interfere with the pursuit of eternal character (cf. Ps. 112:3, 6). The blessing of riches should also be connected with generosity (vs. 5). Riches are only a blessing if they do not promote an undue fear of losing them (vs. 7). One should learn to be content in any set of circumstances (Phil. 4:11-13). A good name or character is always more important than material riches.
Should believers aim for a good name or reputation? Proverbs 22:1 seems to teach this. On the other hand, Jesus warned against being one of whom all men speak well (Luke 6:26). The ultimate goal of one’s life should not be mere personal popularity (Gal. 1:10). We should aim for a reputation of godly character while recognizing that there will be adversity.
Jesus promised a light burden and rest (Matt. 11:28-30). How can this be reconciled with His promise of tribulation and trouble (John 16:33)? As one lives under Christ’s control or yoke, He gives us the gracious motivation and capability to do anything we are called upon to accomplish or endure for God’s glory. Living in hope to honor god makes one’s burden light; hope is possessed in the present life but not in the absence of tribulation.
God encourages us to bear one another’s burden (Gal. 6:2). He also encourages the believer to bear his own burden (vs. 5). Do I bear my burden alone, or do I go to another for help? These verses contain two different Greek words for burden. Verse 2 refers to an excessive load. We are to look to God and be willing to receive help from others as well as to give help to others. Verse 5 refers to our own individual responsibilities.
The Bible has survived and will continue to survive despite all the attacks and criticism of ungodly men. The difficulties we find in Scripture should encourage us to study more and seek God more. The apparent conflicts can many times lead us to see the beautiful harmony and balance of God’s Word.
The inability of someone to solve any given difficulty in Scripture is not proof that an error exists. Some alleged errors take much time and reflection in order to fully solve them. The believer can stand on the clear doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture as he wrestles with any given difficulty. May god continue to increase your love and confidence in His truth.