If Someone Says—‘The Bible Contradicts Itself’
- Edward D. Andrews
- 9 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Responding When Someone Says the Bible Contradicts Itself
When a person claims that the Bible contradicts itself, the Christian must reply with clarity, confidence, and a sound defense of Scripture’s accuracy. The issue is not merely academic; it concerns the trustworthiness of the very Word that Jehovah inspired. The Scriptures declare that “all Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Since Jehovah is a God of truth, His Word cannot be self–conflicting. Apparent contradictions arise only when the text is misunderstood, when context is ignored, or when assumptions and traditions overshadow careful exegesis.
A calm, reasoned reply invites the critic to examine the evidence rather than rest on a surface-level accusation. The goal is to demonstrate that the Bible, when interpreted according to the historical-grammatical method, maintains complete internal harmony.
Understanding the Nature of the Accusation
When someone says, “The Bible contradicts itself,” the first step is to clarify what they mean. Many accusations are vague, relying on something heard secondhand or on a superficial reading. A thoughtful response begins by asking, “Which passage are you referring to?” This invites a specific example that can be examined contextually. Most allegations of contradiction disappear once the original language, historical background, literary form, or broader context is considered.
Some accusations arise from viewing two verses as contradictory when they are simply describing different aspects of the same event. Others stem from translation differences, not differences in the Hebrew or Greek text. Still others occur because the critic imports modern assumptions into ancient texts instead of allowing the text to speak in its own historical setting.
The Bible’s Harmony and the Doctrine of Inspiration
A key point in responding is affirming the nature of Scripture. The Bible is not merely a human anthology of writings but the inspired, inerrant revelation of Jehovah. Because God does not err, His Word does not err. The human writers—Moses, David, Isaiah, Matthew, Paul, and others—wrote under the direction of the Holy Spirit, producing a unified message across sixteen centuries, three continents, and multiple literary genres. The unity of the Bible itself forms one of the strongest evidences for its divine origin.
This unity is especially evident in doctrines such as creation, the fall of mankind, the Abrahamic covenant (initiated in 2091 B.C.E.), the redemptive work of the Messiah, and the coming earthly and heavenly hope. Even when writers addressed different audiences and circumstances, the theological message remained consistent. Discrepancies only appear when verses are misread or lifted out of context.
Context: The Cure for Most Alleged Contradictions
Most accusations vanish the moment the text is read carefully in context. A verse never stands alone; it must be interpreted within its paragraph, book, historical setting, and the larger canon.
For example, when one Gospel writer highlights one detail of an event and another writer highlights a different detail, this is not a contradiction but complementary testimony. Ancient biographical writing did not follow modern journalistic expectations, and selective reporting does not equal error. When Matthew lists two individuals present at an event and Mark focuses on one, the report is harmonious: Mark simply emphasizes the primary figure. He does not deny the presence of the second person.
Similarly, chronological differences are often stylistic rather than contradictory. Hebrew and Greek narrative frequently groups events thematically instead of following strict time ordering. The critic who expects a modern timeline can mistake thematic arrangement for inconsistency.
Distinguishing Between Difference and Contradiction
A contradiction exists only when two statements cannot both be true at the same time and in the same sense. Differences in wording, perspective, emphasis, or audience do not meet the definition of contradiction. The biblical writers did not copy each other mechanically; the Spirit guided each to write truthfully while maintaining his own style and purpose.
Suppose one account says that a group went to a location and another says that a particular member of that group went. Both can be true simultaneously. If one passage describes Judas’ betrayal of Jesus and another adds a specific detail about the transaction, both contribute to a fuller picture of what happened. Scripture often works this way: multiple angles that enrich understanding rather than contradict it.
Addressing Specific Types of Alleged Contradictions
Moral or Theological Allegations
Some claim the Bible contradicts itself morally. Yet Scripture consistently affirms Jehovah’s holiness, justice, mercy, and unchanging character. Commands differed between covenants because covenantal requirements changed, not because God’s character changed. The Mosaic Law was given to Israel for a specific period and purpose, culminating in the Messiah. When Christ fulfilled the Law, the covenant changed, but Jehovah’s character remained constant.
Historical Allegations
Archaeology, when understood accurately, continues to support the Bible’s historical precision. Events such as the reigns of ancient kings, the destruction of cities, the rise and fall of empires, and the existence of specific people-groups align with extrabiblical evidence. Whenever critics have accused the Bible of historical error, later discoveries have overwhelmingly vindicated Scripture.
Numerical Allegations
Numerical “contradictions” often arise from misunderstanding textual conventions of the ancient world. Ancient writers used rounding, estimation, and representative numbers without intending mathematical precision in every instance. Such conventions do not imply error; they reflect the standard literary practices of the time.
The Role of Manuscript Accuracy in Addressing the Claim
Some critics argue that contradictions arise because the Bible has been corrupted through transmission. Yet the manuscripts tell another story. The Hebrew and Greek texts are 99.99 percent accurate to the originals. Differences among manuscripts rarely affect meaning, and no core doctrine is altered by textual variations. Jehovah has preserved His Word with extraordinary fidelity through scribal tradition, early copying practices, and the widespread distribution of manuscripts.
This preservation demonstrates that the God Who inspired Scripture has also safeguarded it. The critic who claims that contradictions result from corruption must reckon with the overwhelming manuscript evidence supporting the stability of the biblical text.
How a Christian Might Respond in Conversation
When someone says, “The Bible contradicts itself,” a gentle but firm response might be: “Would you mind giving me a specific example? When we look at the context and the original wording, we find that the Bible is remarkably consistent.” This opens a discussion rather than a debate. Avoiding confrontation while maintaining confidence encourages the individual to examine the text more seriously.
If they do present a passage, walk through the context with them. Examine the surrounding verses, compare Scripture with Scripture, and discuss the historical background. Invite them to consider the purpose of each writer. Demonstrate how harmony emerges when the text is approached honestly and carefully.
The Importance of Scripture’s Reliability for the Christian Life
Defending the reliability of the Bible is not merely about intellectual satisfaction. The authority of Scripture forms the foundation of Christian belief and living. If the Bible were contradictory, its teachings about salvation, the resurrection, the earthly hope, the heavenly calling, and the return of Christ could not be trusted. But because Jehovah’s Word is truthful, Christians can confidently anchor their lives to its promises.
The Gospel accounts do not conflict regarding Jesus’ ministry (which began in 29 C.E.) nor His sacrificial death on Nisan 14 of 33 C.E. The New Testament writings produced between 41 C.E. and 98 C.E. reflect unified testimony about His identity, His mission, and His resurrection. Such harmony cannot be explained by mere human coordination. It reflects the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit inspiring the writers to record the truth accurately.
Inviting the Sincere Person to Examine the Evidence
Finally, when addressing someone’s concerns, emphasize that an honest investigation always strengthens trust in Scripture. Encourage them to read the Bible as a coherent whole, recognizing the unity of Jehovah’s progressive revelation from Genesis to Revelation. Highlight the accuracy of biblical chronology, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the consistency of doctrine across centuries.
The sincere person who investigates Scripture using the historical-grammatical method will discover that the harmony of the Bible is not fragile—it is profound. Allegations of contradiction are shallow compared to the depth and precision of God’s Word.
About the Author
EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
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