1 Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part II. 2 Can We Understand the Bible?

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Can We

Understand the

Bible Alike?—Part

II

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Can We Understand

the Bible?

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Yes! We can understand the Bible.

Can We Understand the Bible?

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YES!!Not only can we understand it alike,

we must understand it alike!!… or, someone has misunderstood it.

Can We Understand the Bible Alike?

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We can and should understand the Bible alike.

But, we do not understand the Bible alike.

Why is that?

Can We Understand the Bible Alike?

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Sometimes our understanding is affected

by our heart.A desire to justify a particular

doctrine.A conclusion we want to keep.A prejudice from past experiences

or teachings.An attitude of not accepting.

We must be honest seekers.(2 Th 2:10 NKJV) … receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

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We must be willing to take time to study.

The Bible is the most important book we will ever study.

We should apply our best abilities in a most diligent way to understand its truths.

We should ever be striving to grow in our ability to study the Bible.

Sometimes our understanding is

affected by our head.

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Tonight we will look at a few fundamental principles of “How to Study the Bible.”

Then we will apply them to resolve the alleged contradictions.

Principles of Bible Study

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Consider the occasion when originally spoken or written. Who is speaking or writing (and

who does he represent)? Who is being addressed (and who

do they represent)? How would the original audience

have understood the meaning?

Principles #1: Occasion

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Consider the context of the message. The immediate context—the

statements just before and just after. The broader context—the occasion and

message of the entire letter or speech. The subject context—all that we know

from the Bible about the subject. God’s entire revelation and “flow” of

Scripture.

Principles #2: Context

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Consider the language used. How does the author use those words

or phrases—on this and other occasions?

How do other NT authors use those words or phrases?

What kind of expression is it—literal, figurative, poetic, a proverbial saying?

Are there translation or textual issues involved?

Principles #3: Language

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Let us apply these principles to the following eleven alleged contradictions.

We will see how sound and credible the Bible is when objectively and conscientiously studied.

Principles of Bible Study

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Alleged Bible Contradiction #1

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works. - Matthew 5:16

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them. - Matthew 6:1

Comment by person alleging contradiction: “Poor Jesus! Having to be written about by a man like this. That people are confused about Jesus is no wonder.”

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ANSWER: Immediate context. It shows that the man’s heart (purpose) is what is under consideration.

(Mat 5:16 NKJV) “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

(Mat 6:1-2 NKJV) … do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. … do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. …

Alleged Bible Contradiction #1 Answered

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... thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. - Exodus 21:23-25

... resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. - Matthew 5:39

Comment by person alleging contradiction: “Boiled down, this is Jesus saying that the Law of God is incorrect and he knows better.”


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ANSWER: Broader context. God distinguishes between actions taken by individuals and the actions of a nation executing judgment.

God condemns personal revenge.(Mat 5:39 NKJV) “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.(Rom 12:17 NKJV) Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.


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God condones and requires civil justice.

(Deu 19:18-21 NKJV) “And the judges shall make careful inquiry, … (Deu 19:20 NKJV) “And those who remain shall hear and fear, and hereafter they shall not again commit such evil among you.(Deu 19:21 NKJV) “Your eye shall not pity: life shall be for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

Alleged Bible Contradiction #2 Answered (Cont’d)

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Thou shalt not kill - Exodus 20:13

Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side... and slay every man his brother... - Exodus 32:27


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ANSWER: Broader context. God distinguishes between actions taken by individuals and the actions of a nation executing judgment.

God condemns personal murder.

(Exo 20:13 KJV) Thou shalt not kill.

(Exo 20:13 NKJV/NASB) “You shall not murder.”


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God approves of death as part of civil justice. In the Old Testament.

(Exo 32:27 NKJV) … “Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘Let every man put his sword on his side, … let every man kill his brother, every man his companion, and every man his neighbor.’ ”


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God approves of death as part of civil justice. (Cont’d) In the New Testament.

(Rom 13:1 NKJV) Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. …(Rom 13:2 NKJV) Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, ….(Rom 13:4 NKJV) For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.


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And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. - Genesis 32:30

No man hath seen God at any time. - John 1:18

Comment by person alleging contradiction: “I guess John was not familiar with the ‘Old Testament.’”


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ANSWER: Use of language. We use the word “see” to refer to “seeing the effects of.”

Do you see the wind? Not really. You see the effects of the wind in the movement of the grass and the trees.

NOTE: This is often used in literature and common speech. The name of one thing is used for something else it naturally suggests, e.g. a “cup” for the contents. In this case, the effect is the movement which is seen, but the cause of the movement (the wind) is named.


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Can one literally see God? No. God is spirit (John 4:24) and invisible

(I Tim 1:17). Spiritual things are “eternal” and

therefore “not seen” (II Cor 4:18).(1 Tim 6:16 NKJV) who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.


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But, when Philip saw the attributes of deity in Jesus, he had “seen” the Father.(John 14:9 NKJV) Jesus said to him, … He who has seen Me has seen the Father; …


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So, when Jacob came face to face with the representative of God (or even God taking physical form), he said that he had come face to face with God.

But, he had not seen God as He truly is—a purely spiritual being. (John 1:18 NKJV) No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.


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The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father. - Ezekiel 18:20

... I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. - Exodus 20:5

Comment by person alleging contradiction: “… two authors putting forth what they believe to be the word of God. These two so obviously contradict each other that an interpretation is almost unnecessary.”


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ANSWER: Subject context. From the whole of God’s word we see that:

A person’s sinful behavior can have con-sequences in the lives of others. An entire nation suffered because of

Saul’s sins.(2 Sam 21:1 NKJV) Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, … and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, “It is because of Saul and his bloodthirsty house, …


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A person’s sinful behavior can have con-sequences in the lives of others. (Cont’d)

David’s child suffered and died because of David’s sinful behavior.(2 Sam 12:15-18 NKJV) … the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and it became ill. … the seventh day … the child died. …

Stephen was stoned because of the sinful attitude of the Jews (Acts 6:9-7:59).


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But, the guilt of a person’s sin is never transmitted to another person.(Isa 59:2 NKJV) But your iniquities have separated you from your God; …

(Rom 5:12 NKJV) … [spiritual, sjc] death spread to all men, because all sinned;

(Rom 14:12 NKJV) So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

(Ezek 18:20 NKJV) “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son.


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"In righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor."

-Leviticus 19:15

"Judge not, that ye be not judged." -Matthew 7:1

Comment by person alleging contradiction: “Quite clearly a contradiction from the previous instruction given by God.”


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ANSWER: Immediate context. Jesus does not prohibit “judging.”

(Mat 7:1 NKJV) “Judge not, that you be not judged.(Mat 7:2 NKJV) “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

Jesus says that you will not be allowed to be hypocritical. The same standard must be applied to all—including yourself.


Answered

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Which is exactly what Leviticus says.(Lev 19:15 KJV) Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

And, exactly what Jesus says.(John 7:24 NKJV) “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”


Answered (Cont’d)

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Therefore Michal, the daughter of Saul, had no child unto the day of her death. - II Samuel 6:23

The five sons of Michal, the daughter of Saul. - II Samuel 21:8

Comment by person alleging contradiction: “Here we see an author who could not follow his own story line. … I will not interpret this at all, for the absurdity of it shall be its own interpretation.”


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ANSWER: Issue in text/translation.Some texts/versions say Merab.

(2 Sam 21:8 NASB) … and the five sons of Merab the daughter of Saul, whom she had born to Adriel …

Merab was married to Adriel, not Michal (I Sam 18:19)

This is one resolution of the alleged contradiction.


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Some texts that have “the five sons of Merab” add “which Michal the daughter of Saul brought up ….”

This idea is reflected in most translations:(2 Sam 21:8 KJV) …. and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel …

Note: In the alleged contradiction, he showed only part of the verse: “The five sons of Michal, the daughter of Saul.”


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Think not that I come to send peace on earth: I come not to send peace, but a sword. - Matt. 10:34

... all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. - Matthew 26:52

Comment by person alleging contradiction: “The author of Matthew should have probably chosen another word in one of these words so it does not make Jesus look like a fool. Clearly, the author wrote these two verses some time apart.”


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ANSWER: Use of language. One is a figurative usage; the other is a proverb. Jesus brought a “sword” (Matt. 10:34) in

the sense that His message would divide families and friends (Matt. 10:35).

The proverb is that people often (not always) die as a consequence of the way they live.


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And the men which journeyed with [Paul] stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. - Acts 9:7

And they that were with me [Paul] saw indeed the light and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. - Acts 22:9

Comment by person alleging contradiction: “The first says the men heard a voice but saw no man, while the second says that they saw a light but did not hear a voice.”


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ANSWER: Use of language. There are two (or more) different ways that we use the word “hear.” Sometimes hear means “detect sounds.” Sometimes hear means “understand.” We ask, “Can you hear me?” The reply

is, “No, speak louder.” Those with Paul could hear a noise but not

discern the words that were spoken.


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Abraham had two sons; one by a bonds-maid, the other by a free woman. - Galatians 4:22

By faith, Abraham when he was tried offered up Isaac... his only begotten son. - Hebrews 11:17

Comment by person alleging contradiction: “[The author] clearly knew that Ishmael was also begotten by Abraham, but must have forgotten it when he wrote this letter.”


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ANSWER: Use of language. The Bible is a special book and must be used to define its own terms. The term “only begotten” (one word in the

Greek) is a special word. It has to do not only with birth, but purpose

in the eyes of God. We are “children of God” (John 1:12, I John

3:1, but Christ is the “only begotten” son. Abraham had other children, but Isaac was

the “only begotten” child of promise.


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Cursed is he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. - Deuteronomy 27:22

And Abraham said... She is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife. - Genesis 20:11-12

Comment by person alleging contradiction: “We know that Abraham was indeed not cursed, but one of the most beloved of God's men.”


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ANSWER: Overall message and “flow” of Scripture. A man cannot be condemned for violation of a law that was not in effect when he committed the act. Abraham lived around 2000 BC. The Law of Moses was given around

1400 BC—600 years later! Knowing Bible chronology can prevent

erroneous/embarrassing statements.


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The Word of God is without error.

If we believe we have found an error in the Bible, we need to revise our understanding, based on diligent study.

We can know the truth, and only the truth can make us free (John 8:32).

But, we must be honest seekers of the truth (II Thess 2:10).

Conclusion

Documents

1 Can We Understand the Bible Alike?—Part II. 2 Can We Understand the Bible?