Bible Contradictions, A Great Misconception

According to some people, bible contradictions abound. Yet the truth stands far from that assumption. There are no contradictions in the bible. However, many people have a misconception of Scripture application. For example: One question asked on Quora involves a quest to uncover the biggest contradiction in Scripture. Asked by one cheerleader, team human, Samantha Tindall-Paulo and then followed up with a wrongly applied series of verses, we encounter the following supposed evidence of bible contradictions:

• “God is love” — 1 John 4:8
• “Love keeps no record of wrongs” — 1 Corinthians 13:5
• “The dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books” — Revelation 20:12

 
This false argument assumes that of these three verses, one must be false. The reasoning is simple. If God is love and love keeps no record of wrongs then either the dead cannot be judged according to records in a book or love does keep records of wrongs.

Bible Contradictions: Correcting The Misconception

First in this battle against false assumptions: We deal with the simple error of the assumption. Error begins when readers take out of context the words of Scripture. Note how each of the questioner’s selected verses come from a different Chapter and selection of Scripture. This is an often committed error injected by those who seek to shine an imaginary light into the depths of Holy Scripture. In making their argument, they always pick and choose verses without any linking to biblical balance.
Second in this argument against false assumptions on matters concerning contradiction in the bible: We expand the consciousness of the reader using the following points:

1) Bible Contradictions, So Called, A Result Of Seeing God As A Cardboard Character

If God were a cardboard cutout, conclusions wherein there is contradiction of Scripture would be perfectly valid. However, God, like his primary creation, man, is complex, multifaceted, and capable of many emotions and responses. The description, “God is love,” does not stand in a vacuum nor can those words be hung on a lone sky-hook.
Consider if you will, Deuteronomy 4:24 wherein it is written,

“For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” Herein we see a second aspect of God’s holy character. Not only is He love, He is also a consuming fire.”

Or take balance from the complete text of Exodus 34:5-7:

“Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.’

2) Bible Contradictions, So Called, Coming To A Correct Understanding

In essence, two verses from the apostle Paul clarify any bible contractions, so called:

“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,” 1 Cor. 1:18,19.

Bible Contradictions, Knowledge is Understanding

We don’t try to confuse. Rather we seek full understanding. The sadness is in that those who falsely define contradictions in the bible often times mislead unlearned Christians. Thus we are commanded to study the Word, to learn and to apply, and to be not conformed to the will and the ways of unbelievers.