How do we explain apparent contradictions in the Bible?
Biblical contradictions can be understood through the lens of progressive revelation and humanity's fallen state. Discrepancies arise from copyist errors, diverse authorial perspectives, and God's gradual unfolding of truth over time, adapting to human capacity. The Bible's ultimate purpose is salvation and restoration, not absolute literal accuracy in every detail, revealing God's consistent, loving heart despite apparent paradoxes.
The challenge of apparent contradictions in the Bible can undermine faith, but understanding their nature is crucial for a mature and resilient faith. This understanding reveals not a flawed text, but a progressive revelation of divine truth through imperfect human agents.
The Biblical Foundation
Biblical discrepancies are manifold, from numerical inconsistencies like Solomon’s chariot count (2 Chronicles 9:25 states "four thousand stalls," while 1 Kings 10:26 states "fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses") to differing genealogies of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-17 vs. Luke 3:23-38). Matthew traces Jesus' lineage through Joseph back to Abraham, emphasizing King David, while Luke extends the lineage back to Adam, highlighting universal humanity.
Moral paradoxes also arise, such as God’s benevolent nature ("For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" - John 3:16) juxtaposed with commands for severe destruction (Deuteronomy 20:16-17, regarding Canaanites). Narrative inconsistencies appear in accounts like Judas’s death: Matthew 27:5 states he "hanged himself," while Acts 1:18 describes him falling "headlong, his body burst open." These challenges highlight the Bible’s composition through human hands. Jesus himself acknowledged the limitations of human understanding, stating, "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now handle" (John 16:12), suggesting a progressive revelation of truth.
Divine Principle's Clarification
The Divine Principle offers a framework to reconcile these apparent contradictions by distinguishing between God's absolute purpose and the historical realities of a fallen world. This means discrepancies often arise from:
1. Copyist errors: Over millennia of hand-copying, minor textual variations inevitably occurred, leading to numerical or descriptive differences. 2. Different authorial perspectives and audiences: Each biblical writer had a unique viewpoint and target audience. Matthew, writing for Jews, emphasized Jesus' messianic lineage through Abraham. Luke, for a Gentile audience, traced Jesus’ lineage to Adam, underscoring universal humanity. These varied perspectives enrich rather than contradict the overall message. 3. Progressive revelation: God revealed truth gradually, "line upon line, precept upon precept" (Isaiah 28:10), adapting to humanity's spiritual capacity at different historical stages. Old Testament laws, though seemingly harsh (e.g., "eye for an eye" in Exodus 21:24), were foundational steps preparing humanity for the higher spiritual truths taught by Jesus (Matthew 5:38-39). This also applies to understanding complex theological concepts like resurrection. This was not a uniformly understood teaching in Jesus' day, as it was still debated among groups like the Sadducees and Pharisees (Acts 23:8). Much confusion arises from a literal interpretation of resurrection as physical, whereas the Bible clarifies this by presenting two different concepts of death: physical death and spiritual death, as Jesus indicates in Luke 9:60, "Let the dead bury their own dead." The latter refers to those spiritually separated from God, as in Revelation 3:1 where Jesus tells the church, "You have the name of being alive, and you are dead." The death resulting from the Fall was spiritual, not physical, as physical death is a natural part of human existence (Genesis 2:17). These deeper meanings clarify what appears to be a literal contradiction.
This theological perspective emphasizes the Bible's teleological purpose – its ultimate goal of revealing God’s will for salvation and restoration – over absolute literal accuracy in every detail. The Bible is a "textbook for restoration," conveying God’s consistent heart and plan for humanity, rather than being an infallible scientific or historical record in the modern sense. It teaches us how God works to build Godly families, not by us separating from our families, but by creating them as the greatest act of love.
Understanding the Deeper Meaning
This approach allows us to see unity in purpose despite diversity in expression. The specific number of Solomon’s stalls is less crucial than his role in God’s plan for leadership. Variations in genealogies do not negate Jesus’ unique status but highlight different facets of his identity. The apparent contradictions in God’s character, particularly His wrath and love, are reconciled through understanding God's heart of Han (grief) over the Fall. God's wrath is not arbitrary anger but a sorrowful response to sin, a manifestation of His righteous determination to eradicate evil and restore humanity. His judgments ultimately aim for restoration, revealing a consistent, loving God working towards His ideal, as seen in His lament over human sin before the flood (Genesis 6:6-7) and His establishment of Noah as a "father of faith." These challenging portions of scripture, when viewed through the lens of progressive revelation and humanity's fallen nature, cease to be contradictions and become integral parts of God’s overarching plan of restoration.
Living the Principle
Applying this understanding means developing a discerning way of interpreting scripture, prioritizing God's ultimate purpose. 1. Prioritize the Spirit over the Letter: Seek the spiritual essence and underlying message of the Bible, recognizing its role as a textbook for restoration, not a literal scientific or historical record. 2. Embrace Progressive Revelation: Understand that God reveals truth gradually, adapting to humanity's spiritual capacity at different times. Earlier teachings are stepping stones to fuller truths. 3. Focus on God's Unchanging Heart: Regardless of narrative variations or seemingly harsh passages, recognize that God's fundamental nature—His love, His desire for human perfection, and His restorative work—remains constant. 4. Seek Deeper Meaning: Approach challenging passages by exploring the spiritual implications, distinguishing between physical and spiritual realities, and looking for God's providential intent behind the words.
These answers explain the Bible in the light of the Divine Principle, the teachings of Reverend Sun Myung Moon. Read about the author, Sun Myung Moon.
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More on Biblical Contradictions
Sources and further reading
- The Holy Bible, King James Version — Scripture quoted and referenced throughout the answers.
- The Divine Principle (full text) — The complete text of the Divine Principle, the teaching of Reverend Sun Myung Moon that these answers explain.
- Unification texts library (tparents.org) — Large online library of Unification texts, sermons and collected speeches, including the Cheon Seong Gyeong.
- Short video lectures in English — Playlist of short English video lectures presenting these same principles.