A Bible Contradiction?

• Verse 4: “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.”

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  This verse highlights the danger of engaging with a fool on their own terms. When a fool engages in foolish arguments, insults, or illogical reasoning, responding in kind will likely lead to a pointless and demeaning exchange, dragging the wise person down to the fool’s level. In such cases, silence or redirecting the conversation is the wiser approach.
• Verse 5: “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.”

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  This verse addresses situations where silence might be misinterpreted as agreement or validation of the fool’s misguided ideas. If a fool’s words are particularly harmful or could lead others astray, a direct and reasoned response, even if delivered in a way that confronts the folly, may be necessary to prevent the fool from being perceived as wise or to expose the error of their thinking.
• The key to understanding these verses lies in recognizing that wisdom involves discerning the best course of action in each specific situation.

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  There is no one-size-fits-all answer when dealing with fools. Sometimes silence is the best response, while other times, a direct confrontation is needed. The wise person will be able to assess the context, the nature of the fool’s arguments, and the potential consequences of their actions before deciding how to respond.
• Ultimately, the goal is to avoid becoming entangled in foolishness while also preventing the spread of harmful or misleading ideas.

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  Wisdom requires discernment and careful consideration of the situation before deciding whether to engage or remain silent.

  Ok, this is what the commentaries, say, now let me speak what I believe:

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• Here is my interpretation of this text, based upon my more than 30 years of walking with JESUS.
• To begin to understand this, we need to understand the passionate love has for people. He wants us to know Him and wants a loving relationship with each of us personally.

• ⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

  While I agree that eternal life is ONLY found in Jesus, God has had His people in relationship in the OT also. Even in his sin, we read of him speaking to Adam: Genesis 3:9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you? 

  Notice here, that Adam was in sin and separated from Gods presence at this point, yet God still lovingly spoke to him to reconcile him back to Himself.

  Then read with me:

  Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (KJV) states:

  1. “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth.”
  2. “And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.“
  3. Some Christians erroneously think that only born-again Christians can possibly know God, based upon John 14, whereas He clearly spoke and still speaks to people who seek Him, and desire covenant relationship with Him, I’ve learned though, that what He speaks to unbelievers is how to get to know JESUS, Conclusion: Since God desires a personal relationship with Him, and exhorts us to continually read, meditate upon, and seek Him in His Word, these two verses are expected to be read as part of our relationship with Him in a Spirit Led lifestyle. In one particular life circumstance, encountering a fool, Holy Spirit may instruct us to not bother rebuking him, as He knows the person and that it is a waste of time and energy. Yet, with another individual, He may well instruct us to deliberately and intentionally rebuke that person in their foolishness, in order that they receive correction and instruction. Like the quote above, God is present when we read his Word.
• Rather than limit this thinking to this one supposed Bible Contradiction, I decided to use AI to look at some more. I find these very interesting:

Create a list of places the Bible apparently contradicts itself, and theologians rebuttals to each contradiction.

ChatGPT said:
Here is a list of common alleged contradictions in the Bible along with theological rebuttals for each. These are not exhaustive but represent many of the most frequently cited examples by skeptics, and how Christian scholars and theologians have addressed them:

1. Creation Order in Genesis 1 vs. Genesis 2
Apparent Contradiction:
Genesis 1 presents a step-by-step creation over six days, culminating in humans, while Genesis 2 seems to present man being created before plants and animals.

Theological Rebuttal:
Genesis 1 is a chronological overview, while Genesis 2 is a topical and relational retelling, focusing on humanity’s relationship with God and creation. Genesis 2 zooms in on Day 6 and uses a narrative structure, not a chronological one.

2. God Cannot Be Seen – But Was Seen
Apparent Contradiction:

Exodus 33:20 – “No one may see Me and live.”

Genesis 32:30 – Jacob said, “I have seen God face to face.”

Theological Rebuttal:
When people “see God,” they are seeing a theophany (visible manifestation of God), often considered to be Christ in pre-incarnate form. They do not see God in His full essence.

3. How Did Judas Die?
Apparent Contradiction:

Matthew 27:5 – Judas hanged himself.

Acts 1:18 – He fell headlong and burst open.

Theological Rebuttal:
These accounts can be harmonized: Judas hanged himself, and later, his body fell, possibly due to the rope breaking or decomposition. The two are complementary, not contradictory.

4. Is God the Author of Temptation?
Apparent Contradiction:

James 1:13 – “God cannot be tempted… nor does He tempt anyone.”

Genesis 22:1 (KJV) – “God did tempt Abraham.”

Theological Rebuttal:
The Hebrew word translated “tempt” in Genesis can also mean “test” or “prove.” James refers to temptation to sin, whereas Genesis refers to testing of faith.

5. How Many Animals on the Ark?
Apparent Contradiction:

Genesis 6:19 – Two of every kind.

Genesis 7:2 – Seven pairs of clean animals and one pair of unclean.

Theological Rebuttal:
Genesis 6 gives the general command, while Genesis 7 adds a specific clarification about clean vs. unclean animals for sacrifice and food. The texts are complementary.

6. Do We Answer Fools or Not?
Apparent Contradiction:

Proverbs 26:4 – “Do not answer a fool…”

Proverbs 26:5 – “Answer a fool…”

Theological Rebuttal:
These are paired proverbs offering wisdom for discernment: sometimes it’s best to avoid engaging, and other times correction is necessary. The verses illustrate nuanced judgment, not contradiction.

7. How Many Demon-Possessed Men in Gadara?
Apparent Contradiction:

Matthew 8:28 – Two men.

Mark 5:2 and Luke 8:27 – One man.

Theological Rebuttal:
Mark and Luke focus on the more prominent or vocal man, not denying the presence of a second. Matthew includes both. There’s no contradiction, just emphasis.

8. Was Jesus’ Last Word “It is finished” or “Father, into your hands…”?
Apparent Contradiction:

John 19:30 – “It is finished.”

Luke 23:46 – “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

Theological Rebuttal:
Jesus likely said both, as none of the Gospels claim to record everything He said. Each writer emphasizes different aspects of His final words.

9. Who Bought the Potter’s Field?
Apparent Contradiction:

Matthew 27:7 – The chief priests bought the field.

Acts 1:18 – Judas bought it.

Theological Rebuttal:
Judas’ money was used to purchase the field, so it can be attributed to him indirectly. The priests acted, but the funds originated with Judas.

10. Did God Change His Mind?
Apparent Contradiction:

Numbers 23:19 – God does not change His mind.

Exodus 32:14 – “The Lord relented…”

Theological Rebuttal:
The language of “relenting” is anthropopathic (describing God in human terms). God’s eternal will includes conditional responses to human repentance and intercession.

11. Is Salvation by Faith Alone or by Works?
Apparent Contradiction:

Romans 3:28 – Justified by faith apart from works.

James 2:24 – Justified by works and not by faith alone.

Theological Rebuttal:
Paul emphasizes justification before God; James emphasizes evidence of saving faith before people. James doesn’t deny faith, but insists true faith produces works.

12. Is God a God of Peace or War?
Apparent Contradiction:

1 Corinthians 14:33 – God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

Exodus 15:3 – “The Lord is a warrior.”

Theological Rebuttal:
These are different aspects of God’s character revealed in different contexts. He is peaceful in order, but warlike in justice and defense of righteousness.

13. How Many People Did David Kill?
Apparent Contradiction:

2 Samuel 10:18 – 700 charioteers.

1 Chronicles 19:18 – 7,000 charioteers.

Theological Rebuttal:
A likely copyist error in transcription; Hebrew numerals were easy to miswrite. These are rare, known scribal issues, but don’t affect doctrine or theology.

14. What Was the Time of the Crucifixion?
Apparent Contradiction:

Mark 15:25 – Jesus crucified at the third hour (9 a.m.).

John 19:14 – Jesus still before Pilate about the sixth hour (noon).

Theological Rebuttal:
John may use Roman time (starting at midnight), while Mark uses Jewish time (starting at 6 a.m.). That would harmonize both: trial at 6 a.m. and crucifixion by 9 a.m.

15. Did Jesus Carry His Cross or Not?
Apparent Contradiction:

John 19:17 – Jesus carried His own cross.

Matthew 27:32 – Simon of Cyrene carried it.

Theological Rebuttal:
Jesus began carrying the cross, but Simon was recruited partway when Jesus became too weak. Both statements are true and describe different moments in the journey.