Exploring Controversies in the Bible: An Analysis of Contradictions

This report delves into the controversies within the Bible, focusing on contradictions and differing accounts among various texts. It addresses the issue of omissions and how they can be interpreted within the broader context of biblical scholarship. The report highlights the perspectives of scholars and the impact of different authors' viewpoints on the overall narrative. It examines the differing accounts of the Gospels and how these variations contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the scriptures. The report emphasizes the importance of considering the context and the intention of the authors when interpreting the Bible, providing a nuanced perspective on the challenges and complexities inherent in biblical studies. The report also discusses the role of faith and interpretation in understanding these controversies.

Running head: CONTROVERSY IN THE BIBLE 1
Reasons for Many Controversies in the Bible
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CONTROVERSY IN THE BIBLE 2
WHY ARE THERE MANY CONTRADICTIONS IN THE BIBLE?
• There are omissions in the Bible, but they cannot amount to controversy.
• There are many differing accounts in the bible, but they cannot amount to controversy.
Today, many scholars and skeptics look at the bible as a religious book with many
contradictions that have made many to water down the religion. There are over 1000
contradictions that have been so far recorded and as time goes by more might be added.
Christianity admits that there may be several accounts that contradict each other and there are
good reasons (Jenkins & Preston, 2016). Christian scholars recognize that there are certain
omissions in the biblical text; however, such omissions can be harmonized with the help of other
passages in the bible. Skeptics and critics use accounts like the following. MT 27:54 the
centurion says: "Truly this was the son of God." And MK 15:39 He says: "Truly this man was
the son of God!" the missing word in the former is “man.” Such omissions are expected because
the authors are two different people giving their eyewitness account which cannot be similar.
However, when the reader goes further, he/she can see the harmony of the texts. When one or
two words are missing from the text that does not qualify as controversy because all biblical texts
have a way they harmonize. Also, when they are read in context and when the reader reads all
the text.
Secondly, the bible was written by different men who were inspired. Besides that, the
texts remain divine even though written by the hands of men. According to Jenkins and Preston
(2016), differing accounts of the authors cannot discredit its authenticity in any way. For
example, the writers of the gospels give different accounts of the birth of Jesus. Matthew wrote
about the birth of Jesus from the time the parents were in Bethlehem, journey to Egypt and back
and also the time Herod dies. Luke on the other hand narrated all activities from the time John

CONTROVERSY IN THE BIBLE 3
and Mary went to be counted in Bethlehem. Therefore, all the gospel accounts and the use of
different authors in the bible complement each other and they don’t contradict. When the reader
wants the full story, he/she should read all the accounts of the four gospel writers or different
authors of different books.

CONTROVERSY IN THE BIBLE 4
References
Jenkins, A. K., & Preston, P. (2016). Biblical scholarship and the church: A sixteenth-century
crisis of authority. Routledge.
Palau, L. (2008). The Complete Evangelism Guidebook: Expert Advice on Reaching Others for
Christ. Baker Books.