Again, contradictions in the Bible are a topic, and there is more on why believers are used to speak for GOD. The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using ID “religion to rational” (Level 3 with 1,155 points, a member since June 1, 2012) posted the following:
Why do some people think that there are no contradictions in the Bible?
THE BATTLE AXE: Why A “Spokesperson”? (01/14/2013)—There are many things from GOD that believers must learn, and their instruction must be clear, direct and plain. Through the use of human agents, GOD has demonstrated a divine purpose to bridge, and eventually remove, the gulf that presently continues to exist between the Creator and the created. The Scriptures record pleadings, questions, reflections and responses by men and women to acts and pronouncements from GOD describing every level of economic, political and social life, from farmers to statesmen, from paupers to kings. These all have used language and references that are sufficiently familiar and easily understood that the average person seeking answers from GOD may immediately connect, and recognize that many of their own fears, feelings, observations, questions and views are being spoken. The full spectrum of human concerns have been addressed through the mechanisms of apostles, elders, covenants, husbands/wives, judges, kings, law, judgments, nations, patriarchs, priests, prophets, and warriors. The contemporary tool of the church clarifies all that has gone before, and will continue the presence of Jesus Christ and his Gospel to the very hour of his coming in glory. There is no “disappointment” for those having discernment as if GOD were absent or away, for the vessels of true divinity are, in fact, abundant and plenteous. In modern America, gangs and other structured social groups are often all over our communities. However, they usually lack the spiritual discipline, focus, insight and maturity that allow men and women to serve as balanced and effective examples, students, or teachers for the things from GOD.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4: 17-24, King James Version)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Contradictions? (09/21/2012); The Spirit by Measure (09/22/2012); Reading Only The Red Part (11/19/2012); According to the Eternal Purpose (11/20/2012); To See With New Eyes (11/06/2012); A Life Companion? (11/07/2012); Prophecy Fails? (03/15/2011); Bible Benefit? (03/16/2011)
Where readers approach the holy writings as generated from GOD, having been produced through the faith of others, or as spiritual documents that convey content and substance that are divine, they continually operate in the terms of their own faith and spirit content, rather than academic and intellectual routines that emerge from our animal nature and that are tainted by “human error.” Saying this another way: They use spiritual rules for growth, learning and understanding in the place of secular rules. This is no different than not using the rules of baseball when playing cricket (even though both speak of using a bat).
One does not instantly achieve the ability to correctly realize sacred meaning and value within scriptural writings; and the spiritual maturity that includes discernment, insight and recognition for accord and harmony does not come over night. There must be growth that comes by sacred practice such as giving, observance of sacraments, prayer, and unselfish service. These create a “vocabulary of shared experience” that unifies believers, and illumines scriptural truth. More than this, the imparted, indwelling Spirit from GOD makes visible otherwise “unseen things,” and supplies what otherwise would be “missing links.”
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, contradictions in Scripture are only important where blindness, ignorance and spiritual confusion are common and widespread. There have long been those who carefully research the Bible to find contradictions, rather than to have a full grasp that would allow them to spread the Gospel. Just as human logic and reason are not enough to eliminate criminal behavior in society, declaring contradictions are not enough to comprehend and eliminate sin, or to lay hold upon divinely provided salvation. As humans, men are made up of mental, physical and spiritual elements that must be nourished and maintained in a peculiar balance for there to be health, prosperity or understanding. Therefore, the careful study of Scripture by believers in Jesus Christ is primarily intended to discover accord and agreement, not contradictions.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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