Last week we mentioned that many do not believe the Bible is inspired because they have heard it contains many contradictions. In this article we’ll look at a few such “contradictions” to see if they have merit.
In Galatians 6:2, Paul told the Galatians to “bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Three verses later he said “for every man shall bear his own burden.” So which is it? Can a Christian help his brother out, or must one bear his own burdens alone?
The alleged contradiction is easily explained. Paul used two words with slightly different meanings that are translated into English with the same word. In verse 2 the Greek word translated “burden” is baros, which is defined as a weight, burden or trouble. One Greek expert described “baros” as “an experience of something that is particularly oppressive.” In verse 5 Paul uses the word “phortion,” which is often translated as a load or a light burden.
Other texts in the New Testament support the fact that a “baros” burden was relatively heavier than a “phortion” burden. In a parable found in Matthew 20, some disgruntled workers who were not happy that they were paid the same as others that had worked less, said “These last men have worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.”(20:12) They believed their burden (baros) of working longer hours was worth greater pay. In 2 Corinthians 4:17, Paul wrote that “our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight (baros) of glory.” Paul clearly states that our eternal reward will be much weightier (baros) than any personal affliction. Finally, in Matthew 20:12, Jesus said “My yoke is easy and My burden (phortion) is light.” Each of these texts support Paul’s use of these two different Greek words. A Christian is certainly accountable for his burdens, but at times may benefit from the help of others.
Another accusation is made that the Bible contradicts itself when it comes to God changing. In Malachi 3:6 we read “For I am the LORD, I do not change.” Jeremiah records in 15:6 that God said “I am weary with repenting.” Since repenting is changing one’s mind, does God change? Malachi said he doesn’t. Jeremiah indicates He’d done it so much He was weary. Isn’t that a contradiction?
David supports Malachi in Psalm 102:25-27: “…You laid the foundation of the earth…They will perish, but You will endure; yes, they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will change them, and they will be changed. But You are the same.” In the New Testament we find the brother of Jesus echoing Malachi when he wrote in James 1:17 of the Father: “with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” Finally, in Hebrews 13:8 we find “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
The issue is not that God has never changed. In Jeremiah 18:8-10, God said “if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it... if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it.” In Hebrews 1 we read how throughout history, God changed the way He communicated to man. Malachi meant that His character has not changed. He has always hated and punished evil. He has always loved and rewarded good. His character is consistent. Malachi and Jermiah meant different things. They do not contradict each other.
The fifth of the Ten Commandments is to “honor your father and your mother.” (Exodus 20:12) Yet skeptics have alleged that Jesus contradicted these scriptures when He taught (Luke 14:26) that His disciples must hate their father and mother. Can that be true? When you turn to this passage, you find that the answer is yes, He did say that! In fact, He went on to say that a disciple must also hate his “wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life.” If the word “hate” 2000 years ago meant what it means today, then, yes Jesus would have contradicted many teachings about love in the Bible. But is that the case? Look at the story of Jacob and his wives Rachel and Leah.
In Genesis 29, we learn that Jacob agreed to work seven years to be able to marry Rachel. However, at the end of those seven years, he was deceived by his father-in-law and was given the older sister Leah as his wife. In exchange for another seven years, Jacob was given Rachel as his wife. In the King James Version, Genesis 29:30 says “and he loved also Rachel more than Leah…” In the very next verse we read “And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated…” Here we learn that the KJV translators equated “hated” with “loving less.” Jacob didn’t despise or hate Leah; he simply loved Rachel more. So going back to Luke 14, the idea is not that disciples must hate their fathers and mothers, but they must love them less than they love Christ. Christ must come first. A disciple must be willing to sacrifice everything – even the love of family - to follow Christ.
When I read of allegations such as these, I wonder about the integrity of the those that make them. Does anyone really believe Jesus demanded that his disciples hate their parents? Is that congruent with a man that, as he was about to die, ensured his mother was taken care of?
As always, I encourage your feedback on anything in this article. Please know you are welcome to worship with us at the Blanco Hills Church of Christ.
Buz Turk
830-554-0701
www.blancohillschurch.com
