Category: Bible “contradictions”

Note the Horizon! #4

Friday, October 11, 2024

“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,…” (Romans 1:1 KJV).

Friend, do you see the horizon here? How can it facilitate your understanding and enjoyment of the Bible?

When we look out to the horizon, we see a clear boundary between earth (bottom) and sky (top). Primarily a gas, the sky suspends small solid particles and water droplets, plus ice crystals in its higher layers. It reflects blue light. Most of Earth’s surface is liquid (water); the rest is solid (rock, soil, and ice). Earth and its vegetation reflect green, yellow, and brown light. Blending sky and earth results in confusion or disorientation (knowing neither where you are nor where you are going). Put the horizon back where it belongs and all becomes clear.

The Greek word for “separated” in today’s Scripture in “aphoridzo,” derived from “apo” (“from, away, off”) and “horidzo” (“mark out, limit, specify”). “Horion” means “border, coast.” Such is the basis for the English “horizon.” As there is a physical horizon, so there is a spiritual horizon that we dare not overlook. It is Paul being “separated” from the other Apostles, isolated from the rest of mankind. The beginning of his ministry marks a clear boundary: it is a break in prophecy, a departure from God’s prior dealings with man.

In prophecy, Israel is first: God saves Israel nationally to use redeemed and converted Israel as His kingdom of priests, His channel of salvation and blessing to the world/Gentiles/nations. “Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities” (Acts 3:25,26). This is the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3; Isaiah 60:1-3; Zechariah 8:20-23).

Therefore, the Lord Jesus Christ and His 12 Apostles were sent to Israel first (Matthew 10:5-7; Matthew 15:24). Once all of Israel was converted via this Gospel of the Kingdom (Jesus is Christ), Israel would preach to the Gentiles (Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8). Yet, as the Books of Matthew through John and the opening seven chapters of Acts show, all Jews did not believe….

Note the Horizon! #3

Thursday, October 10, 2024

“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,…” (Romans 1:1 KJV).

Friend, do you see the horizon here? How can it facilitate your understanding and enjoyment of the Bible?

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Indeed, Christendom recognizes a difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament—how the Hebrew/Aramaic Books of Genesis to Malachi differ from the Greek Books of Matthew to Revelation. Also, to some measure, they distinguish Israel and “the Church” (though the latter is a pitifully deficient term!). They do tell us, “We ought to divide truth from error!,” but seldom do they actually do that.

To solve our problem, we must define it first. Our fundamental error in Christendom is a failure to see two distinct programs in the Bible, two sets of information that outline God’s overall dealings with man. To state it another way: God has one series of planned events that should never be confounded with another series of planned events. Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever should we mix them!

Firstly, read an excerpt from what the Apostle Peter preached: “[Jesus Christ] Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21). Secondly, read excerpt from what the Apostle Paul wrote: “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:…” (Romans 16:25,26).

God was speaking prophecy “since the world began” (Acts, Peter’s ministry)—and He was keeping mystery “secret since the world began” (Romans, Paul’s ministry). As the heaven and the earth were and are divided (Genesis 1:1), so the prophetic program and the mystery program must be rightly divided….

Note the Horizon! #2

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,…” (Romans 1:1 KJV).

Friend, do you see the horizon here? How can it facilitate your understanding and enjoyment of the Bible?

Suppose it is a chilly, rainy day. A child asks his big brother, “Could we go outside and play?” The older boy rejoins, “No, father said it is too cold and wet.” We need not be geniuses to recognize that the circumstances (the weather) are unfavorable to being outdoors. Now, imagine it is a warm, sunny day. In this case, the younger boy’s question is answered in the affirmative: “Yes, little brother, father said we can go out to play!” The father is not fickle or indecisive. He has his intelligent reasons for saying what he does at any given time. There is a progression of events: things change as time goes on. What is true at one period may not automatically be true at all periods. In other words, the contents of the message are different because corresponding situations or circumstances differ. However, some basic information does stay the same (both situations involve a father, his two sons, the father’s care, the older son relaying the father’s instructions, and the younger son’s inclination to play).

Though imperfect, if the above analogies help us, at least to some degree, to understand the dispensational changes in Scripture as one moves across the Bible timeline from left or right, then such illustrations should never be forgotten. The father is God, the older son is His spokesman, the younger son is the rest of mankind, the weather is real-life daily conditions or situations throughout the ages, and the instructions are applicable Divine revelations or Bible concepts. There are no contradictions or mistakes. Moreover, there is no confusion—provided, of course, (and this is the key point!) we make certain we are aware of any indications of time or context.

However offensive it is, however uncomfortable it makes us, when we think about our weaknesses and limitations, it is quite clear that the problem lies exclusively with us and never the Bible. Let us see how the “horizon” in today’s Scripture turns “the Old Book” into a new Book….

Note the Horizon! #1

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,…” (Romans 1:1 KJV).

Friend, do you see the horizon here? How can it facilitate your understanding and enjoyment of the Bible?

Bible critics desperately look for any and every lame excuse not to believe the Scriptures. One of their primary “defenses” is to resort to accusing the Bible writers of “contradictions.” In fact, to the absolute shame of the professing church, so-called “Bible believers” and “Bible scholars” complain about these “contradictions” too. I remember how, when I was in high school, one of my science teachers griped about how this verse was at odds with that verse. Of course, I was in ignorance myself. My denomination had taught me as much truth as his denomination had taught him! It would be a few more years until I would learn the Bible rightly divided, and the “contradiction” was revealed to be nothing but a change in program.

Let us read today’s Scripture in context: “[1] Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, [2] (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) [3] Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; [4] And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: [5] By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:….”

Although Romans was not the first epistle the Apostle Paul wrote, the Holy Spirit placed it first in the canon of Scripture (order of Bible Books). We were introduced to Saul or Paul in Acts chapter 7, he was commissioned in Acts chapter 9, and his ministry gradually becomes more prominent for the remainder of Acts. By the end of Acts, his ministry stands alone. It is here that, after reading Acts chapter 28, we come into Romans chapter 1 (its first verse is today’s Scripture). The opening verses of Romans are Paul’s ministry as he himself describes it, thereby guaranteeing we note the horizon….

A Whale of a Tale? #14

Monday, November 20, 2023

“For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40 KJV).

Let us consider one of the most misunderstood and most ridiculed accounts presented in the Holy Bible….

Overall, Bible deriders are not interested in meaningful dialog or establishing truth. Instead, they are just determined to rid themselves of Scripture. If they can find fault with it, they can dismiss it and ignore its claims against them. They want to discredit its testimony, for they prefer not to face accountability. If the Bible is wrong about “great fish” and “whale,” they assume it is wrong when it speaks against them and their sin. Anything to soften the Bible appeals to them. That is sin nature at its very best, friends!

The translators of our English (King James) Bible knew our language well—plus the source languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Consequently, we should be thankful for their work. They took God’s words and handled them with the utmost respect when transferring them into English. We need not (and should not) grow upset with these men if they were more familiar with our language than we are, or that the English Bible utilizes our language in ways we are too immature to appreciate or comprehend. Jonah’s animal was a “fish” (aquatic creature—Jonah 1:17, Jonah 2:1, and Jonah 2:10), a “whale” (a large aquatic creature—today’s Scripture), and a “great fish” (a large aquatic creature—Jonah 1:17). All of these are acceptable translations. The only error exists in the minds of people who value human wisdom over Divine wisdom. They do not intimidate us into joining their camp of endless skepticism.

Finally, Jonah’s inclusion goes far beyond a neat story to tell little old ladies and small children in Sunday School. The Prophet Jonah represents his stubborn nation, Israel, miserably failing to reach the Gentiles with the Word of God. Still, Jonah was converted by means of a storm and death—and he eventually went to and evangelized Nineveh! Likewise, in the ages to come, wayward Israel will be turned around to serve as God’s channel of salvation and blessing to the world (Isaiah 60:1-3; Zechariah 8:20-23; Matthew 28:18-20)! 🙂

A Whale of a Tale? #13

Sunday, November 19, 2023

“For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40 KJV).

Let us consider one of the most misunderstood and most ridiculed accounts presented in the Holy Bible….

According to The Oxford English Dictionary—widely regarded as the authority on the English language—the primary definition of “fish” is “a limbless cold-blooded vertebrate animal with gills and fins living wholly in water.” Yet, under the same entry, we read: “used in names of invertebrate animals living wholly in water, e.g. cuttlefish, shellfish, jellyfish.” “Fish” is a broad term for all creatures confined to water, including the aquatic animal that swallowed Jonah (Jonah 1:17; Jonah 2:1; Jonah 2:10). Nonetheless, in today’s Scripture, Jesus Christ said it was a “whale.” Why?

We normally think of a whale as a warm-blooded mammal that breathes air, has hair, and feeds its young with milk. This is not a fish in the strictest sense, but, generally, a whale is a fish because it lives in water (the Old English “fisc” applies to animals living exclusively in water). Jonah 1:17 qualifies it as a “great fish.” Before we throw a tantrum when the Bible utilizes “great fish” and “whale” interchangeably, we need to have another English lesson. “Whale” can be used in the sense of “a whale of a…,” as in an extremely good example of a particular thing. For example, a “whale of a tale” can be used to describe a preposterous, make-believe story (which is what [ignorant] Bible ridiculers consider Jonah’s Book!). “Whale” might also be employed as “have a whale of a time”—enjoying yourself very much. This data can be found in The Oxford English Dictionary, provided someone truly desires to learn the truth. Neither Jonah 1:17, nor Jonah 2:1, nor Jonah 2:10, nor Matthew 12:40 is in error.

“Whale” means “enormous, big”—and the creature that swallowed Jonah was massive. The adjective is equivalent to “great” in “great fish” of Jonah 1:17. In fact, it has been suggested Jonah’s animal might have been one of the “great whales” (sea monsters, mammoth marine beasts) God created in Genesis 1:21. However, the scoffers are not interested in reasoning and thoughtful discussion….

A Whale of a Tale? #12

Saturday, November 18, 2023

“For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40 KJV).

Let us consider one of the most misunderstood and most ridiculed accounts presented in the Holy Bible….

According to basic scientific data, a whale is a warm-blooded marine mammal whereas a fish is a non-mammal that is usually cold-blooded. Seizing upon this “enlightenment” as grounds for their position of unbelief, critics of the Scriptures have incessantly carped we do not have the “perfect” Word of God because Jonah on four occasions classifies the creature as a “fish” (see Jonah 1:17, Jonah 2:1, and Jonah 2:10) but Jesus taught it was a “whale” (today’s Scripture). To them, this is an outright contradiction. Is it really?

It is no secret a great many people have thoroughly (!) delighted (!) in their proud (!!) skepticism as touching Jonah, laughing heartily at the expense of sound Bible doctrine. Yet, they would have better spent their time actually professing Bible and linguistical ignorance (“I do not know!”) and doing some research instead of exhibiting Bible and linguistical ignorance (“let me show you I do not know!”). We Bible believers need not be intimidated or apostate, cowering at the feet of so-called “intellectuals” who are infatuated with self, self, self. Using a renewed mind, we arm ourselves with a simple, logical, sound defense rooted in faith.

Taking an English dictionary, we notice “fish” has for one of its definitions: “(loosely) any of various other aquatic animals.” In other words, “fish” is a general or broad term for any type of animal that lives in the water. It is a less precise term, granted, and awkward when compared to the scientific classification system of naming lifeforms, but “fish” can include any and all types of marine animals. In fact, a whale is defined as a “marine mammal” and… horrors!!!… the dictionary says a whale has a “fishlike body.” It just gives us chills, friends. Whales and fish, while quite different, have similarities. Even lexicographers admit it.

Hence, how unfair and hypocritical we are if we protest God using the same phraseology we do….

A Whale of a Tale? #11

Friday, November 17, 2023

“For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40 KJV).

Let us consider one of the most misunderstood and most ridiculed accounts presented in the Holy Bible….

To quote one of my university geology professors from long ago, “We know more about the Moon than we do our own oceans!” Nearly three-quarters of Earth’s surface is water, and these areas and their contents are still largely unfamiliar to us. Oceans tend to be deep and dark, with the immense pressure at those depths making exploration even more difficult. It is impossible to imagine what strange lifeforms of all sizes are down there right now—or were down there and have since gone extinct (died off entirely).

Consider the Mariana Trench, in the western Pacific Ocean (east of the Philippines and southeast of Japan). In one place (known as Challenger Deep), this underwater canyon is actually deeper than Mount Everest is high! In the case of the Mediterranean Sea (on which Jonah’s ship floated—notice it launched from Joppa, Israel [Jonah 1:3]), there are similar underwater trenches or canyons. The lowest point of the Mediterranean is called Calypso Deep, south of Greece and in the Hellenic Trench, with a maximum depth of some 3 miles (5 kilometers)! What kind of organism could have possibly lurked in the Mediterranean Sea to swallow the Prophet?

As touching the precise identity of the creature with which Jonah interacted, there has been a great deal of dialog and derision. The whole matter can be summed up as this. On four occasions, the Book of Jonah reports it was a “fish” (read it twice in Jonah 1:17, once in Jonah 2:1, and once in Jonah 2:10). However, some have stumbled over the Lord Jesus’ remark in today’s Scripture because He calls it a “whale.” It is thus complained these are not exactly the same animal. Surely, they say, Jonah or Jesus was mistaken. Is there any way to resolve this alleged discrepancy? Again, we must do some study, make an effort to allow ourselves to be taught, and be thankful for the resulting enlightenment….

A Whale of a Tale? #10

Thursday, November 16, 2023

“For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40 KJV).

Let us consider one of the most misunderstood and most ridiculed accounts presented in the Holy Bible….

Getting back to the little Book of Jonah yet again: “[1:17] Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights…. [2:1] Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly,…. [2:10] And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.”

A simple, straightforward reading of the last verse of Jonah chapter 1 and all of chapter 2, leads us to the obvious conclusion. Jonah was physically dead for those three days and three nights. That fish’s belly was Jonah’s vaulted crypt! In like manner, so was the Lord Jesus Christ actually physically deceased and literally buried in a cave for three days and three nights (today’s Scripture; cf. Matthew 27:59,60; Mark 15:45,46; Luke 23:52,53; John 19:40-42). As in the case of Christ’s inground interment, Jonah’s physical body was in the fish’s belly but his soul and spirit were elsewhere.

Following that period of three days and three nights, God brought Jonah back to life (just like Christ). Jonah’s soul and spirit were reunited with his physical body, after which he prayed (chapter 2 was spoken in hindsight—notice the past and past perfect tenses of the verbs in verses 2-7). At the close of chapter 2, the three days and three nights having expired, the LORD commanded the fish to vomit (yuck!) Jonah onto the coast. Read chapters 3 and 4 to learn what the Prophet did with his new life. Suffice it to say, that rebel was truly converted or transformed for God’s glory!

Having clarified whether Jonah was alive or dead in the fish’s belly (he was dead!), we can now turn our attention to the heated debate over whether the creature was a “fish” (Jonah 1:17; Jonah 2:1,10) or a “whale” (today’s Scripture). As always, the controversy can be settled only if we use our renewed mind….

A Whale of a Tale? #9

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

“For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40 KJV).

Let us consider one of the most misunderstood and most ridiculed accounts presented in the Holy Bible….

Read a portion of Jonah’s prayer in chapter 2: “[1] Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly, [2] And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. [3] For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. [4] Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. [5] The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head. [6] I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God….”

Jonah cried “out of the belly of hell” (verse 2). God has “brought up [Jonah’s] life from corruption” (verse 6). This sounds like someone dying and living again, does it not? In fact, it corresponds to Christ’s own death and resurrection in today’s Scripture! According to Luke 16:19-31, Hell was in two compartments in time past: believers’ souls were confined to Abraham’s bosom and comfort, whereas unsaved souls were enclosed in flames and torment. Jesus’ soul and the believing thief’s soul went to the comfort side when they died—a place also known as “paradise” in Luke 23:43, whose occupants have since relocated to the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2,4). The point is, Jonah died and went to “hell” (paradise side), perfectly matching Jesus in “hell” (paradise side; see Psalm 16:10 and Acts 2:22-31).

When Jonah died and lived again, he was really serving as a type (preview, picture, foreshadow) of Jesus dying and living again….