I am a brother to dragons. Job 30:29
Trivia: What did Job's wife tell him to do to retain his integrity?
Contradictions seem to be the only things that believers are concerned about. God can tell Jehu to collect 70 heads in two baskets, and believers are okay with that, since the Bible is consistent on that topic. But did God kill 23,000 or 24,000 for committing whoredom with the daughters of Moab? Now that's a real problem to a believer. Not that God would kill so many people for so silly a reason. Who cares about that? No, it's the number that's important, because the Bible must not disagree with itself.
I've never seen a contradiction that believers can't resolve, at least to their own satisfaction. It could have been this way, it could have been that. That's what it says, but that's not what it means. It was a copyist's error. Whatever.
Contradictions are, in my opinion, the least of the Bible's problems. I include them for just one purpose: it shows that the Bible, whatever else it may be, is not inerrant.
How do I define inerrant? Well, I'd say something is inerrant if it has no errors.
I should tell you, though, that I don't believe there are any inerrant books, although many come very close. My old Physical Chemistry book, for example. Written by Peter Atkins and published in 1982, that book and I spent a lot of time together when I was taking P-Chem. And though I loved the book and know of no errors in it, I don't think it's inerrant. I'll bet there are a few spelling or grammatical errors and maybe a typo or two. And in its 1000+ pages there is probably an important mistake in an equation somewhere -- maybe an exponent left off, a decimal misplaced, or something. And since it's been 30 years, it could use some revising to get it caught up with recent advances in Chemistry. And, of course, as with any book, there are probably some errors in structure, presentation, and style.
But if you want to call Atkins' book inerrant, I won't argue about it. And I promise not to write a Skeptic's Annotated P Chem book or anything like that. But if I did, I wouldn't have anything to highlight and nothing to say. Atkins need not worry about my snide remarks.
There are a lot of books that come close to inerrancy, but the Bible is not one of them. And its errors are not confined to missing exponents or poor choice of words. Of all the books that I know of, the Bible is the most errant. It is by far the worst book I've ever read (with the possible exceptions of the Quran and the Book of Mormon). I know of no other book, for example, that commands you to kill homosexuals, Sabbath breakers, nonbelievers, rape victims who don't cry out loud enough, relatives if they believe differently than you, etc. These are serious errors; they should be taken seriously, especially since two billion people believe the Bible to be the inerrant word of God.
Will Jesus's second coming be visible to all?
Is polygamy OK?
When did God divide light from darkness?
When were the stars made?
Was Solomon alone when he sacrificed 1000 burnt offerings at Gibeon?
Where did Jesus go when he died?
What angered God so much that he didn't allow Moses to enter the promised land?
Who was Zelophahad's father?
Who was Dishon's father?
Who was David's second son?
Who was the father of Uz, Hul, and Gether?
Who was Sheba's father?
Where was Abraham buried?
Who was Dedan's father?
When did the women discover that Jesus's body was missing?
Who was Libni's father?
Was Samuel a Levite or an Ephraimite?
Did God bring evil upon Ahab?
Who was Athaliah's father?
Who was the best king?
How did Jeroboam die?
Is Jesus good?
Do angels have sex?
Is it okay to marry your wife's sister, while your wife is still alive?
Who did Jacob wrestle with?
On the day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem, did Jesus ask his disciples to get one animal or two?
May Adam eat from any tree?
Does God work on the Sabbath?
Should we bear each other's burdens?
How long did creation take?
Were plants created before or after humans?
Were humans created before or after the other animals?
Did God originally create humans male and female?
From what were the fowls created?
From what were the animals created?
When was Eve created?
What became of Cain?
Was God satisfied with his creation?
When did Noah enter the ark?
How many animals of each kind did Noah take into the ark?
Did everyone (except for Noah and his family) die in the flood?
How long did the flood last?
How long was the ark afloat?
When did the earth dry after the flood?
How many languages were there before the Tower of Babel was built?
Who was the father of Salah?
When was the city of Dan named?
Who destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah?
How old was Ishmael when he was abandoned by Abraham?
What is the human life span?
Who named Beersheba?
Who was Laban's father?
When did Jacob rename Luz to Bethel?
Who was Bashemath's father?
Who was Korah's father?
Who brought Joseph into Egypt?
Where did Joseph's brothers find the missing money?
How old was Benjamin when his clan migrated to Egypt?
How many descendants of Jacob and Leah went to Egypt with Jacob?
Were Naaman and Ard the sons or the grandsons of Benjamin?
Did Abraham know God's name?
How many generations from Abraham to Moses?
Did God kill all the Egyptian cattle in the sixth plague?
How did God tell Moses to get water from a rock?
Who was Moses' father-in-law?
Who gave the law to Moses?
What are the borders of Israel?
Did God command the Israelites to make him burnt offerings?
What animals must you sacrifice each day?
How should Sabbath-breakers be punished?
What must a congregation do if it sins through ignorance?
What should you do if you sin through ignorance?
How should a man who has sex with a menstruating woman be punished?
Should you punish people with an eye for eye and a tooth for a tooth?
Did God tell Moses to number the Levites?
How many male Levites more than one month old did Moses and Aaron count?
Who argued in favor of occupying Canaan during the Exodus?
Did God burn all of Korah's children to death?
Was Moses meek?
Who survived to see the promised land during the Exodus?
Who wrote the Pentateuch?
Who wrote the Pentateuch?
Will there be many Jews?
Did the Israelites see God face to face on Mount Horeb?
How should parents be treated?
Will God destroy those that intermarry?
Who made the ark of the covenant?
Who wrote the (second set of) ten commandments?
Where did Aaron die?
Which flying creeping things may we eat?
How many days is unleavened bread to be eaten during the Passover?
How should the Canaanites be treated?
Does God prefer castrated men?
How many generations must a bastard wait until his offspring can enter the congregation of the Lord?
Did any Moabite enter the congregation of the Lord?
Did Balaam curse the Israelites?
How should the Edomites be treated?
Does God have a body?
Is it OK for a divorced woman to remarry?
How should strangers be treated?
Is incest forbidden?
Are those who obey the law cursed?
Did God destroy the nations?
Where did Moses get water from a rock?
What were the twelve tribes of Israel (Jacob)?
Did Moses see God face to face?
Was Moses in good mental and physical health at age 120?
Who wrote the Pentateuch?
Did the Centurion ask Jesus directly to help his servant?
Did Joshua remove the twelve stones from the Jordan River?
Did the city of Ai exist after Joshua destroyed it?
Has the sun ever stood still in the sky for 24 hours?
Who drove the Anakim from Hebron?
To whom were the cities of Exhtaol and Zoreah given?
Who Was Achan's father?
Did the Israelites take Jerusalem from the Jebusites?
Did Joshua kill everyone in Gezer?
Can God stop iron chariots?
When was King Jabin killed?
Who is the most blessed woman?
Was Sisera asleep when he was murdered?
Did the Israelites kill every male in Midian?
How many sons did Gideon have?
Did Balak fight with Israel?
What is the earth set upon?
Who hardened the Pharaoh's heart?
How long was the ark of the covenant at Abinadab's house?
Who may offer sacrifices to God?
Does God help in times of need?
Were the Philistines subdued all the days of Samuel?
What was Jonathan's first slaughter?
Why was Saul rejected as king?
To kill or not to kill
Was Haman an Agagite?
Was David a man of war before he fought Goliath?
How did David kill Goliath?
When did Saul meet David?
Is dancing a sin?
How many Philistine foreskins did David buy his first wife with?
When did Saul become David's enemy?
When did "Is Saul among the prophets?" become a proverb?
When was the last time that Samuel saw Saul?
When David fled to Nob, what was the priest's name?
Was David alone when asking for the holy bread at Nob?
Who killed Goliath?
Did Saul and Samuel kill all the Amalekites?
When did Absalom rebel against David?
How many sons did Absalom have?
How many children did Michal (David's first wife) have?
How many mighty men did David have?
Has God ever tempted anyone?
What were David's last words?
Who was the greatest: Jesus or Solomon?
How many stalls did Solomon have?
What was Solomon's gift to Hiram?
How many overseers did Solomon have?
Which tribe was Hyram from?
How high were the pillars?
What was the volume of the molten sea in Solomon's temple?
What was in the Ark of the Covenant?
Where did Moses receive the ten commandments?
Does God dwell in darkness or in light?
Does God dwell in temples?
How many officers did Solomon have?
How many talents of gold did Hiram send Solomon?
Are we punished for the sins of others?
Did David sin?
Who was Abijam's mother?
How were Abijam and Asa related?
How should homosexuals be treated?
Did Asa remove the high places?
When did Baasha die?
Is it OK to test God?
Was Jehu the son or grandson of Nimshi?
Did Elisha receive Elijah's mantle before or after Elijah is taken up into heaven?
Is it wrong to lie?
Does God lie?
Did Jehoshaphat remove the high places?
Has anyone ever ascended into heaven?
Were the Israelites to spare the trees in the countries they invaded?
Did God give Gehazi leprosy?
When did Ahaziah begin to reign?
When did Jehoash become king of Israel?
Does God allow pregnant women to be ripped apart?
How long did Jotham reign?
Is it OK to make images?
Why did God turn the sundial back ten degrees?
Who succeeded Jehoiakim as king?
Did Zedekiah's eyes see the king of Babylon?
On what day did the temple burn?
How high was the chapiter?
How many men were in the king's presence?
On what day of the month was Jehoiachin released from prison?
Was Enoch the sixth or the seventh from Adam?
Who was Noah's youngest son?
Was Keturah Abraham's wife or concubine?
How many sons did Abraham have?
Who was Timnah?
Who was Anah?
How many sons did Jesse have?
Who was Amasa's father?
Who were the sons of David born in Hebron?
Who was Uzziah's father?
What were the generations from David to the Babylonian Captivity?
Was Jechoniah the son or the grandson of Josiah?
Did Jeconiah have any sons?
Who was Samuel's firstborn son?
What tribe was Aijalon from?
Does God forgive sins?
Who were the sons of Benjamin?
Who was the father of Kish?
Who were Saul's sons?
Did Saul's family die with him?
Did Saul inquire of the Lord?
How did Saul die?
How many men did the chief of David's captains kill?
Where did God kill Uzza?
Was Solomon David's second or fourth son by Bathsheba?
Who was Heman's father?
Is it OK to drink alcohol?
Are the laws of the Old Testament still binding?
How many gods are there?
Should we fear God?
Who is the Lord of this world?
Is God merciful?
How many horsemen did David take?
How many men did David kill?
Who did Elhanan kill?
Who tempted David to number Israel?
Is it OK to take a census?
How many valiant men drew the sword in Israel and Judah as counted by Joab?
How many years of famine?
God does repent?
For how much did David buy the threshing floor?
How many generations were between Levi and Moses?
How old did a Levite have to be to be counted?
Was Abiathar the father or the son of Ahimelech?
Was Mahli the son of Levi?
Who were the sons of Heman?
Who owns the earth?
When did Solomon's reign begin?
Was Asa perfect?
How old was Ahaziah when he began to reign?
Did God commend or condemn Jehu for the killings at Jezreel?
Who was Zechariah's father?
Where was Joash buried?
Was Ahaz buried with his fathers?
Does God know what is everyone's heart?
Should we rend our clothes?
How did King Josiah die?
Where did Josiah die?
Did Jehoiakim die in Babylon or near Jerusalem?
How old was Jehoiachin when he began to reign?
How many of Arah's offspring returned from Babylon?
How many of Pahathmoab, Jeshua, and Joab's offspring returned from Babylon?
How many of Zattu's offspring returned from Babylon?
How many of Bani's offspring returned from Babylon?
How many of Bebai's offspring returned from Babylon?
How many of Azgad's offspring returned from Babylon?
How many of Adonikam's offspring returned from Babylon?
How many of Bigvai's offspring returned from Babylon?
How many of Adin's offspring returned from Babylon?
How many of Bezai's offspring returned from Babylon?
How many of Bethlehem and Netophah's offspring returned from Babylon?
How many of Lod, Hadid, and Ono's offspring returned from Babylon?
How many of Senaah's offspring returned from Babylon?
How many of Asaph's offspring returned from Babylon?
How many children of the porters returned from Babylon?
How many of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda's offspring returned from Babylon?
How many singing men and women returned from Babylon?
How much gold, silver, and clothing did the people give?
Was Zechariah Iddo's son or grandson?
Is it OK to marry a Moabite?
Can God be found through reason alone?
Who brought evil on Job?
Does God sleep?
Should we rejoice when our enemies suffer?
Does wisdom make people happy?
Where does God dwell?
Does God destroy both the righteous and the wicked?
Do the wicked live long?
Is it good to be happy?
Should we follow our own hearts?
Who is the first and the last?
What was Sodom's sin?
What was Jesus H. Christ's real name?
Will the Messiah be a descendant of David?
Will God curse the earth?
Will everyone see the majesty of God?
Does God ever get furious?
Is every word of God pure?
What is God's name?
Does God ever tire?
May a eunuch enter into the congregation of the Lord?
Will the righteous flourish?
Is is OK to use perfume?
Does God desire animal sacrifices?
How long does God's anger last?
Should we look for signs from heaven?
Do evildoers prosper?
When did Nebuchadnezzar come to Jerusalem?
How long was the Babylonian Captivity?
Does God listen to and answer prayers?
What is the correct recipe for the new moon sacrifice?
Will Ephraim return to Egypt?
Did a fish or a whale swallow Jonah?
Who cast Jonah into the sea?
Does the Bible condemn astrology?
Can God be tempted?
Who was Zerubbabel's father?
How many generations from Jesus to Abraham?
How many generations were between the Babylonian captivity and Jesus?
Do Christians know how to pray?
Is God's will always done in heaven?
What will happen to Jews when they die?
Is anyone justified?
Does the Bible approve of capital punishment?
Should we do what the Pharisees say to do?
When will the end of the world come?
When did Jesus say he would return?
Was Jesus the son of David?
Is anyone good?
Who asked Jesus for the best seats in heaven?
When did Jesus curse the fig tree?
When did the cursed fig tree die?
How are people judged by God?
When was Jesus born?
Where did Joseph and Mary live before the birth of Jesus?
Was Jesus born in a house or a manger?
Did Jesus, Mary, and Joseph go to Egypt or Nazareth?
Who was Jesus' grandfather on his father's side?
How did God address Jesus at his baptism?
Who was Jesus's paternal grandfather?
How many generations were there from David to Jesus?
From which of David's sons was Jesus descended?
When Jesus was tempted by the devil, what was the sequence of temptations?
When was Jesus rejected by the people in his hometown of Nazareth?
Did Jesus heal Peter's mother in law before or after calling Peter?
What was the name of the tax collector who was called by Jesus?
Did Jesus preach his first sermon on a mountain or a plain?
Did John the Baptist recognize Jesus as the Son of God?
Were the Pharisees baptized by John?
How many men were possessed with devils?
Where did the devils ask not to go?
Was Jarius' daughter alive when Jesus was approached?
When was the woman who touched Jesus's robe cured?
Did Herod think Jesus was John the Baptist?
When did the transfiguration occur?
Did the disciples understand when Jesus told them about his coming death?
Who can cast out devils in the name of Jesus?
Is casting out devils a sign of a true Christian?
Was Jesus homeless?
Did Jesus tell his apostles to go barefoot and without a staff?
Who is for or against Jesus?
Was Mary blessed?
How should publicans be treated?
What was Jesus' sixth commandment?
How many blind men were healed near Jericho?
When was the blind man (or men) healed?
How did Jesus respond when questioned by the high priest?
Did both thieves revile Jesus?
When did the Temple veil rip?
What did the Centurion call Jesus when he died?
Were the men or angels inside or outside the tomb when the when the women arrived?
Did the women immediately tell the disciples?
Did the eleven disciples believe the two men who claimed to see Jesus?
Was John the Baptist Elijah?
How did Peter and Andrew become Jesus's disciples?
How did Peter find out that Jesus was the Messiah?
Where was the home of Peter and Andrew?
What did Jesus do after his baptism?
When did Jesus' temple tantrum occur?
Did Jesus say, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up"?
Which came first: the calling of Peter and Andrew or the imprisonment of John the Baptist?
How much power did Jesus have?
Did Jesus baptize anyone?
Did the Samaritans receive Jesus?
How should adulterers be punished?
Did Jesus bears witness of himself?
Was Jesus's witness of himself true?
Where did Jesus cure the blind man?
Who makes people blind?
How did Jesus cure the blind man?
On what did Jesus ride into Jerusalem?
Did Jesus ask God to save him from crucifixion?
When did Satan enter Judas?
Did Jesus say before the cock crow or before the cock crows twice?
Did the cock crow before or after Peter's denial?
When was heaven created?
Who sent the Holy Ghost?
Did any of the apostles ask Jesus where he was going?
Did Jesus tell his disciples everything?
Did Judas identify Jesus with a kiss?
Was Jesus taken to Caiaphas or Annas first?
Did Jesus have secret teachings?
To whom did Peter deny knowing Jesus?
Was Jesus silent during his trial before Pilate?
Who put the robe on Jesus?
What color was Jesus' robe?
When was Jesus Crucified?
Was Jesus crucified the day before or the day after the Passover meal?
Who carried Jesus' cross?
What did the sign over Jesus' head say?
Where did the women watching the crucifixion stand?
What did the soldiers give Jesus to drink?
Did Jesus drink on the cross?
What were the last words of Jesus?
How many women came to the sepulchre?
When did the women (or woman) arrive at the sepulchre?
Was the tomb opened or closed when the women arrived?
Did Jesus forewarn the apostles of his death and resurrection?
Were the men or angels sitting or standing?
Was Mary Magdalene happy or sad when she saw the risen Jesus?
Who did the women see at the tomb?
Did Mary Magdalene recognize Jesus when he first appeared to her?
Did Jesus go to heaven after he died but before his ascension?
Where did Jesus first appear to the eleven disciples after the resurrection?
Were the disciples frightened or gladdened when they saw Jesus?
Was it OK to touch the risen Jesus before his ascension?
Did Luke include everything that Jesus did?
Where did Jesus tell his disciples to go after his resurrection?
What were the names of the apostles?
How did Judas die?
Who bought the potter's field?
What did Judas do with the silver?
When was the Holy Ghost given?
Will those who call on the Lord be delivered?
Did Jesus perform many signs and wonders?
Did God call Abraham before or after he moved to Haran?
How old was Terah when he died?
How old was Abraham when he left Haran?
How old was Abraham when Ishmael was born?
How long was the Egyptian Captivity?
How many were in Jacob's family when they came into Egypt?
Where was Jacob buried?
Who bought the sepulchre in Sechem from the sons of Hamor?
Was Moses a good speaker?
Who appeared to Moses in the burning bush?
Did Paul go to Jerusalem from Damascus immediately after his conversion?
Did Jesus come to bring peace?
Who buried Jesus?
When did Jesus ascend into heaven?
Is it OK to eat blood?
In whose name is baptism to be performed?
Did the men with Paul hear the voice?
Were the men with Paul knocked to the ground?
Should the gospel be preached to everyone?
Who was to blame for original sin?
Is wisdom a good thing?
Is God the author of confusion?
Is it good to be foolish?
Does God approve of human sacrifices?
Is God the author of confusion?
Can thieves go to heaven?
Is it OK to add to the law of Moses?
Is all Scripture inspired by God?
Is it OK to marry unbelievers?
If a husband believes, is his wife saved also?
Is circumcision required?
Is divorce ever permissible?
Is marriage a good thing?
Who created heaven and earth?
Is it wrong to have sex outside of marriage?
How many did God kill for committing whoredom with the daughters of Moab?
What kind of animals may we eat?
Is circumcision required?
Should we try to please others?
Is it OK for men to have long hair?
Should we believe everything?
Should we believe in unseen things?
Is it a a good thing to be childish?
Is God warlike or peaceful?
Can women be church leaders?
Is it OK to covet?
Should you speak in tongues?
How many disciples did Jesus appear to in his first post resurrection appearance?
To whom did Jesus make his first post-resurrection appearance?
How many believers were there at the time of the ascension?
Did Paul see Jesus?
Was Jesus the first to rise from the dead?
Is it OK to call someone a fool?
Is death final?
Is it OK to curse people?
How should we treat our enemies?
Who forces non-believers to disbelieve?
Does Jesus judge people?
Does anyone ever do anything good?
What's new?
How should nonbelievers be treated?
Did Paul visit all of the disciples when he went to Jerusalem after his conversion?
Does righteousness come from following the Law?
Should we bear each other's burdens?
Who was God's firstborn son?
Did Jesus know everything?
Who raised Jesus from the dead?
Is it always wrong to steal?
Should we think for ourselves?
Is the day of the Lord at hand?
Can only God work wonders?
Do humans have free will?
Does God approve of slavery?
Should you pray for everyone?
Does God want some to go to hell?
Was Jesus a ransom for many or for all?
Who (or what) is a ransom for the righteous?
Should Christians pray in public?
Must everyone die?
Is childbearing sinful?
Should Christians be concerned with material things?
Is money good or bad?
Does the bible condemn gambling?
Was Joseph the father of Jesus?
Can the devil capture us at will?
If God likes you, will everyone else like you too?
Is it necessary to keep the Sabbath?
Is Jesus God?
Can God be tempted?
Can God do anything?
Is everyone descended from Adam and Eve?
Is it OK to swear?
Is the law of God perfect?
Does God desire animal sacrifices?
Does hell exist?
Did Sarah have faith that she would conceive?
Did Enoch die?
Did Moses fear the king?
Was Rahab saved by faith or works?
Was Abraham justified by faith or works?
Who are wiser, the children of this world or the children of light?
Is wealth a sign of righteousness or of wickedness?
Is only God holy?
Does God respect anyone?
Is Salvation by faith alone?
Should we let others see our good works?
Should we obey human or divine law?
Should you serve God alone?
Do bad things happen to good people?
Should believers discuss their faith with non-believers?
Has there ever been a just person?
Is the devil tied up or free to roam?
Was Lot a righteous man?
Has there ever been a righteous person?
Is it possible to fall from grace?
Will the earth last forever?
Is there an unforgivable sin?
Is it OK to call someone father?
How many sons are there?
Is anyone without sin?
Are we all God's children?
Does God know and see everything?
Is God the creator of evil?
Can God be seen?
Does God love everyone?
Should we love or hate our brother?
Are those who believe Jesus is the Christ of God?
How did Antiochus die?
