| Some people hear that there are contradictions in the | | | | here just because a pre-vegetation stage is described |
| Bible, and this either weakens their faith or makes | | | | at a point in the Bible which follows a description of a |
| them believe that the Bible contains errors. If errors | | | | vegetation stage. |
| exist in the Bible, then this is a strong argument, since | | | | Numbers 25:9 states that 24,000 people died from a |
| we wouldn't know which parts are credible. Are there | | | | plague, while 1 Corinthians 10:8 says that 23,000 died. |
| plausible explanations for these supposed | | | | These two verses could be referring to two separate |
| discrepancies? We need to examine some of them | | | | events, or this could be a transcription error in a later |
| more closely, but before we do, let's consider what we | | | | manuscript, while the original manuscripts agreed. |
| know about the Bible and its accuracy. | | | | However, this puzzle can also be solved analytically, as |
| There's no other book that's as comprehensive or | | | | is often the case when numbers are involved. Since |
| complex as the Bible. Actually, it's a collection of | | | | the 1 Corinthians verse doesn't say that 23,000 died, |
| sixty-six individual books totaling approximately one | | | | then it is possible that 24,000 died. If 24,000 died as |
| million words, so there are few books that can even | | | | Numbers 25:9 says, then it's also true that 23,000 died |
| match its sheer size. These sixty-six books were | | | | as 1 Corinthians 10:8 says. |
| written by about forty-four different authors over the | | | | 2 Samuel 24:1 says that God caused David to conduct |
| course of approximately 1,500 years of human history. | | | | a census, but 1 Chronicles 21:1 says that Satan caused |
| Despite this complexity, and its thousands of | | | | David to conduct a census. Again, these verses could |
| statements of truth and prophecy, its accuracy in truth | | | | be referring to two separate events. However, it's |
| and prophecy have astounded philosophers, | | | | more likely that God incited Satan to cause David to |
| theologians, and scientists throughout the ages. | | | | conduct the census, making both statements true. |
| Regardless, to be fair, what about those supposed | | | | 2 Samuel 24:24 says, "So David bought the threshing |
| contradictions that might cast doubt on the Bible's | | | | floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for |
| credibility? | | | | them." 1 Chronicles 21:25 says, "So David paid Araunah |
| Genesis 1:11-13 states that God created vegetation, but | | | | six hundred shekels of gold for the site." On the |
| a later verse, Genesis 2:5, says that there weren't yet | | | | surface, this sounds as though 2 Samuel 24:24 says |
| plants on the earth. We must remember that not all of | | | | that David made a purchase for fifty shekels of silver, |
| the events in the Bible are recorded chronologically. | | | | while 1 Chronicles 21:5 claims that this purchase was |
| These two verses could easily be referring to two | | | | for six hundred shekels. However, the former passage |
| separate accounts of creation. Genesis 1, which | | | | probably refers to only the threshing floor and oxen, |
| describes how God created vegetation on the third | | | | while the latter passage refers to the entire |
| day, seems to be an account of creation that focuses | | | | transaction. Both could be true, so there would be no |
| on the creation itself, while Genesis 2 seems to be a | | | | contradiction here, and both accounts agree. |
| separate account of creation that focuses on the | | | | We shouldn't be discouraged when someone thinks |
| creation of Adam and Eve. In fact, after the creation | | | | they have identified an error in the Bible. I haven't yet |
| of man in Genesis 1, Genesis 2:4 says, "This is the | | | | seen such a case that didn't have a plausible |
| account of the heavens and the earth when they | | | | explanation. Many times, such discrepancies have |
| were created." This seems to verify that Genesis 2 | | | | lingered for years until history or archeology eventually |
| refers back to Genesis 1, retelling the creation of man | | | | brought the truth to light, reinforcing just how truly |
| in more detail. There is not necessarily a contradiction | | | | reliable the Bible is. |