Do you believe in biblical inerrancy? Are you a biblical fundamentalist? I believe that the book commonly referred to as the Holy Bible was inspired by God, but I don't believe that it is free of errors and contradictions. I believe in Jesus Christ, but I don't believe that the New Testament is free of discrepancies. What follows are just two examples of why I feel justified in making those statements:
Example 1:
In Matthew 27:28, we read that the Roman soldiers stripped Jesus, "and put on him a scarlet robe."
In Mark 15:17, we read that the soldiers "clothed him with purple..."
In John 19:2, we read that the soldiers "put on him a purple robe."
The Greek word kokkinos is used in Matthew 27:28, and it means scarlet. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=G2847&t=KJV
The Greek word porphyra is used in Mark 15:17, and it is indicative of the color purple. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=G4209&t=KJV
The Greek word porphyrous is used in John 19:2, and it is also indicative of the color purple. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=G4210&t=KJV
Conclusion: The robe that the Roman soldiers placed on Jesus just prior to his crucifixion is described by the author of Matthew as scarlet, while the authors of Mark and John describe it as being purple.
Example 2:
There are three different accounts of Paul's conversion experience on the road to Damascus recorded in the book of Acts.
In Acts 9:7, we read: "And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man."
In Acts 22:9, we read: "And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid, but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me."
In Acts 26:14, we read: "And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me..."
Conclusion: One account has the men standing, another has them collapsing. One has them hearing a voice, but seeing no one; Another account has them seeing a light, but not hearing the voice.
Example 1: "Purple" refers to a color.....sometimes. Sometimes, as in Acts 16:14, it refers to a category of dyes.
ReplyDeleteExample 2: the word used is φωνης (phōnḗ). It can be a voice, a sound, a tone. See Rv 1:15 ("his voice was like the sound of rushing waters")....in this instance "voice" and "sound" are from our word, phōnḗ. So I don't think you should say those Acts verses contradict each other when we can't say they are even speaking of the same thing.
If the bible were inerrant then there'd be little doubt of its authenticity. Jesus spoke in parables because it wasn't time for everyone to understand, believe, and be healed.
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