Biblical Truths :: Examining the errancy of the bible

Welcome!

If you've been here before, welcome back! This work was originally compiled way back in 1994, then formatted for the Newton in '95, and the first web pages in '96. This is the most recent incarnation and the first major overhaul in nearly ten years (wow, does time fly or what?).

These pages now represent a version of work involving the study of religion. For years, I have assembled notes and jotted down thoughts and phrases concerning what I felt were the biggest points along my learning journey.

The discovery that there were contradictions in a book I had always believed had no errors was a major one for me. I found that I had built my entire (christian) philosophical viewpoint on an assumption that turned out to be false!

It turns out that not only are there a lot of biblical errors, but many are quite obvious. Thing is- most people don't really read the book called the Bible. Many who do, never give it serious criticism since they believe somewhere in their heads that it could mean eternal damnation to do so. I know, I was one of these characters ...once.

"...it is, I believe, impossible to find in any story upon record so many and such glaring absurdities, contradictions, and falsehoods, as are in the books [The Gospels of M,M,L & J]. They are more numerous and striking than I had any expectation of finding, when I began this examination,..."
--Age of Reason by Thomas Paine, page 167

Millions of folks own a copy or two, and most christians have turned to selected bits and pieces, but only when so instructed. To me, this is like reading a censored letter that a prison inmate might receive.

I don't like to get only part of the story!

A few years ago, I decided to share some of these little-known eye-opening passages with others. When I first heard of the Newton, I thought it would be a great medium to distribute this sort of information. Especially since it meant I could have it handy whenever some proselytizing christian got in my face. (back in the days when I carried around my beloved, brick-sized PDA)

That Newton version is still around, but unfortunately the Newton is not.

In the virtual pages at this site, you'll find hundreds of problems I have found and researched in modern English translations of the most printed book in western civilization.

I encourage you to look up any or all of the references and to decide if you agree that they are indeed contradictions- or that maybe I just made them up as a joke.

(I really haven't made anything up for this project, other than my own, often sarcastic comments mostly found below the descriptions of the verses.)

Here's a good place to search while studying on line:

The Bible Gateway
(see! I'm not just making this stuff up!)

You'll notice that each of the verses are linked to the Bible Gateway site and display several modern English translations for the verse in question.

You may feel some points have been taken out of context or have some meaning only the spiritual can understand. You may also feel it is important to wear polyester. I'm afraid I can't help you much there.

My answer to this common retort is that you really must not hear yourself when you utter such drivel. It's really like saying that in order to make sense of this text, you have to start with the preconceived notion that it must somehow all be true. Only then can you see the infinite wisdom of the bible.

This is called special pleading. Try to apply the same stance to the works of some religion in which YOU do not believe. Why are hindus mistaken when they say the same thing about their holy book, the Bhagavad Gita?

I can help show you some of the most common (at least to me) point-counterpoint for many of these entries. For each entry, you can read comments left by other visitors and myself. Feel free to register and post some of your own too!

Many of the book's contradictions aren't news to seasoned christian opponents (nor proponents). Still, you might enjoy my helpful comments (or not) even if you're familiar with these passages.

So do keep in mind, there are some rather good -or at least entertaining- defenses for many of the accuracy problems I've brought up in my work.

Why should I read this? (Link coming soon)

I have found that too many of us; atheist, religious, or agnostic, have arrived at our philosophical conclusions without having thoroughly investigated the christian bible. I think it's time to change that.

Now let's have fun with this thing!