Comprehending the Paradox

Live from Salt Lake City, Utah. This is heart of the MatterTGNN’s original show where Shawn McCraney deconstructed religion and developed fulfilled theology., where we do all we can to try and worship God in Spirit and in Truth.

And I’m Shawn McCraneyFounder of TGNN and developer of the fulfilled perspective—calling people to faith outside of religion. your host.

Show 26 452 Comprehending the Paradox June 30th 2015

Biblical Contradictions

PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER PRAYER

None of what I am about to share affects me or my faith in God and His Son. I also believe that most of these things have reasonable explanations. But the reason I am showing them is to show how paradoxical the Bible can be and how God has allowed, in the paradox, for people to have very different views of things. For example –

We have the stance that God is all knowing – no surprises to Him, right?

Genesis 1:31 says “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.”

But then Genesis 6:6 says “And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” Exodus 33:23 shows us that God can be seen and heard but Jesus says in John 1:18 that no man has seen God at any time.

Acts 1:24 says that God knows the hearts of men but Deuteronomy 8:2 says “And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.”

God's Power and Human Interpretation

We almost all agree that God is all powerful, right? I do.

Jeremiah 32:27 says: “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?”

But then we turn to Judges 1:19 says “And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.”

Again, it’s NOT that we cannot understand these things – my point is to show that in the face of these conflicts comes man, dialogue, differences of opinion and in the end, subjective stances. Last week we used water baptism as a vehicle to prove my point but had a follow up call from David who claimed to KNOW things.

Admittedly scripture does admit to our ability to know that we are His, that we have been saved. But it is also clear that

“we walk by faith, not by sight,” 2nd Corinthians 5:7

That . . .

“we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?” Romans 8:24

And that, as Paul said, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” 1st Corinthians 13:12

Not only do claims of knowledge puff up, they lead to dogmatic law – and where there is fixed laws, there is the total potential for sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace.. We can stop sinning in the areas of dogma as a people by replacing dogma and differences on the altar and, trusting in God and His loving grace, give each other a break.

The Nature of God

Moving on we have passages that speak of God being unchangeable (Malachi 3:6) and changeable (Jonah 3:10), that He is impartial (Psalm 92:15) and partial (Romans 9:11-13).

James tells us that God gives freely to those who ask. Jesus adds in Luke 11:10 adds: “For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

But John 12:40, citing the Old Testament says: “Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.”

Proverbs 8:17 says God is found by those who seek him but Proverbs 1:28 plainly says that God will not be found by those who seek Him. Numbers 32:13 says that God's anger is “fierce and endures long,” but Psalm 103:8 says that God’s anger is slow and endures but for a minute. Jesus prayed in Matthew 6 that God would not “lead them into temptations” but James 1:13 says God tempts no Man.

In Exodus 20:4 God says this about making images: “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.” But in Exodus 25:18.

Exploring Biblical Contradictions

God said:

“And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.”

And Moses made a brass Serpent etc etc.

What is right? What is wrong?

Different Interpretations

Jesus said plainly in Matthew 7:1-2 Judge not – krino not. But Paul in 1st Corinthians 6:2 says, judge – krino.

The Nazarite vow prohibited certain men from cutting their hair. Paul’s condemns long hair.

No work was to be done on the Sabbath under penalty of deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God. but Jesus clearly broke the Sabbath day and justified his disciples in doing the same. Baptism? Baptism?

Sabbath day?

There’s a reason why some believe Sunday rules ought to be obeyed and others disregard it all together – too much information to go into it tonight.

Ephesians 6:2 says: “Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise)”

Jesus said in Luke 14:26 “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”

Paul recommends wine to Timothy. Proverbs and Psalms endorse alcoholic drink. But naturally, Proverbs also warns against consuming alcohol at all.

In 1st Timothy 2:12 and 1st Corinthians 14:34 and 1st Peter 3:6 women's rights are denied. In Judges 4:4,14,15 and 5:7 and Acts 2:18 and Acts 21:9 and Paul’s benediction to the Saints at Rome they are affirmed.

The Unpardonable Sin and Justification

Jesus says there is an unpardonable sin in Mark 3:29 but Acts 13:39 says: “And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”

Again! Again! Again! Can these things be reasonably explained? They can. But the reasonable explanations are not all embraced by all believers.

Genesis 8:22 says that “seed time and harvest” were never to cease but by the time we get to Genesis 41 “seed time and harvest ceased for seven years.”

Who hardened Pharaoh's heart – God or Pharaoh himself? Depends on which verse you read in Exodus.

Exodus 9:3,6 and 14:9 says all the horses died in Egypt. Exodus 14:9 tells us not all the horses in Egypt died.

Numbers says that 24,000 died of the plague. 1st Corinthians 10:8 says it was 23,000.

The two thieves reviled Christ. But according to Luke 23:39 only one of the thieves reviled Christ.

Inconsistencies in the Resurrection Accounts

The entire resurrection accounts in the Gospels cannot – cannot – be reconciled. Impossible. We can come to some general conclusions, but they are not consistent (which again I don’t mind).

I mean how many women came to the sepulcher – one (John 20:1), Two? (Matthew 28:1), Three? (Mark 16:1), More (Luke 24:10). How many angels? What did they do?

According to the Bible, on what day of the week was Jesus crucified? Friday? Thursday? Wednesday? Does it matter? It does to a lot of people – problem is a lot of people have the facts wrong.

When did the apostles receive the Holy Spirit? Oh, that’s an easy one – on the day of Pentecost. If that’s so explain John 20:21-22 that says:

John 20:21-22 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

Were the disciples commanded immediately after the resurrection to go into Galilee as Matthew 28:10 says or Were they commanded to go and tarry at Jerusalem (as Luke 24:49 suggests?)

When Jesus appears to Paul, did his attendants hear the miraculous voice and stand speechless (as Acts 9:7 suggests) or did they NOT hear a voice but fall prostrate?

Was Keturah Abraham's wife as Genesis 25:1 says or was she Abraham's concubine (1st Chronicles 1:32)?

2nd Samuel 24:1 says that David was tempted by the Lord to number Israel but 1st Chronicles 21:1 says that Satan did the tempting.

What is your opinion? Are you allowed to have an opinion on this or does the Bible tell us clearly what we MUST believe.

Listen – I came out of a religion where I was spoon-fed dogmatic facts that almost all proved to be a lie or at least an obfuscation of the truth.

And where information was not available, the people had no problem making schnit up and calling it truth. Whenever a contradiction arose, it was passed off as not a contradiction at all.

SAME EXACT THING IN EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANITY.

This DOES NOT MEAN God is not real, or the Bible is not His Word or good or valuable. It means

Interpretations and Contradictions in Biblical Scripture

Our approach to it cannot be dogmatic – especially toward those who believe.

2nd Samuel 24:9 says that the number of fighting men of Israel was 800,000; and of Judah 500,000. 1st Chronicles 21:5 says the number of fighting men of Israel was 1,100,000; and of Judah 470,000. In my estimation this was due to scribal error in numbering. But I could be wrong.

1st Kings says plainly that David never sinned except in the manner of Uriah. But 2nd Samuel says David sinned in numbering the people. In John 10:30 Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.” In John 14:28 He adds: “for my Father is greater than I.” Trinitarians conveniently explain this – are there other viable explanations?

Conflicting Teachings and Messages

Luke 2:13 tells us that Jesus' mission was peace. Matthew 10:34 says it was not. In John 8:18 Jesus says: “I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.” But in John 5:31 He said: “If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.” Exodus plainly teaches that “Children are punished for the sins of the parents.” (Exodus 20:5) But Ezekiel also plainly states that Children are not punished for the sins of the parents (Ezekiel 18:20).

And the biggies? Man is justified by faith alone OR Man is not justified by faith alone. It is impossible to fall from grace OR it's possible to fall from grace. There is to be a physical resurrection of the dead OR there is to be no physical resurrection of the dead. The Earth is to be destroyed (2 Peter 3:10, Hebrews 1:11, and Revelation 20:11) OR The Earth is never to be destroyed (Psalm 104:5 and Ecclesiastes 1:4).

Is the Christian yoke easy? If so, how are we to take John 16:33: "In the world ye shall have tribulationA real historical event fulfilled in 70 A.D.—not a future apocalyptic crisis. More: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." 2nd Timothy 3:12: "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." Hebrews 12:6,8: "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?"

Proverbs tells us that wisdom is a source of enjoyment. Solomon – the one with a gift of wisdom from God says it is nothing but vexation, grief, and sorrow. Laughter is commended, and laughter is condemned in the same book – Ecclesiastes.

Scripture and Interpretation

How are we to interpret: There is nothing unclean of itself. – Romans 14:14. All scripture is inspired 2 Tim 3:16. But didn’t Paul say in 1st Corinthians 7:6: “I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.” Didn’t he say in the same chapter just six verses later: “But to the rest speak I, not the Lord:” And didn’t he also say in 2nd Corinthians 11:17: “That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord,”

Dogmatically, believers demand that every single word in our Bibles today is His – but Paul himself suggests otherwise. And then when are we going to get rational and when people say: "This Bible is the Word of God" we will ask, “Which Bible?” The King James? The NIV? A King James translated into German, Spanish? An American Standard in Tagalog, or French, or how about modern English translations, street language Bibles and the hundreds of others out there in the world and being used by others?

Which Bible?

Compare and explain folks! Think not that I come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. – Matthew 10:34 AND … all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. – Matthew 26:52.

A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children… – Proverbs 13:22 AND Sell that ye have and give alms… – Luke 12:33.

Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord… Wealth and riches shall be in his house… – Psalms 112:1-3 AND It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of GodGod’s spiritual reign—fulfilled and present, not political or future.. – Matthew 19:24.

Thou shalt not kill – Exodus 20:13 AND Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side… and slay every man his brother… – Exodus 32:27.

Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy. – Exodus 20:8 AND The new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with: it is iniquity. – Isaiah 1:13.

For by grace are ye saved through faith… not of works. – Ephesians 2:8-9 AND Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. – James 2:24.

… the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and come forth… – John 5:28-29 AND As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to…

Biblical Contradictions and Growth

The text presents a series of biblical contradictions, challenging the reader to consider differing statements within the scripture.

Biblical Verses in Contrast

The grave shall come up no more.

• Job 7:9

Lay not up for yourself treasures upon the earth…

• Matthew 6:19
  AND
  In the house of the righteous is much treasure…
• Proverbs 15:6

I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

• Genesis 32:30
  No man hath seen God at any time.
• John 1:18

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

• Proverbs 3:13
  AND
  For in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
• Ecclesiastes 1:18

The Lord is good to all.

• Psalm 145:6
  AND
  I make peace and create evil. I the Lord do all these things.
• Isaiah 45:7

(Jesus said)
Whosoever shall say Thou fool, shall be in danger of hellfire.

• Matthew 5:22
  AND
  [Jesus said] Ye fools and blind.
• Matthew 23:17

Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign.

• 2 Kings 8:26
  AND
  Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign.
• 2 Chronicles 22:2

… the earth abideth forever.

• Ecclesiastes 1:4
  AND
  … the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
• 2 Peter 3:10

… for I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger forever.

• Jeremiah 3:12
  AND
  Ye have kindled a fire in mine anger, which shall burn forever.
• Jeremiah 17:4

… God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.

• James 1:13
  AND
  And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham.
• Genesis 22:1

Those that seek me early shall find me.

• Proverbs 8:17
  AND
  Then shall they call upon me but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but shall not find me.
• Proverbs 1:28

God is not a man, that he should lie

• Numbers 23:19
  AND
  And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the Lord have deceived that prophet.
• Ezekiel 24:9

When ye go, ye shall not go empty; but every woman shall borrow of her neighbor, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver and jewels of gold, and raiment; and ye shall put them on your sons and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.

• Exodus 3:21,22
  AND
  Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbor, nether rob him.
• Leviticus 19:13

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin… if God so clothe the grass of the field… shall he not much more clothe you? Therefore, take no thought, saying what shall we eat? or what shall we drink? Or wherewithal shall we be clothed?… Take, therefore, no thought for the morrow.

• Matthew 6:28, 30-34
  AND
  But if any provideth not for his own, especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
• I Timothy 5:8

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works.

• Matthew 5:16
  AND
  Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them.
• Matthew 6:1

And Solomon stood before the alter of the Lord, in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven…

• I Kings 7:22
  AND
  When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men…
• Matthew 6:5

Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.

• Exodus 20:8
  AND
  One man esteemeth one day above another; another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
• Romans 14:5

Therefore Michal, the daughter of Saul, had no child unto the day of her death.

• II Samuel 6:23
  AND
  The five sons of Michal, the daughter of Saul.
• II Samuel 21:8

Understanding Growth

Before we open the phones, there is yet another element to consider that was brought up by Larry G last week. He asked: What about growth? It was a very simple statement but profound. You see, we are all growing, as believers, in the Lord – in strength and knowledge. Some are babes who nosh on milk. Some are mature who gnaw on meat.

Our time in the word, our walk, our experiences, our natural dispositions, our weaknesses in the flesh and sin all play into how we as believers see, interpret and ultimately understand the Word and the Word and their work upon us. I love the following illustration which I have drawn in my Bible. That helps me recall the concept of growth and how it relates to Christian subjectivity.

Opening the Discussion

(Go to overhead)

Alright, let’s open up the phone lines:

And while we are waiting on the operators take a look at this:

SPOT

Emails