Normally, a public speaker uses illustrations from personal experiences; however, this writer experienced the reverse on an occasion. In a sermon entitled, “How to Understand the Bible,” I have made the point that there is not one contradiction in the entire Bible. I would also mention that there are those atheists, skeptics, agnostics and others who try to deceive the hearts of the innocent by charging that the Bible is filled with contradictions. I would then use the illustration about the person who asked the men on the porch of a general store if they believed the Bible. Upon receiving a positive answer, the doubter would then mention a ‘sure’ contradiction. He would say that Matthew related how Judas Iscariot “went away and hanged himself” (Matthew 27:5). Then the unbeliever would mention how Luke recorded how that Judas, “falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out” (Acts 1:18). He would then turn to the men and say, “Just how do you answer that?” One man stood up and said, “Easy, the rope broke!” So, instead of a contradiction there was harmony between the two writers.
Well, I answered the door one Saturday morning and there stood two very young ‘elders.’ They desired an opportunity to discuss with me their peculiar doctrine. Treating them like I would like to be treated, I asked them to come into the house. I observed one young man had a copy of the Bible while the other young man carried a copy of the Book of Mormon. At the beginning, I insisted that in order to have agreement in religious matters we must establish what constitutes authority. In the course of our discussion, one young man said that his church accepted the Bible as long as it was translated correctly; however, it was but a moment later that he stated that the Bible was filled with contradictions. Much to my surprise, he illustrated his assertion by the same story that I have used many times and mentioned to you in this article regarding as to how Judas Iscariot died. I could hardly believe what I was hearing. Although I have used this illustration (which I borrowed from another source), I had never heard any person use this story as proof to show that the Bible is filled with supposed contradictions.
It was indeed sad to hear an intelligent young man use such flimsy reasoning to try to prove that the Bible contradicts itself. Of course, I explained the harmony between the two writers (Matthew and Luke) relating to the death of Judas. Then, the young man brought up another so-called ‘contradiction.’ It was then that I stated that his church did not really believe in the Bible or else all of these ‘contradictions’ would not be mentioned in our discussion.
In any religious discussion there has to be an agreement on what constitutes authority, otherwise, there can never be unity. There is no need to further pursue a discussion in religious matters if the parties involved cannot accept one authority, that is, the Word of God. It is indeed surprising and disappointing to learn of the various religious organizations that will not accept the Bible as the only guide and authority pertaining to what God desires us to know, believe and obey. It is not the Bible and something else. It is the Bible only! The Lord promised to guide the apostles into all the truth (John 14:26; 16:13). Paul declared that he preached the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). Peter later wrote that “he hath granted unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness…” (2 Peter 1:3). Jude stated that “the faith” has been once delivered (Jude 3). The Scriptures, being inspired of God, are all that we need (2 Timothy 3:16-17). If the religious world would discard all the writings of men and accept only the Bible, there could be unity among believers.
