Understanding Biblical Contradictions Through Faith and Context
Summary
In this sermon, I discussed the concept of contradictions in the Bible, and how these perceived contradictions can be understood in the context of the Bible's overall message. I emphasized that the Bible's primary goal is to share the good news and love of God through the life, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, and the continual presence of the Holy Spirit. I also highlighted the importance of understanding the different contexts and audiences of the Bible's authors, which can explain some of the discrepancies in the accounts. I encouraged listeners to engage in conversation, ask questions, and lean into the tension and disagreement when wrestling with their faith.
Key Takeaways:
- The Bible's primary goal is to share the good news and love of God through the life, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, and the continual presence of the Holy Spirit. [ 06:25]
- The different contexts and audiences of the Bible's authors can explain some of the discrepancies in the accounts. [ 15:34]
- Engaging in conversation, asking questions, and leaning into the tension and disagreement is important when wrestling with faith. [ 22:58]
- It's okay to have questions and doubts, and it's important to seek answers and understanding. [ 23:44]
- Sometimes, we may not get clear-cut answers, and we need to learn to sit together in that in-between place. [ 24:38]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Mark 11:1-11 #!!12:15!!#
2. Luke 19:28-40 #!!12:15!!#
3. Matthew 21:1-11 #!!13:01!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What are the differences in the accounts of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem in the Gospels of Mark, Luke, and Matthew?
2. How does the account in Matthew differ from the accounts in Mark and Luke in terms of the animal(s) Jesus rode into Jerusalem?
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why do you think the Gospel of Matthew includes two animals (a donkey and a colt) in the account of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, while the Gospels of Mark and Luke only mention one?
2. How do these differences in the accounts affect the overall message of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem?
Application Questions:
1. How can understanding the context and audience of each Gospel help us better understand apparent contradictions in the Bible?
2. How can we apply the principle of looking at the big picture, as discussed in the context of the Bible's overall message, in our daily lives?
3. Can you think of a situation in your life where focusing on minor details caused you to miss the overall message or purpose? How can you apply the lesson from the Bible's overall message to such situations?
4. How can we engage in conversations with others about apparent contradictions in the Bible in a respectful and understanding manner?
5. How can we use the example of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem to better understand and explain the concept of apparent contradictions in the Bible to others?
Devotional
Day 1: Inviting God into Our Questions
When we wrestle with our faith, it's important to remember that God is already present in our doubts and questions. We are not alone in our spiritual journey, and inviting God into our questioning is simply continuing a conversation that has already begun. This can be done through prayer, engaging in conversations with others, or seeking answers through various resources ([22:58]).
Bible Passage: Jeremiah 29:13 - "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent time when you wrestled with a question about your faith. How did you invite God into that questioning process?
Day 2: Embracing the Tension in Faith
Our faith journey is not always clear-cut. There are times when we must learn to lean into the tension and disagreement, accepting that answers may not always be immediate or straightforward. This can be both freeing and frustrating, but it is a crucial part of spiritual growth ([24:38]).
Bible Passage: Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when you had to lean into the tension of your faith? How did this experience shape your spiritual journey?
Day 3: Understanding the Context of Scripture
The Bible is a complex text, written by different authors for different audiences. Understanding the context in which each book was written can help us make sense of apparent contradictions and deepen our understanding of God's message ([15:34]).
Bible Passage: 2 Timothy 2:15 - "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."
Reflection: Choose a Bible passage that you find challenging. How does understanding its context change your interpretation?
Day 4: Embracing Different Perspectives in Scripture
Just as two people can have different accounts of the same event, the Bible sometimes presents different perspectives on the same story. This does not diminish the truth of God's word, but rather enriches our understanding of it ([16:59]).
Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 13:12 - "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."
Reflection: How does embracing different perspectives in Scripture enhance your understanding of God's character and message?
Day 5: The Unchanging Truth of God's Story
Despite apparent contradictions in the Bible, the core truth of God's story remains unchanged. Whether Jesus rode a donkey or a colt into Jerusalem, the significance of His journey towards the cross remains the same ([13:52]).
Bible Passage: Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Reflection: Reflect on a Bible story that has different accounts. How does the core truth of the story remain unchanged despite the differences?
Quotes
1. "The first step is almost always we pray about it because that is when we are brave enough to invite God into the places of our hearts that are questioning and wrestling with our faith. God's already there, all we're doing is continuing the conversation that's already starting even with the unprayed and unspoken questions." - 22:58
2. "One of the most freeing and frustrating things about where I have grown in my own faith has been learning to lean into the tension and the disagreement and the answers that aren't clear-cut all of the time. Sometimes there is a sense of resolution and we get to a clear-cut answer but the time frame might be long and sometimes it doesn't happen and we just sit together in that in-between place." - 24:38
3. "At Momentous, we believe that God is present with us in each and every single one of our moments. We believe that our stories are connected to God's story and to one another's stories. We believe that this connection and relationship changes our lives and our entire world." - 00:30
4. "The overall goal of the Christian scriptures is to share the good news and love of God through the life and Ministry and death and resurrection and Ascension of Jesus who fulfills many of the prophecies about the long-awaited Messiah that are delivered through the Old Testament and that good news is shared through the gift of the holy spirit that remains with us today." - 06:25
5. "No matter what animal or animals Jesus rode into Jerusalem that particular day, Jesus was so entering into the events that led to a final meal with his disciples and to dying on the cross on Good Friday and then rising from the dead on Easter Sunday morning. Nothing about those particular events or the truth that that conveys changes based off of what animal or animals Jesus did or did not ride into Jerusalem." - 13:52
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