Module 2 · Can We Trust the Bible? · Lesson 3
Contradictions, Difficult Texts, and Honest Questions
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Big idea
Not every difference is a contradiction, and not every difficult passage has an easy solution. Faithful apologetics reads carefully, classifies the problem, investigates honestly, and admits uncertainty where necessary.
Learning objectives
- Define contradiction carefully.
- Distinguish difference, emphasis, chronology, perspective, genre, textual reading, and genuine difficulty.
- Use context and genre before declaring contradiction.
- Use SOLVED / PLAUSIBLE / OPEN categories.
- Engage moral difficulties without bluffing.
Primary text
Luke 1:1–4 — “Luke writes historical narrative with selection, sources, and ordered presentation.”
Scaffolded Scriptures
- John 20:30–31 — John explicitly selects material for theological purpose.
- Proverbs 26:4–5 — Adjacent statements can look contradictory until genre and purpose are understood.
- 2 Peter 3:16 — Some scriptural matters are difficult and can be twisted.
Teaching movements
Movement 1
Define Contradiction Precisely — A contradiction affirms and denies the same thing in the same sense, time, and conditions.
Movement 2
Difference Is Not Automatically Contradiction — Accounts may differ in detail, emphasis, sequence, perspective, or selection.
Movement 3
Classify the Question — Detail, emphasis, chronology, perspective, genre, numerical tradition, textual reading, or unresolved interpretive difficulty.
Movement 4
The Gospels Are Theological Histories, Not CCTV — Ancient biographical writing can select, arrange, summarize, and emphasize truthfully.
Movement 5
Context Solves Some Problems — Some apparent contradictions dissolve once paragraph, genre, or historical setting is understood.
Movement 6
Use SOLVED / PLAUSIBLE / OPEN — This prevents bluffing and allows responsible confidence.
Movement 7
Moral Difficulties Are Not the Same as Contradictions — Conquest, slavery, women, violence, judgment, and imprecatory Psalms require moral and theological engagement.
Movement 8
Description Is Not Prescription — Biblical narrative can report conduct without approving it.
Movement 9
“I Don’t Know” Can Be Faithful — Intellectual honesty is stronger than a weak harmonization.
Movement 10
The Central Case Is Cumulative — An unresolved secondary detail does not automatically disprove the whole historical case for Christianity.
Key terms / word study
- Contradiction
- Two claims that cannot both be true because one affirms what the other denies in the same sense and conditions.
Christ at the center
Christ is not an escape hatch from difficult texts. He receives Israel’s Scriptures and stands at the center of the redemptive story within which hard texts must be read.
Common error to avoid
Do not dismiss every difficulty with a clever line. Some questions are solved, some plausibly explained, and some remain open.
Reflect
- What is the difference between a discrepancy and a contradiction?
- Why can genre create apparent tension?
- Why is “I do not know” sometimes the strongest apologetic answer?
Practice
Use READ → CONTEXT → CLASSIFY → INVESTIGATE → ADMIT → CHRIST on one alleged contradiction or difficult text.
Remember
Truth can survive examination. We do not need to pretend every hard question is easy.