Absolute Conviction in the Inerrancy of Scripture

The foundational prerequisite for addressing any biblical difficulty is unwavering conviction in the inerrancy of Scripture as originally penned by the inspired writers (2 Peter 1:20–21; 2 Timothy 3:16–17). This conviction is not based on blind faith but on the massive weight of textual evidence, internal consistency, historical accuracy, and fulfilled prophecy that collectively testify to the Bible’s divine origin. The original autographs were without error; what we possess today, due to the extraordinary preservation of thousands of manuscripts, is a text that is 99.99% accurate and faithful to those originals. Therefore, any apparent contradiction or difficulty must be viewed within this framework of reverent trust and scholarly diligence.

Grammatical-Historical Exegesis: The Method of Resolution

A biblical difficulty cannot be understood—or resolved—apart from the proper interpretive method. The Historical-Grammatical method, not the Historical-Critical, is the only legitimate approach. It begins with understanding the author’s intended meaning under divine inspiration. This demands attention to:

• Immediate Literary Context: One must not isolate a verse or phrase from its surrounding verses or literary unit. Determine where the author begins and ends his point. This clarifies ambiguity and prevents misreading.
• Historical Background: Knowing the cultural, geographical, and temporal setting in which a text was written enhances one’s grasp of its meaning. For example, understanding first-century Jewish customs can elucidate much in the Gospels.
• Lexical Study: Investigate key words using conservative lexicons to uncover nuance. What did the original Hebrew or Greek term convey in that time and context?
• Parallel Passages: Scripture must interpret Scripture. Look for other inspired writings addressing the same issue for clarity.
• Genre Awareness: Recognize whether the passage is narrative, prophecy, poetry, apocalyptic, parable, or didactic prose. Figures of speech like hyperbole or metaphor must not be mistaken for literal declarations (e.g., Psalm 91:4—Jehovah will not literally have feathers).

Honest and Courageous Engagement with Difficulties

1. Honestly

The conservative Bible student must never dodge or obscure legitimate questions. Suppressing them is intellectually dishonest and pastorally harmful. If one cannot yet provide an answer, it is better to confess ignorance than to force an artificial or weak explanation. Zeal without knowledge can do more damage than open opposition. Historical experience confirms that many alleged contradictions have been overturned by advances in archaeology, linguistics, or manuscript discoveries.

2. Humbly

No interpreter has omniscience. Many difficulties are not due to flaws in the text but limitations in our knowledge. A humble interpreter acknowledges the finiteness of human understanding and the infinite wisdom of God (Deuteronomy 29:29; Isaiah 55:8–9). A perceived contradiction is not proof of error, but a challenge to dig deeper.

3. Determinedly

Treat each difficulty as a challenge to mature faith and sharpen understanding. Some issues may require hours or days of careful work. A shallow approach will yield shallow results. Diligent and prayerful study, often accompanied by comparing multiple conservative commentaries, dictionaries, or Greek-Hebrew tools, will reward the patient investigator.

4. Fearlessly

Do not fear so-called “problem texts.” The Bible has withstood hostile scrutiny for nearly two millennia—from pagan emperors to Enlightenment skeptics to modern liberal theologians. Every generation of critics believes it has uncovered something new—only for their arguments to fall before the weight of rigorous scholarship and manuscript evidence. The Bible remains the most scrutinized and yet the most vindicated text in human history. Jehovah has preserved His Word (Psalm 119:89; Isaiah 40:8).

5. Patiently

Some problems resist immediate answers. The wise student will catalog the question, continue studying, and return to it later with fresh insight. Over time, familiarity with the whole counsel of God can often bring a solution that once seemed elusive.

Scriptural and Prayerful Solutions

1. Scripturally

The most powerful interpretive tool is the Bible itself. Cross-referencing difficult passages with related ones often dissolves the perceived tension. Scripture is internally harmonious when understood in context. For example, Paul’s emphasis on justification by faith in Romans does not contradict James’ emphasis on a faith that works (James 2:14–26). They address different audiences and problems, not different gospels.

2. Prayerfully

Interpreting Scripture is not merely an academic endeavor; it is a spiritual discipline. Jehovah gives understanding to the humble seeker (Psalm 119:18; Proverbs 2:1–6). Through prayer, the interpreter aligns himself with the Author of Scripture and gains insight into what the natural man cannot discern (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Evaluating the Nature of the Difficulty

1. Apparent Contradiction or Misunderstood Genre?

Many so-called contradictions vanish when genre and literary devices are rightly understood. For example, Matthew 5:29–30 (regarding cutting off the hand or plucking out the eye) is clearly hyperbolic, emphasizing the radical seriousness of sin—not instructing literal mutilation.

2. Numerical or Chronological Differences

Scripture often uses rounded numbers or estimates in casual discourse, which is entirely appropriate. When 1 Kings 7:26 says Solomon’s sea held “2,000 baths” and 2 Chronicles 4:5 says “3,000 baths,” it may reflect capacity versus actual content, or a copyist variance that does not affect doctrine or practice.

3. Transmission Errors

In extremely rare cases (constituting less than 0.01% of the text), transmission or scribal errors have occurred. These are usually obvious and identifiable by textual comparison across manuscripts and do not affect any doctrine. For example, 1 Samuel 13:1 presents a textual challenge likely due to a dropped numeral in early transmission, but this impacts no doctrine and is easily addressed with manuscript evidence and contextual analysis.

4. Harmonization of Parallel Accounts

Gospel differences, for example, in the number of angels at the tomb (Matthew 28:2; Mark 16:5; Luke 24:4; John 20:12), are reconcilable. One writer may focus on the one speaking or central figure. Absence of detail is not contradiction. Harmonization respects the fact that each Gospel writer selected details for theological and narrative purposes under divine inspiration.

Value of Conservative Scholarly Tools

Use of trusted resources—such as conservative Bible dictionaries, lexicons (e.g., HALOT, BDAG), encyclopedias, and commentaries by faithful scholars—is encouraged. Authors such as Edward D. Andrews, Gleason Archer, and Norman Geisler offer excellent conservative insights on difficult texts without capitulating to liberal methodology.

Avoid tools that promote Higher Criticism, deny Mosaic authorship, question supernatural events, or treat Scripture as mythological or evolutionary in theology. Uphold the unity, divine authorship, and redemptive focus of the 66 canonical books.

Confidence in the Textual Foundation

The integrity of the biblical text is unmatched in the ancient world. With over 5,800 Greek New Testament manuscripts and thousands more in Latin, Syriac, and other languages, and with Old Testament texts such as the Dead Sea Scrolls confirming remarkable accuracy going back centuries before Christ, the Bible’s preservation is a divine marvel. No other ancient work comes remotely close to this level of textual support.

Concluding Admonitions for the Faithful Student

• Face difficulties head-on, with intellectual honesty and doctrinal fidelity.
• Never allow a question to undermine confidence in the whole.
• Recognize your limitations, and submit to the Word as authoritative and sufficient.
• Commit to diligent study, aided by prayer and wise counsel.

Trust the God who inspired the Scriptures to also illumine your understanding as you submit to His will.

You May Also Enjoy

How Do We Understand and Address the Difficulties in the Bible?

About the Author

CLICK LINKED IMAGE TO VISIT ONLINE STORE

CLICK TO SCROLL THROUGH OUR BOOKS