Thank you for the question on the contradictions of the Bible, “Is it true that parts of the Bible contradict itself? What is an example?“
Here are some thoughts on the contradictions within the Bible:
Scholars or individuals have pointed out the inconsistencies of the Bible. I cite two examples:
A. The differences between Genesis 1 and Genesis 2.
Scholars have noted the differences between Genesis 1 and Genesis 2. It appears that Genesis 2 states that man was created before the animals while in Genesis 1, animals were created before man.
B. The differences between John 20 and Luke 24.
Another example is the differences between the resurrection account. John 20 says that it was Mary Magdelene who went to the tomb, but in Luke 24 it says the women, plural, went to the tomb. Who went to the tomb?
As one reads the text, one must be careful to read not just one verse but the context as well as one interpretation of the text.
As one reads John 20, the text states that Mary Magdelene went to the tomb. Let me cite the verse, “Early on the first day of the week while it was still dark, Mary Magdelene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance” (vs. 1), while in Luke 20, it reads, ‘On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women went to the tomb.”
There is the contradiction of John saying one woman while Luke’s account says the women went to the tomb. Which is it? It can’t be both so isn’t that a contradiction!
However, by reading verse 2, Mary doesn’t say that she was the only woman who went to the tomb. In verse 2 of John 20, she says this to the disciples, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” As one reads Mary’s statement, she doesn’t say “I” don’t know where they have put him, but she says “we” don’t know where they have put him. Mary is stating that she and the other women with her don’t know where the thieves have taken the body of Jesus.
John notes that it was Mary Magdelene who ran back to the disciples. The other women didn’t run back with her. They kept walking toward the tomb. Thus, in my view this is not a contradiction but a lack of careful observation of the context.
Granted that individuals may read or interpret the text differently. To be fair and balance, one ought to read the pros and cons of both points of each viewpoint. It is also important for one to read and carefully observe the text and context.
I leave it to the reader to read the pros and cons for the contradiction in Genesis 1 and 2. One can read my answer, if one is interested on my website.
Summary: In reading a contradiction, it is important for one to read the text, context, and how a person interpret the passage. Due diligence is required instead of just citing someone else’s observation.
-Kingston