Sermon Outline Oct 12, 2008 Evening Service

Topic: Answering Criticisms: The Bible Is Full Of Contradictions  

Text:       1 Peter 3:15

Introduction

I.        When people criticize religion, what do you typically hear?

A.       You can’t prove that God exists (we addressed this recently).

B.       The church is full of hypocrites (we address that all the time).

C.      The criticism we’d like to take on tonight is that the Bible is full of contradictions.

II.       Obviously time will not permit us to explain every alleged contradiction.

A.       To anticipate them all would be impossible.

B.       Even to look at the more common claims would be time consuming and perhaps, to some degree, confusing as well.

C.      Someone can help you if you need information on a specific point.

III.      To help our understanding we are going to take a two-fold approach.

A.       We will analyze what the statement typically means.

B.       We will consider whether or not it is valid.

Text

I.        Analysis

A.       Realize that often there is more to a claim or question than meets the eye.

B.       One might begin by accepting their challenge!

C.      What does a person reveal when they resound this statement?

D.      In most cases, then, we believe that this statement is nothing more than a convenient excuse to justify a continuance in unbelief or an unwillingness to face the truth.

E.       But, suppose this is a person who genuinely desires to understand the truth and really believes that the Bible is full of contradictions?

II.      Is The Bible Full Of Contradictions?

A.       Even if those who make this claim are insincere we can’t let such a statement go uncorrected (1 Peter 3:15).

B.       We should confidently show that the harmony and unity of the scriptures testify of its inspiration (Psalms 12:6; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

C.      This is not to say that the Bible doesn’t contain some things that are difficult to understand (2 Peter 3:14-16).

III.     Where Do We Go From Here?

A.       We need to affirm the scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

B.       Use it as an opportunity to reaffirm your confidence and understanding of the Bible.

C.      If one is sincere, he will accept an invitation to study.

Conclusion

I.        The majority of people who claim that the Bible is full of contradictions are usually just resounding hearsay.

II.       However, there is a minority that may indeed site several alleged contradictions and you need to be ready to give an answer.

III.      Such an accusation, though, should not be left unanswered and you should take the opportunity to affirm the inspiration of the Scriptures.

IV.      A person who is sincere in their quest for truth will have no hesitation in accepting an offer to study these things further but the motive of one who refuses such should be obvious to all.