Dear Abdulraheem,

Thanks for the question.

You are correct in pointing out the fact that there are many apparent contradictions in the Scriptures, and if it were truly inspired by God, how could that be the case, unless God were errant or confused.

We believe that the Scriptures are inspired and therefore inerrant and that apparent contradictions are a result of factors ancillary to the Divine point of inspiration.

For example, we do not have original copies and over the centuries different copies and variations had been widely disseminated and reassembled, often incurring copying errors. Also, sometimes, the point is not the literal surface meaning, but a literary device such as allegory, poetry, etc., and the interpreter needs to take into consideration that the context may make the truth more obscure.

I understand that you might think this lack of originals nullifies the authenticity and veracity of the whole collection, but to the contrary, it actually has become an improvement. Today, because of the [art/science] of textual criticism, we can take thousands of different copies and statistically determine the likely original source material and relative strength of all variations. Sure, it's not perfect, but it may be more accurate than what anyone in the Early Church had back then and in succeeding centuries thereafter.

If your religion is solely based on a book, it may be troublesome. The Catholic Church, however, is built on the foundation of the Apostles, who were eye witnesses to Christ. Many of them were not contributors to the Scriptures, but were nonetheless responsible for bequeathing our faith. It is the Magisterium of this Church, and their successors through which our faith is passed on.

The Scriptures are a family heirloom, not a Catechism of a perspicacious nature, although many fundamentalist Protestants believe in the Scriptures this way.

From some of the examples you gave, while the age of Ahesia may be in question, the fact that he reigned would not be, provided that the author intended him as an historical and not allegorical figure.

Lastly, you are correct that nowhere did Jesus literally say Worship me or I am God. He did however, say I AM, the divine Hebrew title for God (See John's Gospel 8:24) which makes the claim, and made claims that were only possible if He were God. Keep in mind that He didn't come to impress people and make Himself exalted; He came in humility, born in a cave, born of a woman, born to die, yet, He claimed to forgive sins.

Either that is supreme arrogance, or delusion if he is not God. Only God is the one offended in every sin, and therefore capable of forgiving every sin. The subject of Christ's divinity is so vast and has been debated for centuries by many different camps, I don't want to take it up here.
If you wish I could recommend some very good reading on the subject.

Thanks and God Bless,

Bob Kirby

Hi Abdulraheem,

Bob replied:
Lastly, you are correct that nowhere did Jesus literally say Worship me or I am God. He did however, say I AM, the divine Hebrew title for God (See John's Gospel 8:24) which makes the claim, and made claims that were only possible if He were God. Keep in mind that He didn't come to impress people and make Himself exalted; He came in humility, born in a cave, born of a woman, born to die, yet, He claimed to forgive sins.

Either that is supreme arrogance, or delusion if he is not God. Only God is the one offended in every sin, and therefore capable of forgiving every sin. The subject of Christ's divinity is so vast and has been debated for centuries by many different camps, I don't want to take it up here. If you wish I could recommend some very good reading on the subject.

Also, on several occasions, Jesus accepted, without criticism, worship from individuals, such as Thomas. Read John 20:28. Also see Matthew 2:11, Matthew 14:33, Matthew 28:9, and
Matthew 28:17.

Eric

Abdulraheem,

• Why not?

It is significant in revealing Himself. Jesus uses exactly the same terminology that Allah used in Exodus to reveal himself. It was a big deal in Exodus; Allah said I AM is my name, and so Jesus said, before Abraham was, I AM. (John 8:58) Thus, He is God.

Eric

Abdulraheem,

John 1:1 says:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

Eric

This is merely referring to Him in His Human Nature, as a man walking on the earth, not in the fullness of His divinity or . . . you can look at it as rank, rather than fundamentally greater.

Eric

Two questions:

• First, where does Jesus say this?
• Second, even if He did, why would Jesus, being God, preclude having future prophets?
  

Eric

Your welcome.

I hope this helped.

Eric