Why is the Bible contradicting itself?

[alexiscurious]

Mark 7:21-23:
For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.

John 8:44:
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Psalms 118:8:
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

The Bible seems to be contradicting itself with two conflicting views. First it states that man is deceptive, deceitful, and untrustworthy so don't trust what man has to tell you. But then it indirectly asks me to trust the men who wrote the Bible. By its own instruction, I should disregard whatever it tells me because it all requires me to put trust in the men who wrote the Bible. Can anyone make sense of this for me? Thanks.

 

[Sophrosyne]

The Bible isn't contradicting itself, you just choose to pick two verses in two differing contexts by two different authors of the Bible that seem to say the opposite. If I were to say one day man is evil when I am talking about how the world is, and some men has some good in him when I talk the next day about a situation where a man gave a large amount to charity you would say I'm contradicting myself also when I'm talking about different men in different situations at a different point in time.

 

[Lukaris]

Mark 7:21-23:
For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.

John 8:44:
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Psalms 118:8:
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

The Bible seems to be contradicting itself with two conflicting views. First it states that man is deceptive, deceitful, and untrustworthy so don't trust what man has to tell you. But then it indirectly asks me to trust the men who wrote the Bible. By its own instruction, I should disregard whatever it tells me because it all requires me to put trust in the men who wrote the Bible. Can anyone make sense of this for me? Thanks.

There is no contradiction, in the New Testament Gospel passages the Lord Jesus Christ is confirming what the Old Testament Psalmist said about it being better to trust in the Lord than putting confidence in man.

 

[oi_antz]

Alex, what you have said has an error, because of the title of this thread. What you are saying is that because Jesus said that evil comes from the heart of man, and that some such evil is deceit, then you should not trust what men say.

But the problem is that sometimes men can be trusted, and Jesus is not saying that men are always deceitful. He is saying that deceit comes from within a person.

If you read the verses prior to that statement, you will see that He was making a statement to make a point. The point is this:

You [the Pharisee's being addressed] make so much effort to impress people by appearing to be lawful, but really your intentions do not support what the law is all about.

To say this with relevance to the topic at hand (eating without performing proper ritual first), He says to effect (my paraphrase for you) "you are a superficial type of person if that is what you believe, because nobody is defiled by the lack of proper ritual, they are defiled by the evil within them".

.. but if this is not really what you are getting at, please explain your problem a bit better.

 

[oi_antz]

But then it indirectly asks me to trust the men who wrote the Bible.

.. By the way, I feel that this should not be assumed. What is your reason for believing this idea? Do you know that Christians in the past have had faith without being able to read the bible?

 

[Radagast]

The Bible seems to be contradicting itself

It isn't.

 

[alexiscurious]

Alex, what you have said has an error, because of the title of this thread. What you are saying is that because Jesus said that evil comes from the heart of man, and that some such evil is deceit, then you should not trust what men say.

No, this is not what I said but what the Bible says. Here are some more verses that support the idea:
Isaiah 2:22
Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?

Psalm 146:2
Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.

Micah 7:5
Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with the woman who lies in your embrace guard the words of your lips.

But the problem is that sometimes men can be trusted, and Jesus is not saying that men are always deceitful. He is saying that deceit comes from within a person.

Sure, but the bible specifically says not to put trust in mankind. I am asking you to clarify why the Bible (which requires trust in mankind) issues this warning?

If you read the verses prior to that statement, you will see that He was making a statement to make a point. The point is this:

You [the Pharisee's being addressed] make so much effort to impress people by appearing to be lawful, but really your intentions do not support what the law is all about.

To say this with relevance to the topic at hand (eating without performing proper ritual first), He says to effect (my paraphrase for you) "you are a superficial type of person if that is what you believe, because nobody is defiled by the lack of proper ritual, they are defiled by the evil within them".

.. but if this is not really what you are getting at, please explain your problem a bit better.

This extra bit of context isn't really helping answer my question. Hopefully you will post back with some more direct answers.

 

[alexiscurious]

It isn't.

Care to explain why you think that is?

 

[oi_antz]

Thanks for providing these references.

No, this is not what I said but what the Bible says. Here are some more verses that support the idea:
Isaiah 2:22
Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?

Speaking of the power to save (in any sense), relying on a mortal man makes you vulnerable. God does not die. That is the effect of what is said here.

Psalm 146:2
Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.

Ditto.

Micah 7:5
Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with the woman who lies in your embrace guard the words of your lips.

Be wary of the evil in people who surround you. None of them can be relied on for total loyalty, because there is a price for everyone at which they will sell your security.

Sure, but the bible specifically says not to put trust in mankind. I am asking you to clarify why the Bible (which requires trust in mankind) issues this warning?

Is it answered by the comments above?

This extra bit of context isn't really helping answer my question. Hopefully you will post back with some more direct answers.

I am showing you that you have made a mistake about what Jesus said:

"man is deceptive, deceitful, and untrustworthy"

should rather say

"when a man is deceptive, deceitful, and untrustworthy, it comes from within him".

.. and that will then match the point Jesus was making.

 

[dysert]

And we mustn't overlook that fact that ultimately the Bible is God's word, not man's. (2Ti 3:16--> All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness)

 

[oi_antz]

And we mustn't overlook that fact that ultimately the Bible is God's word, not man's. (2Ti 3:16--> All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness)

I actually disagree with that assertion. Jesus Christ is said to be God's Word. Being inspired by God or "God Breathed" does not mean that God said it. But that is a discussion I will have another day, this is not a place for debate. FWIW, St Paul also said in 1 Corinthians 2:10-16 that when he explains things, he explains things that The Spirit has taught him. Just saying this for OP's benefit, test everything and keep that which is good.