In Jesus’ response to the rich young man, what was the sixth command in His list of commands? Was it “love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 19:17-19), “defraud not” (Mark 10:19), or did He only give five commands (Luke 18:20)? Is there a contradiction?
As I prepared to write an article this past week, I saw a quote which resulted in the original topic being put on the shelf, and this article about the true gospel being penned instead. The quote comes from an essay entitled “Ecclesial Deism,” written by Bryan Cross, a former Protestant who converted to Catholicism. In his essay, he wrote:
The Mormons believed that the true gospel was recovered in the early nineteenth century by Joseph Smith. I believed, as a Reformed Protestant, that the true gospel was recovered in the early sixteenth century by Martin Luther.
Were the men or angels inside the tomb sitting (Mark 16:5; John 20:11-12) or standing (Luke 24:3-4)? Is there a contradiction?
The apostle John, recording a discourse of Jesus before the people of Judea stated:
…even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue… (John 12:42)
The religious leaders of the Jews are often portrayed as a crowd of unbelievers, and rightly so, for that was the manner of most. And yet, John speaks of some who did believe in Jesus. As we look in the gospel accounts, we will see occasional references to these rulers who believed, most of whom did not openly display their faith in the Lord.
Where did Moses receive the Ten Commandments? Was it on Mount Sinai (Exodus 31:18; 34:4, 32; Leviticus 26:46; 27:34; Nehemiah 9:13) or on Mount Horeb (1 Kings 8:9; 2 Chronicles 5:10; Malachi 4:4)? Is there a contradiction?
The words in our title today were spoken by Jephthah, a judge in Israel. This man made a foolish vow to the LORD, stating,
If You will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands, then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD’s; and I will offer it up as a burnt offering. (Judges 11:30-31)
What did Judas do with the silver? Acts 1:18 says that he bought a field with it, but Matthew 27:5 says he threw it on the ground. Is there a contradiction?
Many notable events in the life of David are recorded in the Scriptures. Perhhaps the two which most define his life were battles with giants. In the first, he slew Goliath, the great champion of the Philistines. This event displayed his great faith in God, and was the first of many successful battles he would fight. In fact, there is no indication in Scriptures that he lost even one conflict. Every time he stepped on a battlefield, he walked away.
However, when David came face to face with another giant, he was unprepared. He entered the arena with a foe he should have ruled over (Genesis 4:7), but instead he would suffer a defeat that would haunt him for the rest of his life. He lost, not to a man of brute strength, but to the unlawful desire of his own heart.
How should a man who has sex with a menstrating woman be punished? Leviticus 15:24 says he is unclean for seven days, but Leviticus 20:18 says he and the woman should be cut off the people? Is there a contradiction?
We noted last week that the burning of books has a long history, and has particularly been associated with protest or disapproval of religious movements. We concluded such an action to be unwise at best, and perhaps sinful at worst. Burning books is a sure way to burn bridges of communication, and results in the perpetuation of hate rather than the pursuit of peace. This form of burning books has no place in the Christian’s activities.
