{"id":55011,"date":"2006-10-07T19:32:00","date_gmt":"2006-10-08T00:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/?p=55011"},"modified":"2025-06-23T15:41:06","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T20:41:06","slug":"answering-the-atheist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/answering-the-atheist\/","title":{"rendered":"Answering the Atheist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t

by William J. Stewart<\/p>\n

Answering the Atheist<\/a><\/em>\u00a0was started as a response to supposed contradictions put forth by opponents of the Bible. In particular, a young Christian came to me, distraught with a series of about 30 supposed contradictions that a “friend” at school gave him. Within a few days, I supplied him with explanations for all 30 apparent discrepancies1<\/sup>. Seeing the doubt that this list caused in him and the relief and confidence that seeing the answers gave, I thought it a good thing to give regular attention to what some claim to be contradictions in the Scripture. It is hoped that this project will help address concerns about apparent discrepancies, whether those who raise them are atheists, agnostics, or sincere believers who are having difficulty harmonizing two or more texts.<\/p>\n

In this article, we will address some complaints made by an opponent of the Bible regarding six explanations he received in an attempt to address Bible inconsistencies.<\/p>\n

The Atheist’s Complaint:<\/h3>\n

“That is to be taken metaphorically.” In other words, what is written is not what is meant. I find this entertaining, especially for those who decide what isn’t to be taken as other than the absolute Word of God, which happens to agree with the particular thing they happen to want…<\/p>\n

Response:<\/h3>\n

It’s nice that the writer finds this explanation to be so entertaining. Does the writer infer that everything that is written, biblical or not, ought to be taken literally? It is a fact that some language used in writing, both biblical and otherwise, is metaphoric. If the writer disputes that, he has merely shown his ignorance.<\/p>\n

Metaphors are a part of our everyday language. Consider the person who exclaims, “My knee is killing me.” Is his knee really killing him? Is that not just a simple metaphoric statement indicating severe pain in the individual’s knee? When God’s word says, “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood…<\/em>” (Acts 2:20), it ought to be evident that it is metaphoric language.\u00a0In the book of Revelation, John declares, “…he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John…<\/em>” (Revelation 1:1). John states that the things that he writes are not literal but signified.\u00a0It is a metaphoric language by its very nature. To deny that some items in Scripture are to be taken metaphorically only serves to prove one’s own ignorance.<\/p>\n

The Atheist’s Complaint:<\/h3>\n

“There was more there than…” This is used when one verse says “there was A” and another says “there was B”, so they decide there were “A” and “B” – which is not stated anywhere. This makes them happy since it doesn’t say there wasn’t “A + B”. But it doesn’t say there was “A + B + little green Martians.” This is often the same crowd that insists theirs is the only possible interpretation (i.e. only “A”) and the only way. I find it entertaining that they don’t mind adding to verses.<\/p>\n

Response:<\/h3>\n

Let us begin with an illustration. I hosted a party, and when speaking of the party to a coworker, I mentioned, “Tom and Betty were there.” My wife, speaking to her friends at the grocery store, says, “Julie and Fred were at the party.” Who was at the party? Well, we know that at least four people were there: Tom, Betty, Julie, and Fred. Does the fact that I didn’t mention Julie and Fred mean they were not there? No, I simply did not mention that they were. Because my wife and I only mentioned four people who were at the party, does that mean no one else was there? No, simply that we didn’t mention who else may have been there. If one gospel writer mentions a certain person or persons who were at a specific event, and another writer mentions other persons who were at that event, not mentioned by the first writer, it is the very same situation as illustrated above. Is there a contradiction? No, it’s just different information provided by different writers.<\/p>\n

The Atheist’s Complaint:<\/h3>\n

“It has to be understood in context.” I find this amusing because it comes from the same crowd that likes to push likewise extracted verses that support their particular view. Often, it is just one of the verses in the contradictory set that is supposed to be taken as the truth, but if you add more to it, it suddenly becomes “out of context.” How many of you have gotten just John 3:16 (taken out of context) thrown up at you?<\/p>\n

Response:<\/h3>\n

Again, consider an illustration. You’re at the doctor’s office. Your spouse is seeing the doctor about some pains that she has been experiencing. You are in the waiting room, but need to go to the washroom. On your way to the washroom, you notice that the door to the examination room, where the doctor and your wife are, is ajar. On the way back to the waiting room, as you walk by the door, you overhear the doctor say, “…going to die. Here’s a prescription to relieve the pain…” You rush back to your seat, shocked at what you just heard — your wife is going to die! Unfortunately, you didn’t hear the whole statement: “No, You’re Not Going to Die. Here’s a prescription to relieve the pain. You should be feeling better in a few days.” Now tell me, is context important?<\/p>\n

It has been said that one can prove anything from the Scriptures, and it is so if the context is ignored. I heard the story of an older preacher who, in a Bible class, stated that one could prove anything by the Bible. He explained, “If one misuses verses, by pulling them out of context, by twisting what they are saying, and so forth, he can teach anything he desires.” One of the students stated that he didn’t believe that one could prove anything by the Bible. The preacher affirmed that it could be done. The student then said, “OK, prove to me that it is wrong to split wood.” The preacher, with no more than a moment’s hesitation, replied, “Whatsoever God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” The context of a statement is vital!<\/p>\n

The Atheist’s Complaint:<\/h3>\n

“There was just a copying\/writing error.” This is sometimes called a “transcription error,” as in where one number was meant and an incorrect one was copied down. Or that what was “quoted” wasn’t really what was said, but just what the author thought was said when he thought it was said. And that’s right — I’m not disagreeing with events; I’m disagreeing with what is written, which is apparently that it is incorrect. This is an amusing misdirection to the problem that the Bible itself is wrong.<\/p>\n

Response:<\/h3>\n

It is acknowledged that our English translations may contain a minute number of errors, whether they be translation errors, copying errors, or subtle changes to support a false doctrine. However, if one considers the Greek manuscripts that have been found, there is amazing consistency in them. It is eye-opening to see the consistency of the Scriptures and supporting documentation for them as compared with the highly esteemed ancient writings of men.<\/p>\n

The Atheist’s Complaint:<\/h3>\n

“That is a miracle.” Naturally. That is why it is stated as fact.<\/p>\n

Response:<\/h3>\n

I am unsure exactly what the writer’s point is. I have never heard anyone attempt to explain an apparent contradiction in Scripture away by simply saying, “That is a miracle.” An example of what the writer is speaking of might be to clarify his point. Perhaps the writer denies the possibility of miracles and thus decides that all miracles recorded in Scripture are somehow contradictions to something. They are not contradictions to the Bible but seem to be evidence of the writer’s faithlessness.<\/p>\n

The Atheist’s Complaint:<\/h3>\n

“God works in mysterious ways.” This is a useful dodge when the speaker doesn’t understand the conflict between what the Bible says and what they wish it said.<\/p>\n

Response:<\/h3>\n

Again, I have never heard this used to explain a supposed inconsistency in Scripture. An example would be in order.<\/p>\n

<\/a>1\u00a0This article is a response to\u00a0Atheism Explained: Why I Don’t Believe<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by William J. Stewart Answering the Atheist\u00a0was started as a response to supposed contradictions put forth by opponents of the Bible. In particular, a young Christian came to me, distraught with a series of about 30 supposed contradictions that a “friend” at school gave him. Within a few days, I supplied him with explanations for…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[27],"tags":[184],"class_list":["post-55011","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-atheism"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":19710,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/are-there-contradictions-about-jesus-burial\/","url_meta":{"origin":55011,"position":0},"title":"Are there Contradictions about Jesus’ Burial?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 10, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"by Edwin Crozier At the end of Luke 23, we learned some women, having seen where Jesus was buried, prepared spices and ointments for His burial. Then in Luke 24:1, they were coming to the tomb early on the first day of the week with those prepared spices, presumably to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/top_34_bmp-275x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":91157,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/by-works-or-not\/","url_meta":{"origin":55011,"position":1},"title":"By Works or Not?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"October 10, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Terry Wane Benton An atheist thinks he sees the following verses as \"contradicting\" each other. Atheist: Salvation by Faith or Works: \u2022 Ephesians 2:8-9: \"For by grace you have been saved through faith\u2026not a result of works.\" \u2022 James 2:24: \"You see that a person is justified by works\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":94965,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/contradiction-or-expanded-details\/","url_meta":{"origin":55011,"position":2},"title":"Contradiction or Expanded Details?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 6, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"by Terry Wane Benton Many are those who think they see \"contradictions\" everywhere in the Bible, but my experience has been that after more careful consideration, these so-called contradictions are but an expansion of details, both of which can be true. For example, one common claim is that Luke says\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":34952,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/could-you-review-this-debate-on-whether-god-exists\/","url_meta":{"origin":55011,"position":3},"title":"Could you review this debate on whether God exists?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 26, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Can you look at this is a video of a debate asking if the God of the Bible exists? Now it's lengthy, but I imagine you will skim through the main points. My question is if you could address some of the statements that were made because I feel\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":17951,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/who-was-high-priest-when-david-ate-the-showbread-abiathar-or-ahimelech\/","url_meta":{"origin":55011,"position":4},"title":"Who was High Priest when David ate the showbread, Abiathar or Ahimelech?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 20, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Can you please help me with this supposed contradiction? In Mark 2:23-26, Jesus talks about how David went into the house of God and ate the showbread \"in the days\/in the time\" of Abiathar the high priest. In 1 Samuel 21, it says that David came to Ahimelech, not\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":9478,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-about-all-those-mistakes-in-the-bible\/","url_meta":{"origin":55011,"position":5},"title":"What About All Those Mistakes in the Bible?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 11, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jon Quinn It is quite amazing to me that a common complaint made about the Bible is that it has so many contradictions and mistakes. It is not surprising that such a charge would be made by some unbelieving scholar who will investigate the Bible's pages and turn logic\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55011","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55011"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55011\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55011"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55011"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55011"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}