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Does Blind Bartimaeus Expose a Contradiction in the Gospels?
Throughout the history of the church, faithful men and women have confessed that the Bible is inerrant—that it is free from error in all that it affirms. When Scripture speaks, it speaks truthfully. Whatever the Bible claims, whether theological, historical, or factual, is true. This conviction is not a later invention imposed on the text by theologians desperate to protect it. Rather, the doctrine of inerrancy arises directly from Scripture’s own claims about itself. Peter explains that “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet 1:21). Paul similarly teaches that “all Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Tim 3:16). In other words, God himself stands behind the words of Scripture; he is their ultimate source. And because God cannot lie (Titus 1:2; Heb 6:18), Scripture—being his Word—cannot err. If God is truthful, then what God inspires must likewise be true. Yet despite this historic confession,…
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Resolving an Alleged Contradiction: Did Paul’s Companions Hear the Voice?
Scripture is often subjected to scrutiny when it comes to perceived contradictions, and one of the most debated examples involves Paul’s conversion experience as recounted in Acts. In Acts 9:7 and 22:9, we find two descriptions of the same event, but they seem to differ in the details—specifically, what Paul’s companions heard. This has led many to question whether the Bible contradicts itself on this point. By examining the original language and context, however, we can gain a clearer understanding of these passages. In this post, we’ll explore the nuances in the Greek text and discuss how these apparent differences actually harmonize, demonstrating that the Scriptures remain consistent and reliable. Let’s take a closer look at the issue and see if this is truly a contradiction or if there’s a more reasonable explanation. The Alleged Contradiction between Acts 9:7 and 22:9 “The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing…