InChrist
Free4ever
[FONT="]Both statements in their context are true. There are no contradictions in the Bible since it claims to be the infallible Word of God. The only contradictions found are in the minds of those deliberately looking for them or because of human misunderstanding.[/FONT]
This is a classic example of how skeptics will try to show the Bible as being contradictory. However, careful study of language and idioms can bring about satisfactory solutions to these types of passages.
Before we begin, I'd like to review a basic principle of logic called the Law of Non-Contradiction. It states "Any 'thing' (A) cannot be non-A at the same time and in the same way." In other words, something that is brown cannot be not brown. This seems simple enough, but many people forget the second half of the law, and over-simplify their reasoning. For example, a dog can be described as brown. In his later years, though, he could turn grey. So the statement "My brown dog is grey" is not a contradictory one. You see the "at the same time" phrase is important. Further, suppose when the dog was young he became jealous of another animal. Then, the phrase "My brown dog is green with envy" is not contradictory because the statement doesn't use color in the same way.
Now, let's examine the passages in question. 1 Chronicles 21:1 states that, "Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel." Notice the idea behind this passage is the temptation of David. Satan was actively involved in David being moved to have a census. Further in the chapter, David admits this is a sin when he declares "I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing.(vs. 8)" So the context of the passage plainly demonstrates that the census was an act against God.
In 2 Samuel 24:1, though, we read this, "Now again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel and it incited David against them to say, 'Go number Israel and Judah.' "Notice the emphasis in this sentence is the anger of God. Though linguistically the sentences are very similar, we must understand the context and what the writers' intents were as they penned these accounts. There would be no contradiction if BOTH statements are true ones.
In our instance, we have God allowing the devil the opportunity to tempt David. The king was becoming prideful, as Joab warns later by asking David " Why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?" In chapter 20 of 1 Chronicles we read that David was abandoning his responsibility as king and allowing his generals to take the risks of war. Giving Satan license to tempt David into numbering the nation demonstrated just how much David saw the glory of Israel as something he accomplished, and not God. Thus the LORD shows David where his pride leads by allowing it to come to fruition in the form of a census. David was numbering his men to boast of his power, not recognizing that it is God who gives the victory.
As I stated at the beginning of the letter, these passages are not contradictory, because they do not mean the same thing in the same way. The reference to God inciting David is based on His final authority in all things. God is spoken of inciting David by allowing Satan access to the king for the temptation. Satan is spoken of inciting David because he is the tempter (ref Matt. 4). God wished to restore David to a proper relationship with Him, while Satan sought his failure and demise. Taking all of the above together, we see that the purposes of God can be accomplished through the attacks of Satan. In His sovereign will, God allows His children to go through adversity to strengthen them, discipline them, or equip them for a greater task at some other time.
Excerpts :
Read more: http://www.comereason.org/bibl_cntr/con070.asp#ixzz1kMOXptuD
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This is a classic example of how skeptics will try to show the Bible as being contradictory. However, careful study of language and idioms can bring about satisfactory solutions to these types of passages.
Before we begin, I'd like to review a basic principle of logic called the Law of Non-Contradiction. It states "Any 'thing' (A) cannot be non-A at the same time and in the same way." In other words, something that is brown cannot be not brown. This seems simple enough, but many people forget the second half of the law, and over-simplify their reasoning. For example, a dog can be described as brown. In his later years, though, he could turn grey. So the statement "My brown dog is grey" is not a contradictory one. You see the "at the same time" phrase is important. Further, suppose when the dog was young he became jealous of another animal. Then, the phrase "My brown dog is green with envy" is not contradictory because the statement doesn't use color in the same way.
Now, let's examine the passages in question. 1 Chronicles 21:1 states that, "Then Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel." Notice the idea behind this passage is the temptation of David. Satan was actively involved in David being moved to have a census. Further in the chapter, David admits this is a sin when he declares "I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing.(vs. 8)" So the context of the passage plainly demonstrates that the census was an act against God.
In 2 Samuel 24:1, though, we read this, "Now again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel and it incited David against them to say, 'Go number Israel and Judah.' "Notice the emphasis in this sentence is the anger of God. Though linguistically the sentences are very similar, we must understand the context and what the writers' intents were as they penned these accounts. There would be no contradiction if BOTH statements are true ones.
In our instance, we have God allowing the devil the opportunity to tempt David. The king was becoming prideful, as Joab warns later by asking David " Why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?" In chapter 20 of 1 Chronicles we read that David was abandoning his responsibility as king and allowing his generals to take the risks of war. Giving Satan license to tempt David into numbering the nation demonstrated just how much David saw the glory of Israel as something he accomplished, and not God. Thus the LORD shows David where his pride leads by allowing it to come to fruition in the form of a census. David was numbering his men to boast of his power, not recognizing that it is God who gives the victory.
As I stated at the beginning of the letter, these passages are not contradictory, because they do not mean the same thing in the same way. The reference to God inciting David is based on His final authority in all things. God is spoken of inciting David by allowing Satan access to the king for the temptation. Satan is spoken of inciting David because he is the tempter (ref Matt. 4). God wished to restore David to a proper relationship with Him, while Satan sought his failure and demise. Taking all of the above together, we see that the purposes of God can be accomplished through the attacks of Satan. In His sovereign will, God allows His children to go through adversity to strengthen them, discipline them, or equip them for a greater task at some other time.
Excerpts :
Read more: http://www.comereason.org/bibl_cntr/con070.asp#ixzz1kMOXptuD
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I don't even want to know the finer details of translation that might make this not a contradiction.. for me this is like a zen koan haha.
