Problems With The Bible?

Exodus 7:14-9:35

I just want to say that today's OYCB reading might leave us wondering... There are some problematic statements in this passage today.

For me, the problems start with Pharaoh's magicians turning water into blood. What water did they turn to blood if all the water was already turned to blood?

If Moses and Aaron brought frogs upon the "whole land" then how could it be known that Pharaoh's magicians did the same thing? This question applies to the gnats as well.

Then, there is a question about how hail could kill livestock if "all Egypt's' livestock" were previously killed by a plague.

Problem after problem surface just in today's reading. But, do they really?

The problems in today's reading are real and should be acknowledged. However, they should not be acknowledged alone but should be considered in context with every problem associated with today's reading. 

What I am talking about are the problems associated with translating a dead language. What I am talking about are the problems associated with trying to understand what happened in this narrative while having no concrete timeline in which it took place. What I am talking about are the problems inherent with understanding miracles!

To single out what we might assume are contradictions in today's OYCB reading without even considering all the other unknowns of the narrative as they might actually relate to the suspect contradictions is a highly non-academic approach. There is a difference between actually studying and just criticizing!

I have as much reason as anyone to "pause" when I read what appears to be contradictions. However, I have as much "brain" as anyone to back up and look at the entire set of circumstances surrounding the "contradictions" and try to comprehend how, given ALL the variables, that the scripture might be accurate.

I fully understand that that attitude in the preceding paragraph is that "I want to believe the Bible is true." I likewise understand that there exists another attitude in the world that does NOT want to believe the Bible is true. However, both ideas must at least agree that ALL the facts of the circumstances are NOT KNOWN. And, because all the facts are not known, there remains at least the very possibility that those unknown factors' significance to the story are not known. In the laboratory of historical research, there is no accurate way to determine exactly how anything took place unless we can exhaustively determine every contributing factor! 

The burden of proof lies upon anyone wishing to discredit the historical accuracy of the Bible. It is not enough to merely claim the Bible is inaccurate simply because one is predisposed against it!

I admit my own skepticism. Any person brave (or foolish) enough to read the entirely of the blog in which this post today is found would quickly understand that I have had my doubts since I first started this journey (around June 2006). I have even made statements in this blog that my current understanding would sharply disagree with! 

The point is this however: the more I read the Bible, with a genuine openness to and pursuit of God, the more I find Him. Consequently, the more patient I am with apparent contradictions in the Bible - the more I find I am willing to consider the enormity of facts I do not know thus disqualifying me from any accurate assessment as to the accuracy of what the Bible presents. The overwhelming spiritual benefit I am getting from the Bible is not tainted by unknown data. Yes, I see the apparent contradictions, but there is simply too much that is unknown in regard to those contradictions to discredit the Bible and It's Story.

Father, Your Word is good and It teaches me that You are good and I believe It. I suppose it could be different if I didn't know You have changed my life for the better. But I am changed and I am thankful.