Book SummaryAll That's Wrong with the Bible, by Jonah David Conner

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of All That's Wrong with the Bible

Inconsistencies found within the biblical text.

Why is it important to recognize that there are inconsistencies?

Questions regarding the Bible's status as an impeccable product of divine inspiration emerge because of the contradictions found in the holy scriptures.

Conner argues that the presence of contradictions in the sacred writings is a significant problem because they serve as undeniable evidence that parts of the scripture lack factual basis. If those parts are not true, then it is unreasonable to believe in the divine origin of the Bible, especially if you believe in a god worth worshiping. Devotees of fundamentalist doctrines often claim that the sacred text of the Bible is free from errors. Conner cites the work of Professor Randall Price to underscore the Bible's unique status as a sacred text, characterized by its total absence of errors. Conner's book strives to show that these assertions have no foundation.

Conner expands on the idea that the numerous contradictions found within the Bible starkly contrast with the common Christian conviction that it is an infallible and thoroughly dependable text in even the smallest detail. In his argument, Conner cites Bob Wilkin, the Executive Director of Grace Evangelical Society, who staunchly believes in the authenticity of the Bible as the true word of God. The divine writings are devoid of errors. The narrative of the Bible maintains unwavering accuracy from the opening chapter of Genesis to the final passages in Revelation. The following parts of this chapter will clearly demonstrate discrepancies that confirm this assertion is not correct.

Practical Tips

• Create a discussion group with friends or family where you collectively analyze different viewpoints on a controversial topic. Each person could research and present a different perspective, and together, you can discuss the contradictions and what they might imply about the factual basis of each argument. This not only broadens your understanding but also encourages open dialogue and critical analysis in your social circle.
• Start a personal truth journal to document your beliefs and their foundations. Write down what you believe about various topics, including the origins of sacred texts, and then list the reasons why you hold these beliefs. This exercise will help you critically assess the validity of your beliefs and encourage you to seek evidence that either supports or contradicts them.
• Apply the teachings in a modern context by volunteering for a community service project that aligns with the principles found in the text. Choose a project that addresses a contemporary issue and reflect on how the text's teachings can inform your actions and attitudes while engaging in this service. This hands-on approach can help you translate ancient wisdom into practical, everyday actions.
• Create a personal case study by selecting a specific contradiction and researching how it has been addressed by various scholars and theologians. Without needing specialized knowledge, you can use accessible resources like online articles, podcasts, or videos to see the range of interpretations and then document your own thoughts and conclusions in a simple report or blog post. This exercise can deepen your understanding of how contradictions are approached within the broader religious community.
• Create a visual map of connections between your life events and biblical stories or teachings. Draw or use a digital tool to make a diagram that links personal experiences with biblical narratives that you find infallible. For instance, if you faced a tough decision, map it to a story like Solomon's wisdom, and reflect on how the biblical wisdom helped guide your choice.
• Engage in a weekly practice of "Biblical Principle Pairing" where you pair a specific biblical principle with a routine activity. For instance, while grocery shopping, you could focus on the principle of stewardship by making environmentally conscious choices or the principle of generosity by deciding to buy extra food to donate to a food bank. This activity helps to integrate biblical values into mundane tasks, making them more meaningful.
• Start a personal journal to document your experiences and reflections when applying the principles you believe are error-free. As you go through your daily life, write down situations where these principles seem to hold true or provide guidance. For example, if honesty is a principle you've taken from the text, note instances where being honest had a positive outcome or where dishonesty led to complications.
• Enhance your critical thinking skills by journaling your reactions to different biblical passages. As you read, note any passages that seem contradictory or confusing, and write down your thoughts and feelings about them. This practice not only helps you process what you're reading but also encourages you to form your own opinions and questions about the text.

The notion of inerrancy is impervious to disproof.

Critics often suggest that apparent contradictions might stem from clerical mistakes in the copying process of holy writings; yet, this line of reasoning is weakened by the absence of the original manuscripts for reference and comparison.

Conner tackles the widespread assertion that the discrepancies found in modern iterations of the Bible stem from transcription errors which have compromised originally impeccable texts, thought to be written with divine inspiration. However, he offers multiple arguments to illustrate the vulnerabilities linked to this claim. There are no surviving original manuscripts from any part of the Bible. The currently accessible documents were produced several generations after the initial creation of the original texts.

Conner raises the issue of how a deity, assumed to have guided the biblical authors to produce texts without error, could allow changes to be made in subsequent copies of these...

All That's Wrong with the Bible Summary The holy texts are rife with numerous inconsistencies that not only pose a challenge to moral principles but also to ethical standards and the veracity of facts.

Ethical Inconsistencies

The sacred scriptures support inhumane acts such as mass extermination, enslavement, gender discrimination, and racial prejudice, which clash with contemporary ethical norms.

Even if proponents succeeded in reconciling every inconsistency within the scripture, they would still be confronted with the task of grappling with its exacting ethical mandates. He offers numerous examples of instances in which the biblical texts seem to support behaviors considered barbaric by today's moral standards, including mass destruction, enslavement, the inferior status of women, and bigotry based on race. The idea that such customs are derived from holy doctrines is difficult to believe; instead, it appears more evident that they were conceived by human writers influenced by the unique cultural and historical circumstances of their time, which differ markedly from the modern world.

Conner draws a parallel between the depiction of ancient Israelites in the scriptures and modern extremist groups such as ISIS. The conquest of Canaan entailed severe penalties for breaking sacred decrees, the slaughter of individuals of all ages and genders due to their spiritual...

All That's Wrong with the Bible Summary Issues surrounding biblical predictions.

Genuine divine foreknowledge is presumed to possess a level of precision and the capacity for confirmation which alleged biblical prophecies do not demonstrate.

Conner argues that while some sections of the Hebrew Scriptures appear to align with later historical events, these prophecies do not offer precise, confirmable details that would foresee future happenings. The Bible uses wording that is general and open to interpretation, allowing it to be applicable to a multitude of events. Conner contends that if God truly wanted to prove his existence through prophecy, he could easily have revealed detailed predictions about specific names, dates, and locations. The Bible lacks such prophecies.

Context

• For a prophecy to be considered precise and confirmable, it would need to include specific details that can be independently verified, such as exact names, dates, and events that are not open to multiple interpretations.
• People may interpret vague prophecies as fulfilled when they align with events after the fact, a phenomenon known as confirmation bias.
• The idea of God providing specific predictions raises philosophical questions about free will and...

All That's Wrong with the Bible Summary The historical transmission of scriptural writings presents various challenges.

Throughout history, the content of the New Testament has been modified by editors.

Later scribes modified the biblical texts, which included adding content, removing passages, and making revisions.

Conner casts doubt on the reliability of the Scriptures, underscoring that later copyists introduced changes and adjustments to the manuscript, particularly within the New Testament. He notes that the process of hand-copying holy scriptures through many generations inevitably led to both intentional and unintentional changes. He offers a compilation of texts initially accepted as biblical but are currently recognized as insertions made by scribes subsequently.

The compilation includes:

• The scriptural excerpt identified as Matthew 17:21 states: This specific segment, later integrated into the scripture, corresponds with the account detailed in Mark's Gospel, chapter nine, verse twenty-nine.

• The passage Matthew 23:14, which is not found in the most ancient texts, seems to have been subsequently added by scribes to align with corresponding passages in Mark 12:40 and Luke 20:47.

• The sections from Mark 16:9-20, which describe the capability to interact with snakes...