Live Free with Josh Howerton
Live Free with Josh Howerton

Does the Bible Have CONTRADICTIONS!? (Pastors EXPLAIN) | Live Free with Josh Howerton

September 21, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

When Critics Claim the Bible Contradicts Itself, the Real Question Is How You Read It

The Bible has been the best-selling book in history for centuries—over five billion copies printed, translated into more than 4,000 languages, and banned or restricted in countries from North Korea to Iran. But it is also the most attacked book in history, and one of the most common charges leveled against it is that it contradicts itself. On this episode of Live Free, pastors Paul Cunningham and Carlos Rasso walk through the most frequently cited "contradictions"—numerical, historical, chronological, theological, and scientific—and argue that nearly all of them dissolve once you understand what the Bible actually is and how it was written.

What the Bible Is and Isn't

Before addressing any specific contradiction, the hosts establish a foundation. The Bible is not "just another book." It is a collection of 66 books written over roughly 1,500 years by more than 40 authors across three continents in three languages, yet it tells one unified story centered on Jesus. The critical claim is that Scripture is inspired—literally "God-breathed." Paul Cunningham explains: "Inspiration means that the words of scripture are God's words themselves in such a way that to disbelieve or disagree with anything this says is to disbelieve or disagree with God Himself."

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (00:03) **Episode Open & Setup** - Carlos Rasso and Pastor Paul Cunningham (returned from Israel) introduce the topic: does the Bible have contradictions? They frame the conversation around 2 Timothy 3:16 and the importance of confidence in Scripture.
  • 2 (09:33) **Reading 2 Timothy 3 & Cultural Application** - Carlos reads 2 Timothy 3:1-5 and applies it to modern self-obsession, arguing the Bible is a lens to see the world, not just a mirror to look at.
  • 3 (16:16) **What the Bible Is: Inspiration & Inerrancy** - Paul defines key theological terms: “inspiration” means Scripture is God’s own words, and “inerrancy” means the original manuscripts contain no errors.
  • 4 (21:49) **The Bible’s Uniqueness & Historical Weight** - Carlos argues the Bible is not just another book, citing its unprecedented sales, translation into 4,000+ languages, and its impact on history.
  • 5 (31:44) **Reacting to a “Contradictions” Video** - The hosts play a short video listing supposed contradictions (e.g., God knowing vs. asking questions, resurrection accounts, jealousy). Paul gives a quick rebuttal on “jealousy.”
  • 6 (37:57) **Framework for Responding to Skeptics** - Paul provides a practical three-step framework for Christians encountering supposed contradictions: don’t freak out, define contradiction correctly, and focus on what the Bible agrees on.
  • 7 (50:07) **Category 1: Numerical Contradictions** - Paul explains the first type of supposed contradiction using the census figures in 2 Samuel 24:9 (800,000) vs. 1 Chronicles 21:5 (1,100,000).

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Paul Cunningham

Show Notes

Does the Bible contradict itself? What should you do when someone points to two passages that seem impossible to reconcile?

Pastors Carlos and Paul tackle one of the biggest questions Christians and skeptics ask about Scripture. Starting in 2 Timothy 3, they unpack what Christians actually mean when they say the Bible is inspired and trustworthy—and then put those claims to the test.

From different Gospel accounts and genealogies to faith versus works and supposed scientific errors, this conversation offers a practical framework for approaching difficult passages without ignoring honest questions.

In this episode, you'll learn:

  • Why the Bible should shape how we see the world
  • What “God-breathed” Scripture actually means
  • The difference between a contradiction and a difference
  • How context, audience, genre, and authorial intent affect interpretation
  • How to approach alleged numerical, historical, chronological, theological, and scientific contradictions
  • Why Paul and James don't contradict each other on faith and works
  • What to do when difficult questions begin shaking your confidence
  • Why Scripture is meant to transform you—not simply inform you

Stand firm. Think biblically. Live free.


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