Expert: Dr. Ronald E. Shultz - 4/6/2005

Question
Hi, I am a believer in Christ. I do, however have a question pertaining to a possible contradiction in the bible? If you can please explain this to me to help it make sense, I would deeply appreciate it. Also I have a couple other important questions.

Question 1: In Matthew 10:34, it reads, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth; I came not to send peace, but a sword." and then Jesus says somewhere else that "those who live by the sword die by the sword." I can't help but feel a sense of betrayal by these 2 conflicting passages. God sends the sword.... yet he warns not to live by it?

Question 2: What was so wrong with Judas? I betrayed Jesus, and was cast out of the disciple circle but he was possessed by Lucifer when all this happened so how can he be blamed? Shouldn't Jesus have cast the devil out when he came to betray him?

Question 3: In the new CNN article (http://edition.cnn.com/2005/TECH/science/04/06/human.ancestor.ap/index.html) it talks about a new fossil being found of a human ancestor. Science says "At some 6 million to 7 million years old, the fossils came from around the time of a major split in the evolutionary tree, with one branch leading eventually to humans and the other branch leading to chimps. The researchers argued that the creature, which they dubbed Sahelanthropus tchadensis, belongs on the human branch and so is the oldest known hominid. Some others disagreed." Ok, so could this mean Adam and Eve looked almost like gorillas? I believe in evolution.. but only because God MADE evolution and caused it to happen the way it does. Science has proven evolution. Please explain, when you get time, if you can, about this scientific knowledge relating to Adam and Eve. Did they appear 6 to 7 million years ago? Sorry for all the tough questions! Take care.

Thanks a lot


Answer
Actually, they aren't that hard.  The sending a sword is illustrative of the spiritual conflict caused by the Gospel. Look at the whole context.

Matt 10:34-39
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. (KJV)

If you are going to live for Christ you will have conflict.  If a Jew or Islamic person gets saved their families count that person as dead and will not associate with them and some may die at the hand of relatives.  It is not that Jesus was saying that He intentionally wanted war or violence, but that the truth would cause sharp divisions like a sword in families and even nations.  The truth and a lie does not mix.  

Actually, I don't believe that Jesus said the other phrase.  I think that is a cultural proverb like something from poor Richard's Almanac.  Jesus once told His disciples to get at sword because He was to be reckoned as being among thieves and so the two swords (harldy enough for a band of 12 thieves) would cause folks to jump to that conclusion when His enemies would report that and that assumption and lie would be a fulfilment of prophecy.  

Luke 22:36-38
36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough. (KJV)

John 18:10-11
10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? (KJV)

See, Jesus was not promoting a violent conversion of people or anything like that.  

John 18:36
36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (KJV)

He was not saying that He was sending a sword of war only that the Gospel would be divisive because some would accept and others would reject and persecute the believers.

Question 2.  It is all about the heart.  Peter denied Him and even cursed about it but that was from fear and doubt in the flesh and Peter truly repented.  Judas only did what was in His heart out of greed and unbelief.  He repented of betraying innocent blood but he did not believe Christ was God and Saviour or he would have turned to Him and been forgiven as you, Peter and I were.  It was a matter of will not demonic posession.  Not all lost folks are posessed.  

3.  Evolution is a fairy tale and pseudo-science.  Please do some research at this site.  We are not millions of years old.  God did not use macro-evolution but He did create man to be able to adapt to the conditions of a cursed world.   Science has not proven evolution.  You should enjoy this site.

{url]www.answersingenesis.org[/url]

Also try,[url]www.icr.org[/url]


May God richly bless you as you seek Him and His will through His Word!

Bro. Ron
[url]www.mavmin.org[/url]