Expert: Sal - 2/18/2005

Question
Hi, I used to be a practicing Catholic and I do believe in God but I have some problems with the Bible.

How can it be that God commands us not to kill yet in the same old testament condones or approves of killing in "his name".  One example is Jerocho.  The Isrealites slaughtered thousands of people, including women and children, yet nothing is said about it.  They could have moved somewhere else.  Many believers have told me that the Bible is true in every word yet this seems like an obvious contradiction.  Numerous additional examples exist of contradictions.  Even if there is some sort of "explanation" it's no wonder so many fanatical christians (and fanatics from other faiths) think they are justified in killing in the name of God.

It seems much more plausible that the writers of the old testament felt that if you were killing your enemies it was OK.  How convenient.  Just like President Clinton said, "What do you mean by SEX".  It's still hypocritical.

Oh, I've heard some christians assert that the new testament "reveals" or "fulfills" the old testament.  So that when Jesus commands us to "turn the other cheek" we are in essence being told not to harm others which includes killing, duh.

But I don't buy it.  That is still contradictory.  And since Jesus is also God that would mean he "changed his mind".  And it means Bible believers cannot say the Bible is absolutely true in every word.

Any thoughts?

Answer
Dear Bob:

When it is rightly understood, there are no contradictions in the Bible. There are, however, many seeming contradictions. You point out a good one. How can God issue a Commandment that states, “Thou shall not kill” (Ex. 20:13), and yet in the very next chapter say, “Whoever curses his father or mother shall be put to death” (Ex. 21:17)? The answer is that the Commandment is not to be understood as a blanket condemnation of taking life. The larger context makes that clear. For example, Moses, who received the Ten Commandments directly from God & spoke to God face to face, did not view all killing as a violation of the Commandment given in Ex. 20:13 & Deut. 5:17. He advised the Israelites, “But in the cities of those nations which the LORD, your God, is giving you as your heritage, you shall not leave a single soul alive” (Deut. 20:16).

The Commandment, when properly viewed in the light of the rest of the Bible, would be better translated as, “Thou shall not murder.” The taking of life has never been prohibited in the Bible. What is prohibited is the taking of innocent life, that is, murder.

Thanks for the question.

God Be With You,
Sal