Witnessing a Football Game

Contradictions and Half Truths

Recently a brother in Christ and I went to a football game. On the way home, we began to discuss the view of the Bible that we have heard from unbelievers. We have both heard many times from unbelievers that the Word of God is full of contradictions and half truths. As we discussed the writings, we had an idea –

We considered doing a 1 page writing on a specific running play of the football game whereas it ended in a touchdown. He would write his witness of the football play, and I would write mine. There would be no collusion, only a specific play we would each write about. As we considered this, we started to see how someone would consider our witnessing of the game as full of contradictions and half truths.

We examined how this could go. He witnessed: the ball carrier, the hand off, the moves, the opened hole, how he switched the ball into his other hand, the speed of the ball carrier, and then the touchdown. I witnessed: the pulling guard, the initial block, the lead blockers, the defensive back’s closing in, the speed of the ball carrier, and then the touchdown. Our witnessing would only agree on a football game, a running play, the speed of the ball carrier, and a result of a touchdown. We could also consider a passing play that took place for a touchdown. We both witnessed a passing play and a touchdown . I saw the QB throw a normal pass. My attention was on the lineman who jumped and almost tipped the pass. Then I saw the reception and a touchdown. He recalls a pass that was zipped in there and hands of glue on the receiver.

Fast forward 2000+ years, and someone reads the witnessing of these accounts. Do these different witnessed accounts of the game mean that the football game didn’t take place? Does it mean we never went to a football game or that such a thing as a football game ever existed? No, it does not. Do these writings all of a sudden have contradictions, half truths, and make the event any less true? No, they do not. Did a running play not happen because the witnessed accounts don’t line up? Nope. Is the passing play in question because I saw a normal pass and he saw a rocket of a pass? Nope.

The unbelievers of this event will base things on their own understandings, their own wits, and their own reasoning. It’s all they know. No faith in anything else but themselves (man) and what they can figure out. As far as they are concerned, they are the smartest thing in existence. “2+2 indeed equals 4. But these 2 who witnessed a football game, they have written different things.. the answer does not equal 4. This doesn’t add up. It must be in question, false, full of contradictions, and half truths. It cannot be believed.” O ye of little faith..

Just as the witnessed events of the football game were written in a context that spoke to each individual, so is the Word of God. Each writer in the bible had the Spirit of God revealing something different to them. Each writer, even if they were in the same place, had specific things that God was showing them. Certain things popped out. Certain spoken words really spoke to them and others did not. Even as we do, the very same phrase spoken by someone, when it falls upon 2 separate ears.. one person can hear ___ and the other person can hear ___. The phrase was still spoken, but it spoke to each person in a specific manner. If both people gave their witnessed view of it, we get a greater understanding..  A-ha.

Like the witnessing of this game as an ex-lineman. Certain aspects of the game, like lead blockers, pulling guards, etc., these really spoke to me. Also, my ears and eyes were on the stats of the game because I’m analytical in nature. My friend didn’t know very many of the game stats afterward. My friend, an ex-linebacker, viewed it from a different standpoint. But, both of our stories together give a great overall view. Bingo.

The writers of the Bible.. the infallible Word of God: Luke was a physician, Paul was a soldier, Peter was a fisherman, Matthew was a tax collector, and so on. Jesus picked these individuals for a very good reason. And I’m sure one of the reasons were that He knew the Spirit would move each in a different manner. That God would use each one to witness Jesus Christ in their own manner, for our benefit – A detailed witnessing of the Word of God.

There are no contradictions or half truths. The contradictions and half truths come about when we place God and the writings in a box. The box that we place it in = our wits. understandings, and viewpoints. This is placing ourselves as the most high god as if we know all, understand all, and can see all.. which ironically is the very thing Jesus came and conquered = TOUCHDOWN!!! Yes, a winning touchdown indeed took place and this truth will not be changed because someone doesn’t believe. Jesus, thank you for winning the game for us.

Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

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