The Bible does have factual contradictions, not just theological. The Christmas story is one of the best examples for me.

Both Catholics and Seventh-Day Adventists believe that Mary gave birth to no other children other than Jesus, and that the brothers and sisters mentioned in the New Testament are step-siblings from Joseph, who was widowed before he met Mary. However, in Jewish culture, the first-born of the father receives the privileges, and the Messiah was predicted to be the first-born son. Also, if Joseph was required to bring his pregnant wife to Bethlehem for the census, why wouldn't he bring his other children? If families traveled in groups for the Passover, why not then?

Read the two genealogies of Jesus found in Matthew and Luke. I once emailed a Bible answer site about this, and the representative confessed, "Obviously, they are talking about two different Josephs." If the Bible is to be relied on for both facts and inspiration, why couldn't it get this right? After all, Joseph was in Jesus' life at least until he was twelve years old. Even in today's culture, most twelve year old's know something of their own background. It would have been doubly true in a tribal culture.

I also sometimes smile at how heady an experience it must have been for Mary to change God's diaper. "You may be the Creator of the universe, but I'm changing your diaper!" No wonder that Catholics believe that Mary was also immaculately conceived, to not become a megalomaniac after that.

by Average Jill on 12/29/2008 07:25:57 AM EST