Lesson 64: How to Answer Basic Objections to the Bible
Christians should not be surprised when people raise objections to the Bible.
Someone may ask:
“Wasn’t the Bible written by men?”
“Hasn’t it been changed?”
“Doesn’t it contradict itself?”
“What about science?”
“Why are there so many translations?”
“What about difficult Old Testament laws?”
“Why should I trust the Bible rather than another religious book?”
Some questions are sincere.
Some arise from confusion.
Some come from personal wounds, false teaching, or things repeatedly heard online.
Others may be used to avoid facing what Scripture says about God, sin, and Jesus Christ.
The believer should neither fear every question nor pretend that every question is simple.
Peter writes:
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:
and be ready always to give an answer
to every man that asketh you a reason
of the hope that is in you
with meekness and fear:
Having a good conscience…”
— 1 Peter 3:15–16, KJV
The Christian should be ready.
But readiness must remain joined with:
meekness;
reverence;
and a good conscience.
Questions Are Not the Enemy
A sincere question is not an attack upon God.
People sometimes need help understanding what Christians believe and why.
The Ethiopian eunuch was reading Isaiah but needed someone to guide him.
Thomas struggled to believe the resurrection until Jesus confronted his doubt.
The Bereans examined Scripture to determine whether Paul’s teaching was true.
A person should not be mocked merely because he asks a difficult question.
You may have once asked similar questions.
Treat the person as a soul who needs truth, not an opponent who needs humiliation.
Not Every Objection Is the Same
One person may have an intellectual question:
“How were the biblical books transmitted?”
Another may have a moral question:
“How can God judge people?”
Another may have suffered through religious hypocrisy:
“Why should I trust a Bible used by people who mistreated me?”
Another may simply repeat a phrase:
“The Bible is full of contradictions.”
Do not deliver the same memorized answer to every person.
Listen for the actual concern.
Listen Before Answering
Scripture says:
“He that answereth a matter before he heareth it,
it is folly and shame unto him.”
— Proverbs 18:13, KJV
Do not interrupt as soon as you recognize one familiar word.
Let the person finish.
Then ask:
“What specifically do you mean?”
“Is there a particular passage you have in mind?”
“Where did you hear that?”
“What part troubles you most?”
“What would you consider a satisfactory answer?”
A vague objection may become much clearer when the person must explain it.
Ask for a Specific Example
If someone says:
“The Bible contradicts itself,”
you may respond:
“Which two passages are you thinking about?”
This is not avoiding the question.
It is making the question answerable.
You cannot responsibly resolve every alleged contradiction in one conversation.
A specific passage can be examined.
A sweeping accusation without an example cannot be tested carefully.
Understand Before You Defend
Proverbs says:
“He that is first in his own cause seemeth just;
but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.”
— Proverbs 18:17, KJV
The first version of an argument may sound convincing.
Do not immediately accept or dismiss it.
Examine:
the actual wording;
the surrounding context;
the identity of the speaker;
the kind of writing;
the historical setting;
and the claim being made.
Many weak answers result from responding to a statement no one has investigated carefully.
Keep Your Manner Under Christ
Paul writes:
“And the servant of the Lord must not strive;
but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves…”
— 2 Timothy 2:24–25, KJV
The servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome.
Firmness is not the same as hostility.
You may answer confidently without becoming insulting.
You may expose weak reasoning without mocking the person.
If your defense of Scripture produces pride, cruelty, and uncontrolled anger, your manner contradicts the truth you claim to defend.
The Goal Is Not Merely Winning
A person can lose an argument without turning to Christ.
He may also feel defeated and become more resistant.
Your goal should be:
to remove confusion;
correct false claims;
show the reasonableness of biblical faith;
and point the person toward Jesus Christ.
Do not measure success only by whether the other person became silent.
Ask whether you represented truth faithfully and treated the soul with love.
Admit What You Do Not Know
You do not need an immediate answer to every question.
You may say:
“That is a serious question. I do not know enough to answer it carefully.”
“I need to examine those passages in context.”
“I have heard that claim, but I have not verified it.”
“Let me study it rather than give you a careless answer.”
Honesty strengthens credibility.
Bluffing damages it.
A confident false answer may create more difficulty than an honest admission of uncertainty.
Return With an Answer When Possible
“I do not know” should not always end the matter.
Write down the question.
Read the passages.
Consult trustworthy resources.
Ask a mature teacher.
Then return to the person if the opportunity remains.
You may say:
“I studied the question you raised. Here is what I found.”
That communicates respect and seriousness.
The Bible Claims Divine and Human Authorship
One common objection is:
“The Bible was written by men.”
The basic statement is true.
Human beings wrote its words.
But that observation does not settle whether God worked through them.
Scripture says:
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God…”
— 2 Timothy 3:16, KJV
Peter writes:
“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:
but holy men of God spake
as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
— 2 Peter 1:21, KJV
The biblical claim is not that a completed book fell physically from heaven.
It is that God spoke through human authors.
They wrote through their real language, background, vocabulary, and circumstances while the Holy Ghost governed the message God intended to give.
The use of human authors does not by itself disprove divine authorship.
The biblical claim must be examined rather than dismissed through a slogan.
“The Bible Was Written by Men” Does Not End the Question
Nearly every historical statement, legal record, scientific article, or news report is written by people.
Human involvement does not automatically make a document false.
The proper questions are:
Were the writers truthful?
Were they in a position to know?
What claims did they make?
Is there confirming evidence?
Does the message remain coherent?
What does fulfilled prophecy reveal?
What happened concerning Jesus Christ?
The objection should begin investigation, not end it.
What About Alleged Contradictions?
A contradiction occurs when two statements affirm and deny the same thing in the same respect.
Different details are not automatically contradictions.
Two witnesses may describe the same event from different perspectives.
One writer may summarize while another provides additional detail.
One passage may describe what happened generally while another focuses upon one participant.
Sometimes the difficulty comes from:
ignoring context;
confusing two different events;
failing to recognize figurative language;
assuming details not stated;
or expecting ancient writers to arrange material according to modern conventions.
This does not mean every difficult passage can be dismissed quickly.
It means each alleged contradiction deserves individual examination.
Do Not Pretend Difficult Passages Do Not Exist
Some passages are difficult.
Christians should not act embarrassed by that fact.
Peter acknowledged that some things in Paul’s writings were:
“hard to be understood.”
A difficult passage is not automatically a contradiction.
Difficulty may show that:
we lack historical information;
we have misunderstood the writer;
the passage requires comparison with other Scripture;
or more careful study is needed.
Humility says:
“I may not yet understand this fully.”
It does not immediately conclude:
“Therefore, God’s Word must be false.”
What If Someone Says the Bible Was Changed?
Ask:
“What specific passage or historical evidence are you referring to?”
The word changed may refer to several different things:
copying manuscripts;
translating languages;
modernizing spelling;
choosing different English words;
or claiming that the original message was deliberately rewritten.
Those are not the same accusation.
Differences among translations do not by themselves prove that the underlying message was corrupted.
Translation requires choices because languages do not match word for word in every expression.
Manuscript differences should be examined honestly rather than denied.
But their existence is not the same as proof that the Bible was secretly rewritten into an entirely different book.
Ask for the specific evidence.
Do not attempt to answer an undefined accusation.
What About Many Bible Translations?
Different translations may use different wording because translators make decisions about:
the meaning of ancient words;
sentence structure;
readability;
and how literally to reproduce an expression.
Some translations follow a more word-for-word approach.
Others emphasize thought or readability.
Paraphrases may restate ideas more freely and should not always be treated as precise translations.
The existence of several translations does not mean there are several different gospels.
A careful reader can compare reliable translations and consult language resources when wording affects interpretation.
As a ministry, we generally use the King James Version, but we should not turn every translation discussion into an unnecessary quarrel.
The central question remains:
What does the passage actually teach?
What About Science and the Bible?
When someone says:
“Science disproves the Bible,”
ask:
“Which scientific claim and which biblical passage?”
Science is a broad field, and the Bible contains many kinds of writing.
The Bible was not written as a modern laboratory manual.
Its purpose is to reveal God, creation, humanity, sin, redemption, Christ, and eternity.
That does not mean biblical statements about the world are meaningless.
It means Scripture should not be forced to answer questions it was not addressing in the form we demand.
Sometimes the conflict involves:
an interpretation of Scripture;
an interpretation of scientific evidence;
or assumptions brought to both.
Avoid careless claims.
Examine the specific issue.
Do not fear honest investigation, and do not surrender Scripture merely because someone uses the word science.
What About Difficult Moral Passages?
People may object to passages involving:
war;
judgment;
slavery;
women;
civil penalties;
or severe consequences.
Do not answer these matters with a shallow slogan.
First determine:
What actually happened?
Was the passage describing conduct or commanding it?
To whom was the command given?
Was it part of Israel’s civil law, ceremonial worship, or a universal moral command?
Was God judging persistent evil?
How does the passage fit within the entire biblical account of creation, sin, covenant, redemption, and Christ?
The Bible records many sinful actions without approving them.
Ancient social conditions should not be read as though every arrangement were presented as God’s original ideal.
God’s judgments must also be considered in light of His holiness, knowledge, patience, and authority as Creator.
Hard passages deserve careful treatment.
Do Not Defend What the Bible Condemns
Sometimes Christians feel pressure to protect every action performed by a biblical character.
That is unnecessary.
Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Peter, and other biblical figures sinned.
Scripture often records their failures truthfully.
The Bible’s honesty about its central human figures is part of its message:
Human beings need grace.
Jesus Christ alone is the sinless Saviour.
What About Christian Hypocrisy?
Someone may say:
“Christians do not live according to the Bible.”
Sometimes that accusation is true.
Do not defend hypocrisy.
Acknowledge the wrong.
You may say:
“What that person did was contrary to what Scripture teaches.”
The failure of a Christian does not prove the Bible false.
The Bible itself condemns:
hypocrisy;
greed;
sexual immorality;
lying;
abuse;
and false religion.
A person’s disobedience may demonstrate the very sinfulness Scripture exposes.
Yet the harm should still be taken seriously.
Do not use apologetics to silence someone who was genuinely mistreated.
What About All the Different Interpretations?
People disagree about many texts.
Disagreement does not prove that meaning is impossible.
Two people may disagree about a legal document without proving that the document has no meaning.
Interpretation should be governed by:
words;
grammar;
context;
the writer’s purpose;
historical setting;
and the rest of Scripture.
Some disagreements concern secondary matters.
Others concern essential doctrine.
The existence of disagreement makes careful study necessary.
It does not make every interpretation equally faithful.
Why Believe the Bible Instead of Another Religious Book?
Do not answer merely:
“Because the Bible says it is true.”
The Bible’s claims should be examined.
Point the person toward:
its unified testimony concerning God and redemption;
its fulfilled promises and prophecies;
its historical claims;
its truthful description of the human heart;
and above all, Jesus Christ.
The central question is not merely:
“Which religious book do I prefer?”
It is:
“Who is Jesus Christ, and did He rise from the dead?”
Jesus treated Scripture as God’s Word.
He fulfilled what was written concerning Him.
He died and rose again according to the Scriptures.
The identity and resurrection of Christ stand at the center of the Christian case.
Keep Bringing the Conversation Back to Christ
Jesus said the Scriptures:
“testify of me.”
— John 5:39, KJV
After His resurrection, He explained what Moses, the prophets, and the psalms had written concerning Him.
Do not let every conversation remain forever at the edge of Christianity.
A person may raise ten secondary questions while never considering Christ.
Answer what is necessary.
Then ask:
“May I explain why Jesus Christ is central to the Bible?”
“What do you believe happened to Jesus after His crucifixion?”
“Have you read one of the Gospel accounts for yourself?”
The Bible is not merely a collection of answers to objections.
It reveals the Saviour.
Evidence Cannot Replace a Willing Heart
Jesus said:
“If any man will do his will,
he shall know of the doctrine,
whether it be of God…”
— John 7:17, KJV
This does not mean evidence is unimportant.
It means moral willingness also matters.
A person may demand proof while having already decided that he will not obey God under any circumstances.
Ask respectfully:
“If Christianity were true, would you be willing to follow Christ?”
That question may reveal whether the difficulty is only intellectual.
Do Not Assume Every Question Is Dishonest
Although heart resistance exists, do not accuse everyone of insincerity.
A person may genuinely need evidence.
He may have been taught false information.
He may fear being deceived.
He may have experienced religious manipulation.
Listen patiently.
Allow his sincerity or insincerity to become clearer through the conversation.
Do not claim to know hidden motives you cannot see.
Know When a Conversation Has Become Fruitless
Paul warns believers to avoid:
“foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions,
and strivings about the law;
for they are unprofitable and vain.”
— Titus 3:9, KJV
Some discussions become endless.
The person repeatedly changes the question.
Refuses to hear any answer.
Mocks everything said.
Or seeks only conflict.
You may calmly say:
“I do not believe this conversation is presently productive.”
“I would be glad to continue when we can examine one question honestly.”
Stopping an unfruitful argument is not surrendering the truth.
A Practical Objection-Response Pattern
1. Listen
Let the person complete the question.
2. Clarify
Ask what he specifically means.
3. Identify the Kind of Objection
Is it textual, historical, scientific, moral, emotional, or personal?
4. Establish the Facts
Do not answer a rumor as though it were verified.
5. Admit What You Do Not Know
Never bluff.
6. Examine Scripture in Context
Read the actual passage rather than responding to a quotation fragment.
7. Answer Briefly and Clearly
Do not overwhelm the person with every fact you know.
8. Maintain Meekness
Correct the claim without treating the person contemptuously.
9. Return to Jesus Christ
Do not let side issues permanently replace the gospel.
10. Leave the Result With God
You cannot argue someone into spiritual life.
Sample Responses
“The Bible was written by men.”
“Yes, God used human writers. The Bible’s claim is that those writers spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Human involvement does not by itself prove the message was merely human. We should examine the Bible’s claims and evidence.”
“The Bible contradicts itself.”
“Which passages are you thinking about? Some alleged contradictions disappear when context or perspective is examined, while other passages require deeper study. Let us consider one specific example carefully.”
“The Bible has been changed.”
“What specific change do you mean? Differences in translation, spelling, or manuscript readings are not all the same claim. Let us identify the actual passage and evidence rather than assuming complete corruption.”
“Christians are hypocrites.”
“Some professing Christians have acted hypocritically, and the Bible condemns that conduct. Their failure does not make Jesus Christ false, but the harm should not be minimized.”
“Science disproves the Bible.”
“Which scientific finding and which biblical statement are you comparing? That question is too broad to answer responsibly without identifying the specific issue.”
An Objection-Preparation Exercise
Objection 1:
What the person may mean:
The specific question I should ask:
The Scriptures involved:
What I presently know:
What I still need to research:
How I can return the conversation to Christ:
Repeat the process with a second objection.
Discipleship Questions
- Why must Christians listen and clarify before attempting to answer an objection?
- What is the difference between admitting that a passage is difficult and admitting that Scripture is contradictory?
- Why is saying “I do not know, but I will study it” sometimes a stronger answer than giving an immediate response?
- How can a believer defend Scripture firmly while maintaining meekness and respect?
- Which two common objections do you most need to prepare to answer?
Closing Exhortation
Do not fear honest questions.
Do not mock the person asking.
Do not bluff.
Do not exaggerate evidence.
Do not dismiss difficult passages.
Do not defend hypocrisy.
Do not let anger govern your response.
Listen.
Clarify.
Examine.
Study.
Answer truthfully.
Admit what you do not know.
Return when you have learned more.
Keep Jesus Christ central.
The purpose is not merely to win an argument about a book.
It is to help people hear the Word of God and meet the Saviour whom the Scriptures reveal.
A Prayer for Wisdom in Answering Objections
Father,
Thank You for giving us Your Word and revealing Jesus Christ through the Scriptures.
Help me become ready to give an answer for the hope that is in me.
Forgive me for fear, pride, impatience, bluffing, carelessness, and the desire merely to win arguments.
Teach me to listen before answering.
Help me understand what a person is truly asking.
Give me humility to admit when I do not know.
Lead me to study carefully, read passages in context, and seek faithful guidance.
Protect me from repeating weak claims or exaggerated evidence.
Help me answer firmly without becoming quarrelsome.
Give me meekness, patience, wisdom, and love for the person before me.
When someone has been wounded by religious hypocrisy, help me listen compassionately and never defend what Your Word condemns.
When questions are sincere, help me respond thoughtfully.
When arguments become fruitless, give me wisdom to stop without anger.
Above all, keep Jesus Christ central.
Use every honest conversation to remove confusion, reveal truth, and point people toward the crucified and risen Saviour.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Next Step
Choose two objections you have heard personally.
For each one:
- Write the objection exactly.
- Ask what the person may mean.
- Locate the biblical passages involved.
- Prepare a two-minute answer.
- Mark anything requiring further study.
- Practice answering without hostility or unnecessary detail.
- End by connecting the question to Jesus Christ.
Do not attempt to memorize an argument merely to sound intelligent.
Understand the issue.
Speak honestly.
And remain ready to say:
“I do not know yet, but I will take your question seriously.”
Previous Lesson: Lesson 63 — How to Give Your Testimony Without Exalting Yourself
Next Lesson: Lesson 65 — How to Warn People About Judgment With Love