Problem: In some verses of Scripture, people see God. But, in other verses, it says they cannot see God? Is this a contradiction? It is not if you understand the Trinity and the context of those verses.
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Problem: Numbers 12:3 states “Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth.” And yet, he himself was the author of this verse. How could Moses be humble, if he called himself humble?
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Problem: A wave offering was an offering that the priest would “wave” in front of the Tabernacle. For instance, a priest might wave his own food in front of the Tabernacle, but then eat it for his own use. In Numbers 6:20, we read, “Then the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the Lord. It is holy for the priest, together with the breast offered by waving and the thigh offered by lifting up; and afterward the Nazirite may drink wine.” Therefore, the wave offering did involve literal waving. Ronald Allen writes,
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Problem: The Nazarite vow could be for either “a man or woman” (v.1). It included a number of things:
No grapes or raisins (v.3).
No cutting your hair (v.5). This was a symbol for their dedication (v.7).
No going near a dead body (v.6).
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Problem: When a jealous husband suspected his wife of infidelity, the man was supposed to take the suspected wife before the high priest. The high priest would have her drink bitter water to determine her guilt. If her stomach swelled after drinking the water, she was guilty. If it didn’t, then she was innocent. Critics charge that this passage looks very similar to a magical incantation. Is this the case?
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Problem: The context of the “Thou shall not make a graven image” passages is dealing with the worship of false things. Exodus 20:4 states that no one is to make an image of what is in heaven, so that you may not worship them or bow down to them (20:5). This is reiterated in Leviticus 26:1. The Deuteronomy passages, contextually, are dealing with the same thing: an admonition against worshipping a false image. God does not want people bowing down before idols and worshiping false gods.
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Problem: Does the Bible say that it is okay for us to buy slaves? Does it encourage a slave trade? Critics of Christianity claim so, often pointing to passages like Leviticus 25:44. Is this really what the verse is saying? Let’s take a look:
Problem: Leviticus records, “If there is a man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, one who commits adultery with his friend’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death” (Lev. 20:10). Why was adultery met with such a severe punishment?
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Problem: Critics argue that arbitrary laws like this seem quite bizarre. Why would God care about trimming our beards or getting tattoos?
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Problem: Critics often point out that there is no mention of the Jewish Messiah in the Torah (the first five books of the Bible). Christian apologists often point to thematic rituals like the Day of Atonement in response. Does this passage prefigure the work of Christ?
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