The New Testament of the Bible is a sacred text for Christians around the world, offering guidance, wisdom, and moral teachings. However, like any ancient text, it also contains passages that many may find troubling or challenging. In this article, we will explore some of the “bad” things found in the New Testament, as well as provide relevant Bible verses for further understanding.
The Bad Things in The New Testament of The Bible
1. Violence and Retribution
– Matthew 10:34-36: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.”
2. Judgement and Damnation
– Matthew 25:41: “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.'”
3. Discrimination and Exclusion
– Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
4. Harsh Punishments
– Mark 9:43-48: “And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.”
5. End Times and Wrath
– Revelation 20:15: “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
6. Hypocrisy and False Teaching
– Matthew 23:27-28: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”
7. Endurance and Perseverance
– James 1:12: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
8. Testing and Temptation
– 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
9. Sin and Repentance
– Luke 13:3: “No, I tell you, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
10. False Prophets and Deception
– Matthew 24:11: “And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.”
Overall, the New Testament of the Bible contains a mixture of teachings that can be interpreted in various ways. While some may find the “bad” things challenging or difficult to understand, they are also integral to the overall message of love, redemption, and salvation that is central to Christian belief.
Let us continue to delve into the scriptures with open hearts and minds, seeking wisdom and understanding in all aspects of the text.
Table: Contradictions and Confusions in the Bible
| Points of Interest | Highlighted in the Text |
|---|---|
| Forgiveness of Sins | If we forgive others, God will forgive us. |
| Forgiveness of Sins | Jesus’ blood must be poured out for forgiveness of sins. |
| Mission to Gentiles | Disciples told to stay away from Gentiles. |
| Mission to Gentiles | Great Commission mentions preaching to all nations. |
| Baptism | No continuation of baptising after John the Baptist’s death. |
| Foretelling Jesus’ Death | Disciples told three times, but forget when it happens. |
| Paul’s Conversion | No mention of road to Damascus encounter in his writings. |
Bad Things That Happened in The Bible
- Deuteronomy 22:28–29; God’s punishment for the raping of a virgin is to pay her father 50 shekels of silver and marry her for life. The rapist was seen as ruining someone else’s property, not ruining a young girl’s life. Forcing a girl to marry her rapist and have her father accept some money as compensation is disgusting.
- 2 Samuel 7:11; God, through Nathan, says he is going to punish David’s affair with Bathsheba by making all of David’s wives prostitutes. God making David’s wives prostitutes, despite what His own law said, is not moral.
- Leviticus 26:29; God describes how he will punish people by making them eat the flesh of their own sons and daughters. Any God threatening to force people into cannibalism on their family is not moral.
- Joshua 6:20–21; God helps the Israelites destroy Jericho, killing “men, women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys”. C’mon. Ruthlessly murdering all the women and children in a city is not moral.
- Deuteronomy 2:32–35; God has the Israelites kill everyone in Heshbon, including children. Later in chapter 3:3–7, God commands they do the same to the city of Bashan. Killing children ain’t moral, dude.
- 1 Numbers 31:7–18; God decides to not kill everyone this time. This time, He commands the Israelites to kill all the Midianites except the virgins, whom they will take as spoils of war. Killing everyone besides virgins and using them as sex slaves isn’t moral.
- Genesis 7:21–23; God drowns the entire population of the earth (except for Noah and his family): men, women, and children, both born and unborn, because they were “evil”. I don’t know how unborn children could be evil, but whatever. Killing the entire population of earth, including innocent babies, is not moral.
- Judges 11:30–39; Jephthah burns his daughter alive as a sacrificial offering for God’s favor in killing the Ammonites. Jephthah is crazy for burning his daughter alive and God is crazy for allowing it. Child sacrifice is not moral.
- Deuteronomy 21:18–21; God demands we kill disobedient teenagers. Stoning disobedient children to death is not moral.
- Exodus 21:20–21, Colossians 3:22–24, Ephesians 6:5, 1 Peter 2:18; God legitimizes slavery by saying it’s okay to own slaves and to beat them. Slaves are told to obey their masters just as they would obey Jesus, even if their masters are harsh. God blatantly supports slavery. Supporting slavery is not moral.
There’s plenty more, but here’s a pretty solid list to start! Thanks for the interesting question, mate.