Can Scripture contradict itself?

To all those who believe that Paul negated the Torah by interpreting Colossians 2:14 thusly...

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;” (KJV) to mean that the Law is nailed to the cross so there is no need for Christians to keep the Torah, and Galatians 2:21 “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” (KJV):

...then please answer one question:  Can Scripture contradict itself?

If it (or Paul) appears to contradict itself, then there is only two possible conclusions. 1) Your interpretation of at least one of the verses is incorrect and you should be open to alternate interpretations, or 2) This invalidates all the Scripture. Is Yahweh the one that is incorrect? Or is it much more likely that it is our interpretation that is incorrect and should be adjusted.

I offer the following verses: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is inspired by God, and useful for teaching, for reproof, for restoration, and for training in righteousness, so that the person belonging to God may be capable, fully equipped for every good deed.” (TLV)

Does your interpretation of these verses (Colossians and Galatians contradict 2 Timothy 3? It seems to me that if the Torah is done away with, does not apply to Christians, and therefore is not to be followed, then the inevitable conclusion is that Torah is not useful for teaching, reproof, restoration or for training in righteousness. If it is true that Torah is invalid for Gentiles, then what parts of the Tanach, (Old Testament) are valid for teaching, reproof, restoration and training in righteousness? Psalms? Then what about Psalms 119? Proverbs? What about Proverbs 7 “My son, keep my words and treasure my mitzvot within you. Keep my mitzvot and live, my teaching as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers, write them on the tablet of your heart.” Or do we just throw out the entire Old Testament? Just what is the “word” if we do that? If we do that then indeed, Paul contradicts himself and the Scriptures.

There are just so many places within the Tanach (Old Testament) and the New Testament that affirm Yahweh’s instructions first for the Hebrews, and then for all men to follow. In fact, the Torah is the foundation upon which all the New Testament is built.

Paul also said “So what room is left for boasting? None at all! What kind of Torah excludes it? One that has to do with legalistic observance of rules? No, rather, a Torah that has to do with trusting. Therefore, we hold the view that a person comes to be considered righteous by God on the ground of trusting, which has nothing to do with legalistic observance of Torah commands. Or is God the God of the Jews only? Isn’t he also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, he is indeed the God of the Gentiles; because, as you will admit, God is one. Therefore, he will consider righteous the circumcised on the ground of trusting and the uncircumcised through that same trusting. Does it follow that we abolish Torah by this trusting? Heaven forbid! On the contrary, we confirm Torah. (Romans 3:27-31). 

So by doing Torah we are not boasting, we are honoring and affirming Yahweh’s word and the living word, Yeshua.

And. “Therefore, what are we to say? That the Torah is sinful? Heaven forbid! Rather, the function of the Torah was that without it, I would not have known what sin is.” (Romans 7:7).

And, “For it is not merely the hearers of Torah whom God considers righteous; rather, it is the doers of what Torah says who will be made righteous in God’s sight.” (Romans 2:13)

Why wouldn’t all Christians wish to be righteous in God’s sight? Why wouldn’t all Christians desire to DO the Torah, eat Kosher, keep the 10 commandments, keep the 7th day Sabbath (Saturday), and celebrate the feasts of Yahweh, especially since they claim that Yeshua (Jesus) is their example, and He kept all the Torah. Is it logical that Yahweh sent His only Son into the world to do His Torah just so His followers would have no reason to honor His Father likewise?

Search for another interpretation whenever there appears to be a contradiction in Scripture. The whole book, Old Testament and New Testament are one book, with one message of repentance and restoration, with multiple examples for our edification. It is all true. “Be holy as I am holy.”

Remember Yahweh’s character of compassion, graciousness, slow to anger, abundant in lovingkindness and truth, showing mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, yet by no means leaving the guilty unpunished. (Exodus 34:6-7). We must adopt attitudes that are consistent with His character. Is it possible that He does not desire that all His people, including Gentile believers in His Mashiach, follow His guidance? Heaven forbid!!!

The bottom line is: if you are a Christian were you grafted into Israel? If yes, then the Torah applies to you. See Romans 11:17-24…. If no, then Yeshua did not come for you. See Matthew 10:24 where He said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Isra’el.” He came for His children (Isra’el), whether or not they are adopted (believers in Yeshua that are grafted in). 

I am sorry, but Yeshua said: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, only those who do what my Father in heaven wants. On that Day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord! Didn’t we prophesy in your name? Didn’t we expel demons in your name? Didn’t we perform many miracles in your name?’ Then I will tell them to their faces, ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness” Matthew 7:21-23.

His Father, Yahweh, gave all His children His instructions for righteousness (holiness), to both His Hebrew children, and His adopted children, and He expects all of us to obey and trust in Him to the best of our abilities, by doing all of His commandments (mitzvot) that apply to us. Do not exclude the Father and His instructions just because you accept the restoration with the Father that Yeshua offers! 

We serve both Father and Son in Spirit and Truth. It’s only logical. 

- Thomas R. Leannah