What is the aim of the Skeptics' Annotated Bible website? What is the Skeptics' Annotated Bible?

TL;DR:

The Skeptics’ Annotated Bible is a website and book that catalogs over 6,000 supposed contradictions and issues in Scripture, aiming to cast doubt on the Bible’s reliability. While it highlights difficult passages, these claims often arise from misunderstanding context.

what does the bible say?

The Skeptics’ Annotated Bible is a website and book that compiles over 6,000 alleged contradictions, errors, and problems in Scripture, categorizing them into themes like injustice, violence, prophecy, and sexuality with the goal of undermining confidence in the Bible. While some of its claims focus on genuine challenges, many arise from ignoring context or misunderstanding how Scripture works. Though skeptics aim to cast doubt, the truth remains that the Bible’s core message and doctrines stand firm, and alleged contradictions can be addressed through careful study, knowledge of original languages, and awareness of historical and cultural context. We should not be shaken by such accusations but instead respond with humility, patience, and confidence in God’s Word, remembering that Scripture is trustworthy, consistent, and “breathed out by God” (2 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 19:7; John 17:17), equipping us to engage skeptics with both truth and grace.

from the old testament

The Skeptics’ Annotated Bible focuses on alleged biblical discrepancies, contradictions, or conflicts, organizing them into categories such as injustice, absurdity, cruelty and violence, intolerance, family values, women, science and history, prophecy, sex, and more. While it is impossible to address all of the accusations made by the Skeptics' Annotated Bible, a few examples can help illustrate the approach of the website. In Joshua 1, God promised to give Joshua and his people all the land where he walked. The Skeptics' Annotated Bible notes, "God promises to give Joshua all of the land that his 'foot shall tread upon.' He says that none of the people he encounters will be able to resist him. But God didn't keep his promise; many tribes withstood Joshua's attempt to steal their land." However, this accusation is only half-right. Joshua 1:7 specifically noted that God would make their way prosperous if they obeyed Him. Of course, Israel often disobeyed which could easily explain why not every tribe or enemy was removed. The Book of Judges that follows Joshua highlights many such examples.

from the new testament

In Matthew 1, the Skeptics' Annotated Bible points out many discrepancies regarding the family history of Jesus between Matthew's and Luke's Gospels. However, it is clear each writer followed a different genealogy. Most interpreters point out that one Gospel may be referencing Joseph's family line (Matthew) while the other is likely following the family tree of Mary (Luke).
Other accusations are less technical or specific and tend to be used mainly for attention. For example, the section on “sex” simply lists all the verses in the Bible on the topic. Yes, the Bible does often mention sex (e.g., Genesis 1:28; Song of Solomon 7:6–12; 1 Corinthians 7:3–5). However, the Bible mentioning sex is not a conflict or error. Instead, Scripture addresses human sexuality as an important part of life (Hebrews 13:4) and affirms the union between man and woman in marriage as the foundational unit of society (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4–6; Ephesians 5:31).

implications for today

The Skeptics' Annotated Bible is a website (http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com) that focuses on alleged discrepancies, errors, conflicts, or contradictions found in the Bible. It divides these supposed errors into the categories of injustice, absurdity, cruelty and violence, intolerance, contradictions, family values, women, good stuff, science and history, prophecy, sex, language, interpretation, and homosexuality, with more than 6,000 issues noted so far. Much of the information on the website is now also available in printed form in a book by the same title. Rather than genuinely seeking answers to the alleged contradictions it mentions, the Skeptics' Annotated Bible seeks to highlight ways to make the Bible look ridiculous.

While there are certainly difficult passages in the Bible, numerous resources, commentaries, and reference works exist to help provide answers to these issues. CompellingTruth.org, for example, exists to help answer such questions. If your answer cannot be found on this website, please contact us and we will be glad to respond. When we encounter difficult passages in the Bible, we should respond with humility, patience, and a commitment to careful study. Many alleged conflicts arise from taking verses out of context, misunderstanding the original languages, or overlooking cultural and historical background. Instead of reacting with doubt or dismissiveness, we should prayerfully examine Scripture, compare passages, and seek trusted scholarship to gain clarity (2 Timothy 2:15). We should also remember that God’s Word is consistent and trustworthy (Psalm 19:7; John 17:17), even if our understanding is limited. Responding this way strengthens our faith and equips us to engage others with confidence and grace.

understand

The Skeptics’ Annotated Bible lists 6,000+ alleged contradictions to discredit Scripture.
Many claims arise from ignoring context or misinterpretation.
Though the Bible has difficulties, we should respond by studying it with humility, seeking to understand the context and meaning of what it says.

reflect

When you encounter a supposed contradiction in Scripture, how do you respond?
How can you grow in studying the Bible so you are better prepared to answer challenges to its truth?
How can you approach Scripture with humility and patience so you are ready when you come across passages that are difficult to understand?

engage

How can we address the kinds of accusations raised by resources like the Skeptics’ Annotated Bible?
What role does understanding historical and cultural context play in helping us engage accusations of biblical contradictions?
How can we encourage others to see the reliability of Scripture when faced with skeptical claims?