The Skeptic’s Annotated Bible (SAB) is a website created in the late 1990s by Steve Wells that analyzes and provides commentary on the Bible from a skeptical and atheistic perspective. The website contains the full text of the King James Version of the Bible with annotations categorizing perceived contradictions, absurdities, atrocities, and other issues found within the text.
The purpose of the SAB is to highlight problematic passages in the Bible and argue against its divine inspiration and reliability. Wells takes a very critical view of the Bible, often interpreting passages in the worst possible light. The annotations accuse the Bible of promoting intolerance, injustice, immorality, scientific errors, and contradictions. This is intended to undermine the credibility of the Bible and belief in God.
Here are some examples of the types of annotations found on the SAB:
- Contradictions – Identifying discrepancies between different passages, such as differences in the gospel accounts.
- Absurdities – Mocking passages that seem silly or primitive, like the idea of a talking donkey.
- Atrocities – Calling out biblical stories and laws that condone or command violence, oppression, and other immoral behaviors.
- Injustices – Criticizing biblical standards and practices as unfair, such as punishments that don’t fit crimes.
- Intolerance – Accusing biblical passages of promoting prejudice and discrimination against women, foreigners, and other groups.
- Family Values – Denouncing biblical practices and values regarding marriage, child-rearing, and gender roles as harmful.
- Science and History – Disputing biblical claims about nature, the age of the earth, miracles, and historical events as unscientific errors.
Wells includes over 1000 pages of such annotations, presented verse-by-verse alongside the biblical text. The tone is often flippant and mocking. The SAB highlights these issues from a skeptical mindset that rejects the divine inspiration and moral authority of the Bible. The implication is that the presence of contradictions, absurdities, atrocities and other problems undermines traditional Christian faith that views the Bible as the infallible Word of God.
Criticisms of the Skeptic’s Annotated Bible
While the SAB presents a thorough critique of the Bible from a skeptical perspective, there are criticisms of the SAB’s approach and conclusions:
- The annotations often lack appropriate context – Some passages may seem contradictory or absurd when taken in isolation, but make sense in light of the surrounding verses, historical context, literary genres, and theological frameworks.
- Passages are interpreted very literally – Subtleties of language and intended meanings can be missed when always defaulting to a literal reading.
- An overly critical eye is taken – There is an inherent skepticism that often assumes the worst possible motives and meanings.
- The SAB judges the Bible by modern moral standards – Ancient cultural practices that seem brutal or unjust today may have been more normal and accepted at the time.
- Contradictions may be partial or perceived – Differences between biblical authors do not necessarily indicate a true logical contradiction.
- Problematic passages do not discredit the entire Bible – Human imperfections in understanding or behavior do not preclude divine inspiration of Scripture as a whole.
- Alternative scholarly interpretations are ignored – Conservative Christian academics have offered extensive explanations and defenses of the Bible against criticisms like those presented in the SAB.
From an evangelical Christian perspective, the SAB often lacks charity and nuance in its interpretation. Its unqualified condemnation of biblical texts as irrational, unethical and dangerous could be seen as an unfair attack on traditional beliefs. Apologists argue that perceived errors and atrocities can be explained or contextualized when appropriately understood.
The Bible’s Perspective on Itself
What does the Bible itself claim about its nature and origins that relates to the Skeptical Annotated Bible’s critique? Some key points:
- The Bible claims divine inspiration – Scripture is “breathed out by God” (2 Timothy 3:16) and men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21).
- It is considered authoritative and without error – “Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35), and God’s word is flawless (Proverbs 30:5).
- The Bible is seen as coherent – “All Scripture is…useful for teaching” (2 Timothy 3:16), not internally contradictory.
- The core message is viewed as moral – God’s commands are “holy and righteous and good” (Romans 7:12).
- Human imperfection is acknowledged alongside divine inspiration. For example, some verses are hard to understand (2 Peter 3:16).
From an evangelical perspective, the doctrine of biblical inerrancy holds that the original texts were without error in all they affirm, though peripheral scientific or historical details may reflect the human context. Apparent contradictions can be harmonized. Difficult passages require careful investigation. Unethical practices reflect human sinfulness rather than God’s ideals. Scripture alone is the final authority.
This high view of biblical authority stands in tension with the Skeptical Annotated Bible’s critical stance. Both perspectives make truth claims, but start from different assumptions when interpreting apparent problems in the text.
Possible Explanations for Alleged Contradictions and Absurdities
How might a Christian defender of biblical authority explain some of the alleged contradictions and absurdities called out in the Skeptical Annotated Bible? Here are some potential responses to these criticisms:
Different Perspectives on Events
The gospels sometimes present different details about Jesus’ life. But this could stem naturally from different authors highlighting distinct aspects of the same events based on their purposes and perspectives.
Imprecise Quotations
New Testament quotes of the Old Testament may vary slightly without necessarily being contradictory. Ancient citation practices allowed for looser rendering of the essence of passages.
Partial Accounts
Details in one gospel that are left out by another do not necessarily indicate contradiction if the accounts are complementary portraits from limited viewpoints, not claiming to be exhaustive.
Storytelling Variation
Differences in biblical stories reflect common practices of oral storytelling tradition where key themes remained consistent even as rhetorical packaging varied across tellings.
Progressive Revelation
God may have communicated precepts more suitable to early cultural limitations that were later clarified or superseded as moral sensitivities developed.
Hyperbole and Symbolism
Biblical descriptions of fantastical events may use exaggeration or symbolic imagery as literary techniques to convey theological truths without intending literal scientific precision.
Difficult Teachings, Not Absurdities
Christian ethicists argue that biblical moral teachings perceived as problematic have thoughtful defenses rooted in sound reasoning, even if counter-cultural.
While skeptics see numerous contradictions and absurdities, Christian scholars suggest plausible explanations rooted in an understanding of the ancient context and literary genre. The Bible presents a complex literary work requiring diligent study.
Interpreting Alleged Atrocities and Injustices
The Skeptical Annotated Bible highlights many biblical accounts of violence, hatred and oppression that seem ethically problematic to modern sensibilities. How might a Christian approach these issues? Some key principles and explanations:
Acknowledge Real Moral Difficulties
Christian ethicists recognize various biblical passages pose legitimate moral concerns that require wrestling, not simplistic answers.
Understand Literary Form
Narrative accounts of events should not necessarily be taken as moral endorsements. Stories often have other purposes beyond condoning actions of characters.
Consider Ancient Near East Context
Cultural assumptions accepted in ancient societies may disturb modern readers. But biblical texts partly reflect historic practices unfamiliar today.
Note Progressive Ethical Trajectory
Ethical precepts move progressively from Old to New Testament ideals, reflecting a development under divine guidance.
Distinguish Prescriptive and Descriptive Passages
Descriptive histories of what happened differ from prescriptive moral laws. Wicked acts condemned elsewhere are not necessarily endorsed when simply described.
Remember God’s Condescension
God meets people within imperfect cultural limitations, moving them incrementally towards justice and mercy rather than instantly imposing ideals they are unprepared to embrace.
While biblical ethics include challenging dimensions, evangelical scholars provide frameworks to reasonably interpret these issues given the ancient setting and overarching scriptural themes.
Evaluating Claims of Scientific and Historical Errors
The Skeptical Annotated Bible identifies many alleged scientific flaws and historical inaccuracies in the Bible. How might these be addressed from a Christian perspective?
Separate Scriptural Purpose from Scientific Scope
The Bible presents theological truths revealed to ancient audiences, not technical scientific details unessential to its spiritual message.
Recognize Ancient Perspectives
Biblical cosmological references reflect ancient worldviews. Scripture was not intended to anticipate modern science.
Allow for Literary Forms
Biblical passages with poetic or symbolic elements should not be pressed into serving as strict scientific treatises.
Note Limits of Archaeological Evidence
Scholarly debates continue over biblical histories. Lack of corroborating artifacts may reflect the limited nature of discoveries, not inaccurate histories.
Consider Second Order Details
Loose quotations, rounding of numbers, paraphrasing, and other peripheral reporting do not undermine reliability of Scripture’s central events.
Inerrancy applies to spiritual truths, not incidental scientific or historical minutia. Apparent errors often evaporate with deeper analysis that respects ancient context and literary forms.
Faith Perspectives on Scripture
Beyond evidentiary apologetics, Christians also appeal to faith perspectives when assessing biblical criticisms:
Holy Spirit Illumination
Spiritual discernment aids interpretation and recognition of Scripture’s enduring authority, meaning, and purpose.
Christ-Centered Reading
All Scripture points to Christ. He is the lens through which difficulties are understood in light of God’s redemptive plan.
Tradition and Community
The Spirit speaks through the corporate body of believers over time. Consensus interpretations carry weight.
Submission and Humility
Human minds alone cannot fully comprehend God’s truth. Submission to God may require embracing paradoxes and trusting His higher ways.
Skeptics reject faith-based analysis. But Christians uphold the Bible as divinely-inspired Scripture based on theological and traditional perspectives, not just empirical apologetics alone.
Conclusion
The Skeptical Annotated Bible highlights numerous issues that challenge traditional Christian perspectives on biblical authority and ethics. However, evangelical scholars suggest many reasonable explanations that defend scriptural integrity based on literary forms, cultural contexts, and sound interpretive principles. Apparent discrepancies and atrocities can often be harmonized or contextualized rather than abandoned as false.
The Bible presents a complex, divinely-inspired collection of texts that requires careful interpretation according to authorial intent and purposes. Conservative Christian analysts argue that perceived errors and problems reflect modern misconceptions rather than inherent flaws in the biblical texts. Fair assessment demands recognizing literary qualities, ancient settings, and theological frameworks which the Skeptical Annotated Bible frequently dismisses in favor of uncharitable readings.
Differences between the Skeptical Annotated Bible and evangelical perspectives ultimately reflect contrasting worldviews with divergent assumptions about the nature of Scripture itself. Skeptical critiques do not necessarily undermine the credibility of the Bible when appropriate interpretive charity and context are applied. Christians further appeal to faith in God’s inspiration and illumination of Scripture through the Spirit’s work in both individual and corporate understanding.