Contradiction with Genesis 11:8-9
These verses indicate that God scattered the people over the face of the earth after the construction of the Tower of Babel, which contradicts the notion in Acts 17:26 of a unified origin for all nations.
Genesis 11:8-9: So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
Contradiction with Deuteronomy 32:8
This verse mentions that God divided mankind and set boundaries for the peoples, which appears to differ from the idea of a singular appointed time and habitation for nations in Acts 17:26.
Deuteronomy 32:8: When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.
Contradiction with 1 Kings 8:53
This verse suggests that Israel was set apart from all other peoples, highlighting a distinction rather than unity as expressed in Acts 17:26.
1 Kings 8:53: For thou didst separate them from among all the people of the earth, [to be] thine inheritance, as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord GOD.
Paradox #1
Acts 17:26 might be seen as conflicting with other parts of the Bible regarding the idea of human equality and differences among nations. Some people might argue that it suggests all humans were created equally by God, despite other parts of the Bible that discuss the chosen status of Israel and different roles for various groups. This could lead to differing interpretations about the significance of national and ethnic distinctions in God's plan.
Paradox #2
Acts 17:26 suggests that God made all nations from one man and determined the times and places they should live. Some people might see a contradiction because other parts of the Bible describe different ways humans were created or how nations came to be. For example, the Genesis creation story describes different events, and the Tower of Babel explains how languages and nations spread. These different stories can seem inconsistent with the idea of all nations originating from a single individual. However, interpretations may vary, and some people reconcile these differences by viewing them as complementary rather than contradictory.
Paradox #3
Acts 17:26 suggests that all nations and peoples of the earth originate from one human ancestor. A contradiction or inconsistency with this idea could be found in scientific studies, which show that humans evolved from multiple hominin species over millions of years, leading to a diverse genetic ancestry. This scientific perspective contrasts with the idea of a singular human origin as presented in the verse.
Paradox #4
Some people might see a contradiction in the verse when it talks about all nations being made from one blood or one man. This could be seen as inconsistent with scientific evidence that shows humans evolved over time through a complex process involving many ancestors. The idea of a single starting point for all humans doesn't align with what we know about human evolution.
Paradox #5
The moral conflict could arise from the different interpretations of human equality and diversity. Some might see it as supporting equality since it suggests all humans come from a common origin. Others might argue it has been used to justify division or segregation by emphasizing the boundaries between nations or groups. This can lead to tension between the idea of unity and the existence of societal divisions.