How Did God Call Abraham? Exploring Biblical Contradictions

In this article, you will learn how Acts 7:2 contradicts Genesis 12:1, Genesis 11:31-32, Joshua 24:3 and Nehemiah 9:7. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..

The story of Abraham's call by God has been told and retold through various biblical narratives, but where did it actually happen? Different parts of the Bible seem to give conflicting accounts, leaving us to wonder about the chronological sequence of these events.

According to **Acts 7:2**, God's revelation to Abraham happened in Mesopotamia, prior to any movement to Haran, implying an early divine encounter. But when we look at **Genesis 12:1**, it suggests that the call came after Abraham had settled in Haran, post the death of his father Terah. This presents a foundational confusion: Was Abraham called in Mesopotamia or Haran?

Further adding to the puzzle, **Genesis 11:31-32** narrates that Terah, Abraham's father, was the one who initially led the family to Haran and died there. This implies that Abraham's divine encounter occurred after this move, conflicting with Stephen’s account in Acts which suggests the calling happened before this migration.

**Joshua 24:3** complicates the narrative by indicating that it was God who took Abraham from beyond the River and led him through Canaan. This suggests a more seamless transition into God's plans that may not align with the Acts account of an early call in Mesopotamia.

**Nehemiah 9:7** adds yet another layer by stating that God chose Abraham from Ur of the Chaldees. This choice seems to align more closely with Genesis, and not with the description in Acts, indicating potentially different understandings of Abraham's origins and divine calling.

Each of these accounts can be seen as a different brushstroke in a larger portrait, but they often paint opposing pictures. These contradictions invite us to consider how different traditions understood and conveyed key aspects of Abraham's journey with God.