Contradiction with 1 Samuel 28:7
Saul seeks counsel from the witch of Endor, contradicting the prohibition of seeking out a witch or engaging in witchcraft.
1 Samuel 28:7: Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, [there is] a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.
Contradiction with 2 Kings 21:6
Manasseh practices witchcraft and sorcery, acts that are prohibited in Deuteronomy 18:10.
2 Kings 21:6: And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke [him] to anger.
Contradiction with 2 Chronicles 33:6
Again, Manasseh engages in witchcraft and divination, contradicting the ban in Deuteronomy 18:10.
2 Chronicles 33:6: And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
Contradiction with Acts 8:9-11
Simon the sorcerer practices magic, contradicting the prohibition of magic practices in Deuteronomy 18:10.
Acts 8:9-11: But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
Paradox #1
Deuteronomy 18:10 warns against practices like divination, which some readers might find inconsistent if considering stories where prophets or figures receive divine messages or dreams, which could be seen as similar. However, in context, the Bible differentiates between approved and forbidden spiritual practices, distinguishing between direct messages from God and those from other sources.
Paradox #2
Deuteronomy 18:10 advises against practices like divination and sorcery, emphasizing exclusive worship and reliance on God. A perceived contradiction might occur with stories in the Bible where figures, like the Magi in the New Testament, use astrology to find Jesus. This could seem inconsistent with the prohibition of divination. However, the broader context often reconciles these by showing divine intervention or purpose in these narratives.
Paradox #3
The contradiction or conflict might arise from the fact that some practices mentioned as prohibited in ancient times could have been widely accepted or even a part of cultural and religious practices among neighboring communities of the Israelites. This could lead to confusion or inconsistency regarding why certain practices were suddenly forbidden.
Paradox #4
The contradiction in this verse arises from its prohibition of practices like divination and sorcery. From a scientific perspective, these practices are considered pseudoscience, as they lack empirical evidence and do not adhere to the scientific method. Science relies on observable, testable, and repeatable evidence, while practices mentioned in this verse are based on belief and tradition. Therefore, the conflict lies in the differing basis for understanding reality.
Paradox #5
Deuteronomy 18:10 warns against practices like divination and sorcery. A contradiction or conflict might arise when considering other parts of the Bible that describe magic or miraculous acts performed by prophets or leaders, which might seem similar to supernatural acts the verse condemns. This could create confusion or inconsistency regarding what is considered acceptable or divine versus what is forbidden.