Contradiction with Job 21:7
James 5:17 talks about Elijah praying earnestly for it not to rain, which implies a righteous man having influence over natural events. Job 21:7 questions why the wicked live and become mighty, seemingly contradicting the notion that righteousness directly influences worldly outcomes.
Job 21:7: Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?
Contradiction with Psalm 73:3
James 5:17 emphasizes the power of a righteous person’s prayer, while Psalm 73:3 reflects on the prosperity of the wicked, suggesting that unrighteous individuals can also thrive, challenging the straightforward effectiveness of righteousness in altering circumstances.
Psalm 73:3: For I was envious at the foolish, [when] I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Contradiction with Ecclesiastes 8:14
James 5:17 shows a righteous man controlling weather through prayer, whereas Ecclesiastes 8:14 observes the righteous suffering despite their goodness, contradicting the idea that the moral status directly affects worldly conditions.
Ecclesiastes 8:14: There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just [men], unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked [men], to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also [is] vanity.
Contradiction with Matthew 5:45
James 5:17 presents a scenario where a righteous man’s prayers control rainfall, whereas Matthew 5:45 explains that God makes the sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and unjust alike, indicating that weather is impartial to moral status.
Matthew 5:45: That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Paradox #1
The conflict with "James 5:17" could be related to the occurrence of weather manipulation through prayer. Scientifically, weather patterns are understood to be driven by atmospheric conditions and physical laws, not influenced by human desires or prayers. This challenges the idea that someone could cause it not to rain through prayer, as it contradicts the natural explanation of weather processes.