Contradiction with Matthew 17:20
This verse suggests that even a small amount of faith, as small as a mustard seed, is sufficient for miracles, whereas Mark 9:24 expresses an acknowledgment of unbelief and a request for help in fostering faith.
Matthew 17:20: And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Contradiction with James 1:6
This verse implies that faith must be unwavering and without doubt to receive anything from the Lord, contrasting with the acknowledgment of doubt or unbelief in Mark 9:24.
James 1:6: But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Contradiction with Hebrews 11:6
Here, it states that without faith it is impossible to please God, suggesting a more absolute requirement of faith compared to the struggle with unbelief that is expressed in Mark 9:24.
Hebrews 11:6: But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Contradiction with Matthew 14:31
In this verse, Jesus directly chastises Peter for his doubt, which could contrast with the compassionate response to the man's declaration of unbelief in Mark 9:24.
Matthew 14:31: And immediately Jesus stretched forth [his] hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Contradiction with John 20:27
In this verse, Jesus challenges Thomas to stop doubting and believe, indicating a more direct call to faith contrasted with the plea for help with unbelief seen in Mark 9:24.
John 20:27: Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust [it] into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
Contradiction with James 1:8
This verse describes a double-minded person as unstable in all ways, contrasting with Mark 9:24, which shows a willingness to confront and admit doubt.
James 1:8: A double minded man [is] unstable in all his ways.
Paradox #1
The potential theological conflict might arise from the expression of both belief and unbelief simultaneously. It could challenge the idea of faith being unwavering or absolute, as it shows that someone can believe and yet still struggle with doubt at the same time. This could seem inconsistent with teachings that emphasize the necessity of having strong, doubt-free faith.
Paradox #2
Mark 9:24 may present a contradiction by highlighting the tension between faith and doubt. The verse shows a person's struggle to believe while also feeling uncertain. This could be seen as inconsistent because it suggests that faith and doubt can coexist, which some might find confusing since faith is often understood as the absence of doubt.