Contradiction with James 1:6-7
These verses emphasize the need for unwavering faith in prayer, implying that doubts make one unstable and unlikely to receive anything, contrasting with Matthew 17:20's notion that even small faith can move mountains.
James 1:6-7: 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 2 Corinthians 5:7
This verse states that believers walk by faith and not by sight, indicating a contradiction by suggesting living with absolute faith, different from the small faith moving mountains in Matthew 17:20.
2 Corinthians 5:7: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Contradiction with Mark 6:5-6
Here, Jesus could do no mighty work due to the people's unbelief, contradicting Matthew 17:20 by suggesting that external unbelief can limit divine acts, irrespective of any small faith present.
Mark 6:5-6: And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed [them].
Paradox #1
One potential contradiction with this verse could be related to the nature of faith and prayer. The verse suggests that if one has faith as small as a mustard seed, they can perform miraculous acts. Some might find this in conflict with the reality that people with strong faith still face challenges that seem insurmountable, and prayers sometimes go unanswered despite sincere belief. This could raise questions about the relationship between faith, divine intervention, and human experience.
Paradox #2
Matthew 17:20 talks about faith having the power to do great things. A potential contradiction or conflict could arise when comparing this idea with other passages where faith alone does not seem to achieve desired outcomes or when actions contradict beliefs. Some might see a conflict between the idea of faith being able to move mountains and real-life situations where believers face challenges despite their faith. However, others interpret these passages as emphasizing different aspects of faith or using figurative language.
Paradox #3
Some people see a contradiction between Matthew 17:20, which talks about faith moving mountains, and real-life experiences since having faith doesn't literally allow people to move mountains. This can lead to debates on whether the verse should be understood literally or symbolically. Some argue that this creates an inconsistency in the expectations of faith's power.
Paradox #4
The contradiction in this verse is the idea of moving a mountain with just faith. Scientifically, moving a mountain would require a significant amount of physical force, engineering, and technology, not just belief or faith alone. Science relies on natural laws and forces, whereas this verse suggests that faith can directly influence physical reality in an extraordinary way, which is not supported by scientific evidence.
Paradox #5
The contradiction or inconsistency in this verse could be seen if one interprets it literally. It suggests that having faith can accomplish anything, even physically impossible feats. This may conflict with the understanding that faith, while powerful, doesn't always result in miraculous outcomes in the real world, particularly when praying for things that defy natural laws. This can lead to confusion about the realistic expectations of faith and its actual influence on physical realities.