Contradiction with Genesis 1:26
This verse mentions man's dominion over animals, contrasting with the demons causing destruction to the herd of swine in Matthew 8:32.
Genesis 1:26: And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Contradiction with Proverbs 12:10
This verse highlights the righteous care for animals, while Matthew 8:32 describes the destruction of animals (swine) without that consideration.
Proverbs 12:10: A righteous [man] regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked [are] cruel. [tender...: or, bowels]
Contradiction with Jonah 4:11
God's concern for animals in Nineveh contrasts with the destruction of the swine in Matthew 8:32 without apparent concern.
Jonah 4:11: And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and [also] much cattle?
Contradiction with Exodus 20:13
"Thou shalt not kill" can be seen as contradicting the destructive outcome for the swine in Matthew 8:32.
Exodus 20:13: Thou shalt not kill.
Contradiction with Isaiah 11:6-9
These verses depict a harmonious existence among all creatures, in contrast to the chaos and destruction of the herd in Matthew 8:32.
Isaiah 11:6-9: The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
Paradox #1
The moral conflict in Matthew 8:32 could be seen in the destruction of property—in this case, the herd of pigs. It raises questions about the value of animal life and the owner's financial loss versus the spiritual welfare of humans. Some may find it inconsistent that the wellbeing of animals and respect for property are seemingly set aside for a human-centered outcome.