I'm on a shitty modem (19.2kbps right now I think)--so I just looked at the second link you gave..
Although I can honestly say that I do not know for 100% that there are no 'contradictions' in the Bible--(I'll go on to explain second link), however, I can say with 100% confidence, that it would be something I would be morally, and spirtually--willing to base my entire life on.
To point out one link they gave...(if others are like this--then it applies to them also)
Main point (for people who don't want to go to site) are:
'God sees and knows all things. '
vs.
'God neither sees nor knows all things. '
and uses scripture to point out each incident. To begin with, I believe god 'knows' all and 'sees' all. However, I don't think it's a black and white issue--if you want to turn it into physicalling SEEING vs. God of universe 'seeing' (in a sense knowing) all, then Yes indeed, it does contradict itself. But, this is how I interpret the following:
All of the passages in 'support' of God knowing and 'seeing' all:
Ps.44:21
"For he knoweth the secrets of the heart."
Ps.139:7-8
"Whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there."
Pr.15:3
"The eyes of the Lord are in every place."
Jer.16:17
"For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes."
Jer.23:24
"Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth?"
Acts 1:24
"Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men."
To me, that means that there is nothing outside of the reach of God. He knows all--everything that has ever happened, is happening, and will happen.
and the passages:
Gen.3:8
"And Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord, amongst the trees of the garden."
Gen.4:14
"Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid."
Gen.4:16
"And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden."
Gen.11:5
"And the Lord came down to see the city and the town."
Gen.18:9
"And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent."
Gen.18:17
"And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?"
(just a few)
For the following:
Gen.4:16
"And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden."
Cain is praying to God I believe..talking to him. Saying that he left the presence of God was saying that he stopped talking to him..stopped praying
I really don't feel the need to go into other ones, as everything I read I knew had no real significance.
That page seemed entirely as somehting to argue with the Bible...and thats cool and all--but all it takes is looking at it a little deeper. Is the Bible going to contradict itself in a physical 'seeing' since, compared to an all-knowing-creator-of-the-universe-seeing ...well I suppose so--it looks like it has. Nothing that I would ever change my faith to buddhaism over though. Since I have a brain, I understand that in literature ideas have to be conveyed, and in doing so there may seem like there are contradictions...especially since it's on a much larger 'spiritual' level. Cop out? No, read the Bible in context. If you don't want to take the time...say it contradicts itself, and take on the unitarian belief [img]smile.gif[/img]