The Bible—one of the most read, quoted, and debated books in human history—has shaped the world in ways few other texts ever could. For billions, it’s the Word of God, a sacred guide to truth, morality, and salvation. But for others, it’s a complex mix of history, myth, interpretation, and, yes—possible lies or contradictions.
Before you get defensive or overly excited, let’s be clear: this isn’t about attacking faith. It’s about exploring what’s really in the Bible, how human hands shaped it, and why so many hidden truths have remained buried for centuries. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, understanding these “hidden facts” can open your eyes to a deeper, more realistic view of what the Bible actually is.
1. Is the Bible Really the Word of God?
Let’s start with the big question: Is the Bible literally the Word of God?
Most Christians are taught that it is—that every word was divinely inspired, written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. But here’s where things get tricky. The Bible wasn’t written by one person or even in one era. It’s a collection of 66 books (or more, depending on your tradition), written by around 40 different authors over a period of more than 1,500 years.
These writers lived in different cultures, spoke different languages (mainly Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek), and often had very different worldviews. The idea that every verse came straight from the mouth of God—without cultural bias, translation issues, or political editing—doesn’t quite hold up under scrutiny.
That doesn’t mean it’s all lies. It means that the Bible is a human record of divine experiences, written through the lens of history and interpretation. Once you understand that, everything starts to make more sense.
2. Lost Books and Secret Edits
Did you know that dozens of ancient writings once considered “scripture” were later removed from the Bible?
Yes, the Bible you read today isn’t the full story. There are lost books, forbidden texts, and alternate gospels that were intentionally left out by early church leaders. Some examples include:
- The Book of Enoch—Describes angels, demons, and fallen spirits but was excluded for being too “mystical.”
- The Gospel of Thomas—A collection of Jesus’ sayings that emphasize spiritual self-discovery rather than church authority.
- The Book of Jubilees and The Shepherd of Hermas—both were widely read by early Christians but later labeled “non-canonical.”
Why were they removed? Politics, mostly. The early Church wanted to create a unified doctrine. That meant choosing books that supported their version of Christianity—and leaving out anything that didn’t.
So when people claim the Bible is the “unchanging Word of God,” they’re missing a key fact: the Bible has changed, many times. Different denominations (Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, etc.) even have different versions of it.
3. Translation Confusion: Lost in Language
Here’s something most people never think about: the Bible has been translated and retranslated thousands of times.
The original texts were written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek—languages rich in metaphor and cultural nuance. When translators worked on versions like the Latin Vulgate or the King James Bible, they often had to make judgment calls on what certain words meant.
For example:
- The Hebrew word “alma” in Isaiah 7:14 can mean “young woman” or “virgin.” Translators chose “virgin,” shaping the prophecy of Jesus’ virgin birth.
- In Genesis, the word “adam” can mean “man” or “humanity,” changing how we understand the creation story.
- The Greek term “hades” was often translated as “hell,” even though it originally referred to the realm of the dead, not eternal torture.
Each of these small choices changed theology. So when people argue over what “God’s Word says,” they might be basing it on human translation decisions, not divine intent.
4. Contradictions and Historical Errors
One of the most eye-opening discoveries for many Bible readers is how many contradictions appear in the text.
Here are just a few examples:
- Creation accounts: Genesis 1 says humans were created after animals. Genesis 2 says man was created before animals.
- Noah’s animals: One passage says Noah took two of every kind; another says seven pairs of “clean” animals.
- The death of Judas: Matthew says he hanged himself. Acts says he fell and his body burst open.
- The resurrection stories: Each Gospel describes different people, angels, and events at Jesus’ tomb.
Some believers explain these away as “different perspectives.” Others see them as evidence that the Bible reflects human memory—imperfect, sometimes inconsistent, but still meaningful.
Historically, too, some stories in the Bible don’t align with known facts. Archaeologists, for instance, have found no evidence of millions of Israelites wandering the desert for 40 years. Likewise, the global flood described in Genesis doesn’t fit with geological evidence—though local floods may have inspired the tale.
5. Borrowed Stories: Myths Before the Bible
Another hidden truth: many Bible stories existed long before the Bible itself.
The story of a great flood appears in the Epic of Gilgamesh, a Mesopotamian text written centuries before Genesis. The idea of a virgin-born savior? Found in Egyptian, Greek, and Persian mythologies. Even the concept of heaven, hell, and divine judgment has roots in earlier civilizations.
That doesn’t mean the Bible copied these myths word-for-word—but it does show that ancient writers were influenced by the cultures around them. They adapted familiar stories to express their own understanding of God.
In short, the Bible wasn’t written in a vacuum. It was part of a much bigger spiritual and cultural conversation happening across the ancient world.
6. The Role of Politics in Shaping Scripture
Perhaps the biggest “hidden fact” about the Bible is how deeply politics shaped it.
In the 4th century AD, Emperor Constantine made Christianity the state religion of Rome. To unite the empire under one faith, church leaders gathered at councils (like Nicaea) to decide which writings would be “official.” Books that didn’t fit the political or theological agenda were labeled heresy.
This process wasn’t about divine inspiration—it was about control. A unified Bible meant a unified church, which meant a unified empire.
Later, translations like the King James Version (1611) were commissioned by monarchs who wanted to reinforce royal authority. Some wordings were even adjusted to make obedience to kings seem like a godly duty.
So, while many people see the Bible as purely spiritual, its history is full of very human power plays.
7. The Bible and Slavery, Misogyny, and War
Let’s be real—not everything in the Bible sounds “holy” by today’s standards.
There are verses that seem to support slavery, patriarchy, and even genocide.
- Exodus 21 gives rules for buying and beating slaves.
- 1 Timothy 2:12 says women should not teach or have authority over men.
- In Joshua, God supposedly commands the Israelites to wipe out entire cities, including children.
How do we reconcile that with the idea of a loving, merciful God?
Some argue these verses reflect the culture of the time, not God’s timeless will. Others believe they were human insertions—man’s words, not God’s.
Modern theology increasingly recognizes that not everything in the Bible is meant to be taken literally. The message of love, justice, and compassion stands out—while oppressive or violent passages are seen as products of their time.
8. The Hidden Teachings of Jesus
If there’s one part of the Bible that feels both revolutionary and misunderstood, it’s the teachings of Jesus.
Many scholars believe the true message of Jesus was far simpler—and more spiritual—than what institutional religion later made it. He spoke about the Kingdom of God within, forgiveness, and unconditional love. He challenged the religious elites and spoke directly to the poor, the outcast, and the broken.
Yet, as the Church grew, some of his teachings were softened, reinterpreted, or even silenced. For example, early Christian writings (like the Gospel of Mary) show Jesus teaching equality between men and women—a message the later Church didn’t want spreading.
So, while the Bible preserves much of Jesus’ wisdom, it also filters it through layers of church editing and dogma. The hidden truth may be that Jesus came to free people from religion itself—not create another one.
9. The Fear Factor: Why Lies Persist
Why would religious institutions allow or even promote these distortions? One word: control.
For centuries, religious leaders held immense power. People couldn’t read or interpret the Bible for themselves—they had to rely on priests, bishops, and pastors to tell them what God supposedly wanted.
Fear was a powerful tool. The threat of hell, excommunication, or divine wrath kept people obedient. And because questioning scripture was seen as heresy, many never dared to challenge the system.
Even today, some religious circles discourage open questioning, claiming that “doubt is sin.” But true faith isn’t blind obedience—it’s the courage to seek truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.
10. Finding Truth Beyond the Lies
So, with all these contradictions, edits, and hidden agendas, should we just throw the Bible away? Absolutely not.
Despite its flaws, the Bible still holds incredible wisdom. It speaks of forgiveness, love, justice, and the human search for meaning. The problem isn’t the book itself—it’s how people have used it.
If you read it with awareness—understanding its historical context, translations, and biases—you can find genuine spiritual truth in its pages. But you have to be willing to look deeper than tradition.
God (whatever name you use) isn’t confined to one book. The divine truth runs through history, nature, and your own heart. The Bible is just one lens—not the only one.
11. The Real Hidden Fact: The Bible Mirrors Us
Here’s something powerful to consider: maybe the Bible’s contradictions and complexities aren’t mistakes at all. Maybe they reflect humanity itself.
It’s a book written by people—people with love, faith, fear, bias, and hope. In that sense, the Bible is like a mirror, showing both our light and our darkness.
When it speaks of betrayal, suffering, and redemption, it’s speaking about us. When it talks about God’s love, it’s reminding us what we’re capable of.
So instead of seeing it as a flawless divine manual, maybe we should see it as a spiritual diary of humanity’s relationship with God—messy, evolving, and profoundly real.
Conclusion: The Truth Behind the Lies
So, what are the “lies in the Bible”?
They’re not necessarily deliberate falsehoods, but distortions, omissions, and misunderstandings—products of translation, politics, and human limitation. The real “hidden facts” aren’t about secret conspiracies; they’re about learning to see the Bible for what it is: a powerful, ancient document that carries both divine insight and human error.
To find truth, we don’t need to worship the Bible—we need to understand it. The more we question, research, and reflect, the closer we come to the spiritual truth hidden behind the words.
Because in the end, faith isn’t about believing every line blindly. It’s about seeking the divine essence that shines through even the imperfections.
Maybe that’s the greatest secret of all: God’s truth was never meant to be trapped in a book—it lives in you.