HOLY HOAXES: Separating Biblical Facts from Popular Fiction (Part 2)

There are many misconceptions about the Bible that people assume are true simply because they sound familiar. These details often come from long-held traditions, so they are commonly accepted as fact without careful examination. Here is the second part of HOLY HOAXES. 

HOAX 8: Noah brought only a pair of each kind.

BIBLE FACT: It is a common belief that Noah was instructed to bring only one pair of every kind of animal, but this is not entirely accurate. God commanded Noah in Genesis 7:2–3: “Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and his mate, and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and his mate, and seven pairs of the birds of the heavens also, male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the face of all the earth.” The instruction clearly shows that Noah was to bring seven pairs of animals considered clean and only one pair of those considered unclean. (In those days, an animal was deemed “clean” if it was acceptable as a sacrifice.) He was also commanded to bring seven pairs of each kind of bird.

HOAX 9: God changed the name of Saul to Paul.

BIBLE FACT: The apostle’s actual name was Saul Paul (Greek: Saulos Paulos). There is no passage stating that God changed Saul’s name when he became a believer. However, it is clear that he was also called Paul (Acts 13:9). Roman citizens during that time normally had three names, and Jews who were Roman citizens often used a local name as well. In this case, his local name was Saul, likely chosen in honor of King Saul—the only Israelite ruler who also came from the tribe of Benjamin (see Romans 11:1; Philippians 3:5). Luke began using his Greek name, Paul, in his narrative when the apostle started his ministry to the Gentiles.

HOAX 10: Jesus never gets angry.

BIBLE FACT: The Bible describes Jesus as gentle (Matthew 11:29; 2 Corinthians 10:1), yet it also records moments when He became angry. He was angered by the religious leaders who condemned His healing on the Sabbath (Mark 3:1–5). He grew upset when the disciples tried to keep children from coming to Him (Mark 10:13–16). Christ was clearly angry when He cleared the Temple (John 2:13–17; Matthew 21:12–13). These are just a few events that reveal His deep and righteous emotion. Even in His anger, however, Christ never sinned (Hebrews 4:15).

HOAX 11: Adam and Eve only had three children: Cain, Abel, and Seth.

BIBLE FACT:  Cain, Abel, and Seth are the only named children of Adam and Eve, but they had many other sons and daughters who were not identified by name (Genesis 5:4). The Bible is selective in its content, and it does not record the names of these additional children because they are not essential to the unfolding narrative of Genesis.

HOAX 12: Satan rules in Hell.

BIBLE FACT: There is no single passage in Scripture that says Hell is Satan’s kingdom. Jesus clearly stated that Hell—the eternal fire—was prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). In other words, Satan does not rule in Hell; he will be punished there. On Judgment Day, Satan and all his followers will be thrown into the lake of fire, where “they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).

HOAX 13: There was no woman prophet in the Bible.

BIBLE FACT: Although men were typically given the responsibility of serving as prophets, the Bible makes it clear that God also raised up women prophets—prophetesses—to speak on His behalf. In the Old Testament, at least five women are specifically called prophets: Miriam, the sister of Moses (Exodus 15:20); Deborah (Judges 4:4); Huldah (2 Kings 22:14); Noadiah (Nehemiah 6:14); and the unnamed wife of Isaiah (Isaiah 8:3). In the New Testament, Anna is identified as a prophetess (Luke 2:36), and Luke also mentions the four virgin daughters of Philip who prophesied (Acts 21:8-9).

HOAX: 14: Money is the root of all evil.

BIBLE FACT: The Bible never teaches that money itself is evil, but rather that the love of money is. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:10). When it comes to money alone, Scripture never calls it sinful. The real issue lies in human greed—how a person obtains wealth and how it is used. To claim that money itself is evil is unreasonable, for the Bible contains many passages that give clear instruction on how to handle and steward finances wisely.

Stay Curious.