This is a rebuttal to the 1st alleged Bible contradiction

Question #1: Can God be seen by humans?

Question #1 (restated): Is it possible for God to be seen by humans?

So, first I will answer the question, then state the relevant verses that Mr. Evans
gave us, and then give my explanation.

My answer

Absolutely it is possible for a human (i.e., a mortal man) to see God. Seeing God
or seeing a manifestation of God is called a theophany. There are two broad kinds
of theophanies: Those that will kill you, and those that will not. The former are those
in which the full glory of God (or special 'light' about God) is manifest, and the latter
are those that it is not.

Before I can continue, I need to define the word 'theophany' more nuanced.

A theophany is the direct appearance of God to a human, or the appearance/manifestation
by proxy of God to a human. By 'direct appearance' I mean that God takes the form of a
human or an angel or of God in His supernatural form. By the appearance of God by proxy
I mean a manifestation of God, but not in humanoid form, such as in a burning bush, pillar
of fire, or a whirlwind [Job 38:1]. God can also demonstrate His presence by merely
speaking to those at some place, such as at the baptism of Jesus. The source of this voice
can be from a cloud or from thin air. The Holy Spirit can appear as a dove.

Lastly, I need to mention that God can miraculously intervene or interact with a human,
without manifesting Himself in some corporeal form or speaking, although this last form
of manifestation would not technically be called a theophany. An example would be when
Philip was transported instantly away from the Ethiopian Eunuch after the baptism [Acts 8:39].

Okay, now for the verses Evans presented for him to make his claim.

In the 'yes' category, we have

Genesis 18:1. 32:30, Exodus 33:11.

And in the 'no' category, we have

John 1:18, 1 John 4:12, 1 Timothy 6:16.

Okay, let's have a look at these verses. We'll begin with those in favor of a possible
theophany:

And the Lord appeared unto him [Abraham] in the plains of Mamre: and he sat
in the tent door in the heat of the day -- Genesis 18:1
28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a
prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. 29 And Jacob
asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is
it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. 30 And Jacob called
the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is
preserved. -- Genesis 32:28-30
Now, there is the possibility that Jacob was mistaken about having seen God face
to face, but I think not (i.e., it could have been an angel of God). I believe
that this is a genuine theophany-- Jesus as a pre-incarnate manifestation. And
maybe that is why he was reluctant to give his name.
9 And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar
descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses.
10 And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the
people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door. 11 And the Lord spake unto
Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the
camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the
tabernacle. -- Exodus 33:9-11
However, let's add some more verses from that chapter.
17 And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken:
for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. 18 And he said, I
beseech thee, shew me thy glory. 19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass
before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be
gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
21 And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:
22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a
clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: 23 And I will
take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.
-- Exodus 33:17-23

This theophany is widely considered to be a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus in the
Old Testament times. It was much like His post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to His
disciples, whom He met while they were on their way to the village of Emmaus. [Luke 24:13-32]

The transfiguration of Jesus was an 'inferior' type of this manifestation than God gave to
Moses. I say inferior because, in its fullness, it did not, and apparently could not,
kill Peter, James, and John. They could look on Him after a fashion but likely not
for very long. [Matthew 17:1-6]

Now for those verses against a theophany:

No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the
bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. -- John 1:18
No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us,
and his love is perfected in us. -- 1 John 4:12
Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto;
whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
-- 1 Timothy 6:16

So, it could be that Paul is telling us that no mortal man has seen God in His light
or glory. But Paul himself said that God was manifest in the flesh and seen of people!

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest
in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the
Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. -- 1 Timothy 3:16

We are forced to conclude that God can appear to man both in His glory and
without His glory.

So, will I accept that the Apostle John said that humans can't see God?
Absolutely not! John takes a very similar approach to this dichotomy as does Paul.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
.
.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory,
the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. [John 1:1-5,14]

I'm sure that Mr. Evans will have none of my consisticizing, as he has already stated
the need for absolute perfection in the Bible for it to be credible. It's all perfect
or nothing. Well, that's his decision. But for the rest of us, may I remind you that
Jesus said that it is unwise for us to strain at a gnat, yet swallow a camel [Matthew 23:24].
Please remember to keep the small things small, and the big things big.

Question 2: Is salvation through faith or works?

Remember this: The righteous are mindful of the poor and help them; the wicked do not! (Proverbs 29:7)

You either get control of your lusts and feelings of entitlements or they will get control of you. -- Ilfinor