THE ATHEIST'S COMPLAINT:
What's new? Ecclesiastes 1:9 tells us "There is nothing new under the sun", but several other verses speak about some things that are new (Isaiah 43:19; 65:17; Jeremiah 31:22; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1). Is there a contradiction?

RESPONSE:
Solomon said, "That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun." First, the phrase "under the sun" in the book of Ecclesiastes consistently refers to that which takes place in the course of life upon this earth. Let us consider whether the "new" things in the list of texts given are contradictory to Solomon's statement.

Revelation 21:1; 2 Peter 3:13; Isaiah 65:17 – the "new heavens and new earth" are not something which is "under the sun", but is a reference to the spiritual dwelling of God's people in eternity.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – the "new creation" is in reference to our spiritual life; in Christ we are made alive spiritually.

Jeremiah 31:33 – If the word "new" is in this text, it must be hiding in my Bible. But, though the word is not there, it is quoted in Hebrews 8, and there referred to as a "new covenant" (8:8-13) It is not "new" in the sense that no law or covenant had been given before, but that this is a second covenant, which would replace the former (ie. we are today subject to the New Testament, not the Old Testament).

Isaiah 43:19 – This is similar to the use of the word "new" discussed above in Hebrews 8. In Isaiah 43:16-17, Israel's deliverance from Egypt is discussed. Their deliverance from Babylon would replace the former (Jeremiah 23:7-8). It is not "new" in that deliverance had not happened before, but this is a "new" (modern) deliverance.

There is no contradiction.

This article is a response to Skeptic's Annotated Bible

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