From Wayne Jackson’s book. Where we are going the rest of the quarter: Where we are going the rest of the quarter: – The Bible & Astronomy – The Bible

From Wayne From Wayne Jackson’s Jackson’s

bookbook

Is the Bible Scientifically Credible?Is the Bible Scientifically Credible?

• Where we are going the rest of the quarter:Where we are going the rest of the quarter:– The Bible & AstronomyThe Bible & Astronomy– The Bible & OceanographyThe Bible & Oceanography– The Bible & GeologyThe Bible & Geology– The Bible & BiologyThe Bible & Biology– The Bible & AnthropologyThe Bible & Anthropology– The Bible & Anatomy-PhysiologyThe Bible & Anatomy-Physiology– The Amazing Human MindThe Amazing Human Mind– The Bible & Modern PsychologyThe Bible & Modern Psychology– The Bible & ArchaeologyThe Bible & Archaeology


• IntroductionIntroduction– Various views of the BibleVarious views of the Bible• Strictly a human document Strictly a human document – respectable with age but – respectable with age but

certainly not inspired of Godcertainly not inspired of God• Has some sense of “divinity” but not entirely the Word of Has some sense of “divinity” but not entirely the Word of

God God – may contain sacred truth, but also has admixture of – may contain sacred truth, but also has admixture of purely human ideologypurely human ideology

• Acknowledge that the Scriptures are verbally inspired Acknowledge that the Scriptures are verbally inspired – the – the infallible Word of God (as it claims to be, 2 Tim. 3:16-17)infallible Word of God (as it claims to be, 2 Tim. 3:16-17)– Whenever the Bible touches on a subject, it is accurate!Whenever the Bible touches on a subject, it is accurate!– If God is the Author of nature & the Source of the Scriptures, If God is the Author of nature & the Source of the Scriptures,

the two will be in harmony, for He is not a God of confusion the two will be in harmony, for He is not a God of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33).(1 Cor. 14:33).


• The Bible: Scientifically Accurate But Not a TextbookThe Bible: Scientifically Accurate But Not a Textbook– Scriptures not designed as a textbook on scienceScriptures not designed as a textbook on science– But that does not mean, as some convey, that the But that does not mean, as some convey, that the

Bible is scientifically vulnerable or contains outmoded Bible is scientifically vulnerable or contains outmoded “scientific” data. “scientific” data.

– When Scriptures incidentally touch on issues relating When Scriptures incidentally touch on issues relating to scientific themes (even mathematics), we have to scientific themes (even mathematics), we have every right to expect it will be without error.every right to expect it will be without error.

– No math errors; no scientific errors.No math errors; no scientific errors.


• The Bible’s Scientific PrecisionThe Bible’s Scientific Precision– The Biblical record is always consistent with the The Biblical record is always consistent with the

discoveries of science, although completed 2,000 discoveries of science, although completed 2,000 years ago.years ago.• Cannot be said for any modern textbook on scienceCannot be said for any modern textbook on science• Current science books will be obsolete within a few yearsCurrent science books will be obsolete within a few years• George Gamow’s 2George Gamow’s 2ndnd Edition of Edition of Biography of the EarthBiography of the Earth

(1948) began with this special preface correcting errors in (1948) began with this special preface correcting errors in the first edition: “Many changes have taken place [during the first edition: “Many changes have taken place [during the past seven years] in our ideas concerning the origin of the past seven years] in our ideas concerning the origin of the planetary system.”the planetary system.”


• The Bible’s Scientific PrecisionThe Bible’s Scientific Precision– The BIBLE says, “In the beginning God created the The BIBLE says, “In the beginning God created the

heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1) heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1) • The Bible, as always, is scientifically precise!The Bible, as always, is scientifically precise!• The Second Law of Thermodynamics asserts that The Second Law of Thermodynamics asserts that

everything is “running down.” It must have been, everything is “running down.” It must have been, therefore, “wound up” at some point in the past.therefore, “wound up” at some point in the past.

• However, many have argued (and still do) that the universe However, many have argued (and still do) that the universe is eternal – that there never was a time when it did not is eternal – that there never was a time when it did not exist. The Bible is always right; man is not.exist. The Bible is always right; man is not.


• The Bible’s Scientific PrecisionThe Bible’s Scientific Precision– The BIBLE says, “Thus the heavens and the earth, and The BIBLE says, “Thus the heavens and the earth, and

all the host of them, were finished. And on the all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work” (Gen. 2:1-2).seventh day God ended His work” (Gen. 2:1-2).• The Bible, as always, is scientifically precise! The Bible, as always, is scientifically precise! • The First Law of Thermodynamics asserts that, according to The First Law of Thermodynamics asserts that, according to

present processes, matter is not being created now present processes, matter is not being created now (further suggesting it cannot (further suggesting it cannot create itselfcreate itself). It may be ). It may be altered in form (a solid to a gas) but not created or altered in form (a solid to a gas) but not created or destroyed.destroyed.

• However, Bertrand Russell (1957) stated, “There is no However, Bertrand Russell (1957) stated, “There is no reason why the world could not have come into being reason why the world could not have come into being without a cause; nor, on the other hand, is there any without a cause; nor, on the other hand, is there any reason why it should not have always existed.” The Bible is reason why it should not have always existed.” The Bible is always right; man is not.always right; man is not.


• The Bible’s Scientific PrecisionThe Bible’s Scientific Precision– The BIBLE says, “[God] made The BIBLE says, “[God] made of oneof one every nation of every nation of

men to dwell on all the face of the earth” (Ac. 17:26).men to dwell on all the face of the earth” (Ac. 17:26).• The Bible, as always, is scientifically precise! The expression The Bible, as always, is scientifically precise! The expression

“of one” translates the Greek, which literally means “out of “of one” translates the Greek, which literally means “out of one male.” The Bible affirmed that the entire human family one male.” The Bible affirmed that the entire human family was descended from one man, Adam.was descended from one man, Adam.

• It is now scientifically known that there is a basic physical It is now scientifically known that there is a basic physical unity shared by all ethnicities, but it wasn’t always believed.unity shared by all ethnicities, but it wasn’t always believed.

• In ancient Greek ideology, the Athenians claimed to be an In ancient Greek ideology, the Athenians claimed to be an indigenous people – a special creation, and all others were indigenous people – a special creation, and all others were considered barbarian (cf. Rom. 1:14).considered barbarian (cf. Rom. 1:14).

• Charles Darwin, the “father” of modern evolutionism, Charles Darwin, the “father” of modern evolutionism, argued that the “Caucasian races” are superior.argued that the “Caucasian races” are superior.

• Adolf Hitler believed in the notion of the “master” race.Adolf Hitler believed in the notion of the “master” race.


• The Bible’s Scientific PrecisionThe Bible’s Scientific Precision– The BIBLE says, “[God] made The BIBLE says, “[God] made of oneof one every nation of every nation of

men to dwell on all the face of the earth” (Ac. 17:26).men to dwell on all the face of the earth” (Ac. 17:26).• The Bible, as always, is scientifically precise! The expression The Bible, as always, is scientifically precise! The expression

“of one” translates the Greek, which literally means “out of “of one” translates the Greek, which literally means “out of one male.” The Bible affirmed that the entire human family one male.” The Bible affirmed that the entire human family was descended from one man, Adam.was descended from one man, Adam.

• It is now scientifically known that there is a basic physical It is now scientifically known that there is a basic physical unity shared by all ethnicities, but it wasn’t always believed.unity shared by all ethnicities, but it wasn’t always believed.

• As late as WWII, the US Red Cross segregated blood by race.As late as WWII, the US Red Cross segregated blood by race.• ““All the ethnic groups of man must have originated from a All the ethnic groups of man must have originated from a

single ancestral stock…the more we study the different single ancestral stock…the more we study the different groups of man the more alike they turn out to be” groups of man the more alike they turn out to be” (Evolutionary anthropologist Dr. Ashley Montague, 1960).(Evolutionary anthropologist Dr. Ashley Montague, 1960).

• The Bible is always right; man is not.The Bible is always right; man is not.


• Alleged InaccuraciesAlleged Inaccuracies– Alleged: Bible suggests there is a firm vault in the Alleged: Bible suggests there is a firm vault in the

heavens that holds back the waters (from the KJV of heavens that holds back the waters (from the KJV of Genesis 1:6, “And God said, ‘Let there be a firmament Genesis 1:6, “And God said, ‘Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters’”).in the midst of the waters’”).

– Mistaken notion traced back to the Septuagint in the Mistaken notion traced back to the Septuagint in the 33rdrd Century B.C. Century B.C.

– The Hebrew word simply means an “expanse”; it does The Hebrew word simply means an “expanse”; it does not imply a “solid” sky, as has been alleged.not imply a “solid” sky, as has been alleged.


• Alleged InaccuraciesAlleged Inaccuracies– Alleged: Bible contains references to the “unicorn,” a Alleged: Bible contains references to the “unicorn,” a

mere mythical animal (cf. Num. 23:22, KJV).mere mythical animal (cf. Num. 23:22, KJV).– It is another matter of inaccurate translation.It is another matter of inaccurate translation.– It is now known that the Hebrew word in this context It is now known that the Hebrew word in this context

refers to a species of extinct wild ox, and not to the refers to a species of extinct wild ox, and not to the legendary “unicorn.”legendary “unicorn.”


• Alleged InaccuraciesAlleged Inaccuracies– Alleged: Scriptures contain a scientific blunder when Alleged: Scriptures contain a scientific blunder when

they refer to the “four corners of the earth” (cf. Rev. they refer to the “four corners of the earth” (cf. Rev. 7:1).7:1).

– Supposedly this is a mistake from those days when Supposedly this is a mistake from those days when men believed the earth was flat.men believed the earth was flat.

– The Biblical phrase is simply a figurative expression The Biblical phrase is simply a figurative expression for the extremities of the earth (used even in years for the extremities of the earth (used even in years past by the U.S. Marine Corps).past by the U.S. Marine Corps).

– Isaiah spoke of God sitting about the “circle of the Isaiah spoke of God sitting about the “circle of the earth” (40:22). Scholars note that the Hebrew word earth” (40:22). Scholars note that the Hebrew word for “circle” is compatible with the notion of the earth for “circle” is compatible with the notion of the earth as a sphere.as a sphere.


• False Science Not in the BibleFalse Science Not in the Bible– Science books, which reflect the “science” of their Science books, which reflect the “science” of their

day, have to be revised and rewritten every few years. day, have to be revised and rewritten every few years. It would be unthinkable to use a science text It would be unthinkable to use a science text published just ten years ago. “Science” changes, and published just ten years ago. “Science” changes, and yesterday’s science is frequently today’s superstition.yesterday’s science is frequently today’s superstition.

– The Bible does not incorporate into its records the The Bible does not incorporate into its records the pseudo-science of the antique world. Surely this is pseudo-science of the antique world. Surely this is evidence of its divine character.evidence of its divine character.


• False Science Not in the BibleFalse Science Not in the Bible– Aristotle said the brain is a “compound of earth and Aristotle said the brain is a “compound of earth and

water” and that the human brain “is larger in men water” and that the human brain “is larger in men than in women.” It isn’t. He also said that the than in women.” It isn’t. He also said that the “region of the heart in man is hotter” than in animals. “region of the heart in man is hotter” than in animals. Actually, most birds and many mammals have Actually, most birds and many mammals have warmer internal heat than humans.warmer internal heat than humans.

– Why don’t we find any of these kinds of ideas in the Why don’t we find any of these kinds of ideas in the Bible? If the brilliant philosopher Aristotle could miss Bible? If the brilliant philosopher Aristotle could miss a detail or two, why doesn’t the Bible?a detail or two, why doesn’t the Bible?


• False Science Not in the BibleFalse Science Not in the Bible– In the famous In the famous Papyrus Ebers, Papyrus Ebers, a medical text written in a medical text written in

Egypt in 16Egypt in 16thth century B.C., there is a prescription to century B.C., there is a prescription to prevent losing one’s hair: “When it falls out, one prevent losing one’s hair: “When it falls out, one remedy is to apply a mixture of six fats, namely those remedy is to apply a mixture of six fats, namely those of the horse, hippopotamus, the crocodile, the cat, of the horse, hippopotamus, the crocodile, the cat, the snake, and the ibex. To strengthen it, anoint with the snake, and the ibex. To strengthen it, anoint with the tooth of a donkey crushed in honey” (quoted in the tooth of a donkey crushed in honey” (quoted in McMillen).McMillen).

– Why don’t we find any of these kinds of ancient Why don’t we find any of these kinds of ancient remedies in the Bible? If the medical experts could remedies in the Bible? If the medical experts could miss a detail or two, why doesn’t the Bible?miss a detail or two, why doesn’t the Bible?


• False Science Not in the BibleFalse Science Not in the Bible– Even though Moses was raised in Egypt and was Even though Moses was raised in Egypt and was

“instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” (Acts “instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” (Acts 7:22), when he penned the Pentateuch, he 7:22), when he penned the Pentateuch, he incorporated no antique superstition.incorporated no antique superstition.

– In reality, the OT is astoundingly ahead of its time. In reality, the OT is astoundingly ahead of its time. Even the very sanitation regulations (which Even the very sanitation regulations (which presuppose the existence of “germs”) cannot be presuppose the existence of “germs”) cannot be explained except by the fact that God was behind the explained except by the fact that God was behind the message.message.


• ConclusionConclusion– Man might argue that the Bible is scientifically Man might argue that the Bible is scientifically

flawed. Or he might flippantly quip (to compromise flawed. Or he might flippantly quip (to compromise the integrity of Scripture), “Oh, the Bible is not a book the integrity of Scripture), “Oh, the Bible is not a book of science.”of science.”

– The Christian must rise to a defense of the flawless The Christian must rise to a defense of the flawless character of the sacred record.character of the sacred record.

– While man makes mistakes and while man’s ideas While man makes mistakes and while man’s ideas must be revised and updated, the Bible is always right must be revised and updated, the Bible is always right and never needs to be revised or updated.and never needs to be revised or updated.

– The Bible is always right! Man is not!The Bible is always right! Man is not!

Documents

From Wayne Jackson’s book. Where we are going the rest of the quarter: Where we are going the rest of the quarter: – The Bible & Astronomy – The Bible