We’ve been exploring reasons why the Bible is trustworthy. In the previous two articles, we’ve addressed Biblical evidence and historical/archeological evidence. Today's topic is how science verifies the Bible.
Scientific Reasons
Simply comparing science's former (sometimes outlandish) theories against what the Bible has always said will clearly demonstrate how reliable the word of God is. Science is just playing catch-up!
Things Science Used to Say
The earth is a flat disc
The earth sits on the back of a large animal
There are only 1,100 stars
All stars are identical
Lights is fixed in place and does not move
The ocean floor is flat
“Bleeding” someone restores his/her health
No opinion about invisible components of the world because didn’t know about it
Things The Bible Says
Earth is a sphere (Isaiah 40:22)
Earth floats untethered in space (Job 26:7)
Starts are innumerable (Jeremiah 33:22)
Each star is different (I Corinthians 15:41)
Light moves (Job 38:19-20)
Ocean floor has valleys/mountains (II Samuel 22:16, Jonah 2:6)
Blood is health and life (Leviticus 17:11)
Creation is made up of invisible elements (Hebrews 11:3)
Science used to know the earth was flat. It used to know that draining blood through bloodletting or leeches was a cure for various ailments. It used to know that mercury was not lethal, and that it was unnecessary to wash your hands before attending to patients. Imagine what science will “know” tomorrow…
Science supports the Bible - not the other way around!
We are sometimes so eager to dispel the idea that Christians are ignorant, that we inadvertently bow to the altar of science. How do we do this? When the Bible says something that appears to be illogical, incorrect, or outright impossible, we look to science for an explanation. While this is not inherently wrong – proper science is the study of God’s creation and how He designed it to function – we err when put the limited understanding and explanations of science above the unlimited power of God. How do we do this? When we start saying things like, “This is what the verse actually means…” or “They had a misunderstanding of X at that time in history, and so the writers were simply describing something based on what they knew at the time.” Both of these are insidious problems that betray lingering doubts in the word of God – and even Bible believers can find themselves guilty of such thinking from time to time!
Regarding the first error, did God say what He means and mean what He says? Is it true that no verse in Scripture is of any private interpretation (II Peter 1:20) and that we gain understanding and interpretation by comparing Scripture with Scripture (I Corinthians 2:13)? If you believe those things, then to make a statement like the one above is inconsistent with your beliefs.
Regarding the second error, do you believe that the word of God was inspired by God (II Timothy 3:16) and perfectly preserved by God (Psalm 12:6-7) in order to achieve His purposes? Do you believe it is the work of fallible men subject to their own limitations, or to you believe it is the word of God? Once again, do you believe that God says what He means and means what He says, and that the Bible supersedes whatever misunderstandings, misconceptions, and limitations of ANY point in history, including the present day? If you believe those things, then to make a statement like the one above is inconsistent with your beliefs.
The final word on this topic, unsurprisingly, comes from God Himself, when He says in Job 38:4-13:
Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb? When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it, And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed? Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
I don't know about you, but that's more than enough for me to humbly lay my hand upon my mouth (Job 40:3) and stop presuming to know much of anything apart from what God has said. But, just in case we ever start to feel arrogant, God's line of question continues throughout the remainder of Job 38 and 39.
As I said in the last post, stick with the Bible. It knows more than you, and it’s always right – every time.
Hungry for more on this topic from someone who is more scientific than me? I would recommend the work of Henry Morris. A good, accessible summary of his work is best found in his book Science and the Bible, which is a very reasonable 154 pages. You find a copy at this link.
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