Is there anything in the bible that is scientifically inaccurate?

[nogard]

Leviticus 11:13-19
"[SUP]13 [/SUP]“‘These are the birds you are to regard as unclean and not eat because they are unclean: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, [SUP]14 [/SUP]the red kite, any kind of black kite, [SUP]15 [/SUP]any kind of raven, [SUP]16 [/SUP]the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, [SUP]17 [/SUP]the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, [SUP]18 [/SUP]the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, [SUP]19 [/SUP]the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe and the bat."

The bat is a mammal, not a bird....whoops...

 

[JimmieD]

Fixed your post for you.

I thought that "historical" would have included "specific people, groups, and events", but if it makes you feel better, fine.

I would also argue that historical inquiry isn't necessarily scientific either.

 

[Enga]

Dear friend,

Check this one out.

How about this bible test below? Do you thing that this bible text is accurate.

Act 24:15, [SUP]15[/SUP]I have the same hope in God that these Jews have—the hope that all people, good and bad, will be raised from death.

Im not say its wrong.

 

[Tintin]

I thought that "historical" would have included "specific people, groups, and events", but if it makes you feel better, fine.

I would also argue that historical inquiry isn't necessarily scientific either.

No worries, mate. I just know that many Christians see much of the Bible just as stories packed with truth (particularly the OT), rather than stories of things that actually happened. It's good to know that you're not among their number.

 

[Tintin]

Leviticus 11:13-19
"[SUP]13 [/SUP]“‘These are the birds you are to regard as unclean and not eat because they are unclean: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, [SUP]14 [/SUP]the red kite, any kind of black kite, [SUP]15 [/SUP]any kind of raven, [SUP]16 [/SUP]the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, [SUP]17 [/SUP]the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, [SUP]18 [/SUP]the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, [SUP]19 [/SUP]the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe and the bat."

The bat is a mammal, not a bird....whoops...

Classifications for animals varied from then to now. Also, 'species' is a man-made term, 'kind' is more accurate. Still, a bat isn't a bird but a bat is a winged creature that flies and that's all that's meant here. So it's not scientifically inaccurate. Context is key.

 

[Timeline]

I would say that there are numerous things that do not agree with our (the world) current understanding of science. But Christians understand that some of those things can and do fit under natural laws, while others fall into a supernatural or miraculous category.

I haven't read everything (almost none) yet, but this one came to mind:

[SUP]6 [/SUP]Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And when he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there, and made the iron float. [SUP]7 [/SUP]He said, “Take it up for yourself.” So he put out his hand and took it.

 

[psalm6819]

It's anachronistic to expect the bible to utilize scientific methodology. The bible is, in large part, stories from, to, and about specific people, groups, and events along with poetry, proverbs, prophetic material, etc.. None of it is laid out like a lab experiment. None of it claims to be based on repeated observation that can be quantified and generalized by statistical methods.

If you want empirical proof look at the dimensions of the arc. The design was perfect. How would Noah have knowledge of water displacement when it had never rained?

 

[JimmieD]

If you want empirical proof look at the dimensions of the arc. The design was perfect. How would Noah have knowledge of water displacement when it had never rained?

(1) I don't conclude that nothing in the bible is compatible with scientific discovery. Just that the writings of the bible are not scientific documents.

(2) Noah's ark is described like a cube - not exactly the best boat design.

(3) Even if you believe that it had never rained on earth at the time of Noah, you still have to realize that there was water on earth. How else to sea creatures end up in Gen 1-2?

(4) I think there are two Noah's ark stories interwoven together, only one of which describes the dimensions of the ark. Neither document had the intention of being a scientific document.

 

[kennethcadwell]

(1) I don't conclude that nothing in the bible is compatible with scientific discovery. Just that the writings of the bible are not scientific documents.

(2) Noah's ark is described like a cube - not exactly the best boat design.

(3) Even if you believe that it had never rained on earth at the time of Noah, you still have to realize that there was water on earth. How else to sea creatures end up in Gen 1-2?

(4) I think there are two Noah's ark stories interwoven together, only one of which describes the dimensions of the ark. Neither document had the intention of being a scientific document.

You say not the best boat design, yet they made a scale model of the ark and tested in a lab with the same type conditions it would have endured, and it never capsized.

 

[Tintin]

(1) I don't conclude that nothing in the bible is compatible with scientific discovery. Just that the writings of the bible are not scientific documents.

(2) Noah's ark is described like a cube - not exactly the best boat design.

(3) Even if you believe that it had never rained on earth at the time of Noah, you still have to realize that there was water on earth. How else to sea creatures end up in Gen 1-2?

(4) I think there are two Noah's ark stories interwoven together, only one of which describes the dimensions of the ark. Neither document had the intention of being a scientific document.

1) I've already shared my thoughts on this one.

2) The ark wasn't the best boat design if you wanted to get anywhere but if you wanted to survive a global flood, it was the best design.

3) Of course. I don't Psalm is saying that though. The Bible doesn't actually mention that there was no rain prior to the Great Flood. I don't know where people get this belief.

4) The Ark narrative may have been written by two different people. One was Noah and the other (if it even exists) is one of his three sons. One of them was interested in the architectural details and the other in the wider events. I think it's pretty safe to say that Noah recorded the latter of the two.

 

[posthuman]

(2) Noah's ark is described like a cube - not exactly the best boat design.

no, it's not.

the boat in the epic of Gilgamesh is a cube, but the ark in Genesis is 50 x 300 cubits by 30 cubits tall. the 1/6 ratio of width to length is what modern shipbuilders consider near ideal for stability in rough seas.

 

[JimmieD]

You say not the best boat design, yet they made a scale model of the ark and tested in a lab with the same type conditions it would have endured, and it never capsized.

"Not capsizing" is a far cry from "best boat design."

 

[Kerry]

OH my goodness people the Ark was symbolic of the cross. Made of wood it saved all man kind. The cross made of wood provided salvation for all mankind. By a clue and read the hint.

 

[JimmieD]

no, it's not.

the boat in the epic of Gilgamesh is a cube, but the ark in Genesis is 50 x 300 cubits by 30 cubits tall. the 1/6 ratio of width to length is what modern shipbuilders consider near ideal for stability in rough seas.

If anyone has any references as to how Noah's ark was an ideal ship design, I'm willing to consider them.

I also fail to immediately see how a cube (or rectangular cuboid, for posthuman) has a righting arm to prevent it from capsizing. One rogue wave and Noah's upside down.

I hope the references are good. I've spent 10+ years as a sailor, so this will be fascinating.

 

[Kerry]

God didn't need a boat. He just chose to use one made of wood so it be symbolic of the cross.

 

[posthuman]

has anyone seen the US Navy's official fact sheets for their vessels?

The US Navy -- Fact File: Frigates - FFG

[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD="class: news"]Length: 445 feet (133.5 meters); 453 feet (135.9 meters) with LAMPS III modification.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: news"]Beam: 45 feet (13.5 meters).[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

wow it sounds like a cube!

 

[Tintin]

If anyone has any references as to how Noah's ark was an ideal ship design, I'm willing to consider them.

I also fail to immediately see how a cube (or rectangular cuboid, for posthuman) has a righting arm to prevent it from capsizing. One rogue wave and Noah's upside down.

I hope the references are good. I've spent 10+ years as a sailor, so this will be fascinating.

God designed the ark, Noah and his family built the ark. Why do you find it so difficult to believe this part of God's Word?

 

[nogard]

Okay, looks like the bat thing wasn't too impressive, how about these scientific contradictions.

1. Proverbs 6:6-8
Claim: Ants have no commander, no overseer, no ruler.
Contradiction: Ants live in colonies which contain ranks and authority. And they have a queen.

2. Leviticus 11:20-23
Claim: There are insects with wings that have four legs.
Contradiction: There are no creatures on earth that have both four legs and wings. Plus, insects are classified as having six legs.

3. Leviticus 11:6
Claim: Rabbits chew their cud.
Contradiction: Rabbits, are lagomorphs, not ruminants; they do not chew their cud.

4. Matthew 13:31-32
Claim: The mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds.
Contradiction: The mustard seed is not the smallest seed. The orchid seed is smaller.

5. James 5:3
Claim: Gold is corrosive.
Contradiction: Gold is not corrosive.

6. John 12:24
Claim: If a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it will produce many seeds.
Contradiction: Dead seeds do not produce new seeds.

Have fun!

 

[Kerry]

The dimensions given in the bible is not a cube. The reason people are trying to say it is a cube is because that is what Muslims march around and praise in Mecca good try no dice.

 

[JimmieD]

has anyone seen the US Navy's official fact sheets for their vessels?

The US Navy -- Fact File: Frigates - FFG



wow it sounds like a cube!

Descriptions of naval ship design are contained in official ship drawings which are held by places like Bath Iron Works, not in fact sheets.

Perhaps you think that Genesis doesn't actually contain the design instructions to Noah, but is more like the fact sheet you linked to? The previous argument was that Noah's ark was the ideal ship design. If you don't even really have the plans, then you can't argue that the design was ideal.