Scientific Accuracy in the Bible Revealed

The Bible is not primarily a book of science, but it does contain numerous scientific facts. We laugh at some of the scientific data that was available  just a few hundred years ago. If man alone were the author of the Bible, we would expect to find many such errors contained in it. However, if we examine the scientific data of the Bible and find it to be accurate to present-day scientific laws, then we have powerful evidence for divine inspiration given by God to the authors. The scientific data found in the Bible are not only accurate, but were revealed thousands of years before man discovered them for himself. The Bible does not contain any errors typical of the time in which it was written. Would we expect anything less from a book inspired by God? The scriptures are replete with statements suggesting scientific knowledge which predates the corresponding discoveries of secular science. Given that Bible writers were not necessarily scientists, and given that some of the scientific information at their disposal was generally misleading, the accuracy of the Bible can only be attributed to the inspiration of God. Here are a few of the more striking examples of scientific accuracy in the Bible:

The Innumerable Stars in the Universe

The Bible asserts that the stars are innumerable (Gen 15:5, Gen 17:7, Heb 11:12). This does not necessarily mean that we are incapable of mathematically expressing their number. It means that no human has the ability to count them individually so as to achieve their sum. It is claimed that there are 100 billion stars in our galaxy alone. If stars were counted around the clock at one star per second, then it would take over 3000 years just to count these. Add to this the fact that there are as many as 100 billion galaxies. However, there were many scholars prior to Galileo who believed that the stars could be counted, and several attempts were made to do so. Many of these counts arrived at around 1000 stars.

Dinosaurs in The Bible

The word Dinosaur (terrible lizard) was invented in the 9th century and cannot be found in the Bible, but there is reasonable evidence that the scriptures speak of them. As should be expected, this evidence comes from Genesis, the book of origins, and from the book of Job, generally believed to be the oldest book in the Bible. First, Genesis 1:21 speaks of God creating whales on the fifth day of creation. The Hebrew word translated here as whales is generally translated dragons. It is translated as monsters once, whale(s) twice, serpent(s) thrice, and dragon(s) 21 times. Second, Job’s statements concerning the behemoth (Job 40:15-24) might be referring to dinosaurs. Its tail is compared to a cedar tree. Its strength, and apparently its bulk, is in its loins. It is said to be the chief of the ways of God, and is described as having the ability to drink up a river. No modern animal meets this description in all points. Third, Job’s description of the leviathin (Job 41) very much resembles a dinosaur. Some would dismiss this description as fictitious because the leviathin is described as breathing fire; however, some creation scientists believe this could have happened. The creature would merely need glands to produce a chemical which would combust when exposed to air. The bombardier beetle does in fact have this ability. The fact that nearly every major culture of the world has traditions about such dragons lends yet further credibility to the possibility of their existence in the past.

Round Earth Hangs on Nothing

The fact that the earth is of spherical shape is generally considered to be recent knowledge. However, Isaiah 40:22 spoke of the circle of the earth approximately 750 years before Christ. Other statements in the Bible also indicate that God revealed this truth long ago. For example, David said that God has removed our transgression from us as far as the east is from the west (Ps 103:12). On a spherical surface, east and west are infinitely separated in the sense that one can travel indefinitely in either direction without ever attaining the other. However, Solomon described the wind as blowing in circuits, first towards the south and then turning toward the north. North and south are not infinitely separated as east and west, because a southward traveler on a spherical surface will be heading north after crossing the south pole. In possibly the oldest book of the Bible, Job asserted that God hung the earth on nothing (Job 26:7). The first scientist having this understanding would appear to be Copernicus around 1500.

The Earth Rotates

The rotation of the earth was likely revealed in the book of Job, where God asks of Job:

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? It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment. Job 38:12

God asks Job if he has ever dictated the time of the morning or the location of the sunrise (dayspring). As soon as the sun is risen, its light will take hold of the ends of the earth in the sense that it touches all of the landscape, and the wicked are shaken out of it (the earth) in the sense that thieves, drunkards, adulterers, and others who practice their sins in darkness are forced to desist from these activities as they retreat from the light. Also, the beauties of the earth are revealed by the light, and its coloration is made to appear as that of a beautiful garment. Finally, the text asserts that God’s command of the morning derives from His control of the earth, which is turned as clay to the seal. Hence, the suggestion is that God regulates the morning by rotating the earth as a potter rotates the clay. Yet ancient wisdom would have asserted that God regulated the morning by control of the Sun, and indeed, this is the perception of any uninformed mind.

All People Have a Common Ancestor and Blood

The Genesis account of creation asserts that all humans descended from the same parents, Adam and Eve. There is now considerable debate in the scientific community over recent genetic studies which indicate that all men have a common father and all women have a common mother. In fact, the latter claim is sometimes called the Eve hypothesis. Some scientists are skeptical about these studies, and even those who are supportive would not generally accept the Genesis account; however, Bible believers should expect further research to add yet more evidence supporting these hypotheses. Paul asserted in Acts that

God hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth. Acts 17:26

Until recent times, it was believed there was significant differences in the blood of various human races. We now know that all races of men are of common blood.

Systematic Ocean Currents and Springs

Psalms 8:4-8 likely reveal the existence of systematic ocean currents: “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.” Matthew Maury (1806-1873) is commonly known as the father of oceanography. He was among the first to discover and chart systematic ocean currents. Maury claimed that his research was inspired by Ps 8:4-8. Job 38:16 speaks of springs in the sea. It is now known that there are indeed such springs on the ocean floor.

The Hydrological Cycle

The earliest literature indicating an understanding of hydrological cycle was apparently around the third or fourth century BC. However, the essential details of this cycle were all revealed in the Bible well before this time. This may be seen from the following texts:

The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. – Eccl 1:6,7

For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof: which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly. – Job 36:27,28

It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name. – Amos 9:6

Diseases are Caused by Infection of Microscopic Organisms

It was not until this century that medical science had a full understanding of the fact that most diseases are caused by infection of microscopic organisms. Accordingly, the medical values of sterilization, sanitation, and quarantines were virtually unappreciated. Yet the Bible is so replete with such wisdom that time and space are not sufficient to cover them in paper such as this. Here are some examples:

This is the law, when a man dieth in a tent: all that come into the tent, and all that is in the tent, shall be unclean seven days. And every open vessel, which hath no covering bound upon it, is unclean. And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days. – Num 19:14-16

Whatsoever shall touch the flesh thereof shall be holy: and when there is sprinkled of the blood thereof upon any garment, thou shalt wash that whereon it was sprinkled in the holy place. But the earthen vessel wherein it is sodden shall be broken: and if it be sodden in a brasen pot, it shall be both scoured, and rinsed in water. – Lev 6:27,28

And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean. All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be. – Lev 13:45,46

Life is in the Blood

During George Washington’s day, the practice of blood-letting to treat various kinds of illnesses was common. In fact, George Washington died from this very treatment. In 1830 AD, Dr. Marshall Hall came out in strong opposition to this practice. However, had any of the doctors who practiced this treatment read these Bible verses, they would have known that it could have fatal consequences.

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. Leviticus 17:11

for it is the life of all flesh. Its blood sustains its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, ‘You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off. Leviticus 17:14

First Law of Thermodynamics

The 1st Law of Thermodynamics states “Matter is not being created or destroyed.”  It is because God has finished His creation that nothing now is being created. But, as a corollary to that, why is it that nothing is being destroyed? This is the second half of the statement of the law. Matter may change form, but in the end the total amount of matter in the Universe remains the same. Nothing is being destroyed, even though its form may change. Once again, the answer can be found in the science of the Bible. Nehemiah provided a portion of the answer when he stated: “Thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all” (9:6). Hebrews 1:3 points out that God “upholds all things by the word of His power.” If God is upholding it, then man will not and cannot destroy it. This might also have some bearing on the debate over global warming.  Is mankind being arrogant to think we could destroy God’s world so easily?  Other verses indicate that God keeps everything in existence, right down to the molecule (cf. Isaiah 40:26, Ecclesiastes 3:14, and 2 Peter 3:7). Thus, again we see that the biblical writers recorded accurate scientific statements long before such statements were even known to be scientifically true.

Sanitation

Basic sanitation, such as burying human waste, was not introduced until the 1600s, when it helped to contain the plague. Before then, human excrement was dumped onto the streets, helping to spread many diseases. Some ancient peoples in the near east actually believed that excrement had healing properties if spread on the skin. Yet in 1400 B.C. the Israelites were told to:

“Designate a place outside the camp where you can go to relieve yourself. As part of your equipment have something to dig with, and when you relieve yourself, dig a hole and cover up your excrement.” Deuteronomy 23:12,13

Quarantine

Another idea that was discovered during the plague was quarantine. In the 1500s, Worried Christians looked to the Bible for help and were amazed to find it written so clearly. Nearly 3000 years earlier, The Israelites had been told:

“The person with such a disease must wear torn clothes, let his hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of his face and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ As long as he has the infection he remains unclean. He must live alone; he must live outside the camp.” Leviticus 13:45-46

By following these commands, the plague was eventually brought under control, and quarantine has been used ever since to control disease.

The book of Leviticus contains many extraordinary commands to the Israelites, many of which probably seemed ridiculous for hundreds or thousands of years, until later scientific discoveries confirmed their wisdom. Other examples include the direction of washing in running water, careful and sensible treatment of leprosy and the use of hyssop in cleaning (hyssop has since been found to have significant antibacterial properties).

Washing of Hands in Running Water

The Bible said that when dealing with disease, hands should be washed under running water. Up until 100 years ago doctors washed their hands in a basin of still water, resulting in the death of multitudes. We now know that doctors must wash their hands under running water.

Leviticus 15:13 (written 3000 years ago): “And when he that has an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.”

The Encyclopedia Britannica documents that in 1845, a young doctor in Vienna named Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis was horrified at the terrible death rate of women who were dying after giving birth in hospitals.

As many as 30% of those giving birth died. The Doctor noted that doctors would examine the bodies of those who had died, then, without washing their hands, go straight to the next wards and examine expectant mothers. This was their normal practice, because the presence of microscopic diseases was unknown. Doctor Semmelweis insisted that doctors wash their hands before examinations, and the death rate immediately dropped down to 2%.

Time and Seasons in the Stars

For many people, knowing the correct time is vital to everyday life. If you’re in an unfamiliar environment without any kind of clock, however, figuring out the time could be a matter of safety and survival. Without a clock or watch, finding the exact time may not be possible, but you can figure the approximate time using the sun, moon or stars. Sailors still use the moon and sun to calculate distance and time. Farmers use the sun moon and stars to calculate dates, times and seasons. The Farmers’ Almanac, in continuous publication since 1818 are highly secretive about the method used to make its predictions, only stating publicly that it is a “top secret mathematical and astronomical formula, that relies on sunspot activity, tidal action, planetary position and many other factors.” The telling of time by planetary positioning is no secret, the Bible tells us the main reason for the sun moon and stars in the first book of the Bible, Genesis…

Every Organism Doesn’t Have the Same DNA

The fact that living things inherit traits from their parents has been used throughout history to improve crop plants and animals through selective breeding. However, the modern science of genetics, which seeks to understand the process of inheritance, only began with the work of Gregor Mendel in the mid-19th century. The Bible spoke about this process of inheriting traits in the book of Genesis, here are two examples:

Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so. Genesis 1:11

And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:25

Scientist today determine that the DNA itself is exactly the same across every living thing on the planet, utilizing the same 4 letter code comprised of the same nucleotide bases. Chemically every living thing on the planet has the same DNA molecule, but the composition of the organisms is different because putting the bases in different orders allows the construction of different proteins and enzymes. Surprisingly the Bible spoke with such authority about the difference that is contained in the code of every living thing.

All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds. 1 Corinthians 15:39

Every Star in the Universe is Different

Even though there are an unknown number of stars in the universe, each one is unique. No two stars have exactly the same properties. This may sound like guesswork, since we have analyzed very few stars in detail, but the conclusion is a certainty. A star has so many variables in its makeup that the probability of two identical stars is zero. These variables include the total number of atoms, exact chemical composition, size, temperature, and motion. Some stars show obvious color and brightness differences. Others require spectroscopic study to detect their particular identity or fingerprint. The best tool we have for studying a star’s light is the star’s spectrum. A spectrum (the plural is “spectra”) of a star is like the star’s fingerprint. Just like each person has unique fingerprints, each star has a unique spectrum. The Bible talks about this amazing difference long before man had the ability to study and evaluate the wavelength of light.

There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. 1 Corinthians 15:40-41

Conclusion

We are taught in school that the Bible is a book of myths and fables, these teachings has turned some away from God, but if we take up the Bible and study it, we will find truth beyond belief. These considerations, and many other evidences, serve to confirm the necessity of Divine inspiration to account for the wisdom of the Bible given to the authors, the discoveries prove to us that God is not a liar, He is not in the business of telling fairy tales and His Words can be trusted. His Words are given to us, not to harm us, but to bring us in a closer relationship with Himself.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. – II Tim 3:16,17

Source:

The Bible God’s inspired message to man
Examples of Scientific Accuracy in the Bible
Scientific Accuracy of the Bible
1st Law of Thermodynamics part two: Matter is not being destroyed
Sloan Digital Sky Survey
Is Every Star Different