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The Genesis Question: Scientific Advances and the Accuracy of Genesis
RECONCILING THE NEWEST SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE WITH GENESIS 1-11. "Everyone knows the Bible teaches scientific nonsense" is a commonly held misconception. When pushed for examples, many point to the early chapters of Genesis as proof-creation, the flood, 800-year life spans. And science has largely been silent on the subject-until now. Examining recent, leading-edge scientific discoveries, Dr. Hugh Ross explores how these very chapters hold some of the strongest scientific evidence for the Bible's supernatural accuracy. Like never before, The Genesis Question integrates the accuracy of both science and the Bible-without compromise-giving skeptics and believers common ground and opportunity for dialog. According to recent surveys conducted by Reasons to Believe, the perceived improbability of Genesis 1-11 is what keeps 90 percent of people from believing in the accuracy of the Bible. Complete and up-to-date, The Genesis Question uses scientific data to provide readers with solid answers to their questions regarding scientific advances and the accuracy of Genesis. If you want to understand how the discoveries of science and the truth of the Bible relate, The Genesis Question offers a cutting-edge approach to integrate science and theology in such a way that neither is compromised. "Dr. Ross intriguingly challenges the long-standing divide between faith and reason and between the Bible and science by addressing the relevant, cutting-edge questions of our day. Expect to find your mind challenged, your faith encouraged, and your ability to witness strengthened by this book."-Craig S. Keener, Th.D., visiting professor of Bible, Eastern Seminary and author of The IVP Bible Background Commentary "The importance of The Genesis Question lies in its painstaking attempt to take the details of Genesis and science seriously. Even if the reader does not agree with every one of Ross' conclusions, one must thank him for this solid effort at integration, and for giving us a number of ideas that seem to me to be true, reasonable, and fruitful for spiritual nurture and evangelism."-J.P. Moreland, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University "The Genesis Question is a substantial step in the direction of a fully satisfactory harmony of the science and theology of origins. We are not there yet-many questions remain open-but this book is a major step forward."-Samuel Connor, Ph.D. candidate in physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology "I've always had a gnawing suspicion that there was more that needed to be said to provide a clearer fit between God's written Word and the world He created. By beginning with the biblical premise that God's Word is without error, Dr. Ross has added authentic interpretations and fresh insights-coupled with the most up-to-date data on the physical realm-to reconcile God's written revelation to the revelation of Himself in His creation."-Mick Ukleja, Th.D., senior pastor, Grace Church "In The Genesis Question, Dr. Hugh Ross gives general readers an excellent discussion of the biblical account and how a proper understanding of it is in agreement with modern scientific findings. He demonstrates an evangelical commitment to the truth of Scripture while also presenting the latest findings of science. I recommend this book to those whose understanding of science has stood in the way of Christian faith and to Christians who seek a scientifically solid and consistently biblical presentation of Genesis 1-11."-Kyle Cudworth, Ph.D., astronomer, Yerkes Observatory, University of Chicago "Dr. Ross presents a fresh approach to many of Genesis' most difficult problems. He consistently takes into account the abundance of related scientific evidence without compromising the inerrancy of Scripture. I highly recommend this volume as an important and valuable tool in the library of anyone who really wants to understand what the beginning of Genesis is all about and still maintain a reasonable faith."-David H. Rogstad, Ph.D., Caltech Jet Propulsion Laboratory
235 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
10 people are currently reading
314 people want to read
About the author
Hugh Ross
140 books315 followersAstrophysicist Hugh Ross is founder, senior scholar, and former president of Reasons to Believe (RTB).
He earned a degree in physics from the University of British Columbia and a PhD in astronomy from the University of Toronto. He continued his research on quasars and galaxies as a postdoctoral fellow at Caltech. In 1986, Ross launched RTB to research, develop, and communicate the harmonious relationship between science and Christianity.
Ross has authored or coauthored numerous books, including Rescuing Inerrancy, Designed to the Core, and The Creator and the Cosmos. He has also presented his testable creation model in countless interviews, peer-reviewed articles, videos, and podcasts, as well as at hundreds of speaking engagements at venues around the world.
He earned a degree in physics from the University of British Columbia and a PhD in astronomy from the University of Toronto. He continued his research on quasars and galaxies as a postdoctoral fellow at Caltech. In 1986, Ross launched RTB to research, develop, and communicate the harmonious relationship between science and Christianity.
Ross has authored or coauthored numerous books, including Rescuing Inerrancy, Designed to the Core, and The Creator and the Cosmos. He has also presented his testable creation model in countless interviews, peer-reviewed articles, videos, and podcasts, as well as at hundreds of speaking engagements at venues around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 16, 2016
Note, Jan. 15, 2016: I've just edited this review to correct a minor typo.
In the clash of worldviews that characterizes our cultural milieu, one of the major battlegrounds is over the origins of the natural world and of humanity in particular, with advocates of random evolution as "proof" of existential meaninglessness and purposelessness squaring off against those who believe in purposive creation by a Creator. One of the primary weapons of the former is root-and-branch ridicule of the Genesis creation and flood accounts, which are caricatured as hopelessly outdated and obvious falsehoods which "everybody knows" are thoroughly discredited by Science (even if "everybody" is a bit clueless about the details), and only believed in by knuckle-dragging, brainwashed idiots totally ignorant of the glories of Science. Enter Christian scientist Hugh Ross (B.Sc. in Physics, Univ. of British Columbia; M.Sc. and PhD. in Astronomy, Univ. of Toronto), founder of the Reasons to Believe Institute, whom even the most prejudiced religion-basher would (or at least should) have some difficulty in portraying as "ignorant of science." This book is one of several by the author, though the only one I've read. While it's not a commentary as such on Genesis 1-11, it carefully considers the basic messages of those chapters in textual order, determining their actual meaning, and bringing to bear the light that cutting-edge (as of 2001, when this second edition was published) science casts on its credibility. The results might surprise some readers.
This is a difficult book to do justice to in a short review, because it's packed so full of information and ideas. Ross writes from the perspective of "old earth" creationism, accepting the GAD (Generally Accepted Dates) and providing a cogent explanation of why the 6,000-year-old earth theory of the "young earth" creationists will not hold water. (He also deals with the theological argument that certain New Testament passages require young-earth creationism, demonstrating that this is not the case.) He then analyzes the seven "days" of creation, making a convincing case that these are not to be understood as successive literal 24-hour days, and establishing that the order of Divine creative acts dovetails precisely with the order of events as suggested by current science. Among the other subjects treated here are the scientific facts that discredit random macroevolution as the explanation for the emergence of the basic kinds of living things, the interpretation of the flood narrative (he demonstrates conclusively, IMO, that this was a localized rather a global event, and that this is compatible with the teaching of the text), the perennial skeptical question, "Where did Cain get his wife?" and some speculations about the "Nephilim" mentioned in Genesis 6:4.
One of the most interesting aspects of the book to me was the treatment of studies comparing the DNA of modern Japanese males with that found in the bones of males from the ancient Jomon and Yayoi tribes, the ancestors of the modern Japanese. This allowed scientists to calculate the rate of chromosome divergence over time, allowing for the figuring of the approximate date of the most recent common male ancestor of all living humans once the degree of chromosome divergence among them was established. According to a Y-chromosome study published in 1995, that date is 37,000-49,000 years B.P. (before present), with the most recent common female ancestor dated "somewhere between a few thousand and a few tens of thousands" of years earlier. If we hypothesize that this common male ancestor was Noah, it provides an approximate date for Noah's flood. Another especially illuminating part, for me, was the discussion of the plausibility of the long antediluvian lifespans, in light of the fact that human aging is caused mostly by exposure to cosmic radiation (and its interaction with telomerase activity). In 1996, it was determined that most of the current cosmic radiation comes from the explosion of the Vela supernova, only 1300 light years from Earth, ca. 8,500-37,000 years B.P. Prior to that time, it seems clear that exposure to cosmic radiation would have been much less than it is today.
I don't personally agree with every conclusion Ross espouses. I'm not convinced that there was no genuine human habitation outside of the Middle East before Noah's flood; I don't think that's a necessary conclusion from the Biblical text, and the archaeological evidence, IMO, would suggest the opposite. In particular, I think Ross (and others) are in error in considering the Neanderthals to be a lower primate species unrelated to humanity. Skeletal remains from caves on Mount Carmel in Palestine known as early as the mid-20th century, as I understand it, clearly indicate interbreeding between Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons (anatomically modern humans), which to me proves the humanity of the former. In this respect, I would agree with scholars such as Ralph Linton (The Tree of Culture). But even on points where one disagrees with him, Ross' treatment here is enormously stimulating and fascinating. (I took copious notes from the book when I read it; there's much more material here than I've been able to summarize!) It's not necessary to agree with him in toto to realize that he's set forth a solid basic case for the credibility of Genesis as an account of origins and primeval history. Obviously, the book will not convince the bigoted, who will either avoid reading it or read it only to ridicule it. But for open-minded readers willing to consider what science and Genesis have to say to each other, it will offer a lot of both factual information and food for thought.
While the book does utilize footnotes (and has a good index), it's written for the intelligent layperson. Some of the science involved is necessarily complicated, but the author does a very good job of explaining it without either jargon or "dumbing it down."
In the clash of worldviews that characterizes our cultural milieu, one of the major battlegrounds is over the origins of the natural world and of humanity in particular, with advocates of random evolution as "proof" of existential meaninglessness and purposelessness squaring off against those who believe in purposive creation by a Creator. One of the primary weapons of the former is root-and-branch ridicule of the Genesis creation and flood accounts, which are caricatured as hopelessly outdated and obvious falsehoods which "everybody knows" are thoroughly discredited by Science (even if "everybody" is a bit clueless about the details), and only believed in by knuckle-dragging, brainwashed idiots totally ignorant of the glories of Science. Enter Christian scientist Hugh Ross (B.Sc. in Physics, Univ. of British Columbia; M.Sc. and PhD. in Astronomy, Univ. of Toronto), founder of the Reasons to Believe Institute, whom even the most prejudiced religion-basher would (or at least should) have some difficulty in portraying as "ignorant of science." This book is one of several by the author, though the only one I've read. While it's not a commentary as such on Genesis 1-11, it carefully considers the basic messages of those chapters in textual order, determining their actual meaning, and bringing to bear the light that cutting-edge (as of 2001, when this second edition was published) science casts on its credibility. The results might surprise some readers.
This is a difficult book to do justice to in a short review, because it's packed so full of information and ideas. Ross writes from the perspective of "old earth" creationism, accepting the GAD (Generally Accepted Dates) and providing a cogent explanation of why the 6,000-year-old earth theory of the "young earth" creationists will not hold water. (He also deals with the theological argument that certain New Testament passages require young-earth creationism, demonstrating that this is not the case.) He then analyzes the seven "days" of creation, making a convincing case that these are not to be understood as successive literal 24-hour days, and establishing that the order of Divine creative acts dovetails precisely with the order of events as suggested by current science. Among the other subjects treated here are the scientific facts that discredit random macroevolution as the explanation for the emergence of the basic kinds of living things, the interpretation of the flood narrative (he demonstrates conclusively, IMO, that this was a localized rather a global event, and that this is compatible with the teaching of the text), the perennial skeptical question, "Where did Cain get his wife?" and some speculations about the "Nephilim" mentioned in Genesis 6:4.
One of the most interesting aspects of the book to me was the treatment of studies comparing the DNA of modern Japanese males with that found in the bones of males from the ancient Jomon and Yayoi tribes, the ancestors of the modern Japanese. This allowed scientists to calculate the rate of chromosome divergence over time, allowing for the figuring of the approximate date of the most recent common male ancestor of all living humans once the degree of chromosome divergence among them was established. According to a Y-chromosome study published in 1995, that date is 37,000-49,000 years B.P. (before present), with the most recent common female ancestor dated "somewhere between a few thousand and a few tens of thousands" of years earlier. If we hypothesize that this common male ancestor was Noah, it provides an approximate date for Noah's flood. Another especially illuminating part, for me, was the discussion of the plausibility of the long antediluvian lifespans, in light of the fact that human aging is caused mostly by exposure to cosmic radiation (and its interaction with telomerase activity). In 1996, it was determined that most of the current cosmic radiation comes from the explosion of the Vela supernova, only 1300 light years from Earth, ca. 8,500-37,000 years B.P. Prior to that time, it seems clear that exposure to cosmic radiation would have been much less than it is today.
I don't personally agree with every conclusion Ross espouses. I'm not convinced that there was no genuine human habitation outside of the Middle East before Noah's flood; I don't think that's a necessary conclusion from the Biblical text, and the archaeological evidence, IMO, would suggest the opposite. In particular, I think Ross (and others) are in error in considering the Neanderthals to be a lower primate species unrelated to humanity. Skeletal remains from caves on Mount Carmel in Palestine known as early as the mid-20th century, as I understand it, clearly indicate interbreeding between Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons (anatomically modern humans), which to me proves the humanity of the former. In this respect, I would agree with scholars such as Ralph Linton (The Tree of Culture). But even on points where one disagrees with him, Ross' treatment here is enormously stimulating and fascinating. (I took copious notes from the book when I read it; there's much more material here than I've been able to summarize!) It's not necessary to agree with him in toto to realize that he's set forth a solid basic case for the credibility of Genesis as an account of origins and primeval history. Obviously, the book will not convince the bigoted, who will either avoid reading it or read it only to ridicule it. But for open-minded readers willing to consider what science and Genesis have to say to each other, it will offer a lot of both factual information and food for thought.
While the book does utilize footnotes (and has a good index), it's written for the intelligent layperson. Some of the science involved is necessarily complicated, but the author does a very good job of explaining it without either jargon or "dumbing it down."
October 26, 2011
A terrible book. A perfect example of an apologist cherry-picking science and playing semantic games to "prove" his myths are true. It is poorly cited, full of dozens of uncited assertions of facts and statistics. Most of the citations are to Bible verses or the author's own past works or to the works of other apologists. In the worst cases, Ross cites actual scientific papers concerning small details, then leaps to grand conclusions that the authors surely never intended.
This book was not written to convince any truly critical thinking person that the genesis myths describe reality, it was written to assuage Christians who may be worried about how their book is being rendered irrelevant by science. It is meant to be read casually and to give someone who really wants to believe in the Bible a warm fuzzy feeling that everything is OK.
But everything is not OK, a critical read reveals poor logic, wishful thinking, word games, and non-inclusion of facts that disprove the premise. It claims to approach the issue scientifically, but begins with a "God did it" mentality. The conclusion is reached before the thinking even begins. This cannot even remotely claim to be scientific.
Ross (and all apologists) is faced with the problem that to prove anything he has to explain everything. His most telling fail is in Chapter 19 where he attempts to explain the Nephilim of Genesis. Don't look for science here. There is none. Instead he goes on for pages describing apologetics from the 3rd century, claims all the bible-referenced explanations are reasonable enough, then in the final paragraph actually shifts the burden of proof onto the skeptic. He also goes to great lengths to explain why Yahweh is not psychopathic for allowing evil, setting up a world of suffering, limited lifespans, drowning everyone, and introducing violent nationalism.(Spoiler alert--it's to protect you from yourself.)
I was particularly amused by the lengths to which Ross goes to discount Young Earth creationists and global flood proponents, but clearly expects readers to nod along and find his explanations much less crazy.
Ross's own testimony tells a lot. He claims to stand in awe of how much science is revealing the truth of God and the Bible (citation needed Ross). But he quit a job as a scientist, where perhaps he could have advanced this goal, in order to sell books and video series to credulous believers.
This book was not written to convince any truly critical thinking person that the genesis myths describe reality, it was written to assuage Christians who may be worried about how their book is being rendered irrelevant by science. It is meant to be read casually and to give someone who really wants to believe in the Bible a warm fuzzy feeling that everything is OK.
But everything is not OK, a critical read reveals poor logic, wishful thinking, word games, and non-inclusion of facts that disprove the premise. It claims to approach the issue scientifically, but begins with a "God did it" mentality. The conclusion is reached before the thinking even begins. This cannot even remotely claim to be scientific.
Ross (and all apologists) is faced with the problem that to prove anything he has to explain everything. His most telling fail is in Chapter 19 where he attempts to explain the Nephilim of Genesis. Don't look for science here. There is none. Instead he goes on for pages describing apologetics from the 3rd century, claims all the bible-referenced explanations are reasonable enough, then in the final paragraph actually shifts the burden of proof onto the skeptic. He also goes to great lengths to explain why Yahweh is not psychopathic for allowing evil, setting up a world of suffering, limited lifespans, drowning everyone, and introducing violent nationalism.(Spoiler alert--it's to protect you from yourself.)
I was particularly amused by the lengths to which Ross goes to discount Young Earth creationists and global flood proponents, but clearly expects readers to nod along and find his explanations much less crazy.
Ross's own testimony tells a lot. He claims to stand in awe of how much science is revealing the truth of God and the Bible (citation needed Ross). But he quit a job as a scientist, where perhaps he could have advanced this goal, in order to sell books and video series to credulous believers.
March 2, 2017
4.5 stars
I love Ross's work. I've read numerous books by him and I like how I learn something new and different in them each time. He answers questions like big questions like "Was the flood really world-wide?" "Did God really create the world in 6 days?" etc. However I don't like how Ross will sometimes cite his other works as references for explanations.
I really don't care to go into much more detail then that but you have other questions about this book you would like me to answer just comment!
I love Ross's work. I've read numerous books by him and I like how I learn something new and different in them each time. He answers questions like big questions like "Was the flood really world-wide?" "Did God really create the world in 6 days?" etc. However I don't like how Ross will sometimes cite his other works as references for explanations.
February 14, 2008
This book won't be for everyone, but it is certainly for anyone with an analytical mind with questions regarding how science and Christianity can be reconciled regarding the earth's formation. This book does an outstanding job without compromising the integrity of the Bible, the scientific record, or the common sense of the average human being.
May 31, 2024
THE CHRISTIAN ASTROPHYSICIST INTERPRETS THE EARLY CHAPTERS OF GENESIS
Hugh Norman Ross (born 1945) is a Canadian-born astrophysicist and creationist Christian apologist. He wrote in the first chapter of this 1998 book, “the Bible is ignored more and more in popular culture… The justification I hear… for leaving the Bible behind is that ‘everyone knows’ it is antiquated and full of scientific nonsense, if not blatant contradictions… one Bible portion draw more vigorous attack than all others combined: the first few chapters of Genesis. That attack opens a tremendous door of opportunity for me… these chapters offer some of the most persuasive proofs ever assembled for the supernatural authorship and authority of the Bible.” (Pg. 9)
Of Gen 1:2, he says, “The ‘formless’ and ‘empty’ conditions of Earth would be expected, given the initial opaque atmosphere and interplanetary debris. Without light, photosynthesis could not occur. The large pieces of interplanetary debris crashing onto Earth’s surface at that time would generate catastrophes no life could survive. We can easily understand why no evidence of life on Earth dates earlier than four billion years ago.” (Pg. 27)
He suggests, “Genesis 1 reports only a handful of creation events. These … by no means tell the whole creation story… The brevity of Genesis 1 can be viewed as an expression of God’s wisdom and mercy. He wants us to be certain that He wrote the story, but He gives us the privilege---and the thrill---of filling in the details. He does not seek to bury us under a mountain of data that might distract us from His main themes: communicating His plan for our redemption and securing forever all that is good against the presence, and even the possibility of evil.” (Pg. 30)
He states, “On Creation Day Four, the sun, the moon, and the stars became distinctly visible from Earth’s surface for the first time. Verse 16 may confuse readers who do not recognize it as a parenthetical note, a brief review… The Hebrew verb ‘asa,’ translated ‘made,’ appears in the appropriate form for completed action… Verse 16 does not specify when in the past the sun, moon, and stars were made. However, the wording of verses 17 and 18 does provide a hint… Notice the echo of wording from Day One (v. 3-5). This verse tells us WHY God created the sun, moon, and starts and suggests that the sun was in place to fulfill its role on the first creation day.” (Pg. 44)
He notes, “Some Christians assert that the Bible does speak of dinosaurs. They see the ‘behemoth’ and ‘leviathan’ of Job 40 and 41 as references to such fearsome creatures as triceratops, tyrannosaurus… One problem with their interpretation … is that no creatures on Earth, alive or extinct, fit the literal descriptions. No dinosaur, for example, ever breathed fire or smoke or had bones of iron and brass. The writer of these descriptions left many clues that they are to be taken figuratively… There are two animals present on Earth today that strike terror and cause mayhem matching the descriptions in Job 40 and 41; the hippopotamus and the crocodile.” (Pg. 48) He adds, “The popular claim that human footprints crossed over trails of dinosaur footprints in the Paluxy River bed in Texas has been overturned. No credible evidence whatever suggests the coexistence of primates and the great dinosaurs.” (Pg. 49)
He observes, “Genesis 1 has been discredited by some… for placing the introduction of sea mammals (Day Five) before the introduction of land mammals (Day Six). A careful reading of the text, however, removes the basis for their criticism. The fifth creation day mentions the sea mammals generically; however, the sixth creation day narrows in on only three specialized kinds of land mammals. When the other land mammals are introduced we cannot say from the text. Scientific research will have to give us that information.” (Pg. 50)
He argues, “The many ‘transitional’ forms of whales and horses suggest that God performed more than just a few creative acts here and there, letting evolution fill in the rest. Rather, God was involved and active in creating all the whale and horse species, the first, the last, and the ‘transitional’ forms.” (Pg. 52) He adds, “The step-by-step approach to bipedal primate creation that we can see in the recent fossil record may reasonably reflect God’s understanding of the difficulty other life forms would encounter in adapting to sinful humans… Given this context, we can see that the bipedal primates predating Adam and Eve reflect care rather than waste. Their presence and activities helped prepare the other animals to adept for … the arrival of human beings.” (Pg. 56-57)
He points out, “Each of the six creation days closes with the same refrain: ‘There was evening, and there was morning,’ then the day’s number… However, the refrain is not attached to the seventh day. Its closure is missing… its absence from the account of the seventh day can be taken as a meaningful hint: the day is not ended… The scientific record, as well as Scripture, affirms the continuance of the seventh day, the cessation of divine creative activity… Though frequent extinctions occurred, the introduction rate for new species matched or outstripped the extinction rate.” (Pg. 64)
About the charge that Gen. 2:19 states that humans were created before animals, he states, “The resolution of the supposed ‘problem’ is simple… verb tenses … do not exist in biblical Hebrew. Biblical Hebrew employs three verb forms. They express completed action, action not yet completed, and commands. The verb in Genesis 2:19 appears in the first form and simply indicates that the creation of the beasts and the birds occurred sometime in the past. The text says nothing about when such creatures were created relative to the creation of the first man. They could have been made either before or after the man, from a grammatical perspective. Sequencing of physical events is not the purpose of Genesis 2… The focus has shifted to other matters.” (Pg. 73-74)
He says of “Young Earth” Creationists’ ideas of post-Flood expansion of “kinds”: “Shortly after the Flood, they say, a large proportion of the thirty thousand species on board---dinosaurs, trilobites, and so on---went extinct; so the remaining few thousand species must have evolved by rapid and efficient natural processes alone into seven million or more species. Ironically, creation scientists (quietly) propose an efficiency of natural biological evolution greater than even the most optimistic Darwinist would dare to suggest. They face the embarrassment of a complete lack of evidence for their position. If naturalistic evolutionary processes actually did proceed at such a rapid rate, they would, of course, be observable… The rapid evolutionary processes … are inadequate to account for the great diversity of life-forms … ONLY if the pre-human history of Earth is kept very short.” (Pg.91-92)
He suggests, “In Romans 5:12, which speaks of death as the result of sin, the context clearly specifies the spiritual death of humans, ‘death through sin… came to all men because all sinned’… not the physical death of plant and animal species. Plants and non-human animals cannot sin that cannot die through sin." (Pg. 100)
He admits, “Until recently no one could begin to explain scientifically how the pre-Flood peoples were able to live to 900 years or more. Several canopy theories… rose in popularity… Genesis 6 states simply that God shortened the life span of humanity to 120 years. Genesis nowhere states HOW God effected this change.” (Pg. 117)
He proposes, “Given human physiological limits, the Nephilim must have been in some way superhuman. Strictly human bodies cannot manifest this combination of size, power, agility, and endurance.” (Pg. 126)
He defends a “Local” Flood: “When we encounter such phrases in Genesis 7 as ‘under the entire heavens’ and ‘every living thing on the face of the earth’… such expressions must always be understood in their reasonable context. What constitutes ‘the entire heavens’ … in the perspective of ancient peoples? … Another Bible story … [in] Gen 41:56… reads, ‘The famine was over all the face of the earth.’ … We do not interpret [these words] globally, as implying that Australian Aborigines and American Indians came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph. Likewise, when 1 Kings 10:24 states that ‘the whole world sought audience with Solomon…’ we do not conclude that the New Zealand Maoris or the Patagonian natives sent yearly delegations to Jerusalem… Scripture contains many more references to the whole world that we recognize to mean ‘the known world’ rather than the entire planet.” (Pg. 142-143)
This book is a detailed, clear exposition of Ross’s views; it will be “must reading” for Christians seriously studying the interpretation of the early chapters of Genesis.
Hugh Norman Ross (born 1945) is a Canadian-born astrophysicist and creationist Christian apologist. He wrote in the first chapter of this 1998 book, “the Bible is ignored more and more in popular culture… The justification I hear… for leaving the Bible behind is that ‘everyone knows’ it is antiquated and full of scientific nonsense, if not blatant contradictions… one Bible portion draw more vigorous attack than all others combined: the first few chapters of Genesis. That attack opens a tremendous door of opportunity for me… these chapters offer some of the most persuasive proofs ever assembled for the supernatural authorship and authority of the Bible.” (Pg. 9)
Of Gen 1:2, he says, “The ‘formless’ and ‘empty’ conditions of Earth would be expected, given the initial opaque atmosphere and interplanetary debris. Without light, photosynthesis could not occur. The large pieces of interplanetary debris crashing onto Earth’s surface at that time would generate catastrophes no life could survive. We can easily understand why no evidence of life on Earth dates earlier than four billion years ago.” (Pg. 27)
He suggests, “Genesis 1 reports only a handful of creation events. These … by no means tell the whole creation story… The brevity of Genesis 1 can be viewed as an expression of God’s wisdom and mercy. He wants us to be certain that He wrote the story, but He gives us the privilege---and the thrill---of filling in the details. He does not seek to bury us under a mountain of data that might distract us from His main themes: communicating His plan for our redemption and securing forever all that is good against the presence, and even the possibility of evil.” (Pg. 30)
He states, “On Creation Day Four, the sun, the moon, and the stars became distinctly visible from Earth’s surface for the first time. Verse 16 may confuse readers who do not recognize it as a parenthetical note, a brief review… The Hebrew verb ‘asa,’ translated ‘made,’ appears in the appropriate form for completed action… Verse 16 does not specify when in the past the sun, moon, and stars were made. However, the wording of verses 17 and 18 does provide a hint… Notice the echo of wording from Day One (v. 3-5). This verse tells us WHY God created the sun, moon, and starts and suggests that the sun was in place to fulfill its role on the first creation day.” (Pg. 44)
He notes, “Some Christians assert that the Bible does speak of dinosaurs. They see the ‘behemoth’ and ‘leviathan’ of Job 40 and 41 as references to such fearsome creatures as triceratops, tyrannosaurus… One problem with their interpretation … is that no creatures on Earth, alive or extinct, fit the literal descriptions. No dinosaur, for example, ever breathed fire or smoke or had bones of iron and brass. The writer of these descriptions left many clues that they are to be taken figuratively… There are two animals present on Earth today that strike terror and cause mayhem matching the descriptions in Job 40 and 41; the hippopotamus and the crocodile.” (Pg. 48) He adds, “The popular claim that human footprints crossed over trails of dinosaur footprints in the Paluxy River bed in Texas has been overturned. No credible evidence whatever suggests the coexistence of primates and the great dinosaurs.” (Pg. 49)
He observes, “Genesis 1 has been discredited by some… for placing the introduction of sea mammals (Day Five) before the introduction of land mammals (Day Six). A careful reading of the text, however, removes the basis for their criticism. The fifth creation day mentions the sea mammals generically; however, the sixth creation day narrows in on only three specialized kinds of land mammals. When the other land mammals are introduced we cannot say from the text. Scientific research will have to give us that information.” (Pg. 50)
He argues, “The many ‘transitional’ forms of whales and horses suggest that God performed more than just a few creative acts here and there, letting evolution fill in the rest. Rather, God was involved and active in creating all the whale and horse species, the first, the last, and the ‘transitional’ forms.” (Pg. 52) He adds, “The step-by-step approach to bipedal primate creation that we can see in the recent fossil record may reasonably reflect God’s understanding of the difficulty other life forms would encounter in adapting to sinful humans… Given this context, we can see that the bipedal primates predating Adam and Eve reflect care rather than waste. Their presence and activities helped prepare the other animals to adept for … the arrival of human beings.” (Pg. 56-57)
He points out, “Each of the six creation days closes with the same refrain: ‘There was evening, and there was morning,’ then the day’s number… However, the refrain is not attached to the seventh day. Its closure is missing… its absence from the account of the seventh day can be taken as a meaningful hint: the day is not ended… The scientific record, as well as Scripture, affirms the continuance of the seventh day, the cessation of divine creative activity… Though frequent extinctions occurred, the introduction rate for new species matched or outstripped the extinction rate.” (Pg. 64)
About the charge that Gen. 2:19 states that humans were created before animals, he states, “The resolution of the supposed ‘problem’ is simple… verb tenses … do not exist in biblical Hebrew. Biblical Hebrew employs three verb forms. They express completed action, action not yet completed, and commands. The verb in Genesis 2:19 appears in the first form and simply indicates that the creation of the beasts and the birds occurred sometime in the past. The text says nothing about when such creatures were created relative to the creation of the first man. They could have been made either before or after the man, from a grammatical perspective. Sequencing of physical events is not the purpose of Genesis 2… The focus has shifted to other matters.” (Pg. 73-74)
He says of “Young Earth” Creationists’ ideas of post-Flood expansion of “kinds”: “Shortly after the Flood, they say, a large proportion of the thirty thousand species on board---dinosaurs, trilobites, and so on---went extinct; so the remaining few thousand species must have evolved by rapid and efficient natural processes alone into seven million or more species. Ironically, creation scientists (quietly) propose an efficiency of natural biological evolution greater than even the most optimistic Darwinist would dare to suggest. They face the embarrassment of a complete lack of evidence for their position. If naturalistic evolutionary processes actually did proceed at such a rapid rate, they would, of course, be observable… The rapid evolutionary processes … are inadequate to account for the great diversity of life-forms … ONLY if the pre-human history of Earth is kept very short.” (Pg.91-92)
He suggests, “In Romans 5:12, which speaks of death as the result of sin, the context clearly specifies the spiritual death of humans, ‘death through sin… came to all men because all sinned’… not the physical death of plant and animal species. Plants and non-human animals cannot sin that cannot die through sin." (Pg. 100)
He admits, “Until recently no one could begin to explain scientifically how the pre-Flood peoples were able to live to 900 years or more. Several canopy theories… rose in popularity… Genesis 6 states simply that God shortened the life span of humanity to 120 years. Genesis nowhere states HOW God effected this change.” (Pg. 117)
He proposes, “Given human physiological limits, the Nephilim must have been in some way superhuman. Strictly human bodies cannot manifest this combination of size, power, agility, and endurance.” (Pg. 126)
He defends a “Local” Flood: “When we encounter such phrases in Genesis 7 as ‘under the entire heavens’ and ‘every living thing on the face of the earth’… such expressions must always be understood in their reasonable context. What constitutes ‘the entire heavens’ … in the perspective of ancient peoples? … Another Bible story … [in] Gen 41:56… reads, ‘The famine was over all the face of the earth.’ … We do not interpret [these words] globally, as implying that Australian Aborigines and American Indians came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph. Likewise, when 1 Kings 10:24 states that ‘the whole world sought audience with Solomon…’ we do not conclude that the New Zealand Maoris or the Patagonian natives sent yearly delegations to Jerusalem… Scripture contains many more references to the whole world that we recognize to mean ‘the known world’ rather than the entire planet.” (Pg. 142-143)
This book is a detailed, clear exposition of Ross’s views; it will be “must reading” for Christians seriously studying the interpretation of the early chapters of Genesis.
March 1, 2021
Back in the day comedian Bill Maher had a wonderful talk show called Politically Incorrect. He would invite a panel of celebrity and academic guests, and since Maher is an enthusiastic atheist, the topic would often turn to religion. This delighted young Christian Jake. That is until one fateful episode on which Maher had the president of the ACLU, Nadine Strossen. Strossen was smart, whippet quick, and scathingly sarcastic to all things Christian. They ridiculed Christianity. How could anyone believe the Bible when we so obviously evolved via naturalistic processes? I was shaken.
The next morning I went to the library. I pulled every resource on evolution I could find. One such resource was a National geographic, and it featured a layout of Lucy. If you don't know Lucy, she is the heralded hominid reconstructed from ancient archaeology. The picture was an artist's rendering showing an ape with wise, intelligent eyes, and it was startling. Was I wrong about my religion?
Enter Hugh Ross. A friend recommended his book, and it was a godsend. Ross helped me reimagine the Biblical creation account from the simple Sunday School flannel board we got as kids to something more consistent with science. Something a little more sophisticated. Faith restored.
A couple decades have passed, and I recently revisited Ross. I'm not sure I'm onboard with everything now, but I look back on The Genesis Question with gratitude. Ross was there for me at a crucial crossroads in my burgeoning belief.
The next morning I went to the library. I pulled every resource on evolution I could find. One such resource was a National geographic, and it featured a layout of Lucy. If you don't know Lucy, she is the heralded hominid reconstructed from ancient archaeology. The picture was an artist's rendering showing an ape with wise, intelligent eyes, and it was startling. Was I wrong about my religion?
Enter Hugh Ross. A friend recommended his book, and it was a godsend. Ross helped me reimagine the Biblical creation account from the simple Sunday School flannel board we got as kids to something more consistent with science. Something a little more sophisticated. Faith restored.
A couple decades have passed, and I recently revisited Ross. I'm not sure I'm onboard with everything now, but I look back on The Genesis Question with gratitude. Ross was there for me at a crucial crossroads in my burgeoning belief.
December 16, 2010
Astronomer Hugh Ross combines history, Bible and science in his book The Genesis Question where he argues for an old-earth interpretation of Genesis 1, with “days” representing the moments of “divine interventions” where God placed life-forms on a once-dead planet. His knowledge and love of astronomy and language fuel fascinating arguments, and his analysis of how we should read the Biblical account with reference to language and science is intriguing and nicely done. Unfortunately the language-science combination seems to breaks down at the beginning of life, and the author maintains throughout the book that living species must have been created individually, a restriction that disappoints this reader, but might well appeal to others.
I loved the author’s analysis of the effect of the moon on earth’s atmosphere—truly our world seems engineered to promote our existence. The water cycle is beautifully explained, with no threat to the Bible’s claim that God controls the weather, since natural forces are created by God. Science and the Biblical account do indeed go hand in hand, illuminating each other. And in later chapters the author shows how much more scientific the Genesis account is than more imaginative tales of other ancient cultures, even including an analysis of why “evening and morning” doesn’t delineate a 24-hour day, and an explanation of the verses describing Eve being made from Adam’s “rib.” The book is well worth reading just for its clear view of language limitations, scientific possibilities, and God’s unlimited power.
A fascinating analysis of the history of modern faith and science fills in many gaps underlying the current creation-evolution debate. The author introduces DNA research into the dating of Noah’s ark, and the beginning of wheat-farming, but argues consistently against evolution. In conclusion though, he reminds readers looking at Bible and science that “wherever the twain meet they agree.” On this point I have no quarrel; I just happen to think they agree on evolution too.
The Genesis Question is a fascinating book, well-researched, with some wonderful explanations of well-known stories, bringing the Bible firmly into the realms of history and science, as well as faith.
Disclosure: I borrowed this from the church library
I loved the author’s analysis of the effect of the moon on earth’s atmosphere—truly our world seems engineered to promote our existence. The water cycle is beautifully explained, with no threat to the Bible’s claim that God controls the weather, since natural forces are created by God. Science and the Biblical account do indeed go hand in hand, illuminating each other. And in later chapters the author shows how much more scientific the Genesis account is than more imaginative tales of other ancient cultures, even including an analysis of why “evening and morning” doesn’t delineate a 24-hour day, and an explanation of the verses describing Eve being made from Adam’s “rib.” The book is well worth reading just for its clear view of language limitations, scientific possibilities, and God’s unlimited power.
A fascinating analysis of the history of modern faith and science fills in many gaps underlying the current creation-evolution debate. The author introduces DNA research into the dating of Noah’s ark, and the beginning of wheat-farming, but argues consistently against evolution. In conclusion though, he reminds readers looking at Bible and science that “wherever the twain meet they agree.” On this point I have no quarrel; I just happen to think they agree on evolution too.
The Genesis Question is a fascinating book, well-researched, with some wonderful explanations of well-known stories, bringing the Bible firmly into the realms of history and science, as well as faith.
Disclosure: I borrowed this from the church library
October 20, 2015
COSMOLOGY & ASTRONOMY:
1. The earth free-floats in space, affected only by gravity. While other sources declared the earth sat on the back of an elephant or turtle, or was held up by Atlas, the Bible alone states what we now know to be true.
Job 26:7: He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and Suspending the earth upon nothing.
2. The earth is an orb or sphere. At a time when many thought the earth was flat, the Bible told us that the earth is spherical.
Isaiah 40:22: It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in.
Webster's 1828 Dictionary's definition of CIRCLE. "In popular use, the line that comprehends the figure, the plane or surface comprehended, and the whole body or solid matter of a round substance, are denominated a circle; a ring; an orb; the earth."
3. Scripture assumes a revolving (spherical) earth. Jesus said that at His return some would be asleep at night while others would be working at day time activities in the field. This is a clear indication of a revolving earth, with day and night occurring simultaneously.
Luke 17:34-36: I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
4. Black holes and dark matter anticipated. Cosmologists now speculate that over 98% of the known universe is comprised of dark matter, with dark energy and black holes. A black hole's gravitational field is so strong that nothing, not even light, escapes. Beyond the expanding universe there is no measured radiation and therefore only outer darkness exists. These theories paint a seemingly accurate description of what the Bible calls "outer darkness" or "the blackness of darkness forever."
Matthew 25:30: And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Jude 13: Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
5. Incalculable number of stars. At a time when less than 5,000 stars were visible to the human eye, God stated that the stars of heaven were innumerable. Not until the 17th century did Galileo glimpse the immensity of our universe with his new telescope. Today, astronomers estimate that there are ten thousand billion trillion stars - a 1 followed by 25 zeros! Yet, as the Bible states, scientists admit this number may be woefully inadequate.
Jeremiah 33:22: As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.
6. The number of stars, though vast, are finite. Although man is unable to calculate the exact number of stars, we now know their number is finite. Of course God knew this all along.
Isaiah 40:26: Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
7. The Bible compares the number of stars with the number of grains of sand on the seashore. Amazingly, gross estimates of the number of sand grains are comparable to the estimated number of stars in the universe.
Genesis 22:17: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.
8. The universe is expanding. Repeatedly God declares that He stretches out the heavens. During the early 20th century, most scientists (including Einstein) believed the universe was static. Others believed it should have collapsed due to gravity. Then in 1929, astronomer Edwin Hubble showed that distant galaxies were receding from the earth, and the further away they were, the faster they were moving. This discovery revolutionized the field of astronomy. Eisntein admitted his mistake, and today most astronomers agree with what the Creator told us millennia ago - the universe is expanding!
Isaiah 42:5: Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein.
Jeremiah 51:15: He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.
Zechariah 12:1: The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
9. Each star is unique. Centuries before the advent of the telescope, the Bible declared what only God and the angels knew: each star varies in size and intensity!
1 Corinthians 15:41: There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
10. The sun goes in a circuit. Some scientists scoffed at this verse thinking that it taught geocentricity - the theory that the sun revolves around the earth. They insisted the sun was stationary. However, we now know that the sun is traveling through space at approximately 600,000 miles per hour. It is literally moving through space in a huge circuit - just as the Bible stated 3,000 years ago!
Psalm 19:6: [The sun's] going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
PHYSICS:
1. Creation is made of atoms and particles, indiscernible to our eyes. Not until the 19th century was it discovered that all visible matter consists of invisible elements.
Hebrews 11:3: Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
2. Light can be divided. Sir Isaac Newton studied light and discovered that white light is made of seven colors, which can be "parted" and then recombined. Science confirmed this four centuries ago - God declared it four millennia ago!
Job 38:24: By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
3. Light travels in a path. Light is said to have a "way" [Hebrew: derek, literally a traveled path or road]. Until the 17th century it was believed that light was transmitted instantaneously. We now know that light is a form of energy that travels at 186,000 miles per second in a straight line. Indeed, there is a "way" of light.
Job 38:19: Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof.
4. The Bible says that light can be sent, and then manifest itself in speech. We now know that radio waves and light waves are two forms of the same thing: electromagnetic waves. Therefore, radio waves are a form of light. Today, using radio transmitters, we can send "lightnings" which indeed speak when they arrive.
Job 38:35: Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?
5. The First Law of Thermodynamics established. The First Law states that the total quantity of energy and matter in the universe is a constant. One form of energy or matter may be converted into another, but the total quantity always remains the same. Therefore the creation is finished, exactly as God said way back in Genesis.
Genesis 2:1-2: Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
6. The Second Law of Thermodynamics (Entropy). This law states that everything in the universe is running down, deteriorating, and constantly becoming less and less orderly. Entropy (disorder) entered when mankind rebelled against God - resulting in the curse (Genesis 3:17-19; Romans 8:20-22). Historically most people believed the universe was unchangeable. Yet modern science verifies that the universe is growing "old as doth a garment'' (Hebrews 1:11). Evolution directly contradicts this, the most tested of all scientific laws.
Psalm 102:25-26: Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed.
Romans 8:20-22: For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
BIOLOGY:
1. Law of Biogenesis explained. Scientists observe that life only comes from existing life. This law has never been violated under observation or experimentation (as evolution requires). Therefore, life, God's life, created all life.
Genesis 1:11, 20, 24: And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. ... And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. ... And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
Genesis 2:7: And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
2. The earth was designed for biological life. Scientists have discovered that the most fundamental characteristics of our earth and cosmos are so finely tuned that if just one of them were even slightly different, life as we know it couldn't exist. This is called the Anthropic Principle and it agrees with the Bible which states that God formed the earth to be inhabited.
Isaiah 45:18: For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
3. God has given us just the right amount of water to sustain life. We now recognize that if there was significantly more or less water, the earth would not support life as we know it.
Isaiah 40:12: Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
4. Our bodies are made from the dust of the ground. Scientists have discovered that the human body is comprised of some 28 base and trace elements - all of which are found in the earth.
Genesis 2:7: And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Genesis 3:19: In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
5. Life begins at fertilization. God declares that He knew us before we were born. The Biblical penalty for murdering an unborn child was death (Exodus 21:22-23). Today, it is an irrefutable biological fact that the fertilized egg is truly an entire human being. Nothing will be added to the first cell except nutrition and oxygen.
Psalm 139:15: "My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth."
Jeremiah 1:5: Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
6. God fashions and knits us together in the womb. Science was ignorant concerning embryonic development until recently. Yet thousands of years ago, the Bible accurately described God making us an intricate unity' in the womb.
Job 10:8-12: "Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me. Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again? Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese? Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews. Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit."
7. The seed of a plant contains its life. As stated in the Book of Genesis, we now recognize that inside the humble seed is life itself. Within the seed is a tiny factory of amazing complexity. No scientist can build a synthetic seed and no seed is simple!
Genesis 1:11-12: "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good."
8. A seed must die to produce new life. In John 12:24 is remarkable confirmation of two of the fundamental concepts in biology: 1) Cells arise only from existing cells. 2) A grain must die to produce more grain. The fallen seed is surrounded by supporting cells from the old body. These supporting cells "give their lives" to provide nourishment to the inner kernel. Once planted, this inner kernel germinates resulting in much grain.
John 12:24: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."
1 Corinthians 15:36-38: "Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body."
www.jw.org
1. The earth free-floats in space, affected only by gravity. While other sources declared the earth sat on the back of an elephant or turtle, or was held up by Atlas, the Bible alone states what we now know to be true.
Job 26:7: He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and Suspending the earth upon nothing.
2. The earth is an orb or sphere. At a time when many thought the earth was flat, the Bible told us that the earth is spherical.
Isaiah 40:22: It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in.
Webster's 1828 Dictionary's definition of CIRCLE. "In popular use, the line that comprehends the figure, the plane or surface comprehended, and the whole body or solid matter of a round substance, are denominated a circle; a ring; an orb; the earth."
3. Scripture assumes a revolving (spherical) earth. Jesus said that at His return some would be asleep at night while others would be working at day time activities in the field. This is a clear indication of a revolving earth, with day and night occurring simultaneously.
Luke 17:34-36: I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
4. Black holes and dark matter anticipated. Cosmologists now speculate that over 98% of the known universe is comprised of dark matter, with dark energy and black holes. A black hole's gravitational field is so strong that nothing, not even light, escapes. Beyond the expanding universe there is no measured radiation and therefore only outer darkness exists. These theories paint a seemingly accurate description of what the Bible calls "outer darkness" or "the blackness of darkness forever."
Matthew 25:30: And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Jude 13: Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
5. Incalculable number of stars. At a time when less than 5,000 stars were visible to the human eye, God stated that the stars of heaven were innumerable. Not until the 17th century did Galileo glimpse the immensity of our universe with his new telescope. Today, astronomers estimate that there are ten thousand billion trillion stars - a 1 followed by 25 zeros! Yet, as the Bible states, scientists admit this number may be woefully inadequate.
Jeremiah 33:22: As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.
6. The number of stars, though vast, are finite. Although man is unable to calculate the exact number of stars, we now know their number is finite. Of course God knew this all along.
Isaiah 40:26: Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
7. The Bible compares the number of stars with the number of grains of sand on the seashore. Amazingly, gross estimates of the number of sand grains are comparable to the estimated number of stars in the universe.
Genesis 22:17: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.
8. The universe is expanding. Repeatedly God declares that He stretches out the heavens. During the early 20th century, most scientists (including Einstein) believed the universe was static. Others believed it should have collapsed due to gravity. Then in 1929, astronomer Edwin Hubble showed that distant galaxies were receding from the earth, and the further away they were, the faster they were moving. This discovery revolutionized the field of astronomy. Eisntein admitted his mistake, and today most astronomers agree with what the Creator told us millennia ago - the universe is expanding!
Isaiah 42:5: Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein.
Jeremiah 51:15: He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.
Zechariah 12:1: The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
9. Each star is unique. Centuries before the advent of the telescope, the Bible declared what only God and the angels knew: each star varies in size and intensity!
1 Corinthians 15:41: There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
10. The sun goes in a circuit. Some scientists scoffed at this verse thinking that it taught geocentricity - the theory that the sun revolves around the earth. They insisted the sun was stationary. However, we now know that the sun is traveling through space at approximately 600,000 miles per hour. It is literally moving through space in a huge circuit - just as the Bible stated 3,000 years ago!
Psalm 19:6: [The sun's] going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
PHYSICS:
1. Creation is made of atoms and particles, indiscernible to our eyes. Not until the 19th century was it discovered that all visible matter consists of invisible elements.
Hebrews 11:3: Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
2. Light can be divided. Sir Isaac Newton studied light and discovered that white light is made of seven colors, which can be "parted" and then recombined. Science confirmed this four centuries ago - God declared it four millennia ago!
Job 38:24: By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
3. Light travels in a path. Light is said to have a "way" [Hebrew: derek, literally a traveled path or road]. Until the 17th century it was believed that light was transmitted instantaneously. We now know that light is a form of energy that travels at 186,000 miles per second in a straight line. Indeed, there is a "way" of light.
Job 38:19: Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof.
4. The Bible says that light can be sent, and then manifest itself in speech. We now know that radio waves and light waves are two forms of the same thing: electromagnetic waves. Therefore, radio waves are a form of light. Today, using radio transmitters, we can send "lightnings" which indeed speak when they arrive.
Job 38:35: Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?
5. The First Law of Thermodynamics established. The First Law states that the total quantity of energy and matter in the universe is a constant. One form of energy or matter may be converted into another, but the total quantity always remains the same. Therefore the creation is finished, exactly as God said way back in Genesis.
Genesis 2:1-2: Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
6. The Second Law of Thermodynamics (Entropy). This law states that everything in the universe is running down, deteriorating, and constantly becoming less and less orderly. Entropy (disorder) entered when mankind rebelled against God - resulting in the curse (Genesis 3:17-19; Romans 8:20-22). Historically most people believed the universe was unchangeable. Yet modern science verifies that the universe is growing "old as doth a garment'' (Hebrews 1:11). Evolution directly contradicts this, the most tested of all scientific laws.
Psalm 102:25-26: Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed.
Romans 8:20-22: For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
BIOLOGY:
1. Law of Biogenesis explained. Scientists observe that life only comes from existing life. This law has never been violated under observation or experimentation (as evolution requires). Therefore, life, God's life, created all life.
Genesis 1:11, 20, 24: And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. ... And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. ... And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
Genesis 2:7: And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
2. The earth was designed for biological life. Scientists have discovered that the most fundamental characteristics of our earth and cosmos are so finely tuned that if just one of them were even slightly different, life as we know it couldn't exist. This is called the Anthropic Principle and it agrees with the Bible which states that God formed the earth to be inhabited.
Isaiah 45:18: For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
3. God has given us just the right amount of water to sustain life. We now recognize that if there was significantly more or less water, the earth would not support life as we know it.
Isaiah 40:12: Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
4. Our bodies are made from the dust of the ground. Scientists have discovered that the human body is comprised of some 28 base and trace elements - all of which are found in the earth.
Genesis 2:7: And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Genesis 3:19: In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
5. Life begins at fertilization. God declares that He knew us before we were born. The Biblical penalty for murdering an unborn child was death (Exodus 21:22-23). Today, it is an irrefutable biological fact that the fertilized egg is truly an entire human being. Nothing will be added to the first cell except nutrition and oxygen.
Psalm 139:15: "My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth."
Jeremiah 1:5: Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
6. God fashions and knits us together in the womb. Science was ignorant concerning embryonic development until recently. Yet thousands of years ago, the Bible accurately described God making us an intricate unity' in the womb.
Job 10:8-12: "Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me. Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again? Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese? Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews. Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit."
7. The seed of a plant contains its life. As stated in the Book of Genesis, we now recognize that inside the humble seed is life itself. Within the seed is a tiny factory of amazing complexity. No scientist can build a synthetic seed and no seed is simple!
Genesis 1:11-12: "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good."
8. A seed must die to produce new life. In John 12:24 is remarkable confirmation of two of the fundamental concepts in biology: 1) Cells arise only from existing cells. 2) A grain must die to produce more grain. The fallen seed is surrounded by supporting cells from the old body. These supporting cells "give their lives" to provide nourishment to the inner kernel. Once planted, this inner kernel germinates resulting in much grain.
John 12:24: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."
1 Corinthians 15:36-38: "Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body."
www.jw.org
October 21, 2015
COSMOLOGY & ASTRONOMY:
1. The earth in space, affected only by gravity. While other sources declared the earth sat on the back of an elephant or turtle, or was held up by Atlas, the Bible alone states what we now know to be true.
Job 26:7: He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and Suspending the earth upon nothing.
2. The earth is an orb or sphere. At a time when many thought the earth was flat, the Bible told us that the earth is spherical.
Isaiah 40:22: It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in.
Webster's 1828 Dictionary's definition of CIRCLE. "In popular use, the line that comprehends the figure, the plane or surface comprehended, and the whole body or solid matter of a round substance, are denominated a circle; a ring; an orb; the earth."
3. Scripture assumes a revolving (spherical) earth. Jesus said that at His return some would be asleep at night while others would be working at day time activities in the field. This is a clear indication of a revolving earth, with day and night occurring simultaneously.
Luke 17:34-36: I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
4. Black holes and dark matter anticipated. Cosmologists now speculate that over 98% of the known universe is comprised of dark matter, with dark energy and black holes. A black hole's gravitational field is so strong that nothing, not even light, escapes. Beyond the expanding universe there is no measured radiation and therefore only outer darkness exists. These theories paint a seemingly accurate description of what the Bible calls "outer darkness" or "the blackness of darkness forever."
Matthew 25:30: And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Jude 13: Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
5. Incalculable number of stars. At a time when less than 5,000 stars were visible to the human eye, God stated that the stars of heaven were innumerable. Not until the 17th century did Galileo glimpse the immensity of our universe with his new telescope. Today, astronomers estimate that there are ten thousand billion trillion stars - a 1 followed by 25 zeros! Yet, as the Bible states, scientists admit this number may be woefully inadequate.
Jeremiah 33:22: As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.
6. The number of stars, though vast, are finite. Although man is unable to calculate the exact number of stars, we now know their number is finite. Of course God knew this all along.
Isaiah 40:26: Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
7. The Bible compares the number of stars with the number of grains of sand on the seashore. Amazingly, gross estimates of the number of sand grains are comparable to the estimated number of stars in the universe.
Genesis 22:17: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.
8. The universe is expanding. Repeatedly God declares that He stretches out the heavens. During the early 20th century, most scientists (including Einstein) believed the universe was static. Others believed it should have collapsed due to gravity. Then in 1929, astronomer Edwin Hubble showed that distant galaxies were receding from the earth, and the further away they were, the faster they were moving. This discovery revolutionized the field of astronomy. Eisntein admitted his mistake, and today most astronomers agree with what the Creator told us millennia ago - the universe is expanding!
Isaiah 42:5: Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein.
Jeremiah 51:15: He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.
Zechariah 12:1: The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
9. Each star is unique. Centuries before the advent of the telescope, the Bible declared what only God and the angels knew: each star varies in size and intensity!
1 Corinthians 15:41: There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
10. The sun goes in a circuit. Some scientists scoffed at this verse thinking that it taught geocentricity - the theory that the sun revolves around the earth. They insisted the sun was stationary. However, we now know that the sun is traveling through space at approximately 600,000 miles per hour. It is literally moving through space in a huge circuit - just as the Bible stated 3,000 years ago!
Psalm 19:6: [The sun's] going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
PHYSICS:
1. Creation is made of atoms and particles, indiscernible to our eyes. Not until the 19th century was it discovered that all visible matter consists of invisible elements.
Hebrews 11:3: Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
2. Light can be divided. Sir Isaac Newton studied light and discovered that white light is made of seven colors, which can be "parted" and then recombined. Science confirmed this four centuries ago - God declared it four millennia ago!
Job 38:24: By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
3. Light travels in a path. Light is said to have a "way" [Hebrew: derek, literally a traveled path or road]. Until the 17th century it was believed that light was transmitted instantaneously. We now know that light is a form of energy that travels at 186,000 miles per second in a straight line. Indeed, there is a "way" of light.
Job 38:19: Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof.
4. The Bible says that light can be sent, and then manifest itself in speech. We now know that radio waves and light waves are two forms of the same thing: electromagnetic waves. Therefore, radio waves are a form of light. Today, using radio transmitters, we can send "lightnings" which indeed speak when they arrive.
Job 38:35: Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?
5. The First Law of Thermodynamics established. The First Law states that the total quantity of energy and matter in the universe is a constant. One form of energy or matter may be converted into another, but the total quantity always remains the same. Therefore the creation is finished, exactly as God said way back in Genesis.
Genesis 2:1-2: Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
6. The Second Law of Thermodynamics (Entropy). This law states that everything in the universe is running down, deteriorating, and constantly becoming less and less orderly. Entropy (disorder) entered when mankind rebelled against God - resulting in the curse (Genesis 3:17-19; Romans 8:20-22). Historically most people believed the universe was unchangeable. Yet modern science verifies that the universe is growing "old as doth a garment'' (Hebrews 1:11). Evolution directly contradicts this, the most tested of all scientific laws.
Psalm 102:25-26: Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed.
Romans 8:20-22: For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
BIOLOGY:
1. Law of Biogenesis explained. Scientists observe that life only comes from existing life. This law has never been violated under observation or experimentation (as evolution requires). Therefore, life, God's life, created all life.
Genesis 1:11, 20, 24: And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. ... And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. ... And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
Genesis 2:7: And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
2. The earth was designed for biological life. Scientists have discovered that the most fundamental characteristics of our earth and cosmos are so finely tuned that if just one of them were even slightly different, life as we know it couldn't exist. This is called the Anthropic Principle and it agrees with the Bible which states that God formed the earth to be inhabited.
Isaiah 45:18: For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
3. God has given us just the right amount of water to sustain life. We now recognize that if there was significantly more or less water, the earth would not support life as we know it.
Isaiah 40:12: Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
4. Our bodies are made from the dust of the ground. Scientists have discovered that the human body is comprised of some 28 base and trace elements - all of which are found in the earth.
Genesis 2:7: And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Genesis 3:19: In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
5. Life begins at fertilization. God declares that He knew us before we were born. The Biblical penalty for murdering an unborn child was death (Exodus 21:22-23). Today, it is an irrefutable biological fact that the fertilized egg is truly an entire human being. Nothing will be added to the first cell except nutrition and oxygen.
Psalm 139:15: "My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth."
Jeremiah 1:5: Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
6. God fashions and knits us together in the womb. Science was ignorant concerning embryonic development until recently. Yet thousands of years ago, the Bible accurately described God making us an intricate unity' in the womb.
Job 10:8-12: "Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me. Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again? Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese? Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews. Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit."
7. The seed of a plant contains its life. As stated in the Book of Genesis, we now recognize that inside the humble seed is life itself. Within the seed is a tiny factory of amazing complexity. No scientist can build a synthetic seed and no seed is simple!
Genesis 1:11-12: "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good."
8. A seed must die to produce new life. In John 12:24 is remarkable confirmation of two of the fundamental concepts in biology: 1) Cells arise only from existing cells. 2) A grain must die to produce more grain. The fallen seed is surrounded by supporting cells from the old body. These supporting cells "give their lives" to provide nourishment to the inner kernel. Once planted, this inner kernel germinates resulting in much grain.
John 12:24: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."
1 Corinthians 15:36-38: "Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body."
www.jw.org
1. The earth in space, affected only by gravity. While other sources declared the earth sat on the back of an elephant or turtle, or was held up by Atlas, the Bible alone states what we now know to be true.
Job 26:7: He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and Suspending the earth upon nothing.
2. The earth is an orb or sphere. At a time when many thought the earth was flat, the Bible told us that the earth is spherical.
Isaiah 40:22: It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in.
Webster's 1828 Dictionary's definition of CIRCLE. "In popular use, the line that comprehends the figure, the plane or surface comprehended, and the whole body or solid matter of a round substance, are denominated a circle; a ring; an orb; the earth."
3. Scripture assumes a revolving (spherical) earth. Jesus said that at His return some would be asleep at night while others would be working at day time activities in the field. This is a clear indication of a revolving earth, with day and night occurring simultaneously.
Luke 17:34-36: I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
4. Black holes and dark matter anticipated. Cosmologists now speculate that over 98% of the known universe is comprised of dark matter, with dark energy and black holes. A black hole's gravitational field is so strong that nothing, not even light, escapes. Beyond the expanding universe there is no measured radiation and therefore only outer darkness exists. These theories paint a seemingly accurate description of what the Bible calls "outer darkness" or "the blackness of darkness forever."
Matthew 25:30: And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Jude 13: Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
5. Incalculable number of stars. At a time when less than 5,000 stars were visible to the human eye, God stated that the stars of heaven were innumerable. Not until the 17th century did Galileo glimpse the immensity of our universe with his new telescope. Today, astronomers estimate that there are ten thousand billion trillion stars - a 1 followed by 25 zeros! Yet, as the Bible states, scientists admit this number may be woefully inadequate.
Jeremiah 33:22: As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.
6. The number of stars, though vast, are finite. Although man is unable to calculate the exact number of stars, we now know their number is finite. Of course God knew this all along.
Isaiah 40:26: Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
7. The Bible compares the number of stars with the number of grains of sand on the seashore. Amazingly, gross estimates of the number of sand grains are comparable to the estimated number of stars in the universe.
Genesis 22:17: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.
8. The universe is expanding. Repeatedly God declares that He stretches out the heavens. During the early 20th century, most scientists (including Einstein) believed the universe was static. Others believed it should have collapsed due to gravity. Then in 1929, astronomer Edwin Hubble showed that distant galaxies were receding from the earth, and the further away they were, the faster they were moving. This discovery revolutionized the field of astronomy. Eisntein admitted his mistake, and today most astronomers agree with what the Creator told us millennia ago - the universe is expanding!
Isaiah 42:5: Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein.
Jeremiah 51:15: He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.
Zechariah 12:1: The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
9. Each star is unique. Centuries before the advent of the telescope, the Bible declared what only God and the angels knew: each star varies in size and intensity!
1 Corinthians 15:41: There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
10. The sun goes in a circuit. Some scientists scoffed at this verse thinking that it taught geocentricity - the theory that the sun revolves around the earth. They insisted the sun was stationary. However, we now know that the sun is traveling through space at approximately 600,000 miles per hour. It is literally moving through space in a huge circuit - just as the Bible stated 3,000 years ago!
Psalm 19:6: [The sun's] going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
PHYSICS:
1. Creation is made of atoms and particles, indiscernible to our eyes. Not until the 19th century was it discovered that all visible matter consists of invisible elements.
Hebrews 11:3: Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
2. Light can be divided. Sir Isaac Newton studied light and discovered that white light is made of seven colors, which can be "parted" and then recombined. Science confirmed this four centuries ago - God declared it four millennia ago!
Job 38:24: By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
3. Light travels in a path. Light is said to have a "way" [Hebrew: derek, literally a traveled path or road]. Until the 17th century it was believed that light was transmitted instantaneously. We now know that light is a form of energy that travels at 186,000 miles per second in a straight line. Indeed, there is a "way" of light.
Job 38:19: Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof.
4. The Bible says that light can be sent, and then manifest itself in speech. We now know that radio waves and light waves are two forms of the same thing: electromagnetic waves. Therefore, radio waves are a form of light. Today, using radio transmitters, we can send "lightnings" which indeed speak when they arrive.
Job 38:35: Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?
5. The First Law of Thermodynamics established. The First Law states that the total quantity of energy and matter in the universe is a constant. One form of energy or matter may be converted into another, but the total quantity always remains the same. Therefore the creation is finished, exactly as God said way back in Genesis.
Genesis 2:1-2: Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
6. The Second Law of Thermodynamics (Entropy). This law states that everything in the universe is running down, deteriorating, and constantly becoming less and less orderly. Entropy (disorder) entered when mankind rebelled against God - resulting in the curse (Genesis 3:17-19; Romans 8:20-22). Historically most people believed the universe was unchangeable. Yet modern science verifies that the universe is growing "old as doth a garment'' (Hebrews 1:11). Evolution directly contradicts this, the most tested of all scientific laws.
Psalm 102:25-26: Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed.
Romans 8:20-22: For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
BIOLOGY:
1. Law of Biogenesis explained. Scientists observe that life only comes from existing life. This law has never been violated under observation or experimentation (as evolution requires). Therefore, life, God's life, created all life.
Genesis 1:11, 20, 24: And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. ... And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. ... And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
Genesis 2:7: And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
2. The earth was designed for biological life. Scientists have discovered that the most fundamental characteristics of our earth and cosmos are so finely tuned that if just one of them were even slightly different, life as we know it couldn't exist. This is called the Anthropic Principle and it agrees with the Bible which states that God formed the earth to be inhabited.
Isaiah 45:18: For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
3. God has given us just the right amount of water to sustain life. We now recognize that if there was significantly more or less water, the earth would not support life as we know it.
Isaiah 40:12: Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
4. Our bodies are made from the dust of the ground. Scientists have discovered that the human body is comprised of some 28 base and trace elements - all of which are found in the earth.
Genesis 2:7: And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Genesis 3:19: In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
5. Life begins at fertilization. God declares that He knew us before we were born. The Biblical penalty for murdering an unborn child was death (Exodus 21:22-23). Today, it is an irrefutable biological fact that the fertilized egg is truly an entire human being. Nothing will be added to the first cell except nutrition and oxygen.
Psalm 139:15: "My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth."
Jeremiah 1:5: Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
6. God fashions and knits us together in the womb. Science was ignorant concerning embryonic development until recently. Yet thousands of years ago, the Bible accurately described God making us an intricate unity' in the womb.
Job 10:8-12: "Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me. Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again? Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese? Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews. Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit."
7. The seed of a plant contains its life. As stated in the Book of Genesis, we now recognize that inside the humble seed is life itself. Within the seed is a tiny factory of amazing complexity. No scientist can build a synthetic seed and no seed is simple!
Genesis 1:11-12: "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good."
8. A seed must die to produce new life. In John 12:24 is remarkable confirmation of two of the fundamental concepts in biology: 1) Cells arise only from existing cells. 2) A grain must die to produce more grain. The fallen seed is surrounded by supporting cells from the old body. These supporting cells "give their lives" to provide nourishment to the inner kernel. Once planted, this inner kernel germinates resulting in much grain.
John 12:24: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."
1 Corinthians 15:36-38: "Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body."
www.jw.org
May 24, 2012
An Important Book
First, If you're a Young Earth Creationist and don't really care what someone thinks or has to say about this book, please go ahead, mark it as unhelpful and save yourself the time and trouble of reading the book or this review.
After all, why risk possibly interacting positively in a mature and adult fashion with someone who is a fellow believer and has a different understanding of some Biblical Passages but who still affirms Inspiration, Inerrancy and the Diety of Christ? You can't experience anything positively by reading a book you already know you disagree with. We can't have that now? Can we?
As evidenced by the rapid 19 unhelpfuls put up, there is probably 1 person with multiple accounts who has made it their mission in life to attack others rather than defend their own position. It's sad, but that's the type of mentality unfortunately that characterizes some of those with a YEC position. Glad they have a hobby anyway ... keeps them off the streets .... ;)
Assuming you're still reading this review you're either genuinely interested in what this book has to say or you're a YEC'er (gasp) actually fair-minded enough to listen to what someone else has to say. In either event I applaud and welcome your interaction.
Hugh Ross is a astronomer from Canada who has worked through what has been a difficult process for many when it comes to the age of the universe and the earth in particular. As a scientist he is faced with overwhelming data that seems to point very strongly to the universe being very old; billions of years old. (Believe it or not, this is not a Satanic conspiracy from the pit of hell ... Scientists actually believe this based on evidence and not due to their secret membership in the Anti-Christ club.) Further, as a Christian, he is faced with the Bible which in the Genesis account(s), appear to favor a very rapid creation period (24 hour days according to some) and some strong proponents who claim that their interpretation and understanding of that Biblical account indicates that the earth can be no more than 10,000 years old.
So the choice seems to be accept one or the other. Of course, as a Christian you would expect Ross to accept "The Bible."
But wait a minute. "The Bible" is the final authority of Christians right? But the God of the Bible also is the God of creation right? How can "The Bible" and Nature be so out of line with each other (apparently?) Is God trying to deceive us? Is science really that wrong?
Young Earth Creationists have asked the same question and their answer has been to accept their interpretation (very important word there .... interpretation) and understanding of Genesis and the related passages and reasoned that Science must be wrong. So they've invested a great deal of time and effort in the laudable effort in seeking to reconcile the two. Frankly I think what they've come up with is pretty silly, but I have to commend them for making the effort as it comes from conviction and a recognition that they probably should make some sort of effort at reconciliation.
But wait. What about the other possibility? What if it is not science that is wrong. What if the Young Earth Position is wrong? Note, I didn't say what if "The Bible" is wrong. I don't believe it is or can be. Christians can be wrong however in their understanding. It's happened before, hasn't it? Remember a fellow named Galileo? The Church of his day renounced his science of the Sun at the center of the solar system and the proof he provided. Why? Because they believed the Bible taught otherwise. Was the Bible wrong? NO!!! Some Christians were!!!
Maybe we could learn something from that. Do you think?
So, what if something similar is going on here? "The Bible" can't be wrong, but what if we're not interpreting it right in this area?
To his credit, Ross doesn't take the easy way out and simply claim that Genesis is a myth or an unscientific representation and therefore it really can't be taken in a literal sense. Many have done that. The results are devestating. Start playing fast and loose with the Bible in one area and you can do so in the others and you effectively strip it of all meaning, power and authority. Apparently YEC'rs in their zeal can't appreciate that and so they heap scorn on a man trying to hold to the same standards they claim to follow.
That is what this book is all about. Hugh Ross approaches Genesis and works to reconcile it with what he believes to be true in terms of an old earth. It turns out, it's not too difficult to do. Certainly no more difficult than answering some of the tough questions that Young Earth Creationists have to answer as well.
Here's one just for starters. If there are 24 hour days from day 1 to day 6, how do you explain the Sun Moon and the Stars being created on the 4th day? How can there be a 24 hour day without the components that measure that day as such? Young Earth Creationists do have explanations for that, as do Old Earth Creationists. Young Earther's can do a pretty nice exegetical two-step and accept some pretty fancy explaining in that situation. I wonder why they aren't so open minded when it comes to other issues?
Maybe the Hebrew Word "Yom" can mean more than just a 24 hour day. What do you know! Turns out it can!! In fact, if a long period of time is what God and Moses meant to signify in Genesis, do you know what the best word to use in Ancient Hebrew is? Son of a Gun! Turns out it is the word "Yom"! Just the word used!
I don't believe Hugh Ross is perfect. I don't believe all his explanations are necessarily right. But I respect that he is willing to face the hard questions and attempt to give an answer. I believe Hugh Ross is enough of a Christian and a man that he could face new information, interact with it and change his mind if the truth from the Bible and the facts from Science required it. I even believe if he had to turn off his knowledge of Science and accept a Young Earth position on faith if he were convinced that orthodoxy and faith required it, he could do that. (I wonder if the YEC'ers mocking and slandering him could do the same, if they were brave enough to actually interact with what Hugh is saying, and not just throw their little hand-grenades of love, and if not, what they are so afraid of?)
I respect the man who is in the cross hairs wrestling with the issue and demonstrating Christian Qualities more than I respect immature and judgmental Christians who take pot shots and aren't in the battle themselves trying to do something.
Some of the people making reviews on this book and those voting to affirm these immature and decidely un-Christ-like displays could stand to learn a lesson from Hugh's silence in the face of their rudeness and attacking of his character and faith. Apparently their upbringing lacked manners and their education lacked the ability to disagree, agreeably. Great testimony on a web-site viewed by many outside the Church. I'm sure they're impressed.
It's a shame that so many from the YEC camp cannot have the same said of them as can be said of Hugh Ross. They are so sure they are right that they have equated their interpretation of the Bible in this one area to be a litmus test for all Christian faith and have used it to drive other believers away from them. Even sadder, they're driving unbelievers further from Christ because they equate Christianity with intellectual suicide.
I know this, because I used to be a Young Earth Creationist. Hugh Ross's book is not what changed my mind. I read it after that. But I know a good man when I read him and, agree or disagree with him, Hugh Ross is a good man.
I don't agree with all he says but I think he's on the right track. Further he is kind, humble and gentle in his presentation and I sense a genuine desire, far more than I ever evidenced when I was a YEC'er and far more than I see from most who take that position today, although thankfully there are a few exceptions.
I recommend this book regardless of your position when you start, and whether you agree with him or not when you're finished. You should walk away from it better understanding the issues and able to learn something. Unless of course, you really are afraid of that possibility. Thankfully those marked this review and moved on after the first sentence.
Thanks for reading and I truly hope you find this helpful.
Enjoy! ;)
First, If you're a Young Earth Creationist and don't really care what someone thinks or has to say about this book, please go ahead, mark it as unhelpful and save yourself the time and trouble of reading the book or this review.
After all, why risk possibly interacting positively in a mature and adult fashion with someone who is a fellow believer and has a different understanding of some Biblical Passages but who still affirms Inspiration, Inerrancy and the Diety of Christ? You can't experience anything positively by reading a book you already know you disagree with. We can't have that now? Can we?
As evidenced by the rapid 19 unhelpfuls put up, there is probably 1 person with multiple accounts who has made it their mission in life to attack others rather than defend their own position. It's sad, but that's the type of mentality unfortunately that characterizes some of those with a YEC position. Glad they have a hobby anyway ... keeps them off the streets .... ;)
Assuming you're still reading this review you're either genuinely interested in what this book has to say or you're a YEC'er (gasp) actually fair-minded enough to listen to what someone else has to say. In either event I applaud and welcome your interaction.
Hugh Ross is a astronomer from Canada who has worked through what has been a difficult process for many when it comes to the age of the universe and the earth in particular. As a scientist he is faced with overwhelming data that seems to point very strongly to the universe being very old; billions of years old. (Believe it or not, this is not a Satanic conspiracy from the pit of hell ... Scientists actually believe this based on evidence and not due to their secret membership in the Anti-Christ club.) Further, as a Christian, he is faced with the Bible which in the Genesis account(s), appear to favor a very rapid creation period (24 hour days according to some) and some strong proponents who claim that their interpretation and understanding of that Biblical account indicates that the earth can be no more than 10,000 years old.
So the choice seems to be accept one or the other. Of course, as a Christian you would expect Ross to accept "The Bible."
But wait a minute. "The Bible" is the final authority of Christians right? But the God of the Bible also is the God of creation right? How can "The Bible" and Nature be so out of line with each other (apparently?) Is God trying to deceive us? Is science really that wrong?
Young Earth Creationists have asked the same question and their answer has been to accept their interpretation (very important word there .... interpretation) and understanding of Genesis and the related passages and reasoned that Science must be wrong. So they've invested a great deal of time and effort in the laudable effort in seeking to reconcile the two. Frankly I think what they've come up with is pretty silly, but I have to commend them for making the effort as it comes from conviction and a recognition that they probably should make some sort of effort at reconciliation.
But wait. What about the other possibility? What if it is not science that is wrong. What if the Young Earth Position is wrong? Note, I didn't say what if "The Bible" is wrong. I don't believe it is or can be. Christians can be wrong however in their understanding. It's happened before, hasn't it? Remember a fellow named Galileo? The Church of his day renounced his science of the Sun at the center of the solar system and the proof he provided. Why? Because they believed the Bible taught otherwise. Was the Bible wrong? NO!!! Some Christians were!!!
Maybe we could learn something from that. Do you think?
So, what if something similar is going on here? "The Bible" can't be wrong, but what if we're not interpreting it right in this area?
To his credit, Ross doesn't take the easy way out and simply claim that Genesis is a myth or an unscientific representation and therefore it really can't be taken in a literal sense. Many have done that. The results are devestating. Start playing fast and loose with the Bible in one area and you can do so in the others and you effectively strip it of all meaning, power and authority. Apparently YEC'rs in their zeal can't appreciate that and so they heap scorn on a man trying to hold to the same standards they claim to follow.
That is what this book is all about. Hugh Ross approaches Genesis and works to reconcile it with what he believes to be true in terms of an old earth. It turns out, it's not too difficult to do. Certainly no more difficult than answering some of the tough questions that Young Earth Creationists have to answer as well.
Here's one just for starters. If there are 24 hour days from day 1 to day 6, how do you explain the Sun Moon and the Stars being created on the 4th day? How can there be a 24 hour day without the components that measure that day as such? Young Earth Creationists do have explanations for that, as do Old Earth Creationists. Young Earther's can do a pretty nice exegetical two-step and accept some pretty fancy explaining in that situation. I wonder why they aren't so open minded when it comes to other issues?
Maybe the Hebrew Word "Yom" can mean more than just a 24 hour day. What do you know! Turns out it can!! In fact, if a long period of time is what God and Moses meant to signify in Genesis, do you know what the best word to use in Ancient Hebrew is? Son of a Gun! Turns out it is the word "Yom"! Just the word used!
I don't believe Hugh Ross is perfect. I don't believe all his explanations are necessarily right. But I respect that he is willing to face the hard questions and attempt to give an answer. I believe Hugh Ross is enough of a Christian and a man that he could face new information, interact with it and change his mind if the truth from the Bible and the facts from Science required it. I even believe if he had to turn off his knowledge of Science and accept a Young Earth position on faith if he were convinced that orthodoxy and faith required it, he could do that. (I wonder if the YEC'ers mocking and slandering him could do the same, if they were brave enough to actually interact with what Hugh is saying, and not just throw their little hand-grenades of love, and if not, what they are so afraid of?)
I respect the man who is in the cross hairs wrestling with the issue and demonstrating Christian Qualities more than I respect immature and judgmental Christians who take pot shots and aren't in the battle themselves trying to do something.
Some of the people making reviews on this book and those voting to affirm these immature and decidely un-Christ-like displays could stand to learn a lesson from Hugh's silence in the face of their rudeness and attacking of his character and faith. Apparently their upbringing lacked manners and their education lacked the ability to disagree, agreeably. Great testimony on a web-site viewed by many outside the Church. I'm sure they're impressed.
It's a shame that so many from the YEC camp cannot have the same said of them as can be said of Hugh Ross. They are so sure they are right that they have equated their interpretation of the Bible in this one area to be a litmus test for all Christian faith and have used it to drive other believers away from them. Even sadder, they're driving unbelievers further from Christ because they equate Christianity with intellectual suicide.
I know this, because I used to be a Young Earth Creationist. Hugh Ross's book is not what changed my mind. I read it after that. But I know a good man when I read him and, agree or disagree with him, Hugh Ross is a good man.
I don't agree with all he says but I think he's on the right track. Further he is kind, humble and gentle in his presentation and I sense a genuine desire, far more than I ever evidenced when I was a YEC'er and far more than I see from most who take that position today, although thankfully there are a few exceptions.
I recommend this book regardless of your position when you start, and whether you agree with him or not when you're finished. You should walk away from it better understanding the issues and able to learn something. Unless of course, you really are afraid of that possibility. Thankfully those marked this review and moved on after the first sentence.
Thanks for reading and I truly hope you find this helpful.
Enjoy! ;)
Read
June 10, 2020Ross presented a solid argument that uses scientific findings/data in support of the Genesis 1-11 narratives outlining all of creation and man’s origins. He is definitely Old-Earth, and I admit it was hard to understand if he was defending a gap theory position or not. He seems to have rebuked it at one point while simultaneously trying to prove it. That point aside, which could be my misunderstanding, Ross presents a solid, scientifically-based position defending the biblical Creation account.
February 9, 2024
I thought it was really interesting, but I would have loved more references to where Ross got his information. He paints a very plausible sounding story, but asks for trust that all of his scientific assertions are accurate. It would have been great to be able to see more of the source material.
March 10, 2025
Excelente trabajo acerca de las complicaciones que presenta el relato de Génesis de la creación. Indispensable lectura para quien desea defender la autenticidad de la Biblia. No. Los días de la creación no fueron de 24 horas cada uno.
March 13, 2023
Hugh Ross is a highly respected astrophysicist and Christian. In this book he shows us how science doesn’t disprove the Bible but that it can actually be used to prove the truthfulness of the Bible.
June 2, 2024
Fascinating! An honest look into the scientific evidence that confirms the Bible’s creation account.
May 26, 2025
In serious need of an update, but good nonetheless
November 15, 2016
This particular book suffers compared to other books on Genesis [1] in large part because the author is trying to cover himself on two sides. On one side, the author wants to be seen as a legitimately scientific writer on Genesis. On the other side, the author wishes to be seen as genuinely Christian. This tends to create a tension because many (though by no means all, and by no means myself for that matter) Christians who support the legitimacy of the biblical view of Creation simultaneously believe in a young earth Creationism, which the author does not support. Meanwhile, scientists who refuse to concede the somewhat straightforward truth of intelligent design [2] are not going to view the Old Earth Creationism of the author as any more legitimate, especially given their lack of interest in conceding any room to the possibility that there may be a Creator and Heavenly Judge who has room on the docket to judge their own lives and behavior. The author, by trying to appeal to both sides, ends up making concessions to bad science that many Christians will find unpalatable while failing to win any credit from scientists who have no interest in supporting people of faith, leaving him caught between the upper and lower millstone of a war that has been going on since the Enlightenment.
It can be said with certainty, though, that the author tries really hard to mend fences on both sides, and tries really hard to show himself an expert on the Hebrew language of the first eleven chapters of Genesis. If he does not succeed, it is not for lack of effort. The book is immensely readable, being made up of 21 short chapters that together make 200 pages of material that dance between Hebrew word studies, a personal exploration of the author's scientific views and faith perspective, and an attempt to address myths as well as controversies about the material in Genesis. The author approaches the material more or less systematically, starting with the creation events of the first six days in about a quarter of the material before engaging in source controversy, and then tackling the Sabbath and a spiritual perspective on Creation before including chapters on "Creation Science," the fall, Cain's wife and the first city, the dates of the origin of humanity from Genesis 5, speculations on angels mating with humans to make the Nephilim, the boundaries of the flood (which the author considers a local flood), and then looking at the ark and its passengers and the origin of nations and races. The fact that the author has to swing two ways, one way to protect his scientific credibility and the other to maintain a belief in biblical inerrancy that is necessary to gain credibility with Christian audiences, gives the book a somewhat embattled perspective.
Ultimately, this book is less than successful because the author's speculations are done in such a dogmatic perspective, as if the author's perspective had the monopoly on scientific truth as well as biblical veracity. The fact that the author manages to badmouth those who believe in the gap theory as well as Young Earth Creationists means that he will likely win little interest among Christians with his weaksauce local flood which posits that mankind was stuck in Mesopotamia during the time of Noah and had not settled other areas, and the author's speculations on angels intermarrying with people will be ridiculous to those with a materialist scientific worldview. In seeking to be both scientific and biblical the author finds himself in the point of being neither, even though there would be the possibility for both with a more robust focus on intelligent design and more humility about unknown areas of ancient history. The fact that the author views the Hebrew language in such cut and dry terms, rather than being an invitation to debate and to multiple layers, also makes this a less appealing book than it could have been. Then again, perhaps it is unreasonable to expect someone who considers himself to be a skilled biblical scholar and representative of the scientific worldview to also be humble about the possibility of error in both areas, and more gracious with those he disagrees with. Those who are in need of mercy and graciousness in their audience should be generous in dispensing it.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
[2] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
It can be said with certainty, though, that the author tries really hard to mend fences on both sides, and tries really hard to show himself an expert on the Hebrew language of the first eleven chapters of Genesis. If he does not succeed, it is not for lack of effort. The book is immensely readable, being made up of 21 short chapters that together make 200 pages of material that dance between Hebrew word studies, a personal exploration of the author's scientific views and faith perspective, and an attempt to address myths as well as controversies about the material in Genesis. The author approaches the material more or less systematically, starting with the creation events of the first six days in about a quarter of the material before engaging in source controversy, and then tackling the Sabbath and a spiritual perspective on Creation before including chapters on "Creation Science," the fall, Cain's wife and the first city, the dates of the origin of humanity from Genesis 5, speculations on angels mating with humans to make the Nephilim, the boundaries of the flood (which the author considers a local flood), and then looking at the ark and its passengers and the origin of nations and races. The fact that the author has to swing two ways, one way to protect his scientific credibility and the other to maintain a belief in biblical inerrancy that is necessary to gain credibility with Christian audiences, gives the book a somewhat embattled perspective.
Ultimately, this book is less than successful because the author's speculations are done in such a dogmatic perspective, as if the author's perspective had the monopoly on scientific truth as well as biblical veracity. The fact that the author manages to badmouth those who believe in the gap theory as well as Young Earth Creationists means that he will likely win little interest among Christians with his weaksauce local flood which posits that mankind was stuck in Mesopotamia during the time of Noah and had not settled other areas, and the author's speculations on angels intermarrying with people will be ridiculous to those with a materialist scientific worldview. In seeking to be both scientific and biblical the author finds himself in the point of being neither, even though there would be the possibility for both with a more robust focus on intelligent design and more humility about unknown areas of ancient history. The fact that the author views the Hebrew language in such cut and dry terms, rather than being an invitation to debate and to multiple layers, also makes this a less appealing book than it could have been. Then again, perhaps it is unreasonable to expect someone who considers himself to be a skilled biblical scholar and representative of the scientific worldview to also be humble about the possibility of error in both areas, and more gracious with those he disagrees with. Those who are in need of mercy and graciousness in their audience should be generous in dispensing it.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
[2] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
June 23, 2011
From an old-earth perspective (that is that the universe and earth are as old as mainstream science indicates that it is) Hugh Ross discusses the first 11 chapters of Genesis. The portions that were of particular interest to me were the creation "days" and the flood of Noah.
With regards to the creation days Ross discuses emphasizes the point of reference set in Genesis 1 and how read from the appropriate point of reference (God hovering over the waters) everything thereafter agrees with known scientific evidence of the history of the earth, something unparalleled by any other creation myth. As far as the flood of Noah is concerned, he discusses whether the flood was global or local (i.e. the entire "known world" was in the Mesopotamian valley).
In usual manner, Ross shows that the oft ridiculed book of Genesis is perfectly in line with mainstream science.
With regards to the creation days Ross discuses emphasizes the point of reference set in Genesis 1 and how read from the appropriate point of reference (God hovering over the waters) everything thereafter agrees with known scientific evidence of the history of the earth, something unparalleled by any other creation myth. As far as the flood of Noah is concerned, he discusses whether the flood was global or local (i.e. the entire "known world" was in the Mesopotamian valley).
In usual manner, Ross shows that the oft ridiculed book of Genesis is perfectly in line with mainstream science.
April 15, 2017
This book contained some really fascinating discussions about science and Christianity that I'm really glad I read about. I think it did a great job at debunking a lot of the things I'd been taught as a child about a young earth, six day creation, and the global flood, while also staying true the Bible and to science. I would give this 5 stars, but there were a few things I didn't know if I agreed with, and I'd like to keep reading and educating myself on this topic before taking this as the gospel.
August 18, 2015
Although science hasn't gotten it all correct just yet, this book showed me that science and the Bible have to go hand in hand. I mean after all the Creator is the one that made all things. It was a little technical for me in parts, but I muddled through. My reading of this book has strengthened my faith even more, which is what it's all about.....faith.
Want to read
April 3, 2008Everyone knows the bible teaches scientific nonsense, right? Ha! stay tuned.
January 27, 2016
the best book one can read on the subject of Genesis. Put that Answers in Genesis Book of Answers back up on the shelf and pick up this book!
January 21, 2017
A clear presentation of ideas.
April 22, 2008
Nicely written discussion with a few topics that I felt were a little too simplified.
September 4, 2009
The book was interesting but incredibly dry and exceptional scientific.
Want to read
October 2, 2010rethinking this one
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews