Relationship between Science and Bible - Essay Example

Relationship between Science and Bible Many people have believed that the bible is a book containing ideas that are inaccurate scientifically. However, the truth is many Christians as well as the non-Christians misinterpret the Bible differently, which conflicts with the world's reality (Zigerell 314). The Roman Catholic Church provides a good example of such a scenario. The Roman Catholic Church promoted the idea that the center of the universe is the earth for many years (Zigerell 314). However, this idea is not in the Bible. This concept is from the idea that humans being are the center of the attention of God and therefore the place the human beings live in must be the center of the God’s universe. This idea is neither a biblical nor logical inference (Yasri & Mancy 2). The Bible even states it clearly that the earth is by the heavens and not the other way round (Jaki 224). The paper discusses the relationship that exists between the Bible and science. Zigerell (314) explains that the early proponents such as Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler and Nicholas Copernicus were all Christians. The famous scientist Isaac Newton stated that the most beautiful system of the planets, comets and sun could proceed only from the dominion and counsel on a powerful and intelligent being (Zigerell 315). Therefore, the Bible and science are closely related. Scientists agree with the physical world described in the Bible. Zigerell (315) asserts that some of the scientific principles described in the Bible in the thousands years ago are (El-Hani & Claudia 103). The Bible and science relate in various ways as discussed below. The bible addresses statements consistent with the astronomy (Zigerell 315). The Bible refers frequently to the great number of stars that are in heaven. The book of Genesis talks of the stars (Schroeder 178). In chapter twenty-two, verse seventeen of Genesis book states how God was to bless Abraham. God will bless Abraham abundantly, and he will multiply the descendants of Abraham as the heavenly stars and as the sand that are on the seashore (Zigerell 315). The descendants of Abraham will be able to possess the gates of their enemies. The book of Jeremiah also addresses the issue of stars (Zigerell 316). Chapter thirty three of the book of Jeremiah explains how God was to bless the descendants of His servant David and the Levites who were ministering to him. “As the host of the heavens cannot be numbered, nor the sand of the sea be measured, so I will multiply the descendants of David My servant and the Levites who minister to me” (Jer. 33:1). The number of stars that are in heaven is not in the two books, but they are to be many (Yasri & Mancy 3). Scientists even today admit that they are not aware of the number of stars in the heaven (Yasri & Mancy 3). With the naked eyes, the scientists are only able to account for 3,000 stars. Scientists have estimated the number of stars and seashore sand grains of the earth to be great numbers, but they don’t give the exact values of each (Jaki 225). The Bible states that the stars are unique (Zigerell 316). The book of I Corinthians 15:41 express the uniqueness of each star. The book states that, “there is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory” (Jaki 226). Scientists explain that all stars look the same when observed with the naked eyes (El-Hani & Claudia 104). The stars seem to be just light points when seen from a telescope. When the light spectra of stars are, it reveals that each star is unique and is different from the others (Yasri & Mancy 3). The movement precision in the universe has in the Bible (Zigerell 317). The book of Jeremiah 31:35-36 describes the movement precision in the universe. Scientists have also explained the movements that occur within the universe (Yasri & Mancy 4). The Bible also describes how the earth is in the space (Zigerell 317). The book of Job explained that God stretched out to the north over the space that is empty. The chapter also explains that God hanged the earth on nothing. Scientists have also explained the same idea in the Bible that the earth is in space (El-Hani & Claudia 104). The Bible contains statements that are consistent with the meteorology (Zigerell 317). The circulation of the atmosphere has in the Bible. The book of Ecclesiastes 1:6 describes the movement of the wind in the atmosphere (Yasri & Mancy 4). The wind moves towards the south turning around to the north. The wind continually whirls about coming back to its circuit. Scientists have also explained the movement of wind in the atmosphere (Zigerell 317). Scientists name different kinds of winds and their direction of movements in the atmosphere (El-Hani & Claudia 105). This shows that the circulation of the atmosphere studied by the scientists is in the scriptures thus shows the relationship between the Bible and Science (Schroeder 189). Some dynamics of fluid is included in the Bible. The book of Job describes the fluid dynamics. “To establish a weight for the wind, and apportion the waters by measure” (Zigerell 317). It was scientifically proven 300 years ago that air has weight. The world hydrological cycle requires the relative weight of water and air in order to function efficiently (Yasri & Mancy 5). The life on earth will in turn be sustained. Zigerell (317) says that the statements that are consistent with the biology are in the Bible. The value of blood has in the book of Leviticus that waswritten prior to 1400 BC. Leviticus explains that the life of the flesh is in the blood. God has given this life to the people upon the altar so that they can make atonement for their souls (Schroeder 192). The book explains that the atonement of the soul is by blood (Yasri & Mancy 5). Scientists have also explained how the blood plays a big role in the body (Zigerell 317). The blood acts as a transport agent in the body (Schroeder 195). The blood carries nourishment and water to all cells of the body. The blood also plays a role of maintaining the temperature of the body and removing the waste materials that are in the cells of the body (Zigerell 317). Science has also explained how oxygen is carried throughout the blood in human bodies from the lungs (Yasri & Mancy 5). It was discovered that the circulation of blood was a key factor in physical life by a scientist known as Harvey William in 1616 (Zigerell 318). This discovery confirmed what the Bible had revealed 3000 years earlier. Therefore the relationship of science and the Bible is thus confirmed by this discovery. The Bible has described how living organisms have developed from other living organisms (Zigerell 318). The Bible also describes how each of the living organisms is stable. In verses eleven and twelve of Genesis chapter one this development is explained. God then instructed the earth to bring forth the grass, the fruit tree that is able to yield fruits and the herb that produces seeds (Zigerell 318). The earth was able to bring forth grass, the herb that produces seeds according to its kinds and the tree that could yield fruits. The fruit trees yield fruits that produced seeds of their own kinds. Then God saw that this was good (Yasri & Nancy 5). Genesis 1:21 describes how God created everything in its own kind (Schroeder 197). God created sea creatures and every moving living thing found in the water according to its kind. The winged bird was also created according to its kinds. Then God saw that this was good. The beast of the earth was made by God according to its kind (Yasri & Mancy 6). The cattle and everything that creeps on earth was also made according to its kind. God was pleased with what he saw (Schroeder 203). The phrase “according to its kind” has occurred in the verses repeatedly (Zigerell 318). The phrase has repeatedly to stress the reproductive integrity of plant and animal kind. Scientists explain that this occurs because of the reproductive systems are by their genetic codes (El-Hani & Claudia 108). The chemical nature of the flesh is in the Bible (Zigerell 318). The book of genesis describes how man was formed by God from dust. After the grounding of the dust to form man, God breathed into the nostrils of the man the breath of life (Yasri & Mancy 6). Man only became a living thing or object after the breath of life. The book of Genesis also describes how man was told by God that he will eat bread out of the sweat of his face till he returns to the ground (Schroeder 204). The man was taken out of dust and he shall return to dust (Jaki 229). Scientists also explain that the human flesh is of chemicals (Zigerell 318). Human beings are able to respire due to the breathing process that takes place. God breathed the breath of life in man as described in the Bible and scientists explain that breathing is an important process in human beings (Schroeder 207). If the breathing process stops the life of individual ends (El-Hani & Claudia 112). Science has proven fact that the mental and spiritual health of a person is with the physical health (Zigerell 318). The Bible also reveals the statement especially in the book of Proverbs. The book of Proverbs states that the crown of one’s husband is his excellent wife, but a wife who causes shame is likened with rottenness in the bones of his husband (Yasri & Mancy 7). Proverbs 14:3 states that life to the body is a sound heart, but envy is like rottenness to the bones. The heart is by the light of the eyes and the bones are healthy with a good report. Proverbs 16:24 states “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones” (Jaki 302). Evidently, statements consistent with Paleontology are discussed in the bible (El-Hani & Claudia 113). Several Bible books have talked about dinosaurs. Two dinosaurs have been described in the book of Job. One dinosaur has in the chapter fifteen starting from the verse fifteen (Zigerell 319). Another dinosaur has in chapter forty-one from verse one (Yasri & Mancy 9). However, some people may argue that dinosaurs existed because of the bones of dinosaurs and the fossils that have been found, and yet they are not in the Bible (Zigerell 319). The attributes described in the book of Job 40:15-24 are characteristics of dinosaurs. Quality scientific information is available in the Bible that regards the dinosaurs. Paleontologists have also addressed the existence of the dinosaurs (Zigerell 319). The Bible contains statements that are consistent with anthropology (Zigerell 319). Scientists have cave paintings and other evidences that show that people used to live in caves. The Bible has also described cavemen. The book of Job 30:5-6 illustrates this. “They were driven out from among men, they shouted at them as at a thief. They had to live in the clefts of the valleys, in caves of the earth and the rocks” (Jaki 304). However, it should be noted that these were descendants of those who scattered from Babel and so they were not ape-men (Zigerell 319). These people were driven out of the community by the tribes who successfully competed for the regions of the earth that were desirable (Yasri & Mancy 2). Due to some reasons, these people deteriorated physically, spiritually and mentally. Reasonable descriptions of the hydrological cycle that are complete are in the Bible. The book of Psalm 135:7 has a statement of hydrology. God causes the vapors from the ends of the earth to ascend. God is able to make lightening for the rain. The wind is out of the treasuries of God. Scientists also explain the hydrological cycle explaining the various processes that water undergoes (Zigerell 319). Yasri and Mancy (10) confirm that the book of Jeremiah also describes this statement. In chapter ten verse thirteen of the book it states that when God utters his voice, a multitude of water is in the heavens. “God causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth, He makes lightening for the rain and he brings the wind out of His treasuries” (Zigerell 319). The verses have used several phases of the hydrological cycle (El-Hani & Claudia 115). Science has explained this worldwide process of evaporation, translation due to atmospheric circulation, condensation caused by the electrical discharges and precipitation (Yasri & Mancy 11). These hydrological statements studied by the scientists had been expressed in the Bible many years ago and science is simply confirming the statement (Zigerell 319). The book of Job 36:27-29 states “God drew up drops of water, which distills as rain from the mist, which the clouds drop down and pour abundantly on man. Indeed can anyone understand how the clouds spread, the thunder from His canopy?” (Schroeder 212). This verse has scientific insight that is remarkable. The drops of water that will pour down as water eventually first become vapor (Zigerell 319). Tiny droplets of water in the clouds occur due to condensation of the water vapor. The droplets of water coalesce finally into drops that are large enough to overcome the suspension in the air caused by updrafts (Jaki 305). The surprising amount of water that the cloud can hold as condensation is to in the Bible (Zigerell 319). God binds up water in his thick clouds and yet the clouds are not under it. The book of Job states that god saturates the thick clouds with moisture and He scatters his clouds that are bright. Scientists have also explained how clouds hold water in condensation form (Yasri & Mancy 11). The crust of the earth has in the Bible. The lord says “If heaven above can be measured, and the foundation of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seeds of Israel. For all that they have done, says the Lord” (Jaki 307). Some scientists claim to have measured the size of the universe (Zigerell 319). However, man has continued to fail in drilling his way through the earth’s crust. The shape of the earth wasdescribed in the bible centuries before people had thought that it was spherical (Zigerell 320). In the book of Isaiah 40:22 it states, “It is he who sits above the circles of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in”. The circle is a translated from the Hebrew word Chuwg. This also translated as a compass or circuit depending on the context it is (Zigerell 320). This indicates the earth will burn as a whole. The nuclear processes have also been explained by scientists (Yasri & Mancy 13). The Bible and the biblical worldview have impacted on the science both positively and negatively (Zigerell 320). The biblical worldview was sufficient for living in the Dark Ages world. Biblical worldview could be seen to be far from optimal. However, it was a sufficient worldview for propagating species (El-Hani & Claudia 115). The biblical worldview was shattered into thousands of worldview that are competitive by the reformation (Yasri & Mancy 13). One could no longer make citations to the things left by the apostles and that include the Bible. The Bible was cited alone without making the materials that surrounded it and that could be used for its interpretation. The writing of Clement was lost from the discourse even though he was trained by Peter and John. This could have an effect on the science (El-Hani & Claudia 117). Without a clear framework to discuss in it, the Bible allows people to prove anything by using reason (Schroeder 215). These biblical worldviews impact science because the denominations will proclaim to know the truth using reasoning thus coming into opposite conclusions (Yasri & Mancy 15). In many cases it is always difficult to have a contradictory statement to the world pre-existing view (Zigerell 320). Scientists sometimes find it difficult to express their findings because of the religions that oppose the truth in order to protect a belief system that is false from assault (Zigerell 320). The biblical worldview is rigidly fixed, making it difficult to fix the corrections by amending the same. Religion supported and advanced in the science when it was perceived as contrary to the Bible (Jaki 313). However, science is when it contradicts the biblical view. With time all cultures have changed rapidly. However most cultures are to be conservative and they tend to resist change (Zigerell 320). Some cultures enact laws that preserve and protect the traditional cultural patterns. Some cultures put barriers to the ideas and things that contradict the existing cultures (Yasri & Mancy 15). Culture change is by the massive explosion of human population. Cultural changes have brought significant changes within the society. (Zigerell 321) asserts that when the transformation of culture is analyzed, different understandings are depending on the focus. The study of anthropology began on this phenomenon during the late 19th century by trying to understand how the manufactured things such as tools were invented and modified over time in design (Schroeder 218). It became apparent that they is new invention. However, only the form, function and form are most often considered to be new and not all the three. The principle of the lever and screw used by the modern jack was well known more than 2,000 years ago to the Ancient Greeks. Anthropologists realized in the 1940’s that tools, ideas, and other artifacts were generally not invented or could also not be changed in isolation (Zigerell 321). They were mainly due to the settings of particular cultures (Yasri & Mancy 16). The cultural changes often cause the occurrence of changes in response. According to my opinion, the changes brought by culture are positive. Culture caused by new inventions has improved the living standards of people. Scientists are able to come up with new inventions that are instead of rejecting them (El-Hani & Claudia 118). The ways in which the Bible is and interpreted have also changed leading to a better understanding of religion (Zigerell 321). A social movement has changed over time. Social movement refers to collective attempts of wide varieties that are capable of bringing about change in social institutions (Zigerell 321). Social movement can as well create entire new orders. Social movements have led to social order changes in the world (Zigerell 321). Even if a movement does not achieve all its goals, part of the program is and incorporated into the social order that is changing rapidly (El-Hani & Claudia 120). A social movement is with changing the attitudes and behaviors of people (Yasri & Mancy 16). Research has shown that about a quarter of Europeans and Americans have made comprehensive changes in their way of life, and worldview. The individuals have placed emphasis on their lives on spirituality, communities, relationship and ecological sustainability. Science has continuously changed over time (Zigerell 322). The early scientist used to work with under-developed equipment when they were carrying out investigations. Gregor Mendel worked alone when he was investigating the plant genetics (Yasri & Mancy 17). Presently modern laboratories for plant genetics exist. The laboratories look more diverse and they apply the latest techniques for sequencing DNA (Jaki 315). Thomson discovered a new particle of matter called electron. During his discovery, he used lab equipment that consisted mainly of magnets, vacuum tubes and simple wiring. One hundred years after the discovery, the scientists who were searching for new particles used a supercollider (El-Hani & Claudia 121). Supercollider is a machine that produces data that is by supercomputers that are powerful. Science has changed tremendously making improvements in various fields (Zigerell 322). Powerful techniques that are in data analysis have been invented. Making of observations and running of experiments can be done by the use of sophisticated equipment (Yasri & Mancy 17). The scientific knowledge has also gained greater depth and breadth. The changes in science are mainly due to the expanding diversity of perspectives that are by its participants. Scientists always look for explanations for their findings (Yasri & Mancy 18). The scientists then test for the explanations that are available against evidence which are in the natural world (Zigerell 322). However, science is not static and is with the society deeply. The change in the society makes the science to change as well. The change in science is due to publication and peer influence. Scientific results can be publicized rapidly due to internet innovation (Schroeder 223). The information distribution speed changes science because the scrutinization of latest studies is possible. The latest studies can be replaced or built on to clarify the findings (Zigerell 322). In conclusion, the Bible and science have a close relationship. However, the interpretation of Bible scriptures by the Christians and non-Christians is what brings the conflict. As discussed in the paper, many statements that are scientific are in the bible. Many of these statements have been confirmed by the scientists’ findings. Many scientists were also Christians and it could not be possible to contradict their religions. Some of the scientific principles that were described in the Bible in the thousand years ago have been scientifically proven to be true, thus showing a strong relationship between science and the Bible. However, the bible was neither a scientific work nor was it written to describe what is in the physical world. The Bible was actually written to explain the spititual principles. The Bible was written to explain the God’s nature, humankind's nature and the various ways of developing mutual, close, and personal relationship with their creature, God. Work Cited El-Hani, Charbel N., and Claudia Sepulveda. "The relationship between science and religion in the education of protestant biology preservice teachers in a Brazilian university." Cultural Studies of Science Education 5.1 (2010): 103-125. Jaki, Stanley L. Bible and science. Front Royal, Virginia: Christendom Press, 1996. Schroeder, Gerald. Genesis and the Big Bang Theory: The Discovery of Harmony Between Modern Science and the Bible. New York City: Bantam, 2011. Yasri, Pratchayapong, and Rebecca Mancy. "Understanding Student Approaches to Learning Evolution in the Context of their Perceptions of the Relationship between Science and Religion." International Journal of Science Education ahead-of-print (2012): 1-22. Zigerell, L. J. "Science knowledge and biblical literalism." Public Understanding of Science 21.3 (2012): 314-322. Read More