One of the challenges that I constantly receive on this web page is the statement that the Bible is not reliable when it makes scientific statements. Here is an example of the Bible's reliability when the findings of science were wrong. This example also illustrates that the scientific findings change as man develops technology. The ancient astronomers and astrologers were very exact observers of the heavens and they cataloged and counted the stars. Two observations are relevant to our discussion here: 1) Cyrus was observed as a RED object. And 2) the number of stars was set at 5000 to 6000. Cyrus today is observed as a white dwarf which is supposed to be millions of years later in the life of a star after the star has been a red giant for a very long period of time. Observation (red only thousands of years ago and now white) now tells us this process happened in the short time since man has been civilized, which gives evolutionary astronomy a VERY DIFFICULT problem. Could their millions of years time frames be wrong? Observation is far more reliable then theory but it too can be wrong. The observed number of stars was also wrong. The confirmed findings of science were 5000 to 6000 stars. The Bible said from the very beginning that the stars were innumerable.
And he brought him forth abroad (Abraham), and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. (Genesis 15:5)
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;. (Genesis 22:17 AV)
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,. (Jeremiah 33:22)
Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. (Hebrews 11:12 )
The Bible was right and science was wrong!!! The reliability of the Bible is confirmed. Christians that accept the "Big Bang" today will be in deep trouble tomorrow when it is scrapped for a better model.
Suggested resources:
Astronomy and the Bible
Journey to
the Edge of Creation" (2 video series)