Do Science And The Bible Conflict
March 6th, 2008Author: Frank Harber Ph.D
The Bible describes events phenomenologically or figuratively — which is to describe things as they appear to be. The Scriptures use figures of speech such as the sun rising and setting.
Many would charge the Bible with an error at this point. Modern scientific knowledge tells us that the sun does not rise or set but that the earth rotates. However, we use the same phrases today and are not charged with error. Figures of speech are not errors as such.
Some hold that the Bible is an antiquated religious book filled with primitive, pre-scientific views of the universe. Thus, some would say that the Bible should only be read for spiritual truths because it errs in matters of objective science and history. Such persons would say that “the Bible is not a book of science but of religion.”
However the Bible never purports itself to be a scientific handbook loaded down with formulas, charts, and hypotheses. Such books of science, even in our own day, go out of date very quickly, and even the most current encyclopedias must constantly be rewritten because new knowledge is coming available at an astounding rate.
Yet one searches in vain for any scientific errors in the Bible. One cannot find notions of a flat earth, spontaneous generation, or Ptolemaic astronomy. While the Bible does not try to teach chemistry or biology, it never stands in conflict with verified science in any way.
In all places that the Bible deals with scientific matters, it is completely accurate.