Bible question.

[styley]

Does the bible ever mention anything about the layout of earth ie, whether it is flat or round. And also does it mention anything about outer space?

[Clanad]

Check these and see what you think...
Job 26:10, Prov 8:27, Isaiah 40:22, Amos 9:6.

Isaian 40:22 is most often quoted in this context, but remember, ancient Hebrew, the language used in all the Old Covenant books, didn't have a word for spherical, only for circle...

[WaldoMcFroog]

As is typical for a literalist, Clanad misleads you, because this kind of discussion makes it abundantly clear their book is plain wrong. There most certainly was a word for sphere in ancient Hebrew, namely 'kadur'.

The notion that circle means sphere is not supported by lexicographical evidence (or indeed common sense), though it does make sense when you consider the Creationalist's difficulties in the face of the Bible being obvoiusly erroneous. Enter the usual tricks of the literalist: "Oh yes, well, obviously *that* bit isn't meant to be interepretted literally"...

(Perhaps one day the literalists will be good enough to make available to all their closely-guarded source that tells them *when* to interpret things literally or as a metaphor etc)

The Bible says many things about cosmology, but let's stick with the sphere for a moment.

Daniel 4:7-8 talks about a tree at the centre of the world. Not possible on a sphere.

Isiah 42:5; 44:24 uses a Hebrew word 'flatten out' to describe God's action in creating the land. Again, not consistent with a spherical Earth, (but consistant with a human living in a generally flat desert region)

Jesus believed the stars were little lights mounted on the inside of a canopy (imagine the Earth and the stars as being like a snowstorm, and you have the idea). You'd have thought He'd have known better, wouldn't you?

Satan takes Jesus up onto a high mountain so Jesus can view all of the kingdoms of the world. Somewhat difficult on a sphere, so we must conclude either that we are talking about a God that only ruled over a small region or that they believed the world was flat.

There are many other examples of the Bible talking rubbish about cosmology, not least of which is the amusing God creating light on day 1 of creation, then stars & the actual bodies that create light on day 4 in Gen 1 (but presumably there is

[WaldoMcFroog]

one of those invisible markers in there to tell us we should interpret it as a metaphor. Or something...)

[brionon]

Waldo, good one mate.

[chakka35]

What does it matter anyway? The bible says that the earth existed at least three days before the rest of the universe, which is factual nonsense, and that the first three days had evenings and mornings even though the sun did not exist until the fourth day!
Might as well take your learning from Anderson's Fairy Tales.

[Cetti]

Yes styley, Job ch9 v9:

He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.

[wizard69]

Yes styley, Job ch9 v7

The sun doesn't shine because God speaks to it
(all those heretical scientists would have us believe
it doesnt shine because its nightime and the earth is facing away from it when in reality its because God is having a chat to it)

[Cetti]

Read the 'Site Rules'.

A reminder of the first one -

Treat others as you would like to be treated and respect other people�s opinions

[wizard69]

err...and you respect mine?

[Octavius]

How typical, the question asks whether these things are mentioned in the Bible, not you�re your opinion on whether it is factual truth. But yet again, (drone/yawn etc), we have the usual anti-bible hoi-polloi restating what they say in every question and answer bible topic.

In any event, styley, some info here � you have the freedom of choice whether to take it �literally� or not: http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-c01 2.html

[wizard69]

"How typical"? ... exactly. How typical of religionists to NOT want to hear a contradictory quote, Octavious I merely gave another quote...and added my opinion. So whats the problem sonshine? This IS answerbank if you hadnt noticed and people are entitled to give an opinion.
(or maybe you NEVER give your opinion eh)!
Drone , yawn etc...

[WaldoMcFroog]

The first answer claimed that the ancient Hebrew word for 'circle' meant 'sphere' and no word for 'sphere' exists. It was wrong on both counts and an agenda-led answer, so I rebutted it. Using 'facts'.

Where's the problem in correcting incorrect, biased answers?

[wizard69]

Dont let "facts" get in the way Waldo, whatever you do...

[naomi24]

Has anyone had a good look at the American website Octavius has given? Oh dear.

[WaldoMcFroog]

Just had a look, and it's quite amusing!

What breathtaking arrogance though - from reading that you can imagine they're the sort of people who still get upset about Copernicus.

The fact that we're based down the insignificant end of the galaxy near an unremarkable star would surely cause total meltdown.

[chakka35]

It was perfectly reasonable of 'anti-bible' me, Octavius, to ask why styley wanted to know. Since the few things that the bible does say about the cosmos are utter baloney, it would be intersting to know what was in styley's mind. One would hope that he/she wasn't seeking enlightenment.
By the way, and being insufferably pedantic, 'the usual anti-bible hoi-polloi' makes no sense because 'hoi polloi' means 'the people'. The correct phrase, though ridiculously clumsy, would be 'hoi usual anti-bible polloi'. End of Greek lesson.

[chakka35]

Before you give me an English lesson (!) I naturally meant 'interesting'.

[naomi24]

Waldo, arrogance is precisely the word that sprang to my mind when I looked at it. Incredible!