A letter to the editor that appeared in our local paper, december, 2004.
Science vs. the Bible
While the election was dominating the news and opinion pages in the Messenger, a series of letters snuck their way in that were much more fun and interesting. The subject is even more poignant given the time of year and the national debate over whether any kind of Christ oriented display belongs in the public square.
While the fact remains that the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ is the basis for our December 25th holiday, the secularization of our society has left some people doubting many of the historical accounts in the Bible, including the birth of Christ and the creation of the Earth as described in Genesis.
The mistaken assumption held by many is that scientific discoveries are disproving the Bible as an historical record. In fact, just the opposite is true. Here are a few examples:
· Sedimentary rock layers and fossilized sea creatures are found in the highest mountains all over the world, evidence of Noah’s flood.
· Archaeological digs in the Middle East have confirmed the existence of ancient cities too numerous to list. A few are Jericho and it’s walls (they really did tumble down), Hebron, the Philistine city of Ashkelon, Hazor, Caesarea Phillipi, Bethsaida; and Caesarea Maritima.
· The Bible describes the Earth as being round and suspended in space. (Isaiah 40:22, Job 26:7)
· The Bible describes the Earth’s Water Cycle. (Job 26:8, 36:27-28, Ecclesiastes 1:6-7)
· The Bible describes the deep valleys and fresh-water springs in the oceans. (IISamuel 22:16, Genesis 7:11)
You will find several websites belonging to groups dedicated to shining a scientific light on the historical accounts of the Bible. One such group is the Creation Research Institute (cri.org).
You will also find those who would consider me a fool.
Mind you, I personally don’t need archaeological and scientific evidence. I believe the Bible. I believe Genesis. I believe God created the Earth in six 24-hour days, not because he had to, but because he chose to. He could have done it all in six seconds.
We will never be able to prove the factuality of every event described in the Bible. Even if we could, some would not believe. Even among those who were in direct contact with Jesus Christ, many rejected Him.
So it comes down to one question. Where do you put your faith? Is it in money, power, things, people, politics, alcohol, career, sex, or humanistic science? You can make any of those things the god of your life and they will betray you.
Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on the cross to take the punishment for our sin, and rose from the grave. He offers us the gift of salvation and eternal life if we will only accept it, repent and believe.
Richard Miller
richardmillernc@aol.com
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