When one reads the biblical account of creation and the numerous passages appealing to that account, he must admit the clarity of the literal interpretation of the creation account affirmed in Scripture. Those who reject the obvious and consistent appeal of God's word to the literal interpretation of the creation account do not search the Scripture to validate their view. Instead, they reject the clear teaching of the Bible in favor of supposed "scientific" evidence. They then place a forced reinterpretation on the Bible text so as to make it non-literal. Thus, the current "scientific" interpretations of our day are used to change the plain text of Scripture. Many in the denominational world are doing the same thing with the reinterpretation of plain passages condemning homosexuality due to supposed "scientific" proof that sexual orientation is genetically determined rather than being a choice. In both cases, the supposed "scientific" evidence is in actuality neither scientific nor evidence. Such views are based upon interpretations and theories which do not fall within the realm of true scientific proof.
Two weeks ago in this bulletin, we noted a quote from a young man who has taken this approach to its logical end. He said:
"I believe that a strict literal interpretation of Genesis 1-2 combined with dogmatic Young Earth creationism must lead inevitably to a direct contradiction between the Bible and science. I don't believe that the Bible's authors were particularly concerned about history, chronology and the age of the Earth. Old Testament Israel was too involved in the process of attempting to form a functioning society in a violent world to concentrate on questions regarding the origin and development of the Earth and human society."
Not only does this statement betray a rejection of the literal truth of the creation account, but it explains the Bible's composition as originating from human authors with their historical and cultural limitations. The Bible clearly claims that the teaching in Scripture was the result of concepts, timing and words chosen by the Spirit (1 Cor. 2:6-13; 2 Pet. 1:20-21). Bible believers accept the verbal inspiration of Scripture -- that the words were chosen by God to convey the message as He desired. Bible believers accept the plenary inspiration of Scripture -- that God's word is true in every matter it addresses (Psa. 119:128; 19:7-9; 93:5). When one tries to reinterpret the Scripture to fit "scientific" speculation, rather than the other way around, he has a fundamental lack of faith in God's word that will only get worse. If one determines to believe no Bible passage which would conflict with present "scientific" observation and interpretation, he will eventually reject all accounts of miracles. Let us notice a few examples.
And this shall be the sign unto thee from Jehovah, that Jehovah will cause the shadow on the steps, which is gone down on the dial of Ahaz with the sun, to return backward ten steps. So the sun returned ten steps on the dial whereon it was gone down (Isa. 38:7-8 cf. 2 Kgs. 20:8-11).
Can we explain scientifically how this could happen? Absolutely not! Do we still believe that it happened? Yes, without a doubt! Why? Because God said it happened through His word. If we try to explain such an event in scientific terms, we cannot do so. To suddenly stop the rotation of the Earth and make it rotate backwards momentarily and then reverse again to go in the original direction presents insurmountable problems. With the Earth spinning at about 1000 mph at the equator, the momentum problem simply cannot be solved in a scientific sense. If we say the event happened by the sun and the remainder of the universe being moved, the scientific problems only multiply. So how do we explain it? We do not attempt to reconcile science and the Bible. We merely believe the God who created the heavens and earth by speaking them into existence can also reshape that creation by the same power. It is a miraculous action outside of the scope of scientific investigation.
Then spake Joshua to Jehovah in the day when Jehovah delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel; and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; And thou, Moon, in the valley of Aijalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, Until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stayed in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, that Jehovah hearkened unto the voice of a man: for Jehovah fought for Israel (Josh. 10:12-14).
Just as in the above case of Hezekiah's time, we cannot explain in scientific terms the sun remaining in the same position relative to the Earth for a whole day. It is impossible by the natural laws of science. Does that mean the Bible record must be interpreted in a non-literal fashion? Absolutely not! It means we believe the historical account as given in the Bible because God said it. In the working of miracles, the natural laws of science do not constrain God. The Creator can act and has acted outside of the natural order. Science is helpless and useless in ascertaining the how of miraculous action.
And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and Jehovah caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all the night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left (Exod. 14:21-22).
Can we reconcile the Bible account with the natural properties of water to explain how water could form a wall on either side of a dry path? No, it is impossible to explain such in scientific terms. Yet, by faith we accept that it happened by miraculous means just as God said it happened. When one requires a reinterpretation of the text to explain the event in natural or figurative terms, his real problem is a lack of faith.