The Shape Of The Earth

The Encyclopedia Americana said: " The earliest known image that man had of the earth was that it was a flat, rigid platform at the center fo the universe.... The concept of a spherical earth was not widely accepted until the Renaissance." Some early navigators even feared that they might sail off the edge of the flat earth. But then the introduction of the compass and other advancements made possible longer ocean voyages. These "voyages of discovery," another encyclopedia explains, "showed that the world was round, not flat as most people had believed."

Yet, long before such voyages, about 2,700 years ago, the Bible said: "There is one who is dwelling above the circle of the earth." (Isaiah 40:22) The Hebrew word here translated "circle" can also mean "sphere," as various reference works note. Other Bible translations,therefore, say, "the globe of the earth " (Douay Version) and, "the round earth." - Moffatt.

Thus, the Bible was not influenced by the unscientific views prevalent at the time regarding the earth's support and its shape. The reason is simple: The author of the Bible is the author of the universe. He created the earth, so he should know what it hands on and what its shape is. Hence, when he inspired the Bible, he saw to it that no unscientific views were incorporated in it, however, much they may have been believed by others at the time.


Continued-Next time: The Composition Of Living Things