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The Earth Hangs
On Nothing
Science in the Bible – Hanging Earth
William T. Pelletier, Ph.D.
Ancient
peoples believed in a World Turtle or World Elephant or World Serpent that upheld the
earth.
American
Indians and Chinese believed the earth rested on the back of a giant turtle.
Hindus
of India believed the earth was supported by elephants standing on the back of
a giant turtle.
Other
ancient peoples believed that the earth was a flat disk resting on the back of
a giant turtle that floated in a huge ocean.
Others
believed in “turtles all the way down,” with each supporting turtle standing on
the back of a larger one.
The
Mayans of Mexico believed the earth and sky were supported by four jaguars, a
white one in the north, red in the east, yellow in the south, and black in the
west.
In
Norse mythology, a gigantic tree, called the World Tree or Yggdrasil, supported
the earth.
None of
the post-Flood ancients believed the earth hung in space without support. That
was clearly an insane idea. Something had to hold up the earth.
Except
for the Hebrews — they believed Yahweh hung the earth floating in space
without a visible means of support.
The
book of Job in the Bible dates to around 2000 BC. It records this truth about
the earth:
“He stretches out the north over empty
space
And hangs the earth on nothing.” (Job 26:7)
And hangs the earth on nothing.” (Job 26:7)
Hanging
the earth on nothing in empty space was inconceivable 4,000
years ago. But today we know the Bible was right.
Throughout
the Old Testament, Yahweh repeatedly identifies Himself as the Creator, the One
Who made heaven and earth.
He is
the One Who hung the earth in space on nothing, the One Who stretched out the
heavens, and the One Who created the stars to shine.
He is
worthy of every man’s allegiance and worship.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis
1:1)
“The Lord by wisdom founded the earth,
By understanding He established the heavens.” (Proverbs 3:19)
By understanding He established the heavens.” (Proverbs 3:19)
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand,
And marked off the heavens by the span,
And calculated the dust of the earth by the measure,
And weighed the mountains in a balance
And the hills in a pair of scales?
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
Has it not been declared to you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,
Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain
And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.” (Isaiah 40:12, 21-22)
And marked off the heavens by the span,
And calculated the dust of the earth by the measure,
And weighed the mountains in a balance
And the hills in a pair of scales?
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
Has it not been declared to you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,
Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain
And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.” (Isaiah 40:12, 21-22)
“Thus says God the Lord,
He Who created the heavens and stretched them out,
He Who spread out the earth and that which comes out of it,
He Who gives breath to the people on it
And spirit to those who walk in it.” (Isaiah 42:5)
He Who created the heavens and stretched them out,
He Who spread out the earth and that which comes out of it,
He Who gives breath to the people on it
And spirit to those who walk in it.” (Isaiah 42:5)
Science
Catches Up to the Bible
The
Bible reports that the Creator God hung the earth in space; it’s not based on a
turtle or on an elephant or on anything else.
Long
before today’s scientists learned Earth is a globe hanging in space, some men
knew this because the Bible taught it.
Although
the Bible is not primarily a science textbook, it does hint at many scientific
truths like this one and like those mentioned in this Science in the Bible series, truths that long pre-date their discovery by
today’s scientists.
This is
strong evidence of divine authorship of the Bible.
Questions
to Ponder
1. How
do you think the various fanciful legends about the earth got started?
2. How
will you think differently about your life, knowing Yahweh’s hand continuously
sustains earth’s position? (Colossians 1:17)
Share
your thoughts on these questions in the comments below. It could encourage or
help another reader.
Soli
Deo Gloria.
“contending earnestly for the faith” (Jude 1:3)
“destroying speculations against the knowledge of God”
(2
Corinthians 10:5)
“for the defense of the gospel” (Philippians
1:16)
“Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm
119:105)
William T. Pelletier, Ph.D.
The Bible-Science Guy
The Bible-Science Guy
I’m a mathematician who has spent over 45 years researching
Bible-Science topics. I have taught many classes on these issues, and
have repeatedly debated evolutionist professors in university forums.
I specialize in explaining scientific issues from a Biblical
base. I wrote a monthly newspaper column on
Bible-Science topics for the The
Woodside News for seven years from July 2005 through July
2012.
I have a Ph.D. in mathematics. Major career positions include
• University mathematics professor teaching undergraduate and graduate math courses at several universities.
• Software developer and analyst for a Fortune 100 company. Responsibilities included analyzing computer systems and developing CAD/CAM software to mathematically model automotive parts and design dies.
• VP of Consulting for a technology company
• University mathematics professor teaching undergraduate and graduate math courses at several universities.
• Software developer and analyst for a Fortune 100 company. Responsibilities included analyzing computer systems and developing CAD/CAM software to mathematically model automotive parts and design dies.
• VP of Consulting for a technology company
I’m not a great blogger, but I blog about Great Truths. The
truths and principles that I explain and espouse in this blog come, not from
me, but from a Great
Book that tells about a Great God and His Great Work.
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