STRETCHING OUT THE COSMOS - Science has proven that the cosmos is accelerating in its expansion. We can refer to it as stretching out the cosmos. This is no longer debatable but a fact confirmed by various experiments using different techniques and measurements. The Bible repeatedly refers to the fact that the cosmos is “stretched.” The Hebrew word used in those passages is “natah,” meaning to stretch out. The most common use of this word in other places in the Old Testament is to indicate a person’s hand stretched out to point or show motion. Perhaps many of us would remember starting a lawnmower or chain saw by pulling the starting cord. The Bible tells us that accelerative is the force that moves the cosmos as a whole.

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Stretching Out the Cosmos

John N. Clayton

As a person trained in the sciences and a student of the Bible, I find it interesting how many times a Bible statement demonstrates an understanding of something only learned by modern science.

Only recently has science proven that the cosmos is accelerating in its expansion. We can refer to it as stretching out the cosmos.

This is no longer debatable but a fact confirmed by various experiments using different techniques and measurements.

The Bible repeatedly refers to the fact that the cosmos is “stretched.” 

For some examples of this, take a look at Psalms 104:2, Isaiah 40:22, and Isaiah 45:12. 

None of these passages are attempting to reveal any scientific fact, but all of them refer to God stretching out the cosmos.

The Hebrew word used in those passages is “natah,” meaning to stretch out.

The most common use of this word in other places in the Old Testament is to indicate a person’s hand stretched out to point or show motion.

In Exodus 8, for example, “natah” is used to describe Moses’ moving his hand or rod (See verses 5,6,16,17).

Perhaps many of us would remember starting a lawnmower or chain saw by pulling the starting cord.

The Bible tells us that accelerative is the force that moves the cosmos as a whole.

We want to emphasize that it is not the purpose of those passages to reveal any scientific information.

However, they are a clear reference to the nature of the force that operates by stretching out the cosmos.

DOES GOD EXIST? was started by John N. Clayton in 1968. The purpose is to show that Science and Faith are friends–not enemies. John was an atheist who became a Christian through his study of science and the Bible and spent his career as a public high school science teacher. He has traveled around the country and around the world to share the message of faith in the God of creation. Roland Earnst, Karl Marcussen, and Linda Glover work with him in this ministry from locations in Niles and Buchanan, Michigan, and South Bend, Indiana.

https://doesgodexist.today/stretching-out-the-cosmos/