In light of today’s scientific discoveries, wouldn’t you consider the Bible to be irrelevant from today’s 21st century rational viewpoint?
The argument here is that the “21st century” mind has grown beyond the scope of the Bible. Somehow the truths and doctrines of the Bible are now outdated and no longer relevant to today’s culture. With new scienctific discoveries new standards of morality being established, the Bible is now just simply out of date.
The question posed here leads me to ask two question of my own…
1) Could God direct the writers of the Bible to bring spiritual, moral and scientific truths that would be applicable to today?
2) What has 21st century science actually discovered that would potentially undermine the scientific truths revealed in the Bible?
Let’s start by looking at what God’s word says about His impact on the world as it relates to the history of mankind. First, Jesus tells us in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus lays down for us a baseline of truth in relationship. Today, the journey to discover truth is difficult because we do not know where to start. Proverbs 9:10 tells us, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” In today’s culture, we view truth as being discovered in the work of the scientific process. Yes, this process has led us to some wonderful discoveries, but these discoveries are all rooted in expression and revelation of God. Truth begins when we seek God through His Son Jesus Christ.
Jesus also defined His infinite nature in Revelation 1:8, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Jesus is eternal, His presence and impact is eternal. Visible or invisible, there is not a realm that is beyond the presence and power of Jesus.
So, from a spiritual perspective, these verses demonstrate Jesus’ authority to give direction in all spiritual and moral issues of life has not diminished.
As far as scientific issues that have come up to dispute the Bible’s claims of authority as an accurate understanding of the world; theories such as the Big Bang Theory, evolution and millions of years have staying power because of the false sense of security they enable the unbeliever to maintain and not the undisputable truths or facts that have come from these theories.
After all of these years, evolution still clings to a fossil record that not only fails to support it’s theory, further the fossil record better explains the position demonstrated in scripture.
In the book “Teaching Creation Science in Public Schools”, Dr. Duane Gish states,
“Ever since Darwin, the fossil record has been an embarrassment to evolutionists. Darwin knew that the fossil record did not provide the evidence demanded by his theory, but felt confident that future work in paleontology would produce the required transitional forms that were missing.”
As Dr. Gish points out in this statement, Darwin knew he had a theory that would soon require evidence, which he did not currently have. So what have the past 136 years produced? In short, no fossils have been found to support evolution.
Further, in 1977, Steven Jay Gould states,
“The extreme rarity of transitional forms in the fossil record persists as the trade secret of paleontology.”
What was Mr. Gould saying? He was admitting the very thing that Charles Darwin feared; there isn’t any evidence from the fossil record for evolution.
So, what is the “21st century rational viewpoint” really saying? It is revealing the desire to maintain a failing worldview built upon the unfounded theories of man’s falliable wisdom. The evidence does not support the current evolutionary theories, so we are seeing a mindset revealed, not a statement based upon proven facts.
God has chosen a way in which He wants His creation to interact with Him. We are to worship Him, obey Him, follow in His footsteps; these purposes where given to all mankind. God’s has the ability to know what is best for all mankind and to clearly communicate this fact, all through eternity. The Bible is just as powerful today as it was “In the beginning.”
Tommy