~Dash~

The example of distinguishing between Hinduism versus the Judeo-Christian-Islamic creation account is just one of many ways to examine the truth claims of the world's religions. Since most of the world's religions developed hundreds to thousands of years ago, it is a fairly trivial matter to examine their material for scientific and other errors. It would not be expected that ancient peoples would be able to accurately describe all modern scientific principles. Only those individuals who were given divine revelation would be expected to give an accurate account of our world.

For example, the Quran says that the heavens and the earth were once joined together as one unit before it was split into two parts. Obviously, this creation model could never be applied to any kind of Big Bang theory. However, the Bible clearly presents the creation of the universe as an expanding universe model in which God spreads out the stars. The Quran says that Allah created seven heavens and that the stars are found in the lowest heaven. In addition, the Quran says that earth is like a carpet that is held in place by the heavy mountains, described as being like tent pegs, so that it won't move or shake. In contrast, the Bible associates the mountains with shaking and says that, instead of placing the mountains on the earth, God caused the mountains to rise up. So, the Bible accurately describes the mountains as being associated with tectonic activity and volcanism whereas the Quran says that the mountains were placed on the earth to prevent shaking. The Quran says that the Sun "sets in a spring of murky water." In contrast to the Bible the Quran presents a flat earth model for the earth and universe, which is clearly at odds with the facts of science.

When dealing with more modern religious traditions, tests of scientific accuracy are more difficult to deploy, since those religions have the advantage of scientific revelation since the Enlightenment. Surprisingly, even some of the more modern religious traditions make claims that can be disproved through the discoveries of modern science. A prime example of this principle can be found in the religious writings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons). Although calling themselves "Christians," LDS theology is radically different from historic Christianity and contains its own set of religious writings (in addition to the Bible). Even though written in the 19th century, LDS religious writings make numerous scientific errors, including astronomical errors, archeological and historical errors, and genetic/hereditary errors for people groups. Because of these problems, the LDS religion can be safely discarded from accurately representing the true nature of God, having been shown to not be divinely inspired.

For the age in which it was written, the Bible makes some rather surprising claims regarding the nature of the universe and how it was created. For example, the Bible says that time was created by God when He created the universe. Stephen Hawking, George Ellis, and Roger Penrose extended the equations for general relativity to include space and time, demonstrating that time began at the formation of the universe. Of course, the biggest coup of the Bible was to declare that the universe had a beginning through an expanding universe model. The New Testament even declares that the visible creation was made from what was not visible and that dimensions of length, width and height were created by God. In addition, the Bible refuted steady-state theory (saying that the creation of matter and energy has ended) long before science made that determination. The Bible also states that the universe is subject to decay and will wear out. The existence of the second law of thermodynamics, coupled with recent discoveries indicating that the universe is expanding at an increasing rate, with an insufficient amount of matter to stop that contraction, guarantees that the Bible is correct on this claim, also.

Besides these stunning revelations about the nature of the universe, the Bible describes several properties of the earth that were not confirmed by science until hundreds of years after the Bible first made the claim. Examples include the claim that air has weight, the existence of valleys and vents on the bottom of the sea, ocean currents, and the fact that winds blow in circular paths. These are remarkable claims that could not have been directly observed by a bunch on nomadic sheep herders. Where did this information come from?

What do you think?
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

"Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep? (Job 38:16)

The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of breath from his nostrils. (2 Samuel 22:16)

... and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. (Psalms 8:8)

Blowing toward the south, Then turning toward the north, The wind continues swirling along; And on its circular courses the wind returns. (Ecclesiastes 1:6)