Galileo famously stated that the Bible teaches “how to go to heaven, not how the heavens go,” which highlights the idea that the bible is not an exhaustive record of how God uses physics. but some have taken it too far, using this idea to support a long-standing belief that faith and science are fundamentally opposed. This perspective is increasingly being challenged and has been by the brightest minds in science for years.
Today, a growing body of evidence suggests that Biblical scripture can offer valuable insights into various scientific fields, particularly geology. While the Bible is not an exhaustive scientific textbook, its references can resonate with scientific phenomena, prompting a reevaluation of the common understanding of the Earth’s history. In fact, it’s extensive enough that I wrote a short book on the topic, entitled “21 Verses backed by science”.
Take, for instance, Job 28:5, which states, “As for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as if it were fire.” This verse might be interpreted as a description of molten rock deep beneath the Earth’s surface. Such references highlight the potential for scriptural insights to align with scientific findings. To state it plainly, science backs up the Bible, over and over again.
Let’s now do a deep dive into one specific example, which would be the large sand formations around Bridgnorth in the United Kingdom and Sydney in Australia, traditionally attributed to ancient desert dunes. Geologists have long believed these formations were remnants of aeolian, wind-blown sand dunes from arid climates. However, this desert-centric view may not provide the complete picture. What if these deposits were the result of water deposited sand during a global flood?
In a recent article “Shifting Sands,” the connection between large sand formations and dry environments is examined. While it is widely accepted that arid conditions contribute to such landscapes through wind erosion and sediment transport, this perspective overlooks the impact of water in shaping terrain. The geological record certainly allows for multiple interpretations, especially when considering the potential for large-scale flood events to mobilize vast amounts of sediment, leading to the deposition of sand in many forms.
Dr. Tas Walker points out that geologists can’t observe the original processes that created these formations; they rely on current observations to infer historical events–which, of course, is the best they can do. The interplay of wind and water in shaping landscapes is a critical area of study that requires further exploration. Sand, which is a pretty extraordinary material, can reveal a lot about Earth’s history. The variations in sand types and colors provide insights into their mineral composition and the environments from which they originate.
For example, the black sands of Hawaii are rich in volcanic minerals, while the pristine white sands of the Bahamas derive from crushed coral and shells. What about the striking red sands of Australia’s Pinnacles?
They are rich in iron oxide. Makes sense. These variations highlight the dynamic processes that contribute to the formation of different sand types, suggesting that a broader range of geological processes should be considered!
The Bible, with its extensive historical context, contains numerous references to events that have shaped our planet. And these sand formations and deposits certainly seem to corroborate the reality of the global flood. As Walker says, “Starting from the true history given in the Bible, we can confidently expect to find that the evidence fits.”
So, when people say that the Bible and science don’t agree, that idea is increasingly dismantled as scientific evidence emerges that supports the compatibility of the Word of God with scientific inquiry. God made the earth. He made science. And He wrote the Bible.
So, rather than viewing faith and science as opposing forces, we should consider them as complementary fountains of knowledge that can bring us greater understanding of the natural world.
I’m David Rives,
Truly, the heavens declare the glory of God.