A Spherical Earth Is Deception
You know what always baffled me Jerry?
I recall a conversation I had with a flat earth believer once.
They told me,
Believing the earth is spherical is apart of the deception in the world.
Personally, I thought that was odd, it just didnt make sense to me.
So I asked,
How exactly does believing in a massive universe deceive me?
They really didnt have a good answer.
So I went on to explain,
For me, a massive universe only proves and displays Gods majesty and greatness!
Seeing Gods heavenly celestial bodies is marvelous and increases my faith in the Being who created everything!
Just like we are told in Psalms 19:1-4 concerning the stars, and in Romans 1:20.
How Can You Prove The Earth Is Round
There are many ways to prove the Earth is round, but perhaps the easiest method is to merely go to the seaside, look out to sea, and locate a boat. As you’ll observe if it’s distant enough, it appears to dip below the horizon. Or save yourself the trouble of going to the seaside by looking at this image of wind turbines.
This wouldn’t happen if the world was flat you would be able to see the boat clearly on the horizon. Unless you caught the boat during the precise moment it fell off the edge of the Earth, of course, which nobody in the history of our species ever has.
The Four Corners Of The Earth
There are three verses in the Bible that are often quoted by Christian proponents of the flat earth theory. The first, Revelation 7:1, states: And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. The repetition of the number four creates an obvious connection between the four angels, the four corners of the earth and the four cardinal points from which the winds are about to blow: North, South, East, and West. As Faulkner points out, not even a hyper-literal interpretation of the Bible can disregard the symbolism of the book of Revelation. The four corners of the earth is an expression which is widely used in different languages, but always with the same meaning: to indicate the farthest points on earth or a great distance, not literal corners.
In some translations of the Bible, mentions of the four corners of the earth appear almost 30 times and, if understood literally, would not only suggest that the earth is flat but also that it is square. There is no cosmology in which the earth is square. Not even followers of the flat earth theory claim such a thing. This once again highlights the non-literal interpretation of the phrase.
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Do Heights In The Bible Teach The Earth Is Flat
Perhaps the most bizarre argument that the Bible teaches a flat earth relies on Daniel 4:11, which reads,
The tree grew and became strong, and its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth.
The same sort of reasoning is used to argue that Matthew 4:8 teaches a flat earth. Matthew 4:1â11 gives an account of the temptation of Jesus. The temptation began in the wilderness, after Jesus had fasted for 40 days and nights. Satan first tempted Jesus to change stones into bread to satisfy Jesusâ hunger . Presumably, this was while still in the wilderness. Next, the devil took Jesus to the pinnacle of the Temple in Jerusalem and suggested that Jesus cast himself down . Note that there was considerable distance between the wilderness and the Temple . Did Satan instantly and literally transport Jesus from the wilderness to Jerusalem? Or did Satan present this view to Jesus while still in the wilderness, perhaps in a vision? Matthew 4:8 records the third temptation:
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
Bible Verses About Flat Earth
What does the bible say about the flat earth theory? Although the theory of Earth being flat is not directly spoken about, some verses describe the potential shape of our planet. One verse mentions the “four corners of the earth” and could be interpreted as a flat earth belief but this theory was proven wrong by the Church 500 years ago. Learn more from our list of Bible verses about the flat Earth theory.
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What About The Devils Temptation Of Jesus
To tempt Jesus, the Devil took him along to an unusually high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. Some claim that this Bible account teaches that the entire world is visible from a single spot on a flat earth. However, the unusually high mountain in this account seems to be a metaphor and not a physical location. Consider why this conclusion is reasonable.
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There is no literal mountain on earth from which all the kingdoms of the world are visible.
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The Devil showed Jesus not only all the kingdoms but also their glory. Such details could not be seen from a great distance, so it seems that the Devil used some sort of vision to show these to Jesus. This could be similar to the way a person uses a projector and a screen to show someone pictures of various places on earth.
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The parallel account at Luke 4:5 says that the Devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the inhabited earth in an instant of time, which would not be possible through normal human vision. This implies that the Devil presented this temptation to Jesus through some means other than literal human sight.
^ par. 1 The Bible refers to God as the One who dwells above the circle of the earth. Some reference works allow for the possibility that the word here rendered circle could mean a sphere, although not all scholars agree on this point. In any case, the Bible does not support the idea of a flat earth.
^ par. 3 Revised Edition, Volume 2, page 4.
The Bible Says The Earth Is Round
Further, if we think the earth is flat with four literal corners, what are we to do with verses like this?
Isaiah 40:22It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:
The Bible said, the earth is a circle, not a flat square.
I believe that is a circular sphere, some believe its a circular disk.
This goes to show us, flat earth believers are even divided among themselves. Some think the earth is flat with four corners, some think the earth is a flat disk.
Honestly, none of this is a salvation issue, so I am not sure why we allow ourselves to get bogged down by it.
You know Jerry, I want to talk about a few more things, they are not all necessarily Biblical, but I think you will enjoy the added perspective no less.
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The Bible Referred To The Round Spherical Earth Thousands Of Years Ago
Thousands of years ago, in a time when many people believed such erroneous things as the world being held up by a huge turtle, among other things, the Bible gave a correct description of the earth.
Those who try to insert their own meaning into the Scriptures , normally fail to mention these verses: Isaiah 40:22, Prov 8:27, Job 26:10, Job 26:7. And if they do mention them, it is to force more of their own meaning .
For example, referring to the verses that mention a round or circular earth, skeptics will be quick to say that this actually supports a flat earth. But when looking at the original Hebrew texts of the Old Testament scriptures, we can easily find that there is no Hebrew word for spherical. It would have been described as round or circular as it is perfectly described in the Bible. The word circle can also mean round or sphere.
Also, in Luke 17:31,34 we read 31: In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back 34: I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
This seems to indicate that the Lords return will be seen simultaneously when it is day on one side of the earth and night on the other.
Outer Space Doesn’t Exist
He will surely wind you around and around, and throw you like a ball into a large country. There you will die, and there the chariots of your glory will be, you shame of your lords house. 4 founders of NASA were Nazis and devil worshippersIf I fought with animals at Ephesus for human purposes, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, then let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. Dont be deceived! Evil companionships corrupt good morals. Wake up righteously, and dont sin, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. Tremble before him, all the earth. The world also is established that it cant be moved. Yahweh reigns! He is clothed with majesty! Yahweh is armed with strength. The world also is established. It cant be moved. I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more. I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. After this current earth is burnt up at the end of timeAfter this, I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth, or on the sea, or on any tree. “that it might take hold of the ends of the earth, and shake the wicked out of it? It is changed as clay under the seal, and presented as a garment.”
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What Skeptics & Atheists Say
Science begins with what can be seen, known, discovered, measured, and repeated. The search for knowledge includes a hope that whatever is unknown today will be discovered or explained tomorrow. For many researchers, this view of science does not leave room for the existence of God. However, there are many Christian scientists whose passion for science led to and has fueled their belief in God. Beginning with a Big Bang. Observing patterns within the stars and planets, astronomers suggest the universe began from a single point. They believe that light and energy have been expanding from that single point for almost 14 billion years, forming the galaxies we now know.
The Real Problem We Face Is Sin
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
As long as there is sin in the world, men will attack Gods Word that holds them accountable for their sin. If the Bible taught that we could do whatever felt right and would never face judgement for it, there would be little opposition to it.
But the fact is it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment .
We will all stand before our Creator one day. 150,000+ people die every day. You may be one of them today. Are you prepared?
When you die, an account will be made of your life. You will be judged by the Perfect Judge. The wages of sin are death . If you have ever sinned that means that your eternal destiny has ALREADY been determined: death. And that is not just physical death: it is eternal separation from God in Hell .
But because God is merciful, as well as just/Righteous, He became flesh in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, and died in your place as your substitute! That means He can legally dismiss your case. Your slate can be wiped clean! You can stand before Him on that day and be guiltless, as if you NEVER sinned! All because of the blood that Jesus Christ shed for you on that cross 2,000 years ago!
All you have to do is agree with God and trust fully in Jesus Christ as your Savior, who bore your sin before our Righteous God to save you!
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Nothing Will Be Restrained From Them
God said at the Tower of Babel,
All of the people are of one language and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
Genesis 11:6
I think thats a pretty powerful statement myself.
What has man imagined to do?
Travel to the moon, other plants, and explore space.
I believe we have done that.
Not only our nation, but many other nations have space programs as well and we can all see their photos. Ironically enough, two billionaires just traveled into space for the first time. High enough above the earth to see its curvature anyway.
This brings up an interesting point, space travel will soon be cheap enough where more and more people can make the voyage. It would be my opinion, but the flat earth concept will soon be a thing of the past as more people can see with their own eyes the curvature of the earth.
Not that we cannot see that today through the photos of numerous space programs. Not to mention the satellite communications and things like the precession of the equinoxes.
Is that really an honest and valid worldview to hold?
I dont think so, especially when the Bible itself indicates the earth is round.
What Does The Bible Say About The Shape Of The Earth Part 1
Moderate Christian apologists have done an astonishingly good job of sweeping under the rug the fact that the OT does indeed describe a flat, disc-shaped Earth covered by a solid dome called the firmament.
So much so that when I attended a Christian private school, we were taught that scientists in ancient times were the ones who thought Earth was flat even though the Bible said its round. EDIT: Apparently this needs clarification. I do not mean science as general efforts to figure things out. I mean the scientific method as we know it today, including its naturalistic philosophical framework.
Anyway, what they mean by round is a single verse that says Earth is a circle. But the Hebrew word for circle used in that verse does not mean sphere. There was a different word meaning ball-shaped they mightve used instead, but they didnt.
Interesting to note: This sleight of hand is similar to the Islamic apologists claim that verses in the Quran describing Earth using a word for an ostrich spreading out a flat space to lay eggs is, instead, referring to the eggs themselves .
Further confounding attempts to interpret circle as sphere is a verse wherein the circle is said to have been inscribed upon the face of the deep as though with a compass. Theres a medieval painting of Jesus doing this . It is clear from this context that a flat circle was the intended meaning.
Can you beat out the vault of the skies, as he does, hard as a mirror of cast metal
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Does The Bible Teach A Flat Earth
There are references if you are mindful to look for them. I would recommend reading the Book of Romans. Remember there should be no chapter or verse but chapter 1 verse 25 may allow God to speak to you. I hope this is of some help. May God bless you
What did the Bible say about the Victorian era Evangelicals who taught that the Bible teaches a flat earth?
Im interested in having the scriptural foundation for that
The Bible says that the Earth is a globe suspended over nothing
George
It would be interesting to see an actual reference for your claim that credible evangelicals taught a flat earth, in the early 1900s.
22:It is He who sits above thecircle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers
The ancient view was that the earth was a circle like a table top.
Later, people said it was round or a circle like a sphere.
This is the fellow to read about: Samuel Rowbotham – – British – – started the whole movement and it kept on running!
What Does A Flat
The flat-Earth maps, much like actual Earth maps, do vary. For instance, one proposed on the Flat-Earth Society website show the world as a circle.
“The North Pole is at the center,” they wrote of Charles K.Johnson’s map, president of the International Flat Earth Research Society. “At the outer edge lies the southern ice, reputed to be a wall 150 feet high no one has ever crossed it, and therefore what lies beyond is unknown.”
In this version of Earth , the Sun and the Moon are about 32 miles across and circle above the Earth to give the illusion we are spinning. The Moon provides its own light, and lunar eclipses are “caused by an unseen dark body occasionally passing in front of the moon.”
Other flat-Earth maps show a square Earth, meant to be based more literally on passages in the Bible that refer to “the four corners of the Earth” . This one by Orlando Ferguson in 1893 went the extra mile in trying to square the circle by including a square and a circle in order to satisfy references to the Earth being a circle as well, including “it is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth” at the bottom of the map.
Other maps include a bubble above the Earth, with rock stretching out below. Those who believe this map say the bubble stops us from being able to get to space, raising the question of why they were so enthusiastic about Mike Hughes going there in order to find out if the Earth was flat.
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