There's a Role for Science in Biblical Interpretation
by Warren Krug (January-February, 2005)
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Ted Nommensen in our lead article reminds us that creation scientists should not
normally be in the business of trying to prove the Scriptures. For Christians, the
veracity of the Bible is basically a matter of faith. The danger of building one’s
faith on scientific theories is that faith could suffer if a theory is disproved.
However, real science cannot possibly be a threat to one’s faith. The Creator of
the world with its scientific laws and the Author of the Bible are one and the same.
Since God cannot contradict Himself, real science and the Bible are in harmony.
Indeed, there are times when the Christian may need to refer to Christian
scientific research— times such as when vocal critics with warped scientific ideas
viciously attack the Bible, or times when weak Christians are tempted by religious
liberals who regard Bible miracles including creation as myths or allegories.
Another use of scientific research for the Christian would be to enhance or clarify
some scriptural passages or terms.
An example would be the terms behemoth and leviathan in Genesis. Traditional
attempts to identify these animals as elephants, crocodiles, or some other existing
creatures are not satisfactory.
Along has come discoveries of fossils of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures
which may fit the descriptions of behemoth and leviathan much better.
Another example comes from the current issue of Creation magazine. Research
suggests the ten Egyptian plagues preceding the Exodus were not haphazardly
selected but were deliberately planned by God to expose Egypt’s various false
deities.
For instance, the Nile god couldn’t keep itself from turning bloody; “sacred” frogs
were forced to do ungodly things; and the earth gods couldn’t prevent dirt from
turning into lice.
The sacred bull god couldn’t stop the plague on livestock nor could the gods of
magic and healing overcome the plague of boils. The 10th plague attacked
Pharaoh himself who was considered an incarnation of the giver of life.
Scientific research can tell us nothing about the way of salvation, but when used
wisely it still can prove to be a useful tool at times for the Christian. LSI
—Warren Krug, editor
