Every once in a while, news media report about discoveries related to ancient times. Phys-2019: “Researchers digging at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s ongoing archaeological excavation on Mount Zion in Jerusalem have announced a second significant discovery from the 2019 season—clear evidence of the Babylonian conquest of the city from 587/586 BCE.”
Nevertheless, the scientific status of the Bible (eg, history book) is one of the greatest controversies in the Western world. This controversy is partly related to its chronology of events, and in particular the biblical creation narrative, including the ageing of humanity.
However, a recent Nautilus article has the following (sub) title: “The Big Bang Is Hard Science. It Is Also a Creation Story. Even with its explanatory power, Big Bang theory takes its place in a long line of myths.”
It’s important to realise, however, that the Bible does not mention dates because the use of calendars started much later (eg, my 2018 blog). Biblical “dates” are relative rather than absolute. Hence, biblical events are cross-referenced in time, especially to the reign of Kings.
Moreover, the person(s) who wrote the Hebrew Bible and/or the Old Testament, lived thousands of years later than the earliest of people mentioned in the Bible. Cross-referencing the Hebrew Bible to the Sumerian King List would already help in establishing biblical chronology. See the attempt in my 2018 blog: Sumerian King List and Genesis.
From a scientific point of view, the earliest homo species emerged some 5.5 million years ago (Wiki), and Earth some 4.5 billion years ago (Wiki). Our current behavioral modern version of the Homo sapiens species, only emerged some 40-50 thousand years ago.
A recent Phys article dates acquiring “recursive language and modern imagination” to some 70 thousand years ago (my 2019 blog). This period of 40-70 thousand years might well match with the chronology of the Sumerian King List and the Book of Genesis.
I do not believe Religion and Science are opposites. Both are two sides of the same coin. Every once in a while, the scientific field of archeology connects both belief systems. The main focus of Science is about how, what and when; while Religion is about why, who and where. I enjoy combining these 6 elements.
The theoretical physicist Richard Feynman once stated: “Religion is a culture of faith; science is a culture of doubt.” Both faith and doubt are very important in my life but I do not doubt my faith.
Without a Doubt (1968) by Cissy (Houston) Drinkard & The Sweet Inspirations
artists, lyrics, video, Wiki-1, Wiki-2
Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless stated otherwise
0 Comments