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Writer's pictureBible Brian

Why the Bible doesn't explain stars


In the modern day, many atheists have made science their religion, and as a result, have criticised the Bible for its apparent lack of scientific insight. Why doesn't the Bible predict planes? Why doesn't the Bible talk about germs? Why doesn't the Bible explain the stars? These are just a few silly questions some atheists ask about the scientific nature of the Bible.


As Christian apologists have hammered to death by this point, the Bible is not a science book. Neither is it a modern book. It is a book designed for all people for as long as the Earth endures. Here's another kind of book that rarely mentions stars: Cook books. It is not inconceivable to find a cook book that mentions stars. Perhaps you want to make a cake decorated with stars. And perhaps that book might go slightly off topic to discuss the stars a little. But the primary purpose of a cook book is not to explain astronomy. It is to teach the reader what to do with their food. Yet, presumably, no atheist would criticise a cook book for its lack of astronomical discussion.


In much the same way, the Bible was never intended to explain scientific themes. The Bible is a book about God, not about science. Now, there are some scientific themes. After all, we are talking about the God who literally invented science (and the religion that gave rise to modern science), so it makes sense that there would at least be some scientific themes. In some cases, these may even inspire great scientists. But scientific insights are not the main focus of the Bible, and thus they don't take up a large portion of it.


As previously noted, the Bible is a book for all people. It's not just for scientists. It's for plough boys too. It tells us that the heavens declare the glory of God, encouraging those who love Him to look to them, but the point is to look to God, not the heavens.


Scientific knowledge is often helpful in our daily lives, or at the very least is interesting, but the point of Scripture, as defined by Scripture itself, is "...for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Science is not essential to any of that. Thus, let the scientists describe the creation, let the Bible describe the Creator, and let no fool criticise one for not doing the other's job.

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