Interpreting BiblicalInterpreting BiblicalDescriptions of NatureDescriptions of Nature

Robert C. NewmanRobert C. Newman

Abst

ract

s of

Pow

erpo

int T

alks

- ne

wm

anlib

.ibri

.org

-

Biblical LanguageBiblical Language

One of the classic books on Science and the One of the classic books on Science and the Bible is Bernard RammBible is Bernard Ramm''s s Christian View of Christian View of Science and ScriptureScience and Scripture (1954). (1954).

He suggests that the language of Scripture is:He suggests that the language of Scripture is: Popular rather than technicalPopular rather than technical Phenomenological rather than mechanicalPhenomenological rather than mechanical Not theoreticalNot theoretical Cultural Cultural

Abst

ract

s of

Pow

erpo

int T

alks

- ne

wm

anlib

.ibri

.org

-

Popular LanguagePopular Language

Actually we have little knowledge of what Actually we have little knowledge of what technical terms existed in classical Hebrew.technical terms existed in classical Hebrew.

The New Testament does use some Greek The New Testament does use some Greek technical terms (see William K. Hobart, technical terms (see William K. Hobart, The The Medical Language of St. LukeMedical Language of St. Luke).).

Presumably the Bible is designed for a general Presumably the Bible is designed for a general audience rather than specialists.audience rather than specialists.

From GodFrom God''s perspective, it is designed for a s perspective, it is designed for a wide range of cultures and centuries.wide range of cultures and centuries.

Abst

ract

s of

Pow

erpo

int T

alks

- ne

wm

anlib

.ibri

.org

-

Phenomenological LanguagePhenomenological Language

By this, Ramm means that Scripture says: By this, Ramm means that Scripture says: the the ""sun risessun rises"" rather than that the earth rotates so rather than that the earth rotates so

that the sun may be seen at certain longitudes;that the sun may be seen at certain longitudes; ""a seed diesa seed dies"" rather than that the seed germinates rather than that the seed germinates

to produce a plant while the rest of the seed rots.to produce a plant while the rest of the seed rots. RammRamm''s term s term ""mechanicalmechanical"" is not ideal. is not ideal.

Perhaps Perhaps ""theoreticaltheoretical"" would be a better term. would be a better term. In any case, this is strongly linked to the next item.In any case, this is strongly linked to the next item.

Abst

ract

s of

Pow

erpo

int T

alks

- ne

wm

anlib

.ibri

.org

-

Language not theoreticalLanguage not theoretical

The Bible describes what happens, but tends to The Bible describes what happens, but tends to focus on the ultimate cause (God did it) rather focus on the ultimate cause (God did it) rather than mediate causes.than mediate causes.

Not always:Not always: Presence of wind at opening of Red SeaPresence of wind at opening of Red Sea SatanSatan''s activity in nature in Job 1 and 2s activity in nature in Job 1 and 2

SnowSnow''s remark in s remark in Portraits of CreationPortraits of Creation, 14, is , 14, is better:better:

Abst

ract

s of

Pow

erpo

int T

alks

- ne

wm

anlib

.ibri

.org

-

Language not theoreticalLanguage not theoretical

[Scripture has] a notable lack of systematic discussion concerning the ordered relationship linking phenomenon to phenomenon within the ordered world.

Robert E. Snow in Portraits of Creation, 14

Abst

ract

s of

Pow

erpo

int T

alks

- ne

wm

anlib

.ibri

.org

-

Cultural TerminologyCultural Terminology

The Bible uses the standard terms in its host The Bible uses the standard terms in its host languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek) for such languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek) for such things as time, psychology, medicine, things as time, psychology, medicine, measurements, etc.measurements, etc.

It is helpful to remember that the Jews did not It is helpful to remember that the Jews did not invent Hebrew nor did the Christians invent invent Hebrew nor did the Christians invent Greek.Greek.

Abst

ract

s of

Pow

erpo

int T

alks

- ne

wm

anlib

.ibri

.org

-

Biblical LanguageBiblical Language

These features put the greater burden on those These features put the greater burden on those people who are more educated and people who are more educated and sophisticated, rather than on those who are not.sophisticated, rather than on those who are not.

This is in keeping with the biblical principle This is in keeping with the biblical principle that that ""to whom much is given, much is to whom much is given, much is required.required.""

Abst

ract

s of

Pow

erpo

int T

alks

- ne

wm

anlib

.ibri

.org

-

Science & Theology in ScriptureScience & Theology in Scripture

Ramm (in 1954, at the time he wrote) saw no Ramm (in 1954, at the time he wrote) saw no scientific error in Scripture.scientific error in Scripture.

Neither did he see Scripture as containing any Neither did he see Scripture as containing any scientific teaching.scientific teaching.

This is a rather common view among many This is a rather common view among many evangelical intellectuals.evangelical intellectuals.

Abst

ract

s of

Pow

erpo

int T

alks

- ne

wm

anlib

.ibri

.org

-

Science & Theology in ScriptureScience & Theology in Scripture

I have some reservations about applying our I have some reservations about applying our modern science/theology distinction to the modern science/theology distinction to the Bible.Bible.

The remarks about Biblical Language above The remarks about Biblical Language above apply to some extent to theological statements apply to some extent to theological statements in the Bible also.in the Bible also.

It does not use technical theological terms It does not use technical theological terms (Trinity, etc.) except where we have made (Trinity, etc.) except where we have made Biblical terms technical (salvation, etc.).Biblical terms technical (salvation, etc.).

Abst

ract

s of

Pow

erpo

int T

alks

- ne

wm

anlib

.ibri

.org

-

Science in ScriptureScience in Scripture

Particularly in the area of origins, it seems Particularly in the area of origins, it seems problematic to assert the Bible gives us no problematic to assert the Bible gives us no scientific information.scientific information.

Why not scientific information in popular Why not scientific information in popular language?language?

See Dallas Cain’s book, See Dallas Cain’s book, And It Was So: The And It Was So: The Genesis Creation Riddle,Genesis Creation Riddle, on-line at on-line at www.ibri.org. www.ibri.org.

Abst

ract

s of

Pow

erpo

int T

alks

- ne

wm

anlib

.ibri

.org

-

Science in ScriptureScience in Scripture

I see no scientific error, but I don’t insist there I see no scientific error, but I don’t insist there must be scientific teaching in Scripture.must be scientific teaching in Scripture.

I think we should be willing to look for I think we should be willing to look for evidence to see if it is actually present or not.evidence to see if it is actually present or not.

I find some in astronomy and medicine. See:I find some in astronomy and medicine. See: Newman, Phillips and Eckelmann, Newman, Phillips and Eckelmann, Genesis 1 & the Genesis 1 & the

Origin of the Earth; on-line at Origin of the Earth; on-line at www.ibri.org. McMillen and Stern, McMillen and Stern, None of These Diseases.None of These Diseases.

Abst

ract

s of

Pow

erpo

int T

alks

- ne

wm

anlib

.ibri

.org

-

Distinguishing Literal & FigurativeDistinguishing Literal & Figurative

This is not always easy, but certainly both literal This is not always easy, but certainly both literal and figurative language are present in Scripture.and figurative language are present in Scripture.

We want to reject a We want to reject a ""methodological literalismmethodological literalism"" which tries to avoid figures at nearly any cost.which tries to avoid figures at nearly any cost.

We want to avoid allegorizing and other We want to avoid allegorizing and other mystical approaches (e.g., numerology) which mystical approaches (e.g., numerology) which find figure and symbol when there is no reason find figure and symbol when there is no reason to think the Biblical authors intended any such.to think the Biblical authors intended any such.

Abst

ract

s of

Pow

erpo

int T

alks

- ne

wm

anlib

.ibri

.org

-

How do we recognize figure?How do we recognize figure?

How in literature in general? (Hirsch, 198)How in literature in general? (Hirsch, 198) Validation via probabilityValidation via probability Generic validation (external/internal)Generic validation (external/internal) Small-scale validation (also external/internal)Small-scale validation (also external/internal)

Takes priority over GenericTakes priority over Generic

How in Scripture in general? (Berkhof, 84-85)How in Scripture in general? (Berkhof, 84-85) Genre – is figure allowed in this type?Genre – is figure allowed in this type? Sense – literal unless contradictory/absurdSense – literal unless contradictory/absurd

This seems somewhat overdone.This seems somewhat overdone.

Context – internal helps; most importantContext – internal helps; most important

Abst

ract

s of

Pow

erpo

int T

alks

- ne

wm

anlib

.ibri

.org

-

How do we recognize figure?How do we recognize figure?

How in How in ""sciencescience"" passages? passages? Validation via probabilityValidation via probability

DonDon''t be dogmatict be dogmatic GenreGenre

DonDon''t invent special genrest invent special genres Test various alternatives: narrative, teaching, poetryTest various alternatives: narrative, teaching, poetry

SenseSense Does it contradict well-established observation?Does it contradict well-established observation?

AuthorAuthor Satan, Job, friends, God?Satan, Job, friends, God?

Abst

ract

s of

Pow

erpo

int T

alks

- ne

wm

anlib

.ibri

.org

-

How do we recognize a standpoint?How do we recognize a standpoint?

StandpointStandpoint What point of view does the author seem to wish the reader What point of view does the author seem to wish the reader

to adopt?to adopt? For example, for For example, for ""death as sleepdeath as sleep""

From perspective of those still living?From perspective of those still living? From perspective of the one who has died?From perspective of the one who has died?

Is creation account to be read as though:Is creation account to be read as though: We are observing from outer space or from earthWe are observing from outer space or from earth''s surface?s surface? Addressed to scientists, theologians, or man in street?Addressed to scientists, theologians, or man in street?

Abst

ract

s of

Pow

erpo

int T

alks

- ne

wm

anlib

.ibri

.org

-

How do we recognize a genre?How do we recognize a genre?

Examples of genres:Examples of genres: Narrative, parable, teaching, exhortation, proverbNarrative, parable, teaching, exhortation, proverb

Example: the Bible says Example: the Bible says ""There is no god.There is no god."" True, but the speaker is identified as a fool!True, but the speaker is identified as a fool!

Identifying genre:Identifying genre: Is Matthew 2 Is Matthew 2 midrashmidrash as Gundry suggests? as Gundry suggests? Is Jonah a parable?Is Jonah a parable? Is Song of Solomon allegory?Is Song of Solomon allegory? Is Genesis 2 parable?Is Genesis 2 parable?

Abst

ract

s of

Pow

erpo

int T

alks

- ne

wm

anlib

.ibri

.org

-

ConclusionsConclusions

We have covered a lot of ground in a short We have covered a lot of ground in a short time.time.

Not intended to answer everyoneNot intended to answer everyone''s questionss questions But to get us thinking along helpful lines, so as But to get us thinking along helpful lines, so as

not to be dogmatic when we should be more not to be dogmatic when we should be more modest, nor to be skeptical when we should be modest, nor to be skeptical when we should be more trusting.more trusting.

I donI don''t think the Bible has been shown to be t think the Bible has been shown to be mistaken about nature.mistaken about nature.

Abst

ract

s of

Pow

erpo

int T

alks

- ne

wm

anlib

.ibri

.org

-

The EndThe End

Doubtless, discussion will continue Doubtless, discussion will continue till the Second Coming on what the till the Second Coming on what the

Bible teaches about nature!Bible teaches about nature!

Abst

ract

s of

Pow

erpo

int T

alks

- ne

wm

anlib

.ibri

.org

-

BibliographyBibliography

Berkhof, L. Berkhof, L. Principles of Biblical InterpretationPrinciples of Biblical Interpretation (Baker, 1950).(Baker, 1950).

Hirsch, E. D., Jr. Hirsch, E. D., Jr. Validity in InterpretationValidity in Interpretation (Yale, 1967).(Yale, 1967).

Poythress, V. S. Poythress, V. S. Science and HermeneuticsScience and Hermeneutics (Zondervan, 1988).(Zondervan, 1988).

Ramm, B. Ramm, B. The Christian View of Science & The Christian View of Science & ScriptureScripture (Eerdmans, 1954). (Eerdmans, 1954).

Van Till, H., et al. Van Till, H., et al. Portraits of CreationPortraits of Creation (Eerdmans, 1990).(Eerdmans, 1990).

Abst

ract

s of

Pow

erpo

int T

alks

- ne

wm

anlib

.ibri

.org

-