![]() ![]() the conclusions of modern science, is the only source of true knowledge. Seely appears to be assuming that ‘scientific knowledge’, i.e. ‘Being a scientifically naive people, it is probable that like other scientifically naive tribal peoples the Hebrews thought of the earth as being surrounded by a circular sea and floating upon that single surrounding sea.’ 4 It is, therefore, all the more historically probable that the writer and first readers of Gen 1 thought of the earth as a single continent in the shape of a flat circular disc.’ 3 In addition the Hebrews were influenced via the patriarchs by Mesopotamian concepts and via Moses and their time in Egypt by Egyptian concepts. ‘Within its historical context, therefore, the conception of the “earth” in Gen 1 is most probably that of a single continent in the shape of a flat circular disc. When we do this, the meaning of “earth” and “seas” in Gen 1:10 is found to be quite different from the modern western notions.’ 2įollowing this statement is an impressive and informative list proving that several early ‘scientifically naïve’ societies thought either that the earth was flat and/or was surrounded by water on all sides, upon which the land floated. To avoid distorting Genesis 1 in this way, the serious exegete will insist upon placing this chapter within its own historical context. ![]() This has happened more than once to Genesis 1. ![]() ‘When a biblical text is interpreted outside of its historical context, it is often unconsciously interpreted in terms of the reader’s own culture, time and beliefs. We find, not surprisingly, that Seely follows much the same line of argument as he did in his previous articles: In this study, we will address a subsequent article by Seely in which he argues that the Bible teaches that the earth is a flat disc with a surrounding sea and a continent that floats upon this sea. Seely that the Bible taught that the raqiya‘ (‘firmament’) was a solid dome over the earth. In a previous article, 1 I explored and refuted the contentions of Paul H. In so doing, he once again makes the mistake of reading into equivocal biblical language definite statements of cosmology. Seely claims that the Bible teaches that the earth is a flat disc consisting of a single continent floating on a circular sea. All Rights Reserved.įirst published in Creation Ex Nihilo Technical Journal 14(3):51-54, 2000 Does the Bible say Earth is Flat? A Response to Paul H. ![]()
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