What is Big Bible?
This website describes how science is beautifully consistent with the Bible!
We show how the descriptions in the very first chapter of the Bible - Genesis 1 - are in excellent harmony with descriptions from our current scientific understanding about the creation of our universe - a creation process that began approximately 13.7 billion years ago and that has continued over the last 4.5 billion years or so with the formation of the earth and all of its plants, animals, and humankind.
We are trying to dispel the common notion that the Bible is scientifically inaccurate and full of myths and legends. Through examination of accepted scientific findings coupled with good Biblical scholarship we try to show that there is a very strong case for the accuracy of the Bible concerning science. On this website, we primarily explore Genesis 1 for our example.
There are two keys to understanding Genesis 1 from the viewpoint of science.
- The first key is that the Hebrew word that is translated as "day" in Genesis 1 is the Hebrew word yom. The word yom could also be faithfully translated as a "period of time". In other words, it is a valid assumption based on the original Hebrew text that the days do not have to be 24 hour days. There are other logical and Scriptural reasons as well that would lead us to assume that yom in this context does not refer to a 24 hour day.
- The second key is the point of view used in writing Genesis 1. Genesis 1:2 says that the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters (NKJV). If we understand that the "face of the waters" to be the water covering the earth, then this provides the point of view for understanding the descriptions in Genesis 1. And this is a critical insight. With this insight, we can avoid the common confusing interpretation that light was created on day 1 or that the sun, moon, and stars were created on day 4. From the point of view given in Genesis 1:2, the Spirit is hovering over the surface of the earth and witnessing the visibility or appearance of light coming through an initially dark atmosphere on day 1 and the visibility of the sun, moon, and stars through an atmosphere that is finally clear on day 4. This interpretation is in harmony with all major Bible translations. For example, verse 14 describes the beginning of creation day 4 concerning the "greater and lesser lights" (sun and moon) and the stars. Verse 14 begins with "Let there be lights" in the ESV, KJV, and NIV translations and with "Let lights appear" in the GNT and NLT translations. These phrases do not necessarily mean that creation of these lights was taking place. They could just as easily mean that the lights were appearing where they have not appeared before. This would then correspond exactly to the sequence of events as described by science. Therefore, understanding that the descriptions in Genesis 1 can be seen from this point of view of the Spirit hovering over the earth is a key point in harmonizing the Bible with science.
Once these two key points are understood, then there is excellent harmony between the descriptions in Genesis 1 and the descriptions from science concerning the past 4.5 billion years of earth's history. Then please notice that the scientific understanding has only been formed over the last several hundred years while the descriptions in Genesis 1 were written over 3000 years ago. How could anyone over 3000 years ago know enough at that time to provide a description of creation that is in harmony with our current scientific understanding? The fact that the scientific description and the Genesis 1 description are in harmony strongly suggests (we would like to say "proves") that the One who guided the writing of the Bible and the Creator of the universe are indeed one and the same. This harmony between the Genesis 1 description and the scientific description is certainly a deep and profound truth that is worthy of our time for thoughtful consideration.
This harmony between an ancient text and current science is unique in human history. No other ancient text and no other human culture can make such a claim of their origin story being in harmony with current science. Although some people have tried to make this claim of harmony with a different origin story, none of their claims stand up to rigorous scrutiny. But with these two very valid assumptions that are based on good scholarship and that are consistent with Judeo-Christian traditions, then the Bible can make this claim of harmony with science under rigorous analysis. This website and the Genesis timeline provide an overview of this rigorous analysis and the resource websites provide further details.
The Days of Creation
Click on the up or down chevron in the above screens to view descriptions of the different days of creation. Click on the title in the above screens (for example, Day 1 of Creation) to find more details about the given day of creation.Every story has a point of view. The key to harmonizing Genesis 1 with science is the point of view provided in Genesis 1:2.
Note that the Spirit of God is depicted as a bird of fire in the illustrations above.
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (NIV) From this point of view, Day 1 through Day 6 of creation are told from the Spirit's perspective hovering over the face of the earth.
Are You in One of These Groups?
Every one of the following groups has some solid truths guiding them. If you are in one of these groups, would you be willing to consider another aspect of the truth?