[Podcast Episode 54] There IS science in the Bible, at least in some translations. So what does the word mean and what does the Bible think about it? We review a fun way to find out the truth behind the California science textbooks and finish up with a young person’s intro to crystallization and minerals.
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I Timothy 6:20-21
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
That word “science” isn’t translated the same way in newer translations:
Complete Jewish Bible: Oh, Timothy! Keep safe what has been entrusted to you. Turn away from the ungodly babblings and the argumentative opposition of what is falsely called “knowledge.” For many who promise this “knowledge” have missed the mark, as far as the faith is concerned. Grace be with you.
The Message: And oh, my dear Timothy, guard the treasure you were given! Guard it with your life. Avoid the talk-show religion and the practiced confusion of the so-called experts. People caught up in a lot of talk can miss the whole point of faith. Overwhelming grace keep you!
What’s going on?
The Greek word here is “gnosis” [pronounced know-sis]. It is used for all kinds of knowledge and is almost always a good thing in the Bible, for example:
- Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
- I Corinthians 1:5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
In the first God himself has gnosis and in the second he is giving it all to us!
Our English word and the Greek sound a lot alike
I love etymology, the history of words, so I looked up the word “know” to see if we borrowed it from the Greeks. We didn’t. They got it from the same super ancient root we did.
Online Etymology Dictionary: “This is from PIE root *gno- “to know” “
PIE = Proto (first) Indo (near India) European
This means those sounds have meant “to know” since the Tower of Babel. Whoa!
Why the KJV uses the word “science”
(Back in Episode 11 I talked about the Hebrew word translated like this in Daniel.)
I went back to the history of words to see why people in 1611AD would translate using this word instead of “knowledge”.
Online Etymology Dictionary says: “science (n.) mid-14c., “what is known, knowledge (of something) acquired by study; information;” also “assurance of knowledge, certitude, certainty,” from Latin scientia “knowledge, a knowing; expertness,” from a root probably originally “to separate one thing from another, to distinguish,”
- 1400 as “experiential knowledge;” also “a skill, handicraft; a trade.” From late 14c. as “collective human knowledge” (especially “that gained by systematic observation, experiment, and reasoning).
Modern (restricted) sense of “body of regular or methodical observations or propositions concerning a particular subject or speculation” is attested from 1725; in 17c.-18c. this concept commonly was called philosophy.
It was over 100 years after the scholars finished up their English version of the Bible for King James before “science” stopped meaning knowledge you get by studying.
You can even see why The Message used the word “experts” to communicate the same idea.
False experts are always opposing the Bible
In our time and culture this does mean science is a big part of the attack. But God and his truth will always remain.
Debunking Evolution Review
We were quite impressed with the quality and entertainment value of this series. Genesis Apologetics offers a number of resources to supplement the course, but you can watch for free on their page. The series is broken up into short enough segments to use for a youth group or other class setting.
It’s exciting to have fun and accurate way to help the next generation sort through the propaganda they face in so many areas.
Oh, yes, want more FUN ways to learn about evolution and apologetics? Check out A Bit of Orange YouTube channel. I have to tell my kids to stop watching!
Crystals and Minerals
We made our own Rock Candy with sugar, water, food coloring, and some extracts. They did not turn out as pretty as these, but it was still fun!
You can make your own by following these directions.
The most spectacular crystals in the world are down in Mexico:
I read to the boys about them on National Geographic’s article.
Cornerstone Geology Kit
Click to buy
We’d checked out the geology set Dr. Marcus Ross (whom you saw in the Is Genesis History movie) was kind enough to send us before, but some of the things hadn’t been much help. A basic mineral set we got recently made this quality kit so much more interesting.
Any time we can support our fellow Believers it is a wonderful thing. Dr. Ross’ products are high quality and fairly priced.
We’re thinking of getting a large Trilobite as well as the florescent mineral starter set next.
