Can We Believe the Bible?

Scott Ashley Managing editor

Many critics of the Bible vilify those who believe in the Bible as bigots and ignorant science deniers. But they themselves are ignorant of the fact that the foundations of modern science were laid largely by men who believed in God and the Bible.

For example, the brilliant 17th-century British mathematician and physicist Sir Isaac Newton wrote: “This beautiful system of the sun, planets and comets could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being.”

He also stated: “There are more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history,” and “I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily.”

Many great pioneers of science examined the evidence and concluded that it proved the existence of God and that the Bible was His inspired Word. For many, their belief in an orderly universe established by the power and genius of an almighty Creator lay behind their scientific investigations.

For example, the German-born British astronomer Sir William Herschel (1738-1822), discoverer of the planet Uranus, said, “All human discoveries seem to be made only for the purpose of confirming more and more strongly the truth contained in the Sacred Scriptures.”

The great Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543), whose idea that the earth revolves around the sun laid the foundation for our understanding of our solar system, wrote: “For who, after applying himself to things which he sees established in the best order and directed by divine ruling, would not through contemplation of them . . . admire the Artificer of all things, in whom is all happiness and every good?”

The famous Italian astronomer, mathematician and physicist Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), whose astronomical observations revolutionized our view of the universe, noted, “When I reflect on so many profoundly marvelous things that persons have grasped, sought, and done, I recognize even more clearly that human intelligence is a work of God, and one of the most excellent.”

German astronomer and mathematician Johann Kepler (1571-1630), who laid the groundwork for understanding the laws of planetary motion, saw divine order in the movements of heavenly bodies that reflected the existence of a Creator. He observed, “Geometry . . . [is] coeternal with God . . . and reflecting in the Divine mind has supplied God with the examples . . . for the furnishing of the world so that it became the best and most beautiful, and also the most similar to the Creator.”

English physician, anatomist and physiologist William Harvey (1578-1657) discovered how the circulatory system of the human body functions. His work pioneered the scientific method and affected scientific research for centuries. His studies of human and animal anatomy led him to conclude: “We acknowledge God, the Supreme and Omnipotent Creator, to be present in the production of all animals . . . All things are indeed contrived and ordered with singular providence, divine wisdom, and most admirable and incomprehensible skill.”

More recently, Wernher von Braun (1912-1977), rocket scientist and father of the U.S. space program, said, “In this age of space flight, when we use the modern tools of science to advance into new regions of human activity, the Bible . . . this grandiose, stirring history of the gradual revelation and unfolding of moral law . . . remains in every way an up-to-date book.”

The understanding of our planet, solar system, the universe and the human body rests on the foundational work of scientific giants like these. They saw no conflict between God, science and the Bible. To again quote Sir Isaac Newton, “I study the Bible daily.” And so should we! The articles in this issue will help you understand Psalm 119:105, which says God’s Word is “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” May you let it light the way in your life!