Do Christians really believe half of what they say they believe...?

Question

or is it rationalization?

Here's an example:
When I recently asked for an example of something that the Bible says that the most knowledgable people of the day couldn't have possibly known? An answer I received was Isaiah 40:22 "The earth is round".

First of all, it's a mistranslation. What it actually says is "The earth is a circle". A "circle" is a flat circular thing, like a plate, not like a ball. If the Bible really meant the latter, it could have easily said "The earth is like an orange" to avoid the ambiguity.

Second of all, I have been informed that a more accurate interpretation of the word "circle" is the comparison of the sky to a snow globe, not the shape of the earth itself.

And finally, anyone that has been in a ship at sea or in the desert knows that the horizon (which appears to be equally distant in all directions) makes the shape of the earth seem circular.

So Isaiah 40:22 is hardly prophetic.

I wouldnt have even asked this question, if someone hadn't given me a rediculous answer to my previous one.

I meant "prophetic" in the sense that the Bible (appears) to say what scientists a 1000 years later would discover.

Answer 1

I never understood why Christians use this verse to say that the Bible people were aware of these scientific facts, another place in the Bible talks about the four corners of the earth making it sound as if the earth is a square or rectangle. Isaiah 40:42 proves nothing it is just a phrase they happen to use.

Answer 2

Here is your answer. What Is the Shape of the Earth?

In ancient times humans in general believed that the earth was flat. As early as the sixth century B.C.E., however, Greek philosopher Pythagoras theorized that the earth must be a sphere. Even so, two centuries before Pythagoras formulated his theory, the prophet Isaiah stated with extraordinary clarity and certainty: “There is One who is dwelling above the circle of the earth.” (Isaiah 40:22) The Hebrew word "chugh" here translated “circle” may be rendered “sphere.” Interestingly, only a spherical object appears as a circle from every angle. Far ahead of his time, then, the prophet Isaiah recorded a statement that is scientifically sound and free from ancient myths.

You should also note: Technically speaking, the earth is an oblate spheroid. It is slightly flattened at the poles.

Answer 3

Wasn't Isaiah 40 talking about the folly of worshipping idols and false gods, when one could see all the great things the True God had created?

He mentioned a lot of things apart from the shape of the earth.

The "shape of the earth" problem comes about because some religious leaders in the past argued that the earth was flat and CLAIMED that the Bible supported them, They also kept the Bible out of the common men's hands, so no one could check it out for themselves.

Isaiah 40:22 just proves that those religious leaders were the liars, not the Bible.

Answer 4

It's prophetic and you miss the whole point of it, because God even says that the earth is His footstool. That's a big God.
Isaiah 66:1, Matthrew 5:35, Hebrews 10:13

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand,
and meted (measured) out heaven with the span (9 inches) and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales,
and hills in a balance?

Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being His counselor has taught Him?

With whom took He counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of judgment, and taught Him knowledge, and showed to Him the way of understanding?

Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, He takes up the isles as a very little thing.
All nations before Him are as nothing; and they are counted to Him less than nothing, and vanity.
To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare unto Him?

Verse 26 says
Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who has created these things, that brings out their host by number: He calls them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power, not one fails.

Verse 28
Have you not known? Have you not heard? that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints not, neither is weary? There is no searching of His understanding. He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increases strength.

As for your flat earth, men viewed the round moon and the round sun and men were so ignorant to call the earth flat. Not God, men were ignorant. No where in the Bible has God ever said the earth is flat.

Anything circular to me has always been round like the moon and the sun. The Bible makes a lot more sense than you make.

Answer 5

Atheist, you're being pretty unfair. Your question asked for something the people of the time would not have known. That's not prophecy. Then you wrap up with, "Isaiah 40:22 is hardly prophetic."

Words do matter. You don't have to like or believe the answer you got, but your criticism is a cheap shot.

Answer 6

Personally, yes I believe all I say I believe but I don't go to the bible to figure out if the world is round or flat. Not sure I get your point here.

Also, Isaiah is prophetic. There are verses that describe the coming Messiah, some of which are below....
(Isaiah 7:14)
14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.£
(Isaiah 9:6-7)
6 For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.

Answer 7

No but Isaiah 41:10 is.

Answer 8

If you are looking for prophecy given in the Old Testament that was fulfilled in detail, look at the book of Daniel.

Daniel is given understanding about the kingdoms of the world that were to arise: The Babylonian kingdom, The Persian-Medes, the Greeks, the Romans, and finally the kingdom of Jesus Christ.

Four hundred years before the personages were born, Daniel spoke about the rulers of the Greek Empire (Chap. 11)

read it and compare it to well-known world history!

god bless

Answer 9

Yes most of the christian believe

Answer 10

I think many Christians don't have a clue as to what is in their book.