Bible science is compatible with scientific inquiry and facts. Its revelation of details about creation are consistent with scientific discoveries. In fact, the Bible is responsible for inspiring the mapping of the ocean currents.
Naval Captain Matthew Maury was inspired to map the ocean currents after reading the Bible’s description of “paths in the seas” in Psalm 8:8, which says, “The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.” In memory of Maury’s achievements, the State of Virginia erected a monument, which states: “Matthew Fontaine Maury, Pathfinder of the Seas, the Genius Who First Snatched from the Ocean and Atmosphere the Secret of Their Laws. His Inspiration, Holy Writ, Psalm 8:8, Psalm 107:23,24, and Ecclesiastes 1:6.”
His daughter described his inspiration by writing, “In 1831 Maury was appointed master of the sloop-of-war ‘Falmouth,’ which had been ordered to the Pacific Station. … His was eminently an original mind, and he delighted to spend hours in meditation, working out his own great ideas. But he had the Bible and Shakespeare at his fingers’ ends, and his many writings abound in quotations from both. It was during this voyage in the ‘Falmouth’ to Rio de Janeiro, on his way to the Pacific, that he conceived the idea of the celebrated Wind and Current Charts, which have since accomplished so much for the commerce of the world.” (Diana Fontaine Maury Corbin, A Life of Matthew Fontaine Maury, 1888, p21-23).
Some things in the Bible were not discovered for thousands of years after the revelation such as the round earth (Job 26:10, Prov 8:27, Isaiah 40:22, Amos 9:6) and the water cycle (Eccl 1:6-7; 11:3; Job 26:8; Amos 9:6). Other revelations are not scientifically verifiable, but are not contradictory to scientific findings such as creation taking place in six, twenty-four hour days; and the building of the tower of Babel.
Atheistic descriptions of creation, not science, contradict the Bible. For example, evolutionists argue that the earth is billions of years old and propose a scenario that involves five billions years of earth history. However, this scenario is an interpretation of earth history motivated by the need for time required for the evolution of life. It is not a confirmed story.
Bible science conflicts with evolutionary interpretations and theories, but it does not conflict with the data and facts collected from observations of creation. Thus Biblical revelation is consistent with science though it is incompatible with the presumptions of naturalism.
Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626), the father of the scientific method described the harmony between the Bible and creation and the need to study both to discover truth by saying: “To conclude therefore, let no man upon a weak conceit of sobriety or an ill-applied moderation think or maintain, that a man can search too far, or be too well studied in the book of God’s word, or in the book of God’s works; divinity or philosophy: but rather let men endeavour an endless progress or proficience in both; only let men beware that they apply both to charity, and not to swelling; to use, and not to ostentation; and again, that they do not unwisely mingle or confound these learnings together.” (Sir Francis Bacon, 1605, The Advancement of Learning).
God’s Word reveals truth and God’s work in creation reveals truth. Both revelations are expressions of one mind and one truth. The two do not contradict. A correct understanding of both is indicated by their harmony.
Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. – Matthew 22:29
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: – Romans 1:20
