Re: Firmament and the Water above was [asa] Re: Slug

In a message dated 6/16/2006 11:38:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
PHSeely@msn.com writes:
The statements of modern astronomers which use words that could be construed
as being out of concord with reality must be interpreted within the context
of modern knowledge. In that context, we know they are not saying the sky is
really solid. Similarly the statements in Scripture must be interpreted
within the context of ancient knowledge. In that context, we know they ARE
saying the sky is really solid.
Paul,

I haven't read your papers yet (one of them is printing right now), but I
want to comment because the above statement is **exactly** my point and I don't
think it has really been heard. I agree with you about the ANE understanding
of raquia and windows in the heavens that can open to let the fresh-water sea
fall through. We see precisely this language in the flood account and
elsewhere. But we have two tests to distinguish whether they really believed this
picture of the universe, or whether (like modern astronomers) were simply using
available phrases because they were convenient:

1. Do they fail to indicate a more physically-correct understanding of
cosmology in the other statements they make?

2. Is it reasonable that they could still believe the full ANE cosmology at
such a late date?

For modern astronomers, the answer to both is NO. I contend that for the
Biblical authors the answer to both is also NO, although we have such sparse data
it is hard to be as sure as for modern astronomers. Perhaps the strongest
argument is the mist that rises from the ground to water the whole earth in
Gen.2. Mark Futato has argued very persuasively in his papers in the Westminster
Theological Journal that this is a reference to the beginnings of normal rain,
and therefore I conclude it belies a correct understanding that the "waters
above" are transient, not a permanent ocean. But in any case I don't see how
we can dogmatic answer YES to both questions.

I look forward to studying your papers to see if I'm wrong! :-)

Phil Metzger

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Received on Sat Jun 17 11:07:57 2006