Biblical contradictions II

But that's the entire crux of the matter, isn't it? You have faith that it happened, I have faith that it didn't. So did it happen or didn't it? How are you to answer that question on any objective level without evidence?The historical sciences like cosmology, geology and biological evolution all rely on the fact that events leave evidence of themselves. Had the earth suddenly stopped rotating and a while later begun rotating again, would it not have left evidence?

Hi, Theo!Coragyps wanted to visit this in another forum, but you felt it was relevant to discuss this here as it was a supporting point. We probably shouldn't pursue this in this forum in any great detail, so here's a cursory answer: This is false. The angular momentum of a spinning body is expressed as a centrifugal force outward. As soon as the constraints keeping the spinning body together are removed, such as through an explosion, then the pieces will proceed outward in a straight line, probably spinning in random directions due to the random nature of an explosion. The Big Bang is not thought to be in any direct way related to the formation of the solar system. The Big Bang took place around 13.5 billion years ago scattering matter in all directions. Our solar system is thought to have condensed from nebular gas beginning some 5 billion years ago. The cause of the retrograde spin you mention is not known in any definite way, but is suspected to be due to the planetary objects in question being captured after the solar system already formed, or to collisions. Current theory about where the matter from the Big Bang came from is very speculative at this time. You mean feasible from a scientific perspective? If so, at this point there is no confirming evidence of the interpretation of Genesis of evangelical Christians, and much falsifying evidence. Hence, no scientific credence can be given to this interpretation.If this discussion becomes too much more detailed we should probably open a new thread in the Cosmology and the Big Bang forum.--Percy

But the question is whether Joshua's stopping of the sun contradicts physical laws, and the answer is that it does. Scientifically, it couldn't have happened. Unless you have evidence of a miracle, as opposed to faith in a miracle, scientifically this is a Biblical contradiction. I wonder if it might be possible to stop with the mini-sermons and the veiled personal comments. If I am a fool then it is rude of you to say so, and if I am not then you are making a false statement, both of which are violations of the Forum Guidelines. You apparently don't know whether or not I believe in God. And acceptance of the validity of any particular Biblical account or miracle is not the measure of belief in God.--Percy

Hi, Theo!This is off-topic for this thread: So I have replied to you in Message 96 of the Is the Bible the Word of God II thread.--Percy

Hi, Theo!You quoted this from the The Hubble constant and the expansion age of the Universe reference provided by Mark: To this you replied: It is the traditional style of scientific expression to take the passive voice and state conclusions tentatively. This is as it should be, since all scientific findings are tentative, meaning that they're open to change in light of new information or improved understanding.Mark is making the point that your 6,000 year-old universe hypothesis is without evidentiary support, while evidence for an approximately 14 billion year-old universe is copious and abundant. To very briefly summarize the evidence for an ancient earth and universe (without explanation at this point, would be glad to clarify and expand as necessary):

1. Red shift.
2. Cosmic background radiation.
3. Stellar evolution.
4. Radiometric data.
5. Geological data.
6. Fossil data.
7. Magnetic reversals.
8. Sea floor spreading rate.
9. Varve layers.
10. Glacial layers.

The point that has already been made several times here is that your 6,000 year-old hypothesis has as much supporting evidence as do invisible ethereal flying pink unicorns: none. Sure, this point is raised here all the time. The problem is that not only is there no evidence of God creating space from nothing, there isn't even any evidence of God.--Percy

Hi Theo!Just for reference, Message 20 of the Lineage of Jesus thread quotes the Josephus, Tacitus and Suetonius references to Jesus in full. The nearby messages include some helpful discussion. Nothing against Simon Greenleaf, it's just that your approach is commonly known as the fallacy of argument from authority. What evidence did Greenleaf advance in support of his views?--Percy

My guess is that he's talking about polonium halos.--Percy