In this third installment of our series about the so-called flat/stationary-earth prooftexts in the Bible, we’ll examine another passage that FSIPs (Flat Stationary Interpretation Proponents) frequently cite: Joshua 10. Known as “Joshua’s long day,” this passage is the record of one of the most unique and miraculous days in human history. As Joshua writes, “There has been no day like it before or since” (Josh 10:14 ESV).
Previously, we began a series of articles about the so-called flat/stationary-earth prooftexts in the Bible. There is an abundance of vocal flat/stationary proponents (FSIPs) that go around citing a handful of biblical verses, alleging that these verses are proof that the Bible depicts, indicates, or implies a flat and/or stationary world. In the previous article I explained how these FSIPs are failing to read the text carefully, removing these verses from their immediate literary context, and distorting the intended meaning of passages in order to seemingly validate their claims.
Have you ever interacted with someone who believes that the Bible depicts a flat, stationary earth? Or perhaps encountered a meme asserting that “the Bible contains 200+ flat-earth verses”? Or have you seen someone on social media quote verses like Job 38:14, Psalm 96:10, or Joshua 10:12-13 as “proof” that the Bible indicates a flat, unmoving earth? If you have, you’re not alone. These allegations proliferate online and in myriad other digital formats, coming not only from skeptics and critics of the Bible but also from numerous professing Christians who claim allegiance to it. But do these verses mean what they think they mean?
In part 1, we covered the biblical basis for the scientific method. It is based on God’s faithfulness and is necessary due to man’s fallibility. The procedures of science are intended to reduce the most common errors in reasoning, particularly the confirmation bias. The main point of a Ph.D. program is to train students to properly interpret data by following proper protocol. This can lead to new discoveries. However, there is a right way and a wrong way to report such discoveries.
Scientists use a particular method to make new discoveries about how the universe works. They also have a specific process of informing the world of their discoveries. All ethical scientists follow these procedures whether they are Christians or non-Christians. However, the protocols by which scientists conduct and publish research are rooted in the biblical worldview and cannot be justified apart from it. This demonstrates the truth of the Bible. And it also allows us to distinguish genuine scientific research from fraud.
In part one of this series on cults, we discussed how a Christian cult is any religious movement that claims to follow the Bible but distorts one or more of the essential doctrines of Christianity. We considered the heretical views of early movements in Christianity that had distorted the nature of God and the divinity of Jesus Christ. We also drew parallels to cults today, particularly Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons, who deny the full deity of Christ and the doctrine of the Trinity.