The Hydrologic Cycle A Comparison of the Scientific and Biblical Accounts 1
History of Science Timeline and Development of the Theory Greek Philosophy Mystified by caverns and springs (karst geology) Misguided by Grecian mythology (superstition) 2
Greek Philosophy (600-350 BC) Philosophers: Thales, Herodotus, Hippocrates, Xenophanes, Anaxagoras, Plato and Aristotle Water was the source of all things Wind was driving force, versus solar radiation and gravity Tartarus (vast underground cavern) was internal water source, versus the ocean 3
Roman Philosophy Adopted and built upon Grecian philosophy Similar karst geology and fascinations Roman Philosophy (95 BC 65 AD) Philosophers: Lucretius, Vitruvius, Seneca Dew was newly created water released thru the earth s pores Wind transported water to the clouds, versus evaporation and transpiration Rain and snow not sufficient for stream and river flow must be another source Greco-subterranean views maintained 4
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Renaissance Era (1500-1700) Scientists: Leonardo de Vinci, Bernard Palissy, Pierre Perrault, Athanasius Kircher & Edmund Halley The Great Scientific Awakening Experimentation and calculations versus assumptions based on observations Modern theory begins to take shape 6
Water Cycle in Bible Post-Flood Scriptural Perspective NKJV quoted unless otherwise noted 7
Ecclesiastes 1:7 All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; to the place from which the rivers come, there they return again. Amos 5:8 He calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out on the face of the earth; the LORD is His name. Amos 9:6 He who builds His layers in the sky, and has founded His strata in the earth; who calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out on the face of the earth the LORD is His name. 8
Amos 9:6 He who builds His layers in the sky, and has founded His strata in the earth; strata bands of troops Amos 5:8 He calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out on the face of the earth; the LORD is His name. 9
1 Kings 18:41-45 41 Then Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain." 42 So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, 43 and said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." So he went up and looked, and said, "There is nothing." And seven times he said, "Go again." 44 Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, "There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!" So he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.'" 45 Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel. Jeremiah 10:13; 51:16 (Psalms 135:7) When He utters His voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens: "And He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, He brings the wind out of His treasuries." 10
Job 36:27-28 For He draws up drops of water, which distill as rain from the mist, which the clouds drop down and pour abundantly on man. Distillation Elihu speaking Is he inspired? Young man (32:6), shared his opinion (32:10,17), admitting there are some things he did not know (32:22), spoke words from his heart (33:3), claimed to have perfect knowledge (36:4), and presumed to speak on God s behalf (36:2) However, he stated he had no sin (33:9) thus making him a liar (1 Jn 1:8) Here he states that rain/clouds form by Distillation WRONG! It is by Evaporation Lies are mixed or half truths 11
Psalms 19:4-6 In [the heavens] He has set a tabernacle for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices like a strong man to run its race. Its rising is from one end of heaven, and its circuit to the other end; and there is nothing hidden from its heat. Job 26:8 He binds up the water in His thick clouds, yet the clouds are not broken under it. 12
Ecclesiastes 11:3 If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; Psalms 65:9 You visit the earth and water it, You greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; 13
Deuteronomy 8:7 For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; Psalms 104:10 He sends the springs into the valleys; they flow among the hills. 14
Ecclesiastes 1:7 All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; to the place from which the rivers come, there they return again. 15
? Not one cavern or subterranean reservoir noted in the scriptures Psalms 65:9 You visit the earth and water it, You greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; You provide their grain, for so You have prepared it. Isaiah 30:23 Then He will give the rain for your seed with which you sow the ground, and bread of the increase of the earth, it will be fat and plentiful. In that day your cattle will feed in large pastures. 16
Isaiah 55:10-11 "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. 17
Psa 19:6 Jer 10:13 & Job 26:8 Eccl 11:3 Isa 55:10 Deut 8:7 Psa 65:9 Amos 9:6 Psa 104:10 Eccl 1:7 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9 -God No theory has been handed down to us that the most ordinary man could not have thought of. -Aristotle 18