 Here’s an interesting one. I’m not in on whatever debate is going on in this (linked) post. But I can say with certainty that the argument of the blogger here isn’t won by referencing Psalm 33.
Here’s the verse that the blogger presents as evidence that the ancients believed in material dome cosmology: Psalm 33:7 (ESV) “He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses.” What else could this mean but an affirmation of a solid vault that holds back water above the sky? Well, let’s think about that for a moment. And while we think, let’s read a little more. Psalm 33:6-10 “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples.” Those who are following my podcast or have read my book will know that often Biblical authors use language of the sea or the deep as a reference to spiritual forces of chaos that are associated with the gods of the nations. These gods are inferior to Yahweh in every respect, and when he calls upon them, they must comply. How would an ancient person describe that abstract, immaterial concept? By talking about it in concrete terms. God keeps the deep in storehouses because the supernatural forces of chaos (“all their host”) are at His beck and call (and therefore at His disposal, like things you keep for when you want to use them). When He gives them a commandment, it will stand firm (be established) because He is sovereign. That’s not a literal pile of water in a warehouse. If you want to hear more about correctly interpreting the ancient worldview of the Biblical authors, please check out my show, the Answers to Giant Questions Podcast. giantanswers.com - T.J. Steadman |