{"id":43529,"date":"2024-11-08T09:00:48","date_gmt":"2024-11-08T06:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=43529"},"modified":"2025-04-28T20:05:18","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T17:05:18","slug":"43529","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2024\/11\/08\/43529\/","title":{"rendered":"Is the Earth Round, a Sphere, or Flat Like a Plate? What Does the Bible Say?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>QUESTION:<\/strong><br \/>\nIs the Earth round, a sphere, or is it flat like a plate covered by glass at the top?<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>ANSWER:<\/h2>\n<p>Before we answer, it is crucial to understand the nature and purpose of the Bible.<br \/>\nThe Bible is <strong>not<\/strong> a scientific textbook, nor is it intended to serve as a manual for physics, business, or technology. <strong>The Bible\u2019s primary purpose<\/strong> is <strong>to reveal the nature, character, and plan of God for humanity<\/strong> and to <strong>teach mankind how to live in relationship with Him<\/strong> (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV):<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.&#8221;<\/em><br \/>\n(<strong>2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV<\/strong>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Thus, expecting the Bible to provide detailed explanations about the physical universe, like a science textbook, is a misunderstanding of its purpose. Its focus is <strong>spiritual<\/strong> rather than <strong>scientific<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Some people try to find <strong>business principles<\/strong> such as &#8220;demand and supply&#8221; or &#8220;cash flow&#8221; in the Bible. However, the Bible was not designed to teach business economics. For such matters, it is wise to seek formal education. Likewise, <strong>scientific principles<\/strong> \u2014 like atomic structure, types of rocks, the functions of blood cells, or the invention of medicines \u2014 are subjects developed through human investigation and are not explained in Scripture.<\/p>\n<p>It is true that the Bible occasionally <strong>mentions aspects of the natural world<\/strong> \u2014 but when it does, it is <strong>always to illustrate or support a spiritual truth<\/strong>, not to serve as scientific documentation.<\/p>\n<p>Moreover, Scripture makes it clear that <strong>worldly wisdom<\/strong> and <strong>divine wisdom<\/strong> are very different:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?&#8221;<\/em><br \/>\n(<strong>1 Corinthians 1:20, NIV<\/strong>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>In short, God\u2019s wisdom surpasses human reasoning, and human achievements, however great, are limited in light of His divine understanding.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>What About Technology and Modern Discoveries?<\/h2>\n<p>Many modern technologies \u2014 such as the Internet, social media, artificial intelligence, and future innovations \u2014 are not directly mentioned in the Bible. However, the Bible <strong>prophesied<\/strong> a time when <strong>knowledge would rapidly increase<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.&#8221;<\/em><br \/>\n(<strong>Daniel 12:4, NIV<\/strong>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Thus, although specific inventions are not listed, the <strong>increase in knowledge and global exploration<\/strong> was foretold long ago.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Now, Returning to the Main Question:<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Is the Earth a sphere, a circle, or a flat plate covered by glass?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>While the Bible does not give a full scientific description of Earth&#8217;s shape, it does provide strong hints.<\/p>\n<p>One key passage is:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy and spreads them out like a tent to live in.&#8221;<\/em><br \/>\n(<strong>Isaiah 40:22, NIV<\/strong>)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The term <strong>&#8220;circle&#8221;<\/strong> used here (Hebrew word: <em>chug<\/em>) can mean a <strong>round shape<\/strong> or <strong>spherical form<\/strong>. It implies that the Earth is <strong>circular<\/strong>, <strong>not flat<\/strong>, and not covered with a physical glass dome.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, when we consider the physical evidence God has allowed humans to discover through science \u2014 through astronomy, satellite imagery, and physics \u2014 we now know that the Earth is <strong>a sphere (or more accurately, an oblate spheroid)<\/strong>.<br \/>\nIn God&#8217;s providence, human beings have been given the ability to study and understand creation, confirming what Scripture hints at.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Final Reflection:<\/h2>\n<p>While <strong>scientific discovery is a gift from God<\/strong>, the Bible\u2019s main purpose remains to guide humanity into <strong>salvation and a relationship with Him<\/strong> through <strong>Jesus Christ<\/strong>.<br \/>\nWe must therefore respect both realms: use science for understanding the natural world and use the Bible for knowing God&#8217;s heart and His will for our lives.<\/p>\n<p><strong>May the Lord bless you and lead you into all truth.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Please share this teaching with others!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you would like to receive Jesus Christ into your life or need spiritual assistance, feel free to contact us:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Contact:<\/strong> +255789001312 or +255693036618<\/p>\n<p><strong>God bless you richly!<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class='share-to-whatsapp-wrapper'><div class='share-on-whsp'>Share on: <\/div><a data-text='Is the Earth Round, a Sphere, or Flat Like a Plate? What Does the Bible Say?' data-link='https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2024\/11\/08\/43529\/' class='whatsapp-button whatsapp-share'>WhatsApp<\/a><div class='clear '><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>QUESTION: Is the Earth round, a sphere, or is it flat like a plate covered by glass at the top? 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