Does the bible teach that the earth is flat or does it teach that, as modern science tells us, it is a sphere spinning in space that rotates around the sun as do other planets in our solar system? First of all, it should be noted, that the bible does not teach either theory. The bible is not meant to teach us scientific truths but, rather, spiritual truths that we may live by.
2 Timothy 3:16, 17 says: ” All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” As our instructor in righteousness, the scriptures can be used as doctrine and to criticize or correct others that may be in error or in sin and is meant to furnish us for every good work.
That is, the scriptures’ purpose is to teach us how to be righteous (live for God) and enable us to do good works as outlined in scripture. In other words, to teach us to live a godly life before God so that we may receive the reward given by God to those who do. The scriptures focus on the salvation of our souls and to speculate overmuch on things more scientific to prove or disprove the scriptures, though it may strengthen our faith, is not the real purpose of the scriptures.
God wrote them to instruct us how to live for Him, the proof of His existence to be found in the physical world and science perhaps, but not in the scriptures alone. So, when someone spends years “researching” and studying to prove that the earth is represented as flat or spherical in scripture they are really wasting their time and would spend their time better learning what God would have them do to be saved and how He would have them live their lives before Him..
Personally, Isaiah 40:22 which speaks of the earth as a circle, is enough to suggest that the bible writers knew the truth on the matter. To suggest that God did not know is of course ludicrous. Scriptures that seem to suggest a flat earth (a term that is never used) can only be seen as either figurative or couched in the language of the day, like saying the sun rises and sets, as we say today, even though we know that the actions of the planets are such that this is not true. Do we believe in a flat earth today because we use these expressions?
Some, apparently believe today that the earth is flat despite the evidence to the contrary. Do we not have pictures from space that prove to any and everyone what the scientists tell us on this point? Let’s keep in mind that the scriptures were not revealed to us to prove or disprove the existence of God, but to instruct us how to live for Him, seeing the evidence for Him all around us in the things He has created (Romans 1:20).
It is these invisible things of God, as revealed to us in His word, that we should be concerned with when it pertains to doing what is right. The science and studies of men, when they do not contradict the scriptures, may teach of the physical things of this universe, but do not over think the things of man. It is in the spiritual things of God that the true profit may be had.
May God bless you and keep you until next time.