Sciences: History and Chronology
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The study of sciences, particularly history and chronology, within the context of the Bible, involves understanding the timeline and historical context of biblical events. The Bible, while primarily a theological and spiritual document, provides a framework for understanding the history of God's interaction with humanity. The Berean Standard Bible offers a translation that aids in exploring these themes with clarity and precision.

Biblical Chronology

Biblical chronology is the timeline of events as recorded in the Scriptures. It begins with the creation account in Genesis, where "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). This marks the starting point of biblical history. The genealogies in Genesis 5 and 11 provide a framework for understanding the antediluvian and postdiluvian periods, leading up to the call of Abraham.

The Exodus, a pivotal event in biblical history, is traditionally dated to the 15th century BC, based on 1 Kings 6:1, which states, "In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, the second month, he began to build the house of the LORD" . This verse is crucial for anchoring the timeline of Israel's history.

The period of the Judges, the United Monarchy under Saul, David, and Solomon, and the subsequent division into the Northern and Southern Kingdoms are chronicled in the books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles. The fall of Samaria in 722 BC and the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC are significant historical markers.

Historical Context

Understanding the historical context of the Bible involves examining the cultures and civilizations that interacted with the Israelites. The Bible references various empires, such as Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome, which played significant roles in biblical narratives. For instance, the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom is recorded in 2 Kings 17, while the Babylonian exile is detailed in 2 Kings 24-25 and the book of Daniel.

The New Testament is set against the backdrop of the Roman Empire. The birth of Jesus is placed during the reign of Caesar Augustus, as noted in Luke 2:1: "Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire" . The crucifixion of Jesus occurred under the governance of Pontius Pilate, a Roman prefect, as recorded in the Gospels.

Scientific Inquiry and the Bible

While the Bible is not a scientific textbook, it intersects with scientific inquiry in various ways. The creation account in Genesis has been a focal point for discussions on the origins of the universe and life. The Bible's portrayal of the natural world reflects an understanding of God's sovereignty and creative power, as seen in passages like Psalm 19:1: "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands" .

The Bible also addresses the order and regularity of the natural world, which underpins scientific exploration. Ecclesiastes 1:5-7 describes the cycles of nature, highlighting the predictability and consistency of creation: "The sun rises and the sun sets; it hurries back to where it rises. The wind blows southward, then turns northward; round and round it swirls, ever returning on its course. All the rivers flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full; to the place from which the rivers come, there they return again" .

Conclusion

The Bible provides a rich tapestry of history and chronology that informs our understanding of God's redemptive plan. Through its narratives, genealogies, and historical accounts, the Scriptures offer insights into the unfolding of divine purposes throughout human history. The Berean Standard Bible aids in exploring these themes with clarity, allowing for a deeper appreciation of the intersection between biblical history and the broader historical and scientific context.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Kings 22:39
Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 1:18
Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Chronicles 9:1
So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Chronicles 29:29
Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Inspiration of Scripture. --Gospel Difficulties. --The Word of God ...
... only admits, but desires, and thankfully accepts the ministerial offices of the
other Sciences; all of ... History, and Geography, and Chronology, have each ...
/.../inspiration and interpretation/sermon iii inspiration of scripture gospel.htm

Duty of the Historian.
... he must be acquainted with such auxiliary sciences as ecclesiastical ... the earliest
documents are written), secular history, geography, and chronology. ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 6 duty of the.htm

Literature of Church History.
... Franciscans, Antoine and Fran??ois Pagi, who corrected the chronology. ... (Encyclop??die
des sciences religieuses, Paris ... 3. For ancient church history down to the ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 7 literature of church.htm

Theophilus. ...
... I esteem the liberal arts and sciences as the noblest of human ... his knowledge of medals,
pictures, paintings, history, geography, or chronology; I have ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/law/the way to divine knowledge/way-2-15 theophilus .htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... Horus"Thot, and the invention of sciences and writing ... in which the author summarizes
the chronology of the ... the ultimate point beyond which history did not ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

The Old Testament and Modern Science
... in geology, astronomy, or the other {62} sciences. ... some illuminating purpose in the
history of the ... Authorized Version still gives the chronology of Archbishop ...
/.../the christian view of the old testament/chapter ii the old testament.htm

The First Sayings of Jesus --His Ideas of a Divine Father and of a ...
... information on these points, his history having come ... us in scattered narratives,
without exact chronology. ... the physical and physiological sciences have shown ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter v the first sayings.htm

Bibliography.
... Lichtenberger: Encyclop??die des Sciences Religieuses. ... of Arianism chiefly referring
to the character and chronology of the ... (Epochs of Church History, Vol.15 ...
/.../sozomen/the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/part iii bibliography.htm

Natural Science and Theological Science.
... reject the outlines of Scripture Chronology;"but which ... History forsooth, with all
her inaccuracy of observation ... Theology is, but the very queen of Sciences? ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon ii natural science and.htm

Professor of Sanskrit, Bengali, and Marathi
... Leibniz first sowed the seed of the twin sciences of comparative ... or fact which might
enable him to equate Hindoo chronology with reliable history, as Dr ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter ix professor of sanskrit.htm

Resources
What is Christian Science? | GotQuestions.org

Why is the science community so opposed to creationism? | GotQuestions.org

What is noetic science? | GotQuestions.org

Science: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
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