Rare conditions could have conspired to create hard-to-see ice on the Sea of Galilee that a person could have walked on back when Jesus is said to have walked on water, a scientist said today.
The results suggest temperatures dropped to 25 degrees Fahrenheit (-4 degrees Celsius) during one of the two cold periods 2,500 -1,500 years ago for up to two days, the same decades during which Jesus lived.
With such conditions, a floating patch of ice could develop above the plumes resulting from the salty springs along the lake's western shore in Tabgha. Tabgha is the town where many archeological findings related to Jesus have been found.
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I'm no paleolimnologist (my new favorite word) so I can't discuss the actual research (published in this journal), but I'm often surprised with media coverage of all these "hey, this is how this miracle could have happened" types of studies. I mean, sure, they're good for the skeptic, especially if there's something that's been documented and appears to be paranormal or supernatural. Showing a natural cause makes sense. But these kinds of things get picked up by folks who, in an effort to prove their religion, sometimes seem to miss the irony of using science to advance their often anti-scientific causes. (Look, for example, at pretty much all the articles at AiG, or these that even they think are too poor to use.) As my wise brother put it (who passed along the link): "I could have walked on ice. Doesn't that defeat the whole enchantment of it?"
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Science is testable. How does this person propose to test his speculation?
If it's not testable, then it's not science, and shouldn't be treated as such. And if there's "irony" involved, then surely the irony is in scientists treating this seriously, instead of dismissing it as useless handwaving.
Science is testable. How does this person propose to test his speculation?
Totally true. Perfect.
The problem is when certain "scientists" tend to ignore this simple admonition on their own preferred pet issues.
Hank B.
I don't think they do propose a test of it. From their abstract:
and in their summary they note:
Apparently they also proposed a model of the parting of the Red Sea previously...
But think of how much more of a miracle reducing the temparature by 25 degrees is than merely walking on water. He truly is the messiah!!! [cue angelic choral music]
Ok. Let's assume that this did happen, and that the biblical passage where Jesus walked on water is explained by this phenomena... so, if it is true, what's the miracle? The guy just was standing on ice! What? His feet didn't get frostbite?
Even if it did freeze, it would have to be thick enough to support a man's weight (barring divine anti-gravity effects). In that case, were the disciples in an icebreaker? Seems like the gospel writer might have mentioned a dramatic drop in temperature, as part of a miracle, too.
Perhaps Jesus intended to prophesy the coming of the NHL, until Peter falling in the water distracted him.
I think this whole story is a little ridiculous and that props to Nof for being creative...but come on...that's more far fetched than the fact the creator of water could walk on water.
--RC of strangeculture.blogspot.com
No, no, you guys are missing the true miracle.
The miracle is that the apostles were ice fishing with nets.
ah, Vogel's "Jesus number" may be in for some revision, at least in name! in COMPARATIVE BIOMECHANICS, pages 72-73 and 108-109 he proposes, discusses, and discusses the consequences of the reciprocal of the Bond number (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bond_number), and its use in describing the behavior of Halobates and company.
but, then, no, Vogel's shtick on it is SO entertaining, that's enough to keep it. alas, for the sake of entertainment, Galilee will just have to remain unfrozen.
why can't people accept Gospels and Torah for what they are? fictional accounts which preach morals, and draw how their owning cultures saw themselves. kinda like the ILLIAD and the ODYSSEY, don't-ya-know. nuthin' wrong with that. why do people need to boost their own faith by subjecting them to scientific analysis? i think it's a modern religious perversion myself ...
Jesus and hockey - there's a scary thought.
I doubt he would have turned the other 'check'.
Badum-bum...
*groan* :)
No doubt had Jesus played hockey he would have been a goaltender...Crosby skating up the wing....takes the pass from LeClair...Crosby shoots....SAVE!!!....what a save by Jesus...
The eyewitness accounts descibe the boat being batterd
by waves, when Jesus walked on water. Can ice form on waves?
No doubt had Jesus played hockey he would have been a goaltender...Crosby skating up the wing....takes the pass from LeClair...Crosby shoots....SAVE!!!....what a save by Jesus...
Posted by: Dave S. | April 6, 2006 12:08 PM
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Thank you Dave S, I laughed out loud reading this comment!!!!
I know when it's 25F outside my first thought is to go walking around out on ice chunks in near freezing water. Also...I'm sure when it was 25F, every local in town had nowhere else better to be than hurled around the banks of the sea of Galilee.
No doubt had Jesus played hockey he would have been a goaltender...Crosby skating up the wing....takes the pass from LeClair...Crosby shoots....SAVE!!!....what a save by Jesus...
Posted by: Dave S. | April 6, 2006 12:08 PM
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Yes. Jesus SAVES, or so they say.
arma