Hidden Treasures in the Book of Job (Reasons to Believe): How the Oldest Book in the Bible Answers T

Editorial Reviews. From the Inside Flap. Arguably the oldest book in the Bible, the book of Job Hidden Treasures in the Book of Job (Reasons to Believe): How the Oldest Book in the Bible Answers I can't wait to use it in the classroom.
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Ross looks at studies that demonstrate that some social behaviors, the awareness of God, the compulsion to worship something, and the concern with ultimate judgment separates human beings from animals. He shows how these discoveries confirm what Scripture states. He also places special emphasis on the distinctions that are described in Job. In this chapter, Dr.

Hidden Treasures in the Book of Job

Ross discusses several studies that indicate a great difference between soulish animals and humanity. He looks at the intelligence of many of the soulish animals and shows how predictions based on common decent fail by these tests. He covers studies that attempt to figure out if soulish animals can actually plan for the future not being based on past experience and if they are capable of symbolic thought.

Ross shows that the differences discovered between the soulish animals and man are not expected from a naturalistic worldview, but make perfect sense in light of the content of the book of Job and the rest of Scripture. Ross moves to investigating the soulish animals specifically. He contends that these animals were endowed with abilities and physical attributes that are specifically designed for the launch of human civilization, the enjoyment of humanity, help with past problems we have faced, and assist with future issues the human race will discover.

He looks at the soulish animals in general and their seeming desires to please their caretakers. He has a section on Snowball the dancing cockatoo, that he shows is powerful evidence for soulish animals being designed with the future in mind. Then he shifts to discussing the three different kinds of soulish animals and their specific contributions to the human race through history and into the future. He goes down the list in Job 38 and He shows how each have been designed for serving humanity, developing relationships with humanity, or for other ways of pleasing humanity.

Ross offers a powerful challenge to any naturalistic explanation for the creation of life on earth: He contends that the likelihood of any animals being suited perfectly for so many different aspects of a species that had not yet arrived on the scene, is so small that it had to have come from a Designer who, knowing what He would later create, created these animals with the later-to-come humanity in mind.

Lessons from the Animals In Chapter 11 Dr. Ross switches back to looking at the animals in general. He shows how the book of Job tells us to examine the animals for lessons about how we are to interact with each other and the animals , how we need to be more humble in character, how we are to interaction with God, and what character man has presently pride.

He uses this as a spring board into the next chapter. Ross tackles the idea that Job speaks of dinosaurs existing with humanity. This is commonly used as evidence that Scripture supports only a young universe interpretation. He then looks at the claims for each animal in detail. He goes back to the original Hebrew to see what are the ranges of interpretations of the words.

He ends the chapter by explaining a few facts about dinosaurs that help show how they fit into his creation model. Answers to the Problem of Suffering After spending the majority of the book demonstrating all that the book of Job tells us about creation and its Creator, In Chapter 13 Dr.

Ross addresses the problem of suffering. He begins by providing the objection to the existence of an all-knowing, all-loving, and all-power God. Ross shows how God revealed His plan of salvation through Job. Job rejected that idea discussed in Chapter Help with the Hard Part In the final chapter Dr. Ross explains to his readers that we must emulate Job. In our search for answers we must never give up on God or malign His character, and we must be patient.

Having all the answers at our fingertips would likely cause us boredom and a lack of concern with theological matters. God has hidden just enough about His character for us to truly appreciate and value it when we discover it. Ross urges people to continue to search for truth about God in the revelations He has given us. For the one who is truly seeking the truth, he will find it. It provides many challenges to the reader: He provides much powerful, scriptural evidence for his specific position on how God created the universe, and much evidence from nature to demonstrate the symmetry between Scripture and what man has discovered in nature.


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He shows how Job spoke to questions that people have asked for millennia and ones that people have only recently began to ask. He shows how Job recognized his own fallenness and need for a Savior. He offers how Job can be a great example for those who suffer, are searching for truth, or both. This book is highly recommended for everyone to read. It is written on a lay level, yet the concepts will challenge even the most educated mind.

For both supporters and skeptics regardless of which kind of his creation model, it provides much scientific and scriptural evidence for his position. This book is a great addition to any scientific, theological, or philosophical collection. My impression was that Hugh Ross reads a lot into the biblical text sometimes which makes me occasionally skeptical about his conclusions.

I am actually not opposed to his general position, but I think he should be more careful. I might be wrong. Can you comment on that? So, they have come up with a new hermeneutical principle, asserting that it is legitimate to import current theories—Big Bang, Evolution, etc. It varies from one group to another which theories are used to rescue Christianity —into Scripture. We cannot rightly understand certain passages; it is reasoned, without interpreting them through the lens of this theory or that. Whether this is a legitimate hermeneutical principle is a vital question whose importance cannot be overstated; for, if we do not rightly divide the Word of Truth, we cannot understand what God is saying.

Freezingpictures, That is a pretty common criticism of Dr. All who interpret scripture need to exercise caution that they are not reading into the text. We also need to be careful that we understand when a person is saying that they are getting something from the text and when they are getting something from another source such as scientific or historical research. He looks at the text, then provides more of what we have learned regarding the subject matter through further research.

He is not saying that this information is necessarily in the text, but explaining why it is significant that particular subject matter is in the oldest book of the Bible. Considering the fact that Dr. Ross holds to Divine Inspiration, it is not a faulty hermeneutic to interpret text with the understanding that the Author was aware of future discoveries of His creation, but was revealing it to them early on. If this information is directly tested to be accurate, it is powerful evidence of Divine Inspiration of scripture.

It also needs to be noted that popularity does not equal true. Ross, specifically, is not fond of taking popular theories and forcing them on scripture. If he was, then he would be forcing macro-evolution and the non-historicity of Adam and Eve on it. He also would not hold to the interpretation of Big Bang cosmology that is compatible with the biblical doctrine of creation Ex Nihilo pun intended , nor hold that the resurrection of Jesus was an historical event.

Ross does look at recent research and tests it against scripture. If the two are not compatible, then he predicts that the research will be overturned by further research see his book More Than A Theory- My Review of that one is here. We do not allow the rejection of a doctrine in scripture simply because it does not agree with popular secular ideas.

Likewise, we cannot necessarily reject a popular secular idea because it disagrees with a popular interpretation of scripture. We have to remember that if Scripture is revelation from the Creator, then the two will be completely compatible. Both came from the Creator; where one is unclear, the other can be used to clarify. Most Christians don't have a problem allowing scripture to interpret science, but the other direction is also required. We also need to make sure that we take the entirety of Scripture into account and the entirety of scientific research into account.

We are looking for consistency among everything. I'll go ahead and stop here since the comment is getting quite long and refer you to a few posts on my blog:.

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Can Religion Be Tested for Truth? Scripture Consistency Among Disciplines. If I'm unclear here, those should help. Feel free to ask for further clarification if you need it. BubbaCoop, I am not familiar the views of Morris in that book. What exactly would it be providing a balance for? I am saying that reading the conclusions of Science into the Scripture is improper. Reading anything in to the Scripture is improper.

We ought to seek not to do it. We ought to seek to draw out the meaning the author was seeking to convey. It is difficult but this is the goal we must strive to reach. If the goal of exegesis of any text is to ascertain the author's intended meaning, can we hold that it is a sound hermeneutical principle to employ theories he never conceived of as an interpretive grid through which to determine his intended meaning?

As an example of this type of thinking consider the old leftist Literature professors at many universities with their often unspoken thesis that one cannot rightly understand any text, ancient or modern, without filtering it through the lens of Marxist economic theory. They make the mistake of intentionally reading their own ideas and experiences into the text. If we do so we will inevitably come to erroneous interpretations of the text.

I agree with most of what you are saying. We must not read our biases into Scripture but seek to understand its original meaning. The Universe and all that are in it was created by the same God who inspired Scripture. So, if there is a truth in the natural world, then it is God's truth also. What if there is a scientific fact discovered in the natural world that disagrees with an interpretation of Scripture?

Is it possible that the interpretation of Scripture is incorrect? How would you resolve such a disagreement? Not that the Word is incorrect, but rather that particular interpretation has been incorrect? There is no one that I am aware of who is saying that the findings of Science or History or Archeology should not motivate us to go back to the Scriptures and reconsider our understanding of them. But, when we do so, we must still employ sound hermeneutical principles.

One of the battles fought by the reformers Happy Reformation Day! They rejected mystical or subjective interpretation, which was common among medieval commentators. And we must remember that, as creatures, our knowledge is necessarily incomplete and reductionistic. Perhaps we ought to reconsider some of the presuppositions we hold to that have lead us to the conclusions of Theory X. Or perhaps Theory X is on the right track, and we just do not know enough to reconcile it in our thinking with the teachings of Scripture. Whatever we tentatively conclude, we must not try to cram Theory X into our interpretation of Scripture.

Black holes and dark matter anticipated. A black hole's gravitational field is so strong that nothing, not even light, escapes. Beyond the expanding universe there is no measured radiation and therefore only outer darkness exists. These theories paint a seemingly accurate description of what the Bible calls "outer darkness" or "the blackness of darkness forever. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

Hidden Treasures in the Book of Job Quotes

Incalculable number of stars. At a time when less than 5, stars were visible to the human eye, God stated that the stars of heaven were innumerable. Not until the 17th century did Galileo glimpse the immensity of our universe with his new telescope. Today, astronomers estimate that there are ten thousand billion trillion stars - a 1 followed by 25 zeros! Yet, as the Bible states, scientists admit this number may be woefully inadequate. As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: The number of stars, though vast, are finite. Although man is unable to calculate the exact number of stars, we now know their number is finite.

Of course God knew this all along. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: The Bible compares the number of stars with the number of grains of sand on the seashore. Amazingly, gross estimates of the number of sand grains are comparable to the estimated number of stars in the universe. That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.

The universe is expanding. Repeatedly God declares that He stretches out the heavens. During the early 20th century, most scientists including Einstein believed the universe was static. Others believed it should have collapsed due to gravity. Then in , astronomer Edwin Hubble showed that distant galaxies were receding from the earth, and the further away they were, the faster they were moving.

This discovery revolutionized the field of astronomy. Eisntein admitted his mistake, and today most astronomers agree with what the Creator told us millennia ago - the universe is expanding! Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein. He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.

The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. Each star is unique. Centuries before the advent of the telescope, the Bible declared what only God and the angels knew: There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: The sun goes in a circuit.

Some scientists scoffed at this verse thinking that it taught geocentricity - the theory that the sun revolves around the earth. They insisted the sun was stationary. However, we now know that the sun is traveling through space at approximately , miles per hour. It is literally moving through space in a huge circuit - just as the Bible stated 3, years ago! Creation is made of atoms and particles, indiscernible to our eyes. Not until the 19th century was it discovered that all visible matter consists of invisible elements.

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Light can be divided. Sir Isaac Newton studied light and discovered that white light is made of seven colors, which can be "parted" and then recombined. Science confirmed this four centuries ago - God declared it four millennia ago! By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth? Light travels in a path. Light is said to have a "way" [Hebrew: Until the 17th century it was believed that light was transmitted instantaneously.

We now know that light is a form of energy that travels at , miles per second in a straight line. Indeed, there is a "way" of light. Where is the way where light dwelleth? The Bible says that light can be sent, and then manifest itself in speech. We now know that radio waves and light waves are two forms of the same thing: Therefore, radio waves are a form of light. Today, using radio transmitters, we can send "lightnings" which indeed speak when they arrive. Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are? The First Law of Thermodynamics established.

The First Law states that the total quantity of energy and matter in the universe is a constant. One form of energy or matter may be converted into another, but the total quantity always remains the same. Therefore the creation is finished, exactly as God said way back in Genesis. Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

The Second Law of Thermodynamics Entropy. This law states that everything in the universe is running down, deteriorating, and constantly becoming less and less orderly. Entropy disorder entered when mankind rebelled against God - resulting in the curse Genesis 3: Historically most people believed the universe was unchangeable. Yet modern science verifies that the universe is growing "old as doth a garment'' Hebrews 1: Evolution directly contradicts this, the most tested of all scientific laws.

Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. Law of Biogenesis explained. Scientists observe that life only comes from existing life. This law has never been violated under observation or experimentation as evolution requires.

Therefore, life, God's life, created all life. And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. The earth was designed for biological life. Scientists have discovered that the most fundamental characteristics of our earth and cosmos are so finely tuned that if just one of them were even slightly different, life as we know it couldn't exist.

This is called the Anthropic Principle and it agrees with the Bible which states that God formed the earth to be inhabited. For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.

God has given us just the right amount of water to sustain life. We now recognize that if there was significantly more or less water, the earth would not support life as we know it. Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

Our bodies are made from the dust of the ground. Scientists have discovered that the human body is comprised of some 28 base and trace elements - all of which are found in the earth. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: Life begins at fertilization.

God declares that He knew us before we were born. The Biblical penalty for murdering an unborn child was death Exodus Today, it is an irrefutable biological fact that the fertilized egg is truly an entire human being. Nothing will be added to the first cell except nutrition and oxygen. Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

God fashions and knits us together in the womb. Science was ignorant concerning embryonic development until recently. Yet thousands of years ago, the Bible accurately described God making us an intricate unity' in the womb. Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again? Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese? Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews. Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit. The seed of a plant contains its life.

As stated in the Book of Genesis, we now recognize that inside the humble seed is life itself. Within the seed is a tiny factory of amazing complexity. No scientist can build a synthetic seed and no seed is simple! And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: A seed must die to produce new life. The fallen seed is surrounded by supporting cells from the old body. These supporting cells "give their lives" to provide nourishment to the inner kernel.

Once planted, this inner kernel germinates resulting in much grain. And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.

Book Review: Hidden Treasures in the Book of Job | Apologetics

An absolutely fascinating book. Oct 20, Amos rated it it was amazing Shelves: The earth free-floats in space, affected only by gravity. Ross did a great job of using the bible to explain science, specifically the creation days! Hugh Ross is the founder of Reasons To Believe reasons. His books deliver rich insight into both scientific and theological subjects, and this one is no different. Ross is an old earth creationist who believes in an integrative approach using science and theology to resolve conflicts and pursue knowledge.

His specialty is astrophysics, but here he also brings his love for animals and his experience as a theologian to answer questi Dr. His specialty is astrophysics, but here he also brings his love for animals and his experience as a theologian to answer questions using the book of Job.


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Dr Ross brings an almost unique hermeneutic in his approach, leading to discussion of subjects one hears little from other authors. For instance, he writes about how mankind's evolving agricultural practices and changing livestock may have prevented the coming of the next climatic cold period.

Further, if society really judges global warming to be a major issue, there are real remedies, not the controversial ones heard on the news. The chapter on the nephesh animals is especially enlightening. God seems to have designed them for the earth's and our benefit and more, we can discern aspects of our relationship with the Creator by looking at aspects of how we relate to these nephesh creatures.

It should also be said, Dr Ross brings a good biblical commentary at the beginning, discussing the setting and historicity of Job,and how it relates to the rest of the Bible. The book has tremendous apologetical use. Jun 15, Dave Jones rated it it was amazing Shelves: Another Hugh Ross masterpiece! Ross takes a unique approach in the biblical book of Job: He posits that Job fills in some of the details of the creation account described in Genesis 1. Of course, he does examine the role of suffering but it's relegated to one chapter in about Job has always been a book that I've struggled with.

The Book of Job, Lecture Excerpt - Hugh Ross

I get lost in the back-and-forth Another Hugh Ross masterpiece! I get lost in the back-and-forth between Job and his "comforters. Hugh has a gift for simplifying. He could get very complex if he wanted. He really is a rocket scientist. One irritating thing about the Kindle edition: It even has an index with page number references! There is no problem with linking the endnotes why insist on page numbers?

Either add the page references or have these references link! Oct 13, Vicky rated it it was amazing. I really like this book. Overall there are wonderful thoughts on creation and great ideas to talk about scientific evidence that often confirms our Creator rather than contradicts what is written in the Bible. The book also helped me unpack the dynamics of Job and his friends, and why their debate continued as it did. Many struggle with Job and how a good god could do such terrible things to a blameless and upright man.

Yet, many miss that as the debate comes to a close, the text records Job as I really like this book. Yet, many miss that as the debate comes to a close, the text records Job as still being righteous in his own eyes, in other words, still needing correction. Between Elihu and the Lord himself, it is a beautiful account of all He has done.

We should instead of hoping for the patience of Job, hope that we are not as obstinate as he, and therefore need far less correcting before we truly see God as Job declared in Oct 26, P. Very insightful look at Job After reading Job several times, I had no understanding of the extensive depth of information in this book. This book has opened my heart and mind to such treasures that I again marvel at the magnificent God who created all of this universe. I encourage everyone to look for the hidden treasures in this book as a wonderful way to see some of the workings of God.

Feb 23, Ben Smith rated it it was ok. This was an interesting book but Hugh has clearly gone into the study with an Old Earth creationist presupposition.