Category Archives: Jonah

Is That in the Bible?

Bible General, Jonah,

Have you ever popped out a quick proverb, credited it to Scripture and then discovered that it’s not really from the Bible? Apparently a lot of people have. Some sayings and quick quips just sound Biblical but may actually be phantom verses. Many times the idea is Scriptural but the actual words are not. An article at CNN points out some of the more common misquotes.

One particular quote that can be very tricky concerns Jonah. We often say Jonah was swallowed by a whale and for three days lived in the belly of the whale. Actually the Bible says it this way: Continue reading Is That in the Bible? →

Jonah and the Whale Could Not Have Happened!

Apologetics, Bible General, Jonah, ,

One of the most memorable Biblical stories is that of Jonah and the great fish found in the Old Testament book of Jonah. Almost everyone knows the story. But now we learn that it didn’t happen. That’s right. Some “experts” who also claim to be Christians have decided that the science rules out the possibility that a man could live inside a great fish for three days and three nights. Let’s think about this.

If the story of Jonah is not true, God did not create the heavens and the earth

We really cannot discount the story of Jonah unless we are willing to say that the Creation came by some means other than God. After all, it would be a small thing for God to cause a great fish to swallow a single man if he created all men.

If the story of Jonah is not true, Jesus was not raised from the dead

The resurrection of Jesus is the greatest event in Biblical history. Paul goes so far as to say that if the resurrection is false, our faith is in vain (1 Corinthians 15:13-14). If God could not cause a man to live inside a fish for three days, he cannot raise Jesus. And if Jesus is not raised then why bother with our faith.

If the story of Jonah is not true, Jesus & God lie

It is God’s word that makes the claim of Jonah. If it is false, God is false and cannot be trusted. Likewise, Jesus speaks of Jonah in Matthew 12:40 (and other places). If Jonah is not real, Jesus is mistaken or a liar and if mistake or a liar he cannot be the divine God worthy of worship.

When we quickly submit to scientific analysis of spiritual claims we set ourselves up for failure. Science cannot answer the questions of the soul because such things are beyond the reach of their methods. If we must choose between a scientist or God I am with God. How about you?

Did A Fish Really Swallow Jonah?

Jonah

The story of Jonah and the whale is beloved by children. It’s a fantastic adventure! But some adults are skeptical. It just seems too fantastic to think that a great fish (that’s the Bible’s phrase) could swallow a man, hang on to him for three days and nights and then vomit him up on dry land and the man walk away. Many reason that this is a myth or legend much like one of Aesop’s Fables. It’s fun to read and it teaches an important lesson, but it didn’t really happen.

Uh, yes it did. Continue reading Did A Fish Really Swallow Jonah? →