QUESTION: Is it true that Christopher Columbus could have known the world was round by reading the Bible?

ANSWER: In answering your question, I must first say that I believe Columbus knew the world was round. A statement in the World Book Encyclopedia reads: "Columbus was not trying to 'prove the world was round,' as so often has been said. He didn't have to. Thinking people knew that the world was round. Columbus was simply trying to find a short sea route to the Indies." It is interesting to note that after three weeks of sailing, Columbus is reported to have told his mutinous crew that he had sailed to go to the Indies and would continue until he found them, "with the Lord's help."

Secondly, the following verses in the Bible indirectly tell us that the world was round:

"I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left" (Luke 17:34-36).

The Lord had been describing to the Pharisees the manner of His coming when He comes to set up His kingdom (see verses 20-23). "In that night" when He comes to judge the world and to set up His kingdom, there will be people doing the following three things: (1) sleeping (2) grinding corn (3) working in the fields.

When do people sleep?—At night.

When are Eastern women grinding to make flour for the day's bread?—Early morning.

When are men working in the field?—Broad daylight.

This means that at the same moment the Lord comes it will be night some place on earth, early morning somewhere else and broad daylight in yet another place. One can easily see that in order for that to be true, the world would have to be round.

How perfect God's inspired Word is! Unlike the books which men in their human wisdom have written, the Bible is never out of date and never has to be corrected or amended. "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Words shall not pass away" (Matthew 24:35).

—John D. McNeil