From: bivalve (bivalve@mail.davidson.alumlink.com)
Date: Tue Dec 10 2002 - 14:55:25 EST
>Can we prove this to be true?
>What evidence could we look for or expect to find?
>How could we prove it?
Actually, the first question is exactly what "this" is. The popular
idea is of the sun and moon standing still (to the perspective of an
earthly observer). However, a long battle in the Palestinian sun is
not desirable, and the "stopping" of the sun could be shade rather
than a pause in apparent relative motion. Another suggestion is
extra-long daylight, again without regard to the apparent position of
the sun. Not being certain just what happened in the incident, it is
very difficult to find an appropriate test.
Another difficulty is the uncertainty in dating Joshua. Certainly we
do not know the exact year, and so do not know exactly when to look
for unusual features. Conversely, pinning down the exact year for
records of daily events such as growth lines (tree rings, etc.) is
also difficult. Thus, to identify a specific anomaly as
corresponding to the time of interest involves significant
uncertainty.
Note that the fradulent scenario, of a computer reconstructing past
orbits and finding a one-day discrepancy, would not work. The
computer would calculate away, with no way to know that there was a
discrepancy between its extrapolations and reality, even assuming
that reality was different (note, for example, that a temporary
freeze in all orbits would mean that the computer reconstruction
would be fully accurate; it would merely fail to indicate a brief
pause).
The best evidence is the Biblical account. If we accept the Bible as
authoritative, then we have evidence that something unusual happened
during the battle.
Dr. David Campbell
Old Seashells
University of Alabama
Biodiversity & Systematics
Dept. Biological Sciences
Box 870345
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 USA
bivalve@mail.davidson.alumlink.com
That is Uncle Joe, taken in the masonic regalia of a Grand Exalted
Periwinkle of the Mystic Order of Whelks-P.G. Wodehouse, Romance at
Droitgate Spa
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