Columbus actually used a Bible verse to help convince Queen Isabella to help Columbus outfit a sailing expedition to ‘the other side of the world.’ Columbus quoted Isaiah 40:22 – “It is He that sitteth upon the CIRCLE of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:”Columbus believed that the Bible confirmed his theory that the world was round - not flat.
In a letter to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, the Spanish sponsors and patrons of his voyages, Columbus wrote, “It was the Lord who put into my mind (I could feel his hand upon me) that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies. All who heard of my project rejected it with laughter, ridiculing me. There is no question that the
inspiration was from the Holy Spirit, because He comforted me with rays of marvelous inspiration from the Holy Scriptures.”
Interestingly, the first printed biography of Columbus also has Biblical connections. In 1516 Agostino Giustiniani published in Genoa a Psalter with parallel texts in Hebrew, Greek, Arabic, and Chaldean (or Aramaic), with marginal notes in Latin. This
Genoa Psalter was exquisitely printed with intricate woodcut borders and beautifully designed parallel columns of red and black print. In a note for Psalm 19:4, “and their words shall go to the ends of the earth” Giustiniani’s Latin note comments that: “Christopher Columbus, a native son of Genoa, had explored more lands and seas than anyone else in the world and had discovered the “ends of the earth”, thus fulfilling the Scripture.” Giustiniani’s lengthy note described Columbus’ background and exploits. Columbus’ first printed biography thus is found in the marginal note of a Psalter.
Columbus used many other quotations from Scripture to help make his case to Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand.
Of course, many members of my family believe that it was really Norse sailors who first discovered America - many years before Columbus got here - but that is a whole different topic. Suffice it to say - the facts are that real explorers actually HAVE obtained enough pertinent data from scholarly study of the Bible to encourage them in their explorations. And that is surely a good thing - by anybody’s standards.
He Who wrote the Bible was around before the gas stations were built so if I need a cola or a pit stop, I call on Him (who wrote the Word) to guide me. He has fed me, found me, led me and if all I need is a detour in bad traffic He is faithful to get me out of that mess too. Try it, you might like it.
All this “they thought the world was flat” stuff is bullpuckey. Maybe in 2500 B.C., but by the time of the Attic Greeks, they pretty much knew the world was round. One of the Greek guys even figured out how big around it was, and wasn’t far off at all.
wndrwrthg over 15 years ago
Sorry Padre, yours “boxes the compass”.
capmonty Premium Member over 15 years ago
This GPS is for everyone
cadgyod over 15 years ago
And the Rev’s can be carried in your heart. No need for gadgetry.
DebJ4 over 15 years ago
Columbus actually used a Bible verse to help convince Queen Isabella to help Columbus outfit a sailing expedition to ‘the other side of the world.’ Columbus quoted Isaiah 40:22 – “It is He that sitteth upon the CIRCLE of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:”Columbus believed that the Bible confirmed his theory that the world was round - not flat.
In a letter to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, the Spanish sponsors and patrons of his voyages, Columbus wrote, “It was the Lord who put into my mind (I could feel his hand upon me) that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies. All who heard of my project rejected it with laughter, ridiculing me. There is no question that the inspiration was from the Holy Spirit, because He comforted me with rays of marvelous inspiration from the Holy Scriptures.”
Interestingly, the first printed biography of Columbus also has Biblical connections. In 1516 Agostino Giustiniani published in Genoa a Psalter with parallel texts in Hebrew, Greek, Arabic, and Chaldean (or Aramaic), with marginal notes in Latin. This Genoa Psalter was exquisitely printed with intricate woodcut borders and beautifully designed parallel columns of red and black print. In a note for Psalm 19:4, “and their words shall go to the ends of the earth” Giustiniani’s Latin note comments that: “Christopher Columbus, a native son of Genoa, had explored more lands and seas than anyone else in the world and had discovered the “ends of the earth”, thus fulfilling the Scripture.” Giustiniani’s lengthy note described Columbus’ background and exploits. Columbus’ first printed biography thus is found in the marginal note of a Psalter.
Columbus used many other quotations from Scripture to help make his case to Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand.
Of course, many members of my family believe that it was really Norse sailors who first discovered America - many years before Columbus got here - but that is a whole different topic. Suffice it to say - the facts are that real explorers actually HAVE obtained enough pertinent data from scholarly study of the Bible to encourage them in their explorations. And that is surely a good thing - by anybody’s standards.
Geekologist over 15 years ago
Rev will have serious problems finding a gas station in Calcutta with that GPS.
Wildmustang1262 over 15 years ago
Por favor! For Pete’s sake!
Mickeysnotadog over 15 years ago
He Who wrote the Bible was around before the gas stations were built so if I need a cola or a pit stop, I call on Him (who wrote the Word) to guide me. He has fed me, found me, led me and if all I need is a detour in bad traffic He is faithful to get me out of that mess too. Try it, you might like it.
wndrwrthg over 15 years ago
The bible was written by committee.
farren over 15 years ago
All this “they thought the world was flat” stuff is bullpuckey. Maybe in 2500 B.C., but by the time of the Attic Greeks, they pretty much knew the world was round. One of the Greek guys even figured out how big around it was, and wasn’t far off at all.
Sternvogel over 15 years ago
That “Greek guy” was Eratosthenes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eratosthenes
Mickeysnotadog over 15 years ago
wndwrthg was right. The Bible was by committee of Father, Son, Holy spirit, and the hands of man.