The Bible does not teach a flat Earth -there is no basis for the charge that the Bible teaches a flat earth. Astronauts in space took pictures of the earth while they were in orbit. You can plainly see the curvature of the earth in these. Christians who promote or believe in flat earth theories show a lack of basic biblical and scientific literacy. Instead, Christians should focus on understanding the Bible’s teachings within their proper context and genre, rather than imposing modern scientific concepts or literal interpretations on selected biblical passages. In contrast to the supposed "flat earth" verses, there are numerous Scriptures which show surprising consistency with what we already know about the earth from the field of astronomy

Does the Bible teach a flat earth?

No, the Bible does not teach that the earth is flat. 

Flat earthism is a well-known contemporary conspiracy theory that has been widely debunked.
What does the bible say?

The Bible does not teach a flat Earth. 

Its language and literary style do not support a literal, flat interpretation of the earth’s shape. 

Flat earth advocates point to 

- Psalm 75:3 ("pillars of earth") and 

- Revelation 7:1 ("four corners of the earth"). 

However, Psalm 75 is poetic and not meant to be taken literally. 

Likewise, the "four corners" in Revelation 7:1 is an idiomatic figure of speech for directions on a compass, again not to be taken literally. 

Other passages that supposedly teach a flat earth are

- Deuteronomy 13:7; 

- Job 28:24; 

- Psalm 48:10; and 

- Proverbs 30:4; all of which reference the “ends” of the earth. 

However, when biblical writers speak of the “ends of the earth” (28 times in the KJV), they are simply referring to “the farthest reaches of the inhabited world.” 

There is no basis for the charge that the Bible teaches a flat earth.

From the Old Testament

The references to the “earth” in the Bible are often not references to planetary earth but to a portion of dry land bound by water (e.g., Genesis 1:10).

The phrase "the ends of the earth" generally refers to people, not to land (e.g., Psalm 67:7).

Flat earth advocates refer to Psalm 75:3, which speaks of God holding the pillars of earth firm. 

However, the Psalms are written in the poetry genre.

Rather than referring to literal pillars, this is representative of God upholding the physical and moral order.

From the New Testament

Flat earth advocates refer to Revelation 7:1, which states "four angels standing at the four corners of the earth." 

However, this passage refers to the cardinal directions as seen on a compass — i.e. north, south, east, and west. 

Terminology of a similar effect is used today when we speak of the sun rising and setting each day, even though we know that it is, in fact, the earth which turns as it orbits the sun.

Implications for today

Astronauts in space took pictures of the earth while they were in orbit. 

You can plainly see the curvature of the earth in these.

Believing that earth is flat requires not only a worldwide conspiracy to fake decades of space exploration, but also the wholesale denial of many branches of science, such as the evidence of gravity. 

It requires invention of new forces and laws of nature without evidence. 

Christians who promote or believe in flat earth theories show a lack of basic biblical and scientific literacy.

Instead, Christians should focus on understanding the Bible’s teachings within their proper context and genre, rather than imposing modern scientific concepts or literal interpretations on selected biblical passages.

In contrast to the supposed "flat earth" verses, there are numerous Scriptures which show surprising consistency with what we already know about the earth from the field of astronomy. 

For instance, the earth is described in Job 26:7 as being suspended over empty space, just as science has shown is the case. 

In a similar vein, Isaiah 40:21–22 and Proverbs 8:27 both seem to refer to the earth as "circular," an observation which follows quite naturally if the earth has a spherical shape. 

The Bible is clearly quite far from affirming a naïve or unscientific understanding of the earth and the solar system.

Understand

The Bible uses figurative language, not literal descriptions of the earth’s shape.

Phrases like "four corners" and "pillars of the earth" are poetic expressions, not scientific statements.

Scriptures like Isaiah 40:22 and Job 26:7 describe a spherical earth, consistent with modern astronomy.

Reflect

How does understanding the importance of reading the Bible in its literary context (for example, its use of figurative language) affect your understanding and importance of God’s Word?

What can you learn about God’s character from the Bible’s descriptions of creation and the earth’s design?

How do you respond when someone uses Scripture to support ideas that contradict established science?

Engage

What are some common misconceptions people have about the Bible’s teaching on the shape of the earth?

How can you engage in respectful conversations with Christians who hold a flat earth perspective?

What does it mean to interpret the Bible within its literary and historical context and why is it important?

CompellingTruth.org

CompellingTruth.org is a network site of Got Questions Ministries.

The purpose statement of CompellingTruth.org is: "Presenting the truth of the Christian faith in a compelling, relevant, and practical way."

Our mission is to take the questions, issues, struggles, and disagreements that exist within the Christian faith and shine the truth of God's Word on them. We believe the truth of God's Word is compelling. God's Word does not directly address every situation we face in life, but it does contain truth that can apply to anything and everything we deal with.

You might also like: