Reflections on Some Biblical Engineering Topics

About Reflections on Some Biblical Engineering Topics

Abstract

This paper presents a series of reflections on a variety of engineering subjects found in the Bible. The author teaches at Christian university that emphasizes the integration of faith and learning and provides time in every class for devotional reflection. The paper summarizes some of the classroom devotions the author has developed over the years. In Fluid Mechanics, there are numerous passages that can be referred to concerning water, oil, and wind/air. In Thermodynamics, one can consider the 3 phases of water as an analog for the Trinity. Everyone knows that thermo has to do with heat . But the origin of the second half of the term is the Greek word δυναμισ (dunamis ), which is not “motion” as many default to, but “power”, as in “ the gospel is the dunamis of God for salvation” (Rm 1:16). Every time the Bible refers to building – cities, towers, houses, altars , and other things like people or the church – the engineer thinks of the effort involved in building: design, construction, materials selection, management, even dedication. There are over 400 references to some form of the word build; evidence exists today for the altar built by Abraham near Mamre. It was not something thrown together for a short-term use. In Mechanics of Materials, the area moment of inertia term has units of length to the fourth power; such a term is physically incomprehensible in a three -dimensional world. But a connection can be made where Paul relates the love of God using four length dimensions (Ep 3:18-19) and that God wants us to have the strength to actually comprehend this love. Illustrations and explanations of a number of these Biblical concepts in a devotional construct are related in this paper for the encouragement and edification of, and further study by, the Christian engineer.