Scientists explain the burning bushes in the Bible
 

Link - http://www.nettavisen.no/servlets/pa...06&item=277123

Scientists explain the burning bushes in the Bible
Av: Hanne Dankertsen 17. jul 08:30

Norwegian researchers have found the explanation for the burning bushes in the Bible. «Scientific phenomena make no difference», according to bishop.

Last year the experts were sent to the southern parts of Sahara too look at some bushes that were reported to be setting themselves alight. Stinking smoke came from burning red holes in the ground, according to VG.

700 degrees
The problems increased and the authorities in Mali considered evacuating whole villages in the area.

Physician Dag Kristian Dysthe and three geologies, all Norwegian, expected to find lava underneath the smoking soil. Instead they found a burning layer of turf and the explanation for one of the mystery of the burning bushes in the Bible; the self-alighting bushes.

«We measured 700 degrees celsius (1292 Fahrenheit) in some of the holes. It was actually a little scary seeing the burning bushes in the desert, almost like in the Bible», said Dysthe.

«We discovered that a burning layer of turf under the soil caused the smoke and the heat that set the bushes on fire», Dysthe added.

The extraordinary findings were described in the science magazines Nature and Science.

Dag Kristian Dysthe and geologist Henrik Svensen are convinced that the phenomenon may have taken place in biblical time. According to the Bible, God spoke to Moses in the form of a burning bush.

«This is not a one-off, this phenomenon has not happened only once», said the experts.


Bishop not impressed

Bishop Knut Andresen in Trondheim, however, is not impressed by the scientists' explanation.

«The stories in the bible are symbolic and are meant to bring a message to the reader. Scientific phenomena make no difference in this connection», said the bishop.


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Thought this was an interesting read.

I'm surprised to find I agree with the Bishop (or, perhaps, more surprised to find that he agrees with me!). The story is symbolic, and even if it wasn't, there's nothing to exclude the hand of God (should he exist) from natural phenomena.

Cool thing to see, though, I'll bet.

Exodus 3:2
And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed

I think it was this bush

DICTAMNUS (Dictam'nus)
DESCRIPTION: These hardy perennials are originally from southwest Europe, south and central Asia, Korea and China. These plants are commonly called Burning Bushes because, in arid weather, a flammable oil exudes from the leaves and seedpods and if a flame is placed near, will sometimes ignite without damaging the plant. Other common names include Gas Plant, Dittany and Fraxinella. D. albus is an erect plant growing up to 3 feet high with a spread of 2 feet. The fragrant, light green leaves are divided in lance-shaped leaflets. Its star-shaped flowers are also scented; they are borne in racemes in early summer and are white with noticeable stamens. D. albus var. purpureus resembles D. albus, but has pale to deep purplish-pink flowers also with conspicuous stamens. The leaves are very aromatic.

From http://www.botany.com/dictamnus.html

Actually...
 

There is one *important* difference between the burning bush(es) the scientists found and biblical ones: the biblical one talked to Moses.

Re: Actually...
 

Maybe Moses was sitting there haveing a smoke, which started the fire.
then the effects of what he was smokeing made him hear the voice

or maybe it never happened at all ô_O

here come the naysayers....

Re: Re: Actually...
 

That sounds about right to me. :D

Finding that bush proves nothing for either side,
you can check out about 250 comments on the article on fark.om

True. Nothing is going to prove anything in a debate where the goal posts are being continually moved.