Science in the Bible – Atomic Fission

(2 Minute Read)

Atomic or nuclear fission is a reaction in which the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts releasing enormous amounts of energy.

Nuclear fission was discovered in 1938 by German chemist Otto Hahn. He received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1944 for his discovery of the fission of the atomic nucleus of uranium. Hahn is considered the father of nuclear chemistry.

Hahn’s fission discovery culminated in the development of the atom bomb. America dropped it on Japan in 1945 to end World War II.

Many scientists found Hahn’s initial fission results hard to believe. Could fission really be possible? Was energy production at that scale realistic?

Apparently most were unaware of the Bible’s reference to the release of tremendous energy at the end of the age. Two thousand years ago the Apostle Peter anticipated atomic fission when he wrote this:
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless. (2 Peter 3:10-14 NASB)

Scripture refers to the results of atomic fission as an incentive for holy living. Peter urges his readers toward godliness due to the coming judgment of the earth by fire.

Science Catches Up to the Bible

Thousands of years before scientists discovered atomic fission, the Bible mentioned elements melting with intense heat. Today we know that splitting the atom results in the release of tremendous amounts of heat and energy.

Although the Bible is not primarily a science textbook, it does hint at many scientific truths like this one and like those mentioned in this Science in the Bible series, truths that long pre-date their discovery by today’s scientists. This is strong evidence of divine authorship of the Bible.

Questions to Ponder

1. Back in the 1800s, would you have scoffed at the Bible’s prediction of a future complete destruction of the earth and its works by fire?
2. What does “scoffing” imply about the relationship between the scoffer and the scoffee?

Share your thoughts on these questions in the comments below. It could encourage or help another reader.

Soli Deo Gloria.

This is the 21st article in the Science in the Bible series of blog posts. While there is much science connected with Creation and Noah’s Flood, this series will focus on lesser known scientific truths that were alluded to in the Bible long before they were known to scientists.
Read the prequels:
1. Science in the Bible – Blood
2. Science in the Bible – Ocean Currents
3. Science in the Bible – Undersea Mountains
4. Science in the Bible – Ocean Reservoirs
5. Science in the Bible – Good Medicine
6. Science in the Bible – Round Earth
7. Science in the Bible – Don’t Marry Kin
8. Science in the Bible – Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
9. Science in the Bible – Hanging Earth
10. Science in the Bible – Thermodynamics
11. Science in the Bible – Water Cycle
12. Science in the Bible – Quarantine
13. Science in the Bible – Starry Host
14. Science in the Bible – Turning Earth
15. Science in the Bible – Hygiene
16. Science in the Bible – Seed of Life
17. Science in the Bible – Circumcision
18. Science in the Bible – Expanding Universe
19. Science in the Bible – Visible From Invisible
20. Science in the Bible – The Sun

Read the sequel:
22. Science in the Bible – Surgery

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©William T. Pelletier, Ph.D.
“contending earnestly for the faith”
“destroying speculations against the knowledge of God”
“for the defense of the gospel”
(Jude 1:3; 2 Cor 10:5; Phil 1:16)
Wednesday August 2, 2017 A.D.

Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)