Earth/Moon System

 Searching through past posts we encounter the term system many times. Examples are body systems such as visual and auditory systems. We have also dealt with wonders of the Solar System. The above-mentioned systems are composed of many sub-systems. Any system or sub-system is defined as “a group of interrelated, interacting components forming a complex entity.” Our physical universe is composed of many complex systems. When we make detailed studies of such systems we reinforce the concept that our universe has many hallmarks of being designed by a divine, intelligent Agent. We observe those hallmarks each day of our lives.

Scientists often describe the characteristics of Earth without reminding us that Earth is intrinsically part of a system—the Earth/Moon System. Our universe contains trillions of lifeless, ordinary planets. No other Solar System planet possesses such a sizable moon in relation to its own size. Planet Earth is special owing to the presence of our large satellite. The presence of our Moon is only one factor making Earth a habitable planet. Most astronomers agree that without the Moon, Earth would not be a habitable planet. Hugh Ross, founder of Reasons to Believe (RTB), produced a volume entitled The Genesis Question in 2001. He discusses (p. 31) how the Moon affects Earth in life-sustaining ways, including crustal iron abundance, tectonics, rotation rate, and vital axis tilt, among other processes. Ross states, “To those who express the desire to see a miracle, we can assure them they are looking at one whenever they gaze up at the Moon.”

There’s general agreement that Planet Earth without its Moon would experience changes in Earth’s climate and other conditions which preclude human life as we know it. Most especially, Earth residents would experience NO seasons. A previous post deals with the effects on humanity of an Earth without seasons. Our message in the post linked below is that Earth without seasons may result in undesirable health outcomes for humanity. In contrast, research has revealed that there are many positive outcomes when people experience seasonal changes. We link a past post:

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2017/10/earth-without-seasons.html

The Bible lists examples of the benefits of seasonal change. Earth’s Moon is responsible for these seasonal changes. The popular scientific hypothesis of a giant impactor, protoplanet Theia, ultimately produced the Moon when it struck Planet Earth eons ago. The Theia impact created Earth’s 23.5 degree axis tilt which is responsible for Earth’s current seasons. Our current Moon stabilizes Earth’s axis tilt. Life-sustaining conditions on Earth result from the season-producing axis tilt of our home planet. 

Most astrophysicists subscribe to the hypothesis of a giant impactor—an example of a divine transformational miracle. God has performed many transformational miracles when He created our life-sustaining Earth/Moon System. Hugh Ross has published his ideas concerning different types of miracles, including the transformational miracle of the giant impactor which produced Earth’s Moon:

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2017/11/our-miracle-immersed-planet.html

Geophysicists have produced lengthy treatises on many Moon related phenomena within our Earth/Moon system. Ocean tides are caused by the force of gravitation between Earth and Moon. Earth’s oceans are gravitationally drawn toward the Moon. The solid Earth is drawn away from Earth’s ocean water on the opposite side of the Earth. Each of the bodies revolves around a barycenter—the center of mass of two or more objects. Over many eons the Moon has been responsible for reducing the speed of rotation of the Earth because of the friction of tidal “bulges” as the planet rotates through them. A slower rotating Earth produces ideal daytime illumination appropriate for agricultural productivity and human comfort. We observe the Creator’s power in the things we perceive within our Earth/Moon System:

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made…(Romans 1:20 ESV)

  

Moon Truth

 Humanity is fascinated by the Moon and moonlight. We may recall observing the Moon as children and detecting the face of “the Man in the Moon” from its surface features. There are many scriptural references to the Moon by Bible authors who were skilled observers. In our day we still observe the wonders of the Moon from a worship and devotional perspective when we read scripture.

Following are a few descriptive scriptures concerning our lunar companion:

Season marker  (Psalm 104:19)

Ruler of the night  (Genesis 1:16)

Thing of beauty  (Song of Solomon 6:10)

Supplier of glory  (I Corinthians 15:41)

Source of order and power  (Jeremiah 31:35 and 32:17)

Praise giver  (Psalm 148:3)

Splendor provider  (Job 31: 26) 

Study of the cited verses reveals their emphasis on careful observation. These passages were composed centuries prior to the development of modern science. This fact does not signal the Bible is unscientific. Good science depends on accurate observational skills. The Bible does not mention planetary and lunar rotation and revolution or the laws of motion. Scripture however, stresses the order and stability of the world of nature as created by God and praises the majesty and complexity of our physical creation. Modern scientific methods were not codified until centuries after the last verses of the Bible were written. We speak of the Scientific Revolution of the 16th/17th century.  

When the Moon revolves around our earth, our only satellite returns to a generally in line configuration with the Earth and the Sun every 29 1/2 days. During that time interval the Moon travels a few degrees more than one complete revolution in order to bring the Moon, Earth, and Sun to another in line configuration with Earth in the middle. The Moon is then on the dark side of the earth. Earth residents now enjoy “the lesser light to rule the night” (Genesis 1:16). When our calendars state that on a certain date full moon occurs, the Moon is fully illuminated as seen from Earth. A few days before or after full moon the Moon is only partially illuminated.

The following links discuss more detail on moon phases and stages, and how our lunar companion affects our planet in other significant ways:

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2015/08/moon-musings.html

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2015/07/semicolon-in-sky.html

Scientific discoveries affirm the orderliness of our universe. Jeremiah 33:25 refers to the Creator’s “…covenant with day and night and the fixed order of heaven and earth…” Our Moon is predictable and orderly in its motions and effects. In a future post we will discuss how Planet Earth would be very different without the Moon as our Solar System companion.  

California Burning

The current California fires are unprecedented. Our prayers are directed to God that He would bestow mercy on the entire state. In commenting about this disaster we desire to be compassionate and respectful notwithstanding cause and effect are top of mind for California residents. Government officials and politicians are inclined to take credit when favorable events occur, but the same officials are vulnerable when events in their jurisdictions deteriorate. People elected to positions of leadership must balance the potential for receiving both honor and dishonor.

In the case of current California fires, commentators have attributed the primary cause to an intense dry spell plaguing the area in the last half of 2024. Los Angeles County received only 0.03” of measured precipitation—less than 1% of the normal rainfall during this time period. A calamitous drought has made vegetation “bone dry.”

The drought has been exacerbated by strong northeast Santa Ana winds. Air over high elevations to the east is funneled to sea level through river valleys. This compresses the air producing higher temperatures and very low humidity. Fires are intensified by extremely low humidity and winds which dry out vegetation. Fires quickly spread by burning embers to surrounding areas by wind gusts. 

Fires can be triggered by lightning, faulty power lines, arsonists, campers, and a variety of other factors. Authorities in California are uncertain about causes of each fire, but there is no uncertainty about their devastating effects. At this writing, twenty-seven residents have perished while many more are missing; thousands of structures have been destroyed.

In early 2024 we posted facts concerning a weather phenomenon which brought heavy rains to the same area of California area now suffering from intense drought. Remarkably, in one calendar year west coast weather systems experienced a virtual reversal. The weather phenomena are termed atmospheric rivers: 

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2024/03/atmospheric-rivers-and-climate-change.html 

Weather systems are similar to any other system. A system is defined as a group of inter-related, interacting elements forming a complex entity. Weather systems are laden with elements such as temperature, humidity, density, pressure, wind speed, and the presence of a source of ignition such as a spark or a flame. These elements are commonly reported during weather reports and forecasts. 

Humanity is subject to a physical “operating system” established by God, the Creator of All Things. Genesis 1:28 states humanity must exercise dominion over the natural world. Dominion relates to authority over living things, and by extension, “every thing that (God) had made (Gen. 1:31). This includes the planetary “operating system” initially established by God Himself.

We propose that many government leaders have not exercised wise dominion in managing weather-dependent forest and water resources: creating and maintaining fire breaks by clearing dead brush, retaining an adequate supply of water in reservoirs, and thoughtful community planning. Historically, there have been many natural disasters caused by floods, droughts, and wildfires. We repeat our desire to be compassionate to all citizens who suffered loss in California. 

Our Creator has mandated creation care for humanity. This applies not only to people of faith, but also to people who are not aware of the Creator’s mandate to exercise dominion and authority. Believers must continue to pray for our government’s leaders. May God grant them wisdom to manage our natural resources.