XianJedi said:
Pi is not mentioned anywhere. Since when does approximation equal error? Even today, no matter how many decimal places we take pi to, it is ALWAYS an approximation. To say the Biblical approximation is "wrong" because its approximation goes to fewer decimal places than our approximation today is ludicrous.
look at the issue a little closer.
if the diameter is 10 cubits, about 180 inches or 15 ft.
using pi=3.14 means the circumference would be 15*3.14=47.1 ft
the error is 47.1-30*18/12=2.1 FEET.
some approximation!!!
not decimal points. it is a matter of feet off.
which is why the usual argument that it is not an error is about inside and outside dimensions. just a brief, back of the envelope calculations shows that approximations don't come close to explaining. it.
least you think this is trival. look at the arguments about yom in Gen1. and there isn't even a sun for the first 3 days!!!!
shouldn't there be this huge sign:
i'm taking Gen1 literally but not 1Kings 7????
and the precision of pi wasn't significant to him,
hey. that is exactly what we've been saying about Gen 1, the scientific order and historical accuracy is NOT what was significant to the author.......
can you see how inconsistent the YECist hermeneutic is being applied?
the only important issue to them is scientific and historical accuracy until an issue of mathematical accuracy pops up and then poof, it is an approximation.....
how convenient and ad hoc.