Unveiling the Mystery of the Thompson NASA Missing Day: A Christian Perspective

Has NASA Discovered a "Missing Day"?

Introduction

There is a popular story that circulates claiming that NASA scientists have discovered a "missing day" that aligns with the biblical account of Joshua's long day. This story suggests that NASA, using computer calculations of the Earth and Sun's orbits, found a discrepancy in time and attributed it to the event described in the book of Joshua. However, upon investigation, it becomes clear that this story is untrue and lacks factual evidence.

The Origin of the Story

Similar stories have been circulating for decades. In 1936, Harry Rimmer wrote a book called "The Harmony of Science and Scripture," where he dedicated an entire chapter to the topic of the long day of Joshua. Rimmer mentioned two scientists, Sir Edwin Ball and C.A. Totten, who supposedly attested to the existence of a lost day. However, Rimmer failed to provide direct quotations or specific references to their works, making his claims difficult to verify.

Lack of Evidence

Efforts to substantiate Rimmer's claims have been largely unsuccessful. Bernard Ramm, in his book "The Christian View of Science and Scripture," investigated these assertions but found no evidence to support them. He concluded that he could not verify the claims made by Rimmer and Totten. Other attempts to document the story have also failed.

The NASA Version of the Story

A modified version of the story emerged later, connecting it to NASA. According to this version, NASA scientists were using their computers to calculate future positions of celestial bodies for spacecraft trajectories when they encountered a problem. Their computers supposedly came to a halt because they had discovered a missing day in time. One scientist on the team suggested referring to the biblical account in Joshua 10 as a possible explanation.

The engineers adjusted their calculations by adding the "lost day" of Joshua, and the computers began working again. However, they still found a discrepancy of 40 minutes. The scientist then recalled the story of King Hezekiah in II Kings 20, where the Sun moved backward by ten degrees. The scientist proposed that this accounted for the remaining 40 minutes, completing the missing 24-hour day.

Lack of Documentation and Verification

Despite the intriguing narrative, there is no solid documentation or verification for this story. Attempts to contact Mr. Harold Hill, who was attributed as the source of the story, were unsuccessful. The Curtis Engine Company in Baltimore, Maryland, where Hill was supposedly associated, could not be found. Furthermore, NASA's response to inquiries about the story indicated that they had no knowledge of such events occurring at their Greenbelt, Maryland facility.

The Trustworthiness of the Story

Considering the lack of evidence and the inconsistencies within the various versions of the story, it becomes clear that it should not be trusted as a defense of the Bible. Relying on stories lacking factual foundation can discredit the credibility of God's Word in the eyes of skeptics. It is important to approach these claims with skepticism and engage in careful research before accepting them as truth.

Why This Matters

The story of NASA discovering a missing day might seem appealing as evidence supporting the biblical account in Joshua. However, if we base our defense of the Bible on unsubstantiated stories, we risk damaging its credibility. As Christians, it is crucial to seek truth and present accurate information when engaging in discussions about science and Scripture.

Think About It

1. How does it affect our witness as Christians if we use unsupported stories to defend our faith?
2. Why is it important to verify information before accepting it as true?
3. What are some reliable and responsible ways to defend the Bible's accuracy without resorting to unsubstantiated claims?
4. How can we approach conversations about science and Scripture in a way that fosters understanding and respect?