2 – 8 October — world space week
James Bur — the inventor of large binocular telescopes, leading TV programs on astronomy in TV channel 3ABN, the founder of the educational organization, conducting hundreds of lectures on astronomy at universities and schools around the world. In his 80 years he is cheerful and full of energy. Today we learn about his wonderful observations of the natural world.
James Bur
— Why you began to study astronomy?
— When I was 8 – 9 years, one of the youth summer camp I heard a presentation about space. The speaker was a beautiful slides. He was full of enthusiasm, explaining the link between scientific facts and biblical narrative. This was the seed that awakened my interest in astronomy. Comparing the Bible statements with data from astronomy, and it never ceases to amaze. For example, according to the Bible, it is impossible to count the stars: “How untold of heaven and earth, the sand of the sea, so will I multiply the seed of David My servant…” (Jeremiah 33:22). During the life of the prophet Jeremiah, scientists thought that it can count the number of stars in the night sky. There were visible to the naked eye! Today, after 3000 years, scientists quoting Jeremiah, saying that if you take the sand of all the beaches of the Earth, we will get the approximate number of stars in the known Universe.
— It turns out that the pursuit of science and faith connected in your life?
Yes. I really wanted to share knowledge about the wonders of nature and of the truth of God’s Word. I distributed thematic magazines, bought the slides and made a presentation about the sky, talking about biblical facts from a scientific point of view. For example, in this ancient Book says that all the stars are different: “Star differs from star in glory” (1 Corinthians 15:41). Today we know that no two stars are the same, just as no two people are alike on earth, and the Bible confirmed it two millennia ago.
— People always wondered to know the future. Businessmen, politicians today are increasingly turning to astrologers. Does it have some scientific basis?
— Science of “astrology” does not exist. It has no scientific confirmation. Not is also of astronomers who believe in astrology. 100 years ago, some of them even believed it. But now, realizing how far stars are from us, they realized that the stars can not affect our lives. To get to the nearest star at the fastest rocket we will need a 25 000 years. All these theories are so interwoven into the culture that they are difficult to get rid of.
— What healthy alternative can be offered to those interested in the future and wants to know advice for your life?
— Best alternative — a trust in God. The Bible can predict the future much better and safer all astrologers and their stars. In the Bible the prophecies that come true in the eyes right now. For example, Chapter 2 of the book of Daniel says that Europe will never be United. And now we see that Britain leaves the European Union.
In Greece there are a lot of financial problems. People in France say they also want to withdraw from the European Union. England is the leading country that creates a Domino effect. It will want to follow others. All this was foretold in the 2nd Chapter of the book of Daniel thousands of years ago. And other prophecies? There are many of them. The Bible is much more accurately tell us the future than any astrologer.