Bible Study on Engineering

by Jeff West

With Instructions for Discerning the Foundations of Subjects: How to 4-R

Table of Contents
Introduction............................................................................................................................................ Discerning the Foundations of Subjects: How to 4-R .......................................................................... Bible Study on Engineering Define the Subject (Websters 1828 Dictionary) ...................................................................... Identify the Key Terms ............................................................................................................. Research Purpose and Origin.................................................................................................. Reason Purpose and Goals ..................................................................................................... 1 2

3 4 4 5

Introduction
Attached are two documents that may help you in life. The first is "How to 4R". It is a method on how to study the Bible to find God's purpose in a particular subject. The second is my Bible study on the field of Engineering. The result of my Bible study is this summary of God's purpose and goals in Engineering: An engineer uses skills such as mathematics and mechanics to create drawings and form plans of a work or project. Oftentimes, an engineer will oversee the construction of such a project. The Bible tells us that God imparted special knowledge to "cunning men" (engineers) for the building of the ark (Gen. 6:15), the wilderness tabernacle (Exo. 25:40), and Solomon's Temple (1Ch. 28:21). This places God as the first engineer and the source of engineering. The primary purpose of teaching engineering is that God commanded us to take dominion over His creation (Psa. 8:6). This gives rise to many specialized areas of engineering: agricultural (God created plants); electrical, nuclear, and chemical (God created atoms); metallurgy and environmental (God created the earth); etc.

I challenge you to study the Bible for your particular career to see how it lines up with the Word of God.

Discerning the Foundations of Subjects: How to 4-R

Notes taken from the above course taught by Mrs. Lynn Meier, Pilgrim Institute
www.pilgriminstitute.org
The Principle Approach is Americas historic Christian method of Biblical reasoning which makes the Truths of Gods Word the basis of every subject in the school curriculum. -- Miss Rosalie Slater, Teaching and Learning Americas Christian History, page 88

What are the Four Rs?

1) Research: studying Gods word to identify basic principles of life and living and those principles that govern the how and what in teaching. 2) Reason: 3) Relate: 4) Record: reasoning from Biblical principles so as to identify them for the student in each subject of the curriculum. expounding to the student the Biblical truths in the subjects of the curriculum. the use of writing by the teacher and the student to account for and elucidate (to make clear) the way in which the principles are applied to life and living as well as the subject.

What tools will be needed?

1) The Holy Bible (KJV preferred) a) Height of the English language (17th Century) b) Precise grammar See Language of the King James Bible, Gail Riplinger 2) Websters 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language a) Restores Biblical definitions b) Christian constitutional meanings restored c) Restores a grammatical standard d) I challenge you to look up the definition of the word marriage in Websters 1828 dictionary and compare it to the definition in a modern dictionary (see link below). 3) Bible Concordance and Topical References a) Strongs Concordance b) Thompson Exhaustive Topical Reference 4) Note: Good reference material is available free online: a) Online version of Websters 1828 Dictionary: http://1828.mshaffer.com b) Freeware Bible software: www.e-sword.net (many add-ons)

What are the steps to use?

1) Define the vocabulary and the properties which constitute the rudiments of the subject. a) General definition b) Underline the key words in the definition c) Define the key words, underline their keywords, repeat as needed d) Compile the vocabulary and leading ideas 2) Research the vocabulary and leading ideas of the subject in the Bible (consider synonyms). Discern/choose verses that apply to the subject. Write out these verses. 3) Deduce the Biblical principle and purpose of the subject from the Scriptures use of the keywords. a) How has God created it for the good of man? b) What is the cause/source/origin? c) What is the Biblical end and purpose of the subject? d) What is my responsibility for the subject? e) How does God use the subject to instruct or govern man? 4) Identify the Christian history of the subject. a) Who discovered it? b) How is it used? c) How has it benefited the movement of Christianity? 5) Identify the course goals and objectives. a) Why am I teaching this? 6) Review and refine your course goals and overviews each year as your mastery of the Principle Approach to the subject develops.

1. Define the Subject (Websters 1828 Dictionary)

ENGINEE'R, n. a person skilled in mathematics and mechanics, who forms plans of works. Engineers are also employed in delineating plans and superintending the construction of other public works, as aqueducts and canals. SKILL'ED, a. Having familiar knowledge MATHEMAT'ICS, n. the science which treats of magnitude and number, or of whatever can be measured or numbered. SCI'ENCE, n. [L. scientia, from scio, to know.] 1. knowledge 2. a collection of the general principles or leading truths KNOWL'EDGE, n. nol'lej. 1. A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact MEASURED, pp. Computed or ascertained by a rule COMPUTED, pp. Counted; numbered; reckoned; estimated. NUM'BERED, pp. Counted; enumerated. MECHAN'ICS, n. That science which treats of the doctrines of motion. DOCTRINE, n. [L., to teach.] 2. The act of teaching. 3. Learning; knowledge. MO'TION, n. [L. motio. See Move.] The act or process of changing place PROC'ESS, n. [L. processus, from procedo. See Proceed.] 1. A proceeding or moving forward FORM, v.t. [L. formo.] 3. To plan; to scheme; to modify. SCHEME, v.t. To plan; to contrive. CONTRIVE, v.t. 1. To invent; to devise; to plan. CUNNING (MEN), a. [G. See Can.] 1. Knowing; skillful; experienced; well-instructed. This definition was added after seeing it in several Bible verses. PLAN, n. 1. draught or representation of any projected work DRAUGHT, n. Draft. [from draw, drag.] 6. Representation by picture REPRESENTA'TION, n. 3. Any exhibition of the form or operations of a thing by something resembling it. WORK, n. [G., Gr.] 4. That which is made or done; as good work, or bad work. 12. That which is produced by mental labor PRODU'CE, v.t.[L. produco; pro and duco, to lead or draw.] 7. To make; to bring into being or form. MEN'TAL, a. Pertaining to the mind; intellectual LA'BOR, n. [L. labor, from labo, to fail.] 3. Exertion of mental powers, united with bodily employment DELINEATING, ppr. Drawing the form; sketching; describing. DRAWING, n. 2. The act of representing the appearance or figures of objects SUPERINTEND'ING, ppr. Overseeing with the authority to direct what shall be done and how it shall be done. CONSTRUCTION, n. [L.] 1. The act of building, or of devising and forming BUILD'ING, ppr. bild'ing. Framing and erecting

2. Identify the Key Terms

skilled mathematics science knowledge measured computed numbered mechanics doctrines motion process form scheme contrive modify plan draught representation works produced mental labor delineating drawing superintending construction building cunning (men)

3. Research Purpose and Origin

Gen. 6:15 Origin: from God (15) And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. Genesis 6:14-16 summarize God's instructions to Noah concerning the building of the ark. Exo. 25:40 Origin: from God (40) And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount. The details of the design and building of the wilderness tabernacle occupies most of thirteen chapters of Exodus. Exo. 31:3 Origin: from God (3) And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, Exo. 35:35 Origin: from God (35) Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work. Exo. 36:1 Origin: from God (1) Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded. 1Ch. 28:21 Purpose: for building (Solomon's Temple) (21) And, behold, the courses of the priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house of God: and there shall be with thee for all manner of workmanship every willing skilful man, for any manner of service: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment. 2Ch. 26:15 Purpose: for protection (15) And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong. Job 38:35 Purpose: dominion mandate (35) Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are? Henry Morris: "One of the most remarkable discoveries of modern engineering science is that electrical currents may be used (radio, television, etc.) to transmit information with 'lightning' speed." This would be part of the dominion mandate for God's creation (electricity, electrons, etc.). Psa. 8:6 Purpose: dominion mandate (6) Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: Included in this mandate for man to take dominion over the earth would include: (1) planning and building dwelling places, (2) designing implements for gardening and hunting. Heb. 8:5 Origin: from God (5) Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

4. Reason Purpose and Goals

An engineer uses skills such as mathematics and mechanics to create drawings and form plans of a work or project. Oftentimes, an engineer will oversee the construction of such a project. The Bible tells us that God imparted special knowledge to "cunning men" (engineers) for the building of the ark (Gen. 6:15), the wilderness tabernacle (Exo. 25:40), and Solomon's Temple (1Ch. 28:21). This places God as the first engineer and the source of engineering. The primary purpose of teaching engineering is that God commanded us to take dominion over His creation (Psa. 8:6). This gives rise to many specialized areas of engineering: agricultural (God created plants); electrical, nuclear, and chemical (God created atoms); metallurgy and environmental (God created the earth); etc.

Some goals when teaching engineering are listed in the following outline:

I. Definitions A. 1828 Noah Webster B. Vocabulary words C. "Cunning men" II. Biblical examples: A. Creation Pro. 26:10 B. Noah's Ark Gen. 6:15 C. WildernessTabernacle Exo. 25:40, Exo. 31:3, Exo. 35:35, Exo. 36:1, Heb. 8:5 D. Solomon's Temple 1Ch. 28:21 E. Jerusalem engines (weapons) 2Ch. 26:15 III. Purpose - overview of areas of specialization: A. Dominion mandate (Psa. 8:6) 1. Farming a. Agricultural Engineering 2. Hunting a. Mechanical Engineering (guns, etc.) 3. Atoms a. Electrical Engineering b. Nuclear (Atomic) Engineering c. Chemical Engineering 4. Earth a. Metallurgy b. Environmental Engineering

IV. Skills A. Mathematics 1. Basics a. Algebra b. Geometry c. Trigonometry d. Calculus 2. Estimating 3. Budgeting B. Mechanics 1. Chemistry 2. Thermodynamics 3. Statics/Dynamics 4. Mechanical Drawing V. Planning A. Purpose - statement of scope B. Plans - drawings, description, details, etc. VI . Construction A. Project Management - methods 1. Estimating 2. Tracking