Mustard Seeds
I consistently get pagans pelting me with stupid ideas about how Sciencism is somehow correct over Christianity. A common attack is followed on because of this verse.
Mark 4
31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when
it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh
greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of
the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
Mustard seeds are the smallest seeds in the world since Jesus himself said as in the above passage. Some of these God-Haters, AKA Sciencismists say that this statement is false and proves Christianity is totally idiotic and based on old Neo-Neo-Pagan superstition. They also claim that seeds like orchid seeds are actually smaller than mustard seeds. Lets look at each.
Orchid Seeds
"Orchids
produce the smallest seeds of any flowering plant. These dustlike seeds are
produced in great numbers, often over a 
million
seeds per plant. Unlike other plant species, these minute seeds lack an
endosperm, or food source, resulting in a small embryo covered only by a thin
protective wall. This lack food reserves and protection makes the seeds
extremely vulnerable to their environment, resulting in a high mortality rate
unless optimum conditions are found for germination."
Mustard Seeds
But Apologists Say Different?!
"Christian" apologists are out there trying to explain the "apparent" "absurdity" this discussion has caused. I have quoted one of the "defenses" as they call them, or attacks in God's eyes.
 a small mustard plant  orchid |
Alleged Biblical Problem
In Matthew 13:31-32, Jesus said that the mustard seed was "smaller than all other seeds," but that when it was full grown, it would be large enough for birds to nest in its branches.
Today, we know that there are seeds even smaller than the mustard seed. For instance, the orchid seed is so small and fine that it's almost dust-like. There are those who would also question whether a mustard seed could ever grow into a tree that is large enough to hold a bird nest.
Now, if Jesus (who claimed to be God) was wrong about the mustard seed, why should we trust anything else that He said? And on what basis can the Bible be considered reliable on any scientific or historical matter?
Sensible Solution
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It's also true, as many modern-day encyclopedias will tell you, that the black mustard see in Israel will typically grow to heights of 3.7 meters, or twelve (12) feet) -- plenty large enough to hold a bird nest.
It's important to remember that the Bible often uses everyday terminology in order to communicate simple truth. Even today, we might refer to a "sunset" when, technically, scientifically, we know that the sun never actually 'sets,' i.e., it's the earth that revolves.
When people come to visit us here in north central Maine, we might take them on a drive, passing a good number of lakes and ponds, to Moosehead Lake, which I will describe to them as being "the largest lake of all." Of course, our guests will usually realize that I'm speaking locally, not globally. They don't often question my credibility.
The context of Matthew 13 makes it quite clear that Jesus was addressing a local lay audience, not an international conference of botanists. It seems that no reasonable person would therefore insist for very long that this text provides a viable basis for questioning either Jesus or the Bible, when it comes to getting the facts straight -- scientifically, historically, or technically.
"Now, if Jesus (who claimed to be God) was wrong about the mustard seed, why should we trust anything else that He said?"
Because He isn't wrong you nimrod. If He was wrong then all of Christianity would be false. The Bible is correct 100%, no MATTER WHAT! Christians are open-minded, unlike those Evil Sciencismists.
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"And on what basis can the Bible be considered reliable on any scientific or historical matter?"
It isn't. There is nothing scientific about the Bible. It is about Religion VS. Science. It is more logical to believe in something you want to be true rather than something that has "evidence". Emotion is always correct. It's like when Christians get the debate with Creation versus Evolutionismists. The second we get a debate with them we win since they are at that point admitting it is a reasonable and high enough point for Creation to debate with Sciencism. If they were so smart they would just say "You are to stupid to even deserve a debate with us", but really it's they who are stupid since they hate God.
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"Please note that Jesus was not comparing the mustard seed to all other seeds in the world, but to seeds that a local, Palestinian farmer might have "sowed in his field," i.e., a key qualifying phrase in verse 31."
Notice the usage of the word might. Somehow, this apologists claims the there was the message that it only referred to a local Palestinian farmer. Please tell me where this idiot thinks she finds it:
Mark 4
31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when
it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
32 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh
greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of
the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
I don't see anything about Palestinian farmers, do you? The apologist method is to never actually display the Bible passage, make a lie on it, and hope you accept this lie without actually checking the Bible. How stupid do they think people are?
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"And it's absolutely true that the black mustard seed (Brassica nigra = Sinapis nigra) was the smallest seed ever sown by a first-century farmer in that part of the world."
Yes it is true, but what does it have to do with what the Bible says? Oh wait, nothing....hahaha!
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"It's also true, as many modern-day encyclopedias will tell you, that the black mustard see in Israel will typically grow to heights of 3.7 meters, or twelve (12) feet) -- plenty large enough to hold a bird nest."
Good strategy, just solely emphasize on a statement held true with both Sciencism and Christian communities. That surely will turn you all into Sciencismists in no time!
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"It's important to remember that the Bible often uses everyday terminology in order to communicate simple truth. Even today, we might refer to a "sunset" when, technically, scientifically, we know that the sun never actually 'sets,' i.e., it's the earth that revolves."
If the Earth revolves around the sun then why does it say that here that Joshua stopped the movement of the sun (if he stopped it then that means it was moving......around the Earth nimrods!)
Joshua 10
12 Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the
LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the
sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the
valley of Ajalon.
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"When people come to visit us here in north central Maine, we might take them on a drive, passing a good number of lakes and ponds, to Moosehead Lake, which I will describe to them as being "the largest lake of all." Of course, our guests will usually realize that I'm speaking locally, not globally. They don't often question my credibility."
Using that logic I guess everything Jesus said is only applicable to Israel since that's the area Jesus said it. I guess that means anyone outside Israel doesn't have to follow God's Laws....right? Or is it the "Christian" apologists are all full of donkey feces.
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