Jesus ice walker?

physorg.co. ^ | 4 April 2006

[ekeni]

he New Testament story describes Jesus walking on water in the Sea of Galilee but according to a study led by Florida State University Professor of Oceanography Doron Nof, it's more likely that he walked on an isolated patch of floating ice.

The study points to a rare combination of optimal water and atmospheric conditions for development of a unique, localized freezing phenomenon that Nof and his co-authors call "springs ice."

In what is now northern Israel, such ice could have formed on the cold freshwater surface of the Sea of Galilee -- known as Lake Kinneret by modern-day Israelis -- when already chilly temperatures briefly plummeted during one of the two protracted cold periods between 2,500 and 1,500 years ago.

A frozen patch floating on the surface of the small lake would have been difficult to distinguish from the unfrozen water surrounding it. The unfrozen water was comprised of the plumes resulting from salty springs situated along the lake's western shore in Tabgha -- an area where many archeological findings related to Jesus have been documented.

"As natural scientists, we simply explain that unique freezing processes probably happened in that region only a handful of times during the last 12,000 years," Nof said. "We leave to others the question of whether or not our research explains the biblical account."

It isn't the first time the FSU researcher has offered scientific explanations of watery miracles. As a recognized expert in the field of oceanography and limnology -- the study of freshwater, saline and brackish environments -- Nof made waves worldwide in 1992 with his oceanographic perspective on the parting of the Red Sea.

His latest research appears in the April 2006 Journal of Paleolimnology, a scientific publication that addresses the reconstruction of lake history.

Using paleoceanographic records of the Mediterranean Sea's surface temperatures along with analytical ice and statistical models, Nof and his colleagues focused on the dynamics of a small section of Lake Kinneret comprising about 10,000 square feet near the salty springs that empty into it. Their analysis supports the likelihood that a brief blast of frigid air descended over the lake and dropped to 25 F (-4 C) for at least two days, coinciding with the chill that had already settled in for a century or more and quite possibly encompassed the decades in which Jesus lived.

[Raycpa]

The 4th watch is the last 3 hours before sunrise.

In any case, this tangent removes the key message in this story. At the time these men were struggling and "going nowhere" and fighting their storm in cold darkness , God himself was praying at the top of a mountain. Physically Jesus was far removed from the men. This also demonstrates on a spiritual level how far removed these men were from God.

Then something special happened. God came down from the mountain and broke through physical and spiritual barriers to join these men. These men did nothing to move closer to Jesus, their relationship physically and spiritually was changed by Jesus.

At the end of the story all the men in the boat are worshiping Jesus. This little story summarizes all of Christian theology.

[R. Scott]

A good interpretation, but I was referring strictly to the story as written. It is obvious that the writer of the ice theory had not read the passage.

[Justa]

I walked on salt water ice 15 years ago. It was difficult to walk on. It had the consistency of a sno cone and had to be at least 3 feet thick to support a person's weight. I sunk up to my knees or higher with each step.

[Raycpa]

I'm sure he saw Jesus Christ Superstar and thinks he knows the bible.

[R. Scott]

I like the way his statement:

"As natural scientists, we simply explain that unique freezing processes probably happened in that region only a handful of times during the last 12,000 years," Nof said. "We leave to others the question of whether or not our research explains the biblical account."

ended up with the statement by the reporter “…it's more likely that he walked on an isolated patch of floating ice.”
This is a bit of a stretch – how did “a handful of times” end up being “more likely”?

[Preachin']

' ended up with the statement by the reporter “…it's more likely that he walked on an isolated patch of floating ice.” '

Then someone needs to explain why Peter needed faith to keep his ice floating, while Jesus did not.

Why was Jesus' ice more buoyant?

[Chewie84]

As I mentioned on another board concerning this topic, I came across this one jerk's blog who was talking about it, and smugly acting like it proves Jesus was a fraud. So, I sent him a reply. In it, I offered seven perfectly legitimate reasons why the "Ice" theory couldn't have worked. I ended by simply offering a couple brief comments. Then, the next day, I checked to see if he had posted my reply. He did, but he deliberately left out the parts in which I offered the seven reasons why the theory shouldn't be trusted. In other words, he altered my post's content so that it wouldn't contain anything that might disprove the theory. He was just scared because he knew it would make him look like an even bigger idiot if he had posted my whole reply. Just shows how low some people will stoop to keep the Truth from surfacing.

[trebb]

"As natural scientists, we simply explain that unique freezing processes probably happened in that region only a handful of times during the last 12,000 years," Nof said. "We leave to others the question of whether or not our research explains the biblical account."

Suuuuuure! They have no intention of trying to lay doubts about the Bible, but this just so naturally ties to Jesus that they absolutely had to make the connection. And yet, so many try to say that "scientists" are only intersted in finding the truth and have no agenda....

[mitch5501]

excellent!

[SES1066]

Ah yes, the usual Easter time non-SENSE (without logic). Tis the season where we get reminded of the non-canonical, gnostic gospels (Mary, Thomas and now Judas) and various 'explanations' of what 'really' happened in Roman Judea circa 6BC to 40AD. All without much if any backstory or explanation [Example: almost all of the Gnostic 'Gospels' postdate the accepted Gospels and were heretical to mainstream Christianity even at the time of their writing.]

I haven't looked at the newsstands recently, but I'd wager good money that Timid and Newsweak both have 'Christian' articles. Then next week, having had their orgasm at a brief and laughable visit to the flyover country's faith, it will be ignored for the rest of the year except for the 'feet of clay' articles as we prove to be pale imitators of the divine. I suppose we should regard this as a good thing ... /sarc

[R. Scott]

Jesus had the thicker piece of ice?

[RetSignman]

Why, didn't you know He was also wearing cleated sandals, ask any scientist, He was known to always going around cracking people up with his tricks.

[cvq3842]

There's no mention of ice in the Gospels that I know of!

[Cheburashka]

Peter was big on the high-calorie snacks, man, and let me tell you, it showed.
The other apostles were always antsy about getting into the same boat with him.
Why do you think they called him "the Rock" behind his back?

[G Larry]

Watched ABC's pitiful remake of the "10 Commandments", and it reminded me of the attempt to undermine the parting of the Red Sea, saying it resulted from an earthquake.

If there were "ice" on the Sea of Galalea at the precise moment Christ needed it, was it any less a miracle?

If the Red Sea parted at precisely the moment the Jews need that escape route, was it any less a miracle?

[Echo Talon]

I just think this science is flawed, saying "it could have been frozen" so thats what must of happened.

[FixitGuy]

And Jesus said, "Let there be ice, underfoot, so that I may walk on it and confound my friends....and they will be amazed and speak of it for untold generations."

Scientists, Bah! Love the way they waste time trying to explain away miracles.

They should be more productive and search for more ways to blow stuff up!

[tomjohn77]

BTW a lake cannot freeze thick enough ice during one night. I know since I live by a lake in Norway. It takes at least several days or a couple of weeks before the ice gets thick enough to support a human being. I bet Israel didnt have the same Winter weather as we do. So my conclusion is that the ice never will be thick enough to support a human being. First you have to cool the lake down an that takes a long time of cold weather and then it has to freeze.

[cspackler]

I can't wait to see how they explain curing the blind and raising the dead.

Haven't you heard? They weren't really dead, they were merely pining for the fjords...

[Fintan]

From the c. 32 AD L.L. Bean catalog...