BODE'S LAW

One of the greatest scientific "proofs" for the existence of the Creator is the miraculous discovery of Johann E. Bode (1747-1826). Keeping in mind that if it could be proven that God exists, there would be no reason for faith, and, after all is said and done, God's plan of salvation requires us to have faith. So the use of the word "proof" is a little misleading. "Evidence" would be a more reasonable term to use.

First, I will present his Law in layman's terms, and then I will explain the miraculous part. Bode's Law is really a mathematical formula for the distances from the Sun in Astronomical Units of the first eight planets in our solar system.

Bodies--------Mercury----Venus----Earth----Mars----(?)----Jupiter----Saturn----Uranus
No. Assigned----0------------3---------6--------12------24-------48---------96---------192
Added Factor---4------------4---------4----------4-------4---------4----------4------------4
Subtotal----------4------------7--------10--------16-----28-------52-------100---------196
Divided by ten--.4-----------.7--------1.0-------1.6----2.8------5.2------10.0---------19.6
(the number above represents Bode's estimate of the Astronomical Units)*

The actual distance
from the Sun in
Astronomical
Units-------------.39----------.72-------1.0-------1.52---(**)-------5.2-------9.54--------19.2

The miracle of this formula is multi-faceted. First, why did he pick the numbers assigned? Why did he know to add four? Why did he know to divide by ten? Ironically, Bode lived at a time when only the first six planets were known. The asteroid belt and the planet Uranus were yet to be discovered. In fact, they both were discovered by scientists using Bode's Law to hypothesize where they sould be. I believe he was divinely inspired to know these factors, and that God revealed them to him as a counter to the scientific stampede to believe in Evolution which is diametrically opposed to the Bible. Unfortunately, science is so myopic in its search to discredit God's Word, that they can't "see the forest for the trees." The Word of God says. "For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." (Romans 1:20) You see, if there is a mathematical design, there has to be a Designer: guess who!

I believe that on the day of creation, every planet was exactly where Bode's formula says it should be. It is so close to his estimates that perhaps the planets were at the distance he presents within their orbits. At any rate, I am so glad the the Eigth Grade Science Text in the ABeka school curriculum presented his wonderful contribution the glory of God.


* (the distance from the Earth to the Sun is approximately 93,000.000 miles)

** (the distance of the fifth column varies because it is the Asteroid Belt and the asteroids are spread out
in the orbit that most likely once was a planet)