Renowned scientist discusses what led him to embrace Bible truths and modern science.
Published on: 10-30-2024
On August 18, 1600, humans first saw a star called P-Cygni. The day before, nothing was visible in that part of the sky, but on the 18th, it shone from about 5,300 light-years away in the middle of the Cygnus (Swan) constellation.
No one at that time could have guessed that the appearance of this star would be part of a chain of events leading to Mart de Groot earning a PhD in astronomy almost 400 years later. Graduating with his doctoral degree steered de Groot on to a scientific career. But what came next was even more surprising.
De Groot and his life and career are the subject of the latest Seeking Understanding episode. This series explores the discoveries and lives of scientists who have excelled in their research and in their fidelity to the Bible.
What caused de Groot to embrace the truths and history recorded in Scripture as well as the discoveries of modern science? How does he reconcile the tension that exists between revealed truth and human beings’ best understanding using a materialistic approach to science? That’s is what the episode seeks to find out.
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Mart de Groot in the Banbridge Seventh-day Adventist Church, where he was a pastor for some years after retiring as director of the Armagh Observatory. [Photo: Geoscience Research Institute] -
Mart de Groot and Timothy Standish examine one of the Armagh Observatory’s large telescopes. [Photo: Geoscience Research Institute] -
Mart de Groot in the board room of the Armagh Observatory, Northern Ireland. [Photo: Geoscience Research Institute]
This episode of the Seeking Understanding series is filmed at the historic Armagh Observatory, surrounded by the ancient city of Armagh in Northern Ireland.
“Each time I work on one of these films,” says producer Timothy Standish, “I’m amazed at the deep thought that the subjects are willing to share. They regularly leave me humbled yet thrilled at the same time as they explore ideas that I had never heard before. Dr. de Groot’s thoughts are no exception to this.”
This episode of Seeking Understanding was released before Creation Sabbath which took place on October 26. The day is a global annual celebration of the doctrine of creation and has engaged Seventh-day Adventists and others around the world since 2009.
The doctrine of creation lies at the center of the gospel, the special end-time message unveiled in Revelation 14:6, 7. This special day provides an opportunity for churches to reach out to the communities they serve, to reveal God’s love and demonstrate the truth that all people were created by Him, that they are equal, and that He has won salvation for everyone. No matter what the challenges of the world, from natural disasters to wars and other causes of suffering, God the Creator and Redeemer reassures humanity in saying, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
The episode “Seeking Understanding: Mart de Groot” is available to stream on GRI’s Vimeo page and the GRI website.
Geoscience Research Institute, and Adventist Review
To bind together the Adventist people as we wait for Jesus to come back, by sharing news and information about the church plus articles on doctrine, spiritual growth and mission.
