Dr. Nathanael-Israel Israel never set out to prove the Bible.

The Benin-born scientist, who holds a doctorate in plant, insect and microbial sciences, already believed in God. But a years-long search into the origins of the universe — a scientific investigation of the creation story described in the Book of Genesis — would bring him, in his words, to “the intersection of science and faith.”

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Now, more than a decade of studying cosmological data has convinced Israel that the Bible’s account of creation is not merely theological poetry but a scientifically verifiable sequence — a calculus that puts him at odds with scientists as well as theologians. 

“I never initially started this research with a thought of proving God, proving the Bible or proving science,” Israel says. “Of course, I know there is God. I don’t need any proof to believe in God.”

‘Just Like the Bible’

Yet the quest — undertaken after a season of personal challenges prompted questions about life, purpose and the origin of the universe — took “12 years of hard work and intense research,” he said. “At one point, I even abandoned my career to focus on this thing.”

The culmination of that work is a series of books Israel authored, including “Boldest Scientific Formula of God and Creation.” In it, he proposes a mathematical formula he says confirms the Genesis account of creation.

“The formation of the Earth was done on the third day of creation, just like the Bible has been saying for 3,500 years,” Israel says. “The moon and the sun formation were completed on the fourth day of creation.”

Israel believes his work arrives at a critical moment, filled with armed conflict and social unrest.

“We are living in difficult times nationally and worldwide,” he said. “It’s not by chance that this discovery is being known at this time.”

Science of Faith

Attempting to calculate the birthdate of the universe, however, is nothing new. For centuries, theologians, philosophers, and scientists have pursued the same elusive question of how the universe began; Israel’s work joins a long-running debate over whether science can say anything meaningful about God. 

While some scientists argue that modern physics leaves no need for a creator, others contend that science and faith address different questions altogether. Most mainstream scientists agree that God’s existence cannot be tested through the scientific method, leaving the issue beyond the reach of science alone.

But Israel believes his 12-year journey through cosmological data led him to an answer hidden in the Book of Genesis, the Bible’s opening chapter. He says his calculations — based on empirical data collected throughout humanity— tracks what he calls the “forerunners” of celestial bodies, and pinpoints how long it took for to arrive at their present positions.

“When I went to the site of NASA to see what they are saying, I came across a ton of scientific data collected by top scientists throughout the centuries,” Israel says. “I tried to see if anybody before me had analyzed the data through the framework that was coming to my mind. I could not see anybody who had done such an analysis.”

Faith in Science

Explaining the theory in everyday language is a challenge, but Israel insists his theories are scientifically sound. Those who debunk his calculations, he says, haven’t taken the time to know or understand them. 

“The problem is scientists don’t know that story,” he said. “Because they missed that story, they will tell you a lot of nonsense.”

Israel also rejects the common notion that faith and science are enemies.

“We know that science and faith can go together,” he said. “God who gave us the mind is not expecting us to trash the mind.”

Yet, he warns against relying exclusively on either.

“Choosing faith only is not bad, but it will not allow you to maximize your potential,” he said. “Choosing science only is dangerous because it will cause you to neglect things that you cannot demonstrate through physical science.”

Despite his certanty, not everyone has embraced his conclusions. Israel said he has encountered skepticism from both scientists and some Christians. He said some organizations declined to promote his work because of the book’s explicit references to God.

Including the Creator

“Many top evangelists believe in evolution and the Big Bang” as the origin of the universe, he said. “Even the believers are fighting me. I wanted to do a press release, and they told me I must remove God and just say ‘creation.’ I said, ‘Stop it. How do you do a story about creation and leave out the Creator?’”

But the criticism has not diminished Israel’s conviction.

“Math does not lie,” he said. “This is not preaching. This is mathematical science. This is testable. This is reproducible.”

To reach readers with varying levels of scientific understanding, he has published multiple versions of his work, including books written for children and more technical volumes aimed at university audiences.

“It’s very difficult to address such a topic in one book,” he said. “Whoever they are—pastors, babies, children, university people—I can break it down for them.”

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The largest volume in his series originally exceeded 2,500 pages before being condensed to about 700 pages, he said. Despite setbacks, Israel said, he sees growing interest in his scientific work; promoting it, however, seems like an act of faith.

“People are denying me, but others will embrace me,” he said. “This is not a joke. God is opening doors. And I believe it will go very far.”

The post He Spent 12 Years Testing Genesis. Here’s Where It Led Him. appeared first on Word In Black.