Bible Codes

[NewChristian27]

What does the Church teach about Bible Codes? I ask this because I have a friend who thinks this is a good witnessing tool. I think searching for these codes is like saying God’s word isn’t good enough.

Any ideas of how I can steer her away from this? Maybe some scriptural references?

Your sister in Christ,

Melissa

 

[Fidelis]

Here is an answer from one of EWTN’s experts in their Q & A page:

**Bible Code?
Question from C. Navarro on 10-31-2001: **

What is the Church’s position on the “Bible Code” topic . Some suggest that God has encoded messages in the writings as recorded by Moses. Furthermore, the suggestion is that certain mathematical formulas (as embodied in inexpensive commercial software) and personal computers can provide the tools as needed to extract these messages. Finally, mention has been made that these “Codes” represent the “Closed Book of Daniel”.
Thank you in advance for your reply.

Answer by David Gregson on 11-07-2001:

The Church doesn’t take a position on every new idea that comes down the pike. But reputable mathematicians have taken a position, namely, that the supposed code, which purportedly uncovers “amazing revelations” in the Bible, would uncover similar revelations in War and Peace and Moby Dick. When you decide in advance what you want to find in the text, you can formulate rules (like choosing every 50th letter) that enable you to find it. See the article by Keith Devlin

“The Bible Code That Wasn’t”
maa.org/devlin/devlin_6_98.html

Source:
ewtn.com/vexperts/showresult.asp?RecNum=335110&Forums=0&Experts=0&Days=3000&Author=&Keyword=bible+code&pgnu=1&groupnum=0