“Shut Up About the Sun!”

Copernicus is a man characterized by persistence regarding ideas that went against the grain of his contemporaries’ thinking. 

He introduced the idea of a heliocentric solar system which states that the Sun, not Earth, is the center of the universe, and that the planets revolve around the Sun. 

This was contrary to the popular belief of the day that Earth was the center of the universe. This was an idea heavily propagated by the Catholic Church. 

It would be inaccurate to say that the Catholic church immediately opposed this belief as Copernicus himself was a Catholic, but history shows that eventually, many efforts were taken to mute Copernicus and later, Galileo’s, conviction.  

The Church stated that the notion of a heliocentric universe not only refuted basic physics but also Biblical teaching so by their logic, Copernicus, his teachings, and later scholars like Galileo were considered heretical. To be fair, this opposition was by the Catholic and Protestant church. Martin Luther opposed this view on the grounds of verses such as Joshua 10:10-15. 

This truly caused a stale digression in the scientific realm as what later was proven to be true, was outlawed anywhere the Catholic church held authority.

Copernicus first introduced this idea in 1543. The Catholic churches repeal of the prohibition on Copernicanism was not issued until the years of 1820 to 1835, with full reinstatement in the late 20th century. 

Copernicus and Galileo continued to promote their belief and observations at every opportunity. Now, what is deemed as common knowledge, was opposed at every chance by churches of that day. 

Truth is not popular. For those who embrace wrong thinking, it may appear offensive to offer correction, even in a loving manner. This does not make truth any more unnecessary or needed to be shared.  

When you promote that the Son, Jesus Christ, needs to be the center of the universe and not our own, Earthly flesh, it may be opposed. Nonetheless, the Truth remains. It is Christ who lives in us and empowers us (Galatians 2:20; 2 Timothy 1:7). 

But then again, we know that the Gospel is powerful and by the grace of God, able to alter the course of the recipient’s history, just like Copernicus altered the history of the world by sharing the truth. 

Do not grow weary in doing good and remain persistent in all situations, never doubting what you know to be true (Galatians 6:9; 1 Corinthians 9:22). Never allowing shame to creep in as opposition grows- The Truth will not change (Romans 1:16).

In the end, like Copernicus, the Truth will be revealed (1 Corinthians 15:50-54).

God bless!