Abstract:
Recent interpretations of ancient documents of near east origin force us to re-examine our concepts of the physical geometry of the earth.
The ancient Hebrews spoke of a firmament, a solid, perhaps crystal dome in the sky from which the stars and planets, sun and moon were suspended. Now, the firmament is noted in scripture. And since we all know that God does not lie, this thing must obviously exist.
But we must push further. Of necessity, this dome must rest upon something. Indeed, it can only rest upon the earth. Thus, we must conclude that the earth is flat. Remember, God does not lie! Furthermore, a 'dome' is circular, which implies, no, demands, that the earth is a flat, circular disk.
But wait, we are not finished yet. Logic drives us forward! The perceptive reader (or even the occasional dolt) will have recognized that a disk has two sides. The implication, therefore, is that there exists two firmaments, one for either side of the earthly disk.
Finally, since a disk has an edge, the circular disk of the earth must also possess an edge. And since the value of a theory rests in its ability to predict, I suggest that the earth's edge is contained within its oceans; that it crosses the north/south centre of the Pacific, passes under the north pole, dives down the Atlantic, and emerges from under that other pole.
Magellan encountered this edge. Ship's logs indicate that, when he reached the approximate centre of the Pacific, he is known to have exclaimed, What the hell is this!