Difference between revisions of "Scriptural geologists"
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Throughout the vast majority of Christian and Jewish history, the dominant view was [[Young Earth Creationism|the earth was young]], created roughly around 4000 B.C., and that the [[Great Flood]] in Genesis was a global and historical event.<ref name="HBackground">Terry Mortenson, [http://creation.com/the-19th-century-scriptural-geologists-historical-background The 19th century scriptural geologists: historical background]. ''creation.com''. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref> An extremely great number of Christian leaders throughout history, such as [[Basel the Great]], [[Augustine]], [[Martin Luther]], [[John Calvin]], and [[John Wesley]], believed in a young earth and/or a literal six-day creation.<ref name="HBackground"/> | Throughout the vast majority of Christian and Jewish history, the dominant view was [[Young Earth Creationism|the earth was young]], created roughly around 4000 B.C., and that the [[Great Flood]] in Genesis was a global and historical event.<ref name="HBackground">Terry Mortenson, [http://creation.com/the-19th-century-scriptural-geologists-historical-background The 19th century scriptural geologists: historical background]. ''creation.com''. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref> An extremely great number of Christian leaders throughout history, such as [[Basel the Great]], [[Augustine]], [[Martin Luther]], [[John Calvin]], and [[John Wesley]], believed in a young earth and/or a literal six-day creation.<ref name="HBackground"/> | ||
| − | However, during the [[Enlightenment|"Enlightenment,"]] society stopped placing [[Bible|God's Word]] first, where it belongs.<ref name="HBackground"/> They started replacing the clear biblical teaching of creation with a man-made belief in long ages.<ref name="HBackground"/> Belief in long ages was not a new idea when [[Charles Darwin]] wrote his ''[[The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection|Origin of Species]]''.<ref name="HBackground"/> | + | However, during the [[Enlightenment|"Enlightenment,"]] society stopped placing [[Bible|God's Word]] first, where it belongs.<ref name="HBackground"/> They started replacing the clear biblical teaching of creation with a man-made belief in long ages.<ref name="HBackground"/> Belief in long ages was not a new idea when [[Charles Darwin]] wrote his ''[[The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection|Origin of Species]]''.<ref name="HBackground"/> Additionally, [[theological liberalism]] developed in formerly orthodox denominations. |
The science of [[geology]] also developed during this time.<ref name="HBackground"/> While some of the earliest geologists believed in a young earth, the old earth view soon took over.<ref>Mortenson, Terry (August 8, 2007). [https://answersingenesis.org/age-of-the-earth/the-historical-development-of-the-old-earth-geological-time-scale/ The Historical Development of the Old-Earth Geological Time-Scale]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref> During this time, many Christians, including scientists and geologists strongly opposed this trend and defended the biblical and scientific view of creation.<ref name="HBackground"/> | The science of [[geology]] also developed during this time.<ref name="HBackground"/> While some of the earliest geologists believed in a young earth, the old earth view soon took over.<ref>Mortenson, Terry (August 8, 2007). [https://answersingenesis.org/age-of-the-earth/the-historical-development-of-the-old-earth-geological-time-scale/ The Historical Development of the Old-Earth Geological Time-Scale]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved December 31, 2016.</ref> During this time, many Christians, including scientists and geologists strongly opposed this trend and defended the biblical and scientific view of creation.<ref name="HBackground"/> | ||
Revision as of 23:18, December 31, 2016
The scriptural geologists were a movement of scientists and theolgians, primarily in Britain, from roughly 1820-60 who defended a biblical, young earth view of origins against the old earth theories that were gaining popularity at the time.
Background
Throughout the vast majority of Christian and Jewish history, the dominant view was the earth was young, created roughly around 4000 B.C., and that the Great Flood in Genesis was a global and historical event.[1] An extremely great number of Christian leaders throughout history, such as Basel the Great, Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, and John Wesley, believed in a young earth and/or a literal six-day creation.[1]
However, during the "Enlightenment," society stopped placing God's Word first, where it belongs.[1] They started replacing the clear biblical teaching of creation with a man-made belief in long ages.[1] Belief in long ages was not a new idea when Charles Darwin wrote his Origin of Species.[1] Additionally, theological liberalism developed in formerly orthodox denominations.
The science of geology also developed during this time.[1] While some of the earliest geologists believed in a young earth, the old earth view soon took over.[2] During this time, many Christians, including scientists and geologists strongly opposed this trend and defended the biblical and scientific view of creation.[1]
The scriptural geologists
Not all the scriptural geologists were geologists, but they all believed that the inerrant Bible's account of creation was true and that science, if performed correctly, would affirm that account.[1] While some scriptural geologists came from the United States, they came primarily from Britain.[1] They were a very diverse group, from very different denominational, occupational, wealth backgrounds, and they contributed to the debate in various ways.[1] While some of them admitted to not having first-hand knowledge of geology (preferring to argue on biblical or logical grounds, which is equally legitimate), others were experts in geology and used geological arguments alongside biblical ones.[1]
The opponents of the scriptural geologists chose to ignore them rather than engaging in a legitimate and fair debate.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 Terry Mortenson, The 19th century scriptural geologists: historical background. creation.com. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ↑ Mortenson, Terry (August 8, 2007). The Historical Development of the Old-Earth Geological Time-Scale. Answers in Genesis. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
External links
- Dr. Terry Mortenson, British Scriptural Geologists in the First Half of the Nineteenth Century. Answers in Genesis.