Transcript The Rocks Cry Out

Science and the Bible
A Course of Study
by
Dr. David C. Bossard
Winter, 2008 (Continued)
Week 20
The Rocks Cry Out:
Geology and the Bible, Part 1
The Rocks Cry Out
Why did the early geologists conclude that …
• The earth must be very old? (at least many millions of years)
• The creation of life took place over many years?
• The early earth had no (visible) life?
• Life developed gradually and with increased
complexity from its beginnings to the present?
• Man is a recent creation, appearing at the end
of vast eons of time in which all earlier plants and
animals were created?
 … and that none of this conflicts with Biblical Revelation?
The Rocks Cry Out
Psalm 111
Praise for the books of God's Works and of God's Word.
Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my
whole heart, in the company of the
upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of splendor and majesty is his
work, and his righteousness endures
forever.
4 He has caused his wondrous works
to be remembered; the Lord is gracious
and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear
him; he remembers his covenant forever.
6 He has shown his people the power of
his works, in giving them the inheritance
of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful
and just; all his precepts are trustworthy;
8 they are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and
uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people; he has
commanded his covenant forever. Holy
and awesome is his name!
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning
of wisdom; all those who practice it
have a good understanding. His praise
endures forever!
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The Beginnings of Modern Geology
• The discovery of William Smith (1799)
- The silent voice of the rocks.
Most rock on land is sedimentary rock.
It occurs in identifiable layers or "strata"
The strata extend over large areas
The strata are identified by rock type and fossil species
The strata are laid down in a specific order.
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Characteristics of the Strata
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Comments by Geologist & Theologians
William Buckland (1837). The purpose of his book is to show how
the fossil record shows "Proof of Design". He gives numerous
examples.
- Makes the point that two words used for "create": bara and asah.
"[asah] may be employed to express a new arrangement of materials
that existed before."
"The object of this account was, not to state in what manner, but by
whom, the world was made. As the prevailing tendency of men in those early
days was to worship the most glorious objects of nature, namely, the sun and
moon and stars; it would seem to have been one important point in the Mosaic
account of creation, to guard the Isrealites against the Polytheism and idolatry
of the nations around them; by announcing that all these magnificent bodies
were no Gods, but the works of One Almighty Creator, to whom alone the
worship of mankind is due."
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Comments by Geologist & Theologians
John Pye Smith (1840) (A Theologian). The purpose of his book is to
refute the "vague idea that certain geological doctrines are at
variance with the Holy Scriptures."
cites Psalm 111:2 (see above)
Opinions which are assumed by many to be asserted in Scripturre, but which are
contrary to geological doctrines:
1. Recent creation of the world
2. A previous universal chaos over the earth (gap theory)
3. Creation of heavenly bodies after the earth
4. Derivation of all vegetables and animals from one center of creation.
5. That the inferior animals were not subject to death till the Fall of man.
The Rocks Cry Out
Comments by Geologist & Theologians
John Pye Smith (1840) (A Theologian). The purpose of his book is to
refute the "vague idea that certain geological doctrines are at
variance with the Holy Scriptures."
cites Psalm 111:2 (see above)
Features of the geologic record that argue for great age
1. 10 miles' thickness of strata in successive layers.
2. Layers not homogeneous: differing widely, with extinct species.
3. Layers divided into groups, not jumbled confusedly but methodically
"like shelves of specimens in a cabinet."
4. Evidence of very long duration; footprints of animals and intact
fossils of fragile species.
The Rocks Cry Out
Comments by Geologist & Theologians
Edward Hitchcock (1841) (A Zoologist and Theologian) Elementary
Geology. Describes the characteristics of various geologic ages, "Laws"
of fossil remains, and the Connection of Geology and the Bible.
All fish below the Triassic age (age of early dinosaurs) have
Heterocercal (single extended backbone) tails (like sharks today); after
this age they have homocercal (symmetrical) tails (like most modern fish).
"Laws" of fossil remains (p9 of outline)
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Comments by Geologist & Theologians
Hugh Miller (1857) Testimony of the Rocks.
"Plain men who set themselves to deduce from Scripture the
figure of the planet" had little doubt that the earth was flat
"until corrected by the geographer"; "plain men who set
themselves to acquire from Scripture some notion of the
planetary motions" thought that the sun moved around an
earth at rest "until corrected by the astronomer"; "plain men
who have sought to determine from Scripture the age of the
earth" were confident that the earth was about six thousand
years old "until corrected by the geologist."
Cited in Davis A. Young, Calvin College at http://www.bringyou.to/apologetics/p82.htm
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