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Francis Bacon has been called the father of modern inductive methodology, warned of a natural theology based on Scripture.
Darwinism and Creationism are both focused largely on natural history. Darwinism is one long argument against special creation, substituting 'natural law' rather then 'miraculous interposition' in his preface to On the Origin of Species:
The conflict for Christian's who believe the Bible to be the revelation of God concerning the true history of man this creates a real problem. The Scriptures are clear for instance that God created ex nihilo, that is by divine fiat the universe (Gen. 1:1); all living creatures (Gen. 1:21); and man (Gen. 1:27).
1) to create, shape, form
My interest in the subject matter started shortly after becoming a Christian. I became interested in evidences for the Christian faith and by what means a believer could confirm the testimony of Scripture. I would eventually decide on the evidential approach to Christian Apologetics. I found this criteria used for the rules of evidence in courts for half a century
The truth of the matter is that Creation is essential doctrine that no professing Christian is at liberty to deny. The question then become how much of natural history can be found in the pages of Scripture and what should we say to the Darwinian arguments against 'special creation'. I have deliberately left the discussion open ended because i know that these threads take on a life of their own. I will just start things off with this, the rules of evidence used by Simon Greenleaf were foundational to my approach to Christian Apologetics. I have long regarded Creation science as an experiment in evidential apologetics. I propose here to discuss how natural history is made clear based on the clear testimony of Scripture and informed by the Scientific Discoveries of the modern world.
Grace and peace,
Mark
Yet in this vanity some of the moderns have with extreme levity indulged so far as to attempt to found a system of natural philosophy on the first chapter of Genesis, on the book of Job, and other parts of the sacred writings, seeking for the dead among the living; which also makes the inhibition and repression of it the more important, because from this unwholesome mixture of things human and divine there arises not only a fantastic philosophy but also a heretical religion. (New Organon, Francis Bacon 1620)
Darwinism and Creationism are both focused largely on natural history. Darwinism is one long argument against special creation, substituting 'natural law' rather then 'miraculous interposition' in his preface to On the Origin of Species:
In these works he (Lamarck) upholds the doctrine that species, including man, are descended from other species. He first did the eminent service of arousing attention to the probability of all change in the organic, as well as in the inorganic world, being the result of law, and not of miraculous interposition. (Darwin, On the Origin of Species)
The conflict for Christian's who believe the Bible to be the revelation of God concerning the true history of man this creates a real problem. The Scriptures are clear for instance that God created ex nihilo, that is by divine fiat the universe (Gen. 1:1); all living creatures (Gen. 1:21); and man (Gen. 1:27).
1) to create, shape, form
a) (Qal) to shape, fashion, create (always with God as subject)
1) of heaven and earth
2) of individual man
3) of new conditions and circumstances
4) of transformations
(Strong's H1254 - bara')1) of heaven and earth
2) of individual man
3) of new conditions and circumstances
4) of transformations
My interest in the subject matter started shortly after becoming a Christian. I became interested in evidences for the Christian faith and by what means a believer could confirm the testimony of Scripture. I would eventually decide on the evidential approach to Christian Apologetics. I found this criteria used for the rules of evidence in courts for half a century
- Every document, apparently ancient, coming from the proper repository or custody, and bearing on its face no evident marks of forger, the law presumes to be genuine, and devolves on the opposing party the burden of proving it to be otherwise.
- In matters of public and general interest, all persons must be presumed to be conversant, on the principle that individuals are presumed to be conversant with their own affairs.
- In trials of fact, by oral testimony, the proper inquiry is not whether is it possible that the testimony may be false, but whether there is sufficient probability that it is true.
- A proposition of fact is proved, when its truth is established by competent and satisfactory evidence.
- In the absence of circumstances which generate suspicion, every witness is to be presumed credible, until the contrary is shown; the burden of impeaching his credibility lying on the objector.
- The credit due to the testimony of witnesses depends upon, firstly, their honesty; secondly, their ability; thirdly, their number and the consistency of their testimony; fourthly, the conformity of their testimony with experience; and fifthly, the coincidence of their testimony with collateral circumstances.
The truth of the matter is that Creation is essential doctrine that no professing Christian is at liberty to deny. The question then become how much of natural history can be found in the pages of Scripture and what should we say to the Darwinian arguments against 'special creation'. I have deliberately left the discussion open ended because i know that these threads take on a life of their own. I will just start things off with this, the rules of evidence used by Simon Greenleaf were foundational to my approach to Christian Apologetics. I have long regarded Creation science as an experiment in evidential apologetics. I propose here to discuss how natural history is made clear based on the clear testimony of Scripture and informed by the Scientific Discoveries of the modern world.
Grace and peace,
Mark