--- Apologies for the length of this OP. I abbreviated the subject content as much as possible. ---
Scientia, to know, is the word from which todays word science is derived. (ref 1) The existence of such knowledge, scientia, dates back to as early as 8500 B.C. Early peoples did not compartmentalize their lives and knowledge like we do. They saw themselves as part of the whole world around them and everything as integrated and working in harmony. For them, then, their religious beliefs and their scientific thought/knowledge were all the same, and not two separate things like they are for most of us. .. (Univ. of Cincinnati, History of Science ref 2 ) Peoples of that era had gained such knowledge and had written and preserved information that directly relates to the study of biology today. (ref 3)
The literal reading of Gen. 1&2 will introduce the living elements around which the studies of botany and biology have developed and a disclosure of the environment necessary to support such life. The text presents each of these elements in a specific, defined order. The OP will introduce these events and elements as disclosed in Genesis Chapters 1&2.
The purpose of this thread will be to introduce a discussion of the literal reading of Genesis chapters 1&2, of scientia and science. Its purpose will not include issues relating to Christianity, the church, religious movements or doctrines; nor will it include the comparison of scientia or other beliefs among other ancient peoples or cultures.
Genesis begins by identifying the prime Cause of the events to be described. (Gen 1:1a) It then identities the scope of the effects introduced, the heavens and the earth. 1:1b; The earth is described as formless and void (a waste and emptiness) and darkness was over the surface of the deep. (1:2a) It then introduces the moving of the Cause and the presence of waters. 1:2b The next element introduced is light. (1:3) [This first mention of light would include, at a minimum, the presence of visible light. It could also include the presence of the entire electromagnetic radiation spectrum of light. (ref 4) Next, the light is separated from the darkness. (1:4) [ This could suggest that the light was gathered or separated to a specific location.] Next, an expanse (a firmament) is introduced as being placed in the midst of the waters and separating the waters above the expanse from the waters below the expanse. (1:6,7); [ Water, the element defined as H2O, can exist in three forms; vapor (gaseous), fluid or solid (ice). ] Next, the waters below the heavens are gathered into one place called seas. (1:9a, 10b); Dry land also then appears. (earth) (1:9b, 10a)
After this the subject of the living elements of plant life is introduced. First, vegetation (translatable; grass), then plants (translatable; herbs) yielding seeds after there kind, then trees bearing fruit after their kind with seeds in them are introduced. (1:11) Next, it says, And the earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seeds..; (1:12)
[An objection is raised here that vegetation cannot live without visible light and atmosphere therefore this order is not scientifically possible. . First, light has been separate from darkness since 1:4. Next, water has been present on the earth since 1:9a and dry land since 1:9b. The pooling of water into seas (1:10b) also indicates that there was enough heat energy present to result in the liquefaction of water. The presence of a gathered source of light in 1:4 would have been sufficient to generate a source of heat energy. There was gravitational mass sufficient to retain the liquefied waters on the surface of the earth. (1:9a, 10b) The presence of such heat would have also generated water evaporation from the seas into the atmosphere. ] [ A second realization is, 1:11a says, Let the earth sprout vegetation . However 1:12a does not say that vegetation, plants and trees had yet sprouted from the earth. It says, the earth brought forth vegetation. Seed germination within the ground is the first step in the process of vegetation and plant growth. It is therefore possible that the wording in 1:12a refers to the plant germination taking place beneath the surface of the earth. This is also consistent with what is later written in the continuing account, Now no shrub of the field was yet in the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the Lord God had not sent rain upon the earth; 2:5 This does, by implication, conclude that their seeds were present in the earth]
Continuing now after 1:12, The next day lights appear in the expanses of the heavens (also translated illumines, light bearers) for signs and seasons, for days and years, and to give light on the earth. (1:14, 15) Two great lights were also then made, the greater to govern the day, the lesser to govern the night, (1:16), They were then specifically placed in the heavens, (1:17) to govern day and night, to separate light from darkness. (1:18) This presents a gathering of the visible spectrum light into lights
[Two of these lights are noted and identified as having been specifically placed in their locations. (1:17); The greater light would apparently refer to the placement and ignition of the sun. The specific locating of this light would insure the exact amount of heat and light radiation necessary to generate the exact atmospheric conditions needed to sustain vegetation and all subsequent forms of life.]
Next, the introduction of living creatures begins. Two categories of creatures are introduced; first large sea creatures and swarming sea creatures (1:20, 21a) and second, birds and winged creatures that fly above the earth. (1:20, 21b); Their ability to reproduce is introduced. (1:22)
Next, earth creatures are introduced, cattle of the earth after their kind, creeping after there kind, beasts after their kind. (1:24,25); Next, the intension to create humankind is introduced. (1:26a) The next thing indicated is the intension to allow humankind the authority to rule over the creation as stated in 1:26b. Next, the act of the creation of humankind as a distinct entity, separate and unique in the creation, is stated. It next introduced is that humankind will have two genders, male and female. (1:27) The male and female, are then addressed together and told, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves on the earth. (1:28) [Here, the intension to create the separate and unique entity of humankind has been presented. The creation of that separate entity has been presented. Their separate genders have been identified and they are told to be fruitful and to rule over the earth. But a physical body has not yet been formed for either gender.] Next it was said, .. every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all of the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be [ future tense ] food for you; .. (1:29); and this same food was given for, every beast on the earth and bird of the sky and to everything that moves on the earth which has life. (1:30)
It then says, Now no shrub of the field was yet in the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, (2:5a) This would confirm the second conclusion given for 1:12 regarding the germination and not the sprouting of the seeds. Next, Gen. 2:7 introduces that man is now given a physical body and a soul. His body is formed of the dust of the ground. And then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils [the first time a physical feature is identified with man] the breath of life; and man became a living being. (also translated, soul); [ To this point neither the physical body nor the soul of an individual person is mentioned.] It then says a garden was planted toward the east in Eden for man and there he man was placed. (2:8); It then says, And out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food; (2:9a); [ The context suggests that the growing mentioned here applies specifically to the garden planted here.] Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. (2:15); Then, as mans body have been formed out of the ground, ever beast of the field and every bird of the sky were formed out of the ground. And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and what ever the man called a living creature, that was its name. ( 2:19) The writer then describes how the physical form of the woman is brought into being. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh at that place. And the Lord god fashioned (also translatable, built) into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to him. (2:21,22); all Genesis references, NASB, New American Standard Bible)
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Here, the literal reading of Gen. 1&2 has introduced the living elements that are included in the studies of botany and biology. In addition, it has presented documentation that disclose the unfolding of the environment needed to support such living elements.
Botany is the scientific study of plant life. As a branch of biology, it is also sometimes referred to as plant science(s) or plant biology. Botany covers a wide range of scientific disciplines that study the growth, reproduction, metabolism, development, disease, ecology, and evolution of plants. (ref 5)
Genesis introduces plant life as a separate grouping of life from that of creatures; it introduces the elements necessary for the growth of that plant life; it introduces the specific subject of the reproduction of that plant life (the presence of seeds); it presents the conditions needed for the metabolizing processes within plant life. (Gen. 1:9, 11a, 16a, 17, 18); Genesis 1&2 therefore introduces and addresses specific elements and characteristics found to be a direct part of the study of botany today.
Biology is the study, or science, of life. It is concerned with the characteristics and behaviors of organisms, how species and individuals come into existence, and the interactions they have with each other and with the environment. Biology encompasses a broad spectrum of academic fields that are often viewed as independent disciplines. However, together they address phenomena related to living organisms (biological phenomena) over a wide range of scales. (ref 6)
Genesis introduces and presents biological life; it introduces distinct characteristics of that life and their behavior that is large sea creature and swarming sea creatures; birds and winged creatures; cattle; creeping things; beasts of the earth ..how these creatures came into existence. In so doing, Genesis introduces and addresses specific elements and characteristics found to be a direct part of the study of biology today.
Therefore it can be said of Genesis 1&2, that its content introduces, include and address the specifics elements and their characteristics that exist as part of the study of biology and botany as a science of today.
In the essay, History of Science, the author says, Because modern science distinguishes between subjective and objective and teaches us that objective is good and subjective is bad, this creates for us an increasingly wide gulf between our perceptions of phenomena and the concepts by which we explain them. (ref 7)
It is my opinion that such an approach is non-conducive to the advancement of a collective and cooperative collaboration of humankinds knowledge. Instead it results in the seperation of knowledge in ways that dichotomize humankinds potential for coming to the fullest understanding of who he is and of the universe in which he lives.
The presentation of the Definition Essay quoted in ref 1 appears to be a fairly reasonable and balanced introduction the history of science. Although, I do not fully agree with some of the more subtle summary conclusions of its author.
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ref 1 http://biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio104/hist_sci.htm Par 2
2 ibid. Par 6,7
3 ibid. Par 4,5,6
4 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_of_light , + Electro. Mag. Para 2
5 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botany Par 1
6 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biology Par 1
7 http://biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio104/hist_sci.htm par 7b
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Scientia, to know, is the word from which todays word science is derived. (ref 1) The existence of such knowledge, scientia, dates back to as early as 8500 B.C. Early peoples did not compartmentalize their lives and knowledge like we do. They saw themselves as part of the whole world around them and everything as integrated and working in harmony. For them, then, their religious beliefs and their scientific thought/knowledge were all the same, and not two separate things like they are for most of us. .. (Univ. of Cincinnati, History of Science ref 2 ) Peoples of that era had gained such knowledge and had written and preserved information that directly relates to the study of biology today. (ref 3)
The literal reading of Gen. 1&2 will introduce the living elements around which the studies of botany and biology have developed and a disclosure of the environment necessary to support such life. The text presents each of these elements in a specific, defined order. The OP will introduce these events and elements as disclosed in Genesis Chapters 1&2.
The purpose of this thread will be to introduce a discussion of the literal reading of Genesis chapters 1&2, of scientia and science. Its purpose will not include issues relating to Christianity, the church, religious movements or doctrines; nor will it include the comparison of scientia or other beliefs among other ancient peoples or cultures.
Genesis begins by identifying the prime Cause of the events to be described. (Gen 1:1a) It then identities the scope of the effects introduced, the heavens and the earth. 1:1b; The earth is described as formless and void (a waste and emptiness) and darkness was over the surface of the deep. (1:2a) It then introduces the moving of the Cause and the presence of waters. 1:2b The next element introduced is light. (1:3) [This first mention of light would include, at a minimum, the presence of visible light. It could also include the presence of the entire electromagnetic radiation spectrum of light. (ref 4) Next, the light is separated from the darkness. (1:4) [ This could suggest that the light was gathered or separated to a specific location.] Next, an expanse (a firmament) is introduced as being placed in the midst of the waters and separating the waters above the expanse from the waters below the expanse. (1:6,7); [ Water, the element defined as H2O, can exist in three forms; vapor (gaseous), fluid or solid (ice). ] Next, the waters below the heavens are gathered into one place called seas. (1:9a, 10b); Dry land also then appears. (earth) (1:9b, 10a)
After this the subject of the living elements of plant life is introduced. First, vegetation (translatable; grass), then plants (translatable; herbs) yielding seeds after there kind, then trees bearing fruit after their kind with seeds in them are introduced. (1:11) Next, it says, And the earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seeds..; (1:12)
[An objection is raised here that vegetation cannot live without visible light and atmosphere therefore this order is not scientifically possible. . First, light has been separate from darkness since 1:4. Next, water has been present on the earth since 1:9a and dry land since 1:9b. The pooling of water into seas (1:10b) also indicates that there was enough heat energy present to result in the liquefaction of water. The presence of a gathered source of light in 1:4 would have been sufficient to generate a source of heat energy. There was gravitational mass sufficient to retain the liquefied waters on the surface of the earth. (1:9a, 10b) The presence of such heat would have also generated water evaporation from the seas into the atmosphere. ] [ A second realization is, 1:11a says, Let the earth sprout vegetation . However 1:12a does not say that vegetation, plants and trees had yet sprouted from the earth. It says, the earth brought forth vegetation. Seed germination within the ground is the first step in the process of vegetation and plant growth. It is therefore possible that the wording in 1:12a refers to the plant germination taking place beneath the surface of the earth. This is also consistent with what is later written in the continuing account, Now no shrub of the field was yet in the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, for the Lord God had not sent rain upon the earth; 2:5 This does, by implication, conclude that their seeds were present in the earth]
Continuing now after 1:12, The next day lights appear in the expanses of the heavens (also translated illumines, light bearers) for signs and seasons, for days and years, and to give light on the earth. (1:14, 15) Two great lights were also then made, the greater to govern the day, the lesser to govern the night, (1:16), They were then specifically placed in the heavens, (1:17) to govern day and night, to separate light from darkness. (1:18) This presents a gathering of the visible spectrum light into lights
[Two of these lights are noted and identified as having been specifically placed in their locations. (1:17); The greater light would apparently refer to the placement and ignition of the sun. The specific locating of this light would insure the exact amount of heat and light radiation necessary to generate the exact atmospheric conditions needed to sustain vegetation and all subsequent forms of life.]
Next, the introduction of living creatures begins. Two categories of creatures are introduced; first large sea creatures and swarming sea creatures (1:20, 21a) and second, birds and winged creatures that fly above the earth. (1:20, 21b); Their ability to reproduce is introduced. (1:22)
Next, earth creatures are introduced, cattle of the earth after their kind, creeping after there kind, beasts after their kind. (1:24,25); Next, the intension to create humankind is introduced. (1:26a) The next thing indicated is the intension to allow humankind the authority to rule over the creation as stated in 1:26b. Next, the act of the creation of humankind as a distinct entity, separate and unique in the creation, is stated. It next introduced is that humankind will have two genders, male and female. (1:27) The male and female, are then addressed together and told, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves on the earth. (1:28) [Here, the intension to create the separate and unique entity of humankind has been presented. The creation of that separate entity has been presented. Their separate genders have been identified and they are told to be fruitful and to rule over the earth. But a physical body has not yet been formed for either gender.] Next it was said, .. every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all of the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be [ future tense ] food for you; .. (1:29); and this same food was given for, every beast on the earth and bird of the sky and to everything that moves on the earth which has life. (1:30)
It then says, Now no shrub of the field was yet in the earth, and no plant of the field had yet sprouted, (2:5a) This would confirm the second conclusion given for 1:12 regarding the germination and not the sprouting of the seeds. Next, Gen. 2:7 introduces that man is now given a physical body and a soul. His body is formed of the dust of the ground. And then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils [the first time a physical feature is identified with man] the breath of life; and man became a living being. (also translated, soul); [ To this point neither the physical body nor the soul of an individual person is mentioned.] It then says a garden was planted toward the east in Eden for man and there he man was placed. (2:8); It then says, And out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food; (2:9a); [ The context suggests that the growing mentioned here applies specifically to the garden planted here.] Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. (2:15); Then, as mans body have been formed out of the ground, ever beast of the field and every bird of the sky were formed out of the ground. And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and what ever the man called a living creature, that was its name. ( 2:19) The writer then describes how the physical form of the woman is brought into being. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh at that place. And the Lord god fashioned (also translatable, built) into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to him. (2:21,22); all Genesis references, NASB, New American Standard Bible)
------------------------------------
Here, the literal reading of Gen. 1&2 has introduced the living elements that are included in the studies of botany and biology. In addition, it has presented documentation that disclose the unfolding of the environment needed to support such living elements.
Botany is the scientific study of plant life. As a branch of biology, it is also sometimes referred to as plant science(s) or plant biology. Botany covers a wide range of scientific disciplines that study the growth, reproduction, metabolism, development, disease, ecology, and evolution of plants. (ref 5)
Genesis introduces plant life as a separate grouping of life from that of creatures; it introduces the elements necessary for the growth of that plant life; it introduces the specific subject of the reproduction of that plant life (the presence of seeds); it presents the conditions needed for the metabolizing processes within plant life. (Gen. 1:9, 11a, 16a, 17, 18); Genesis 1&2 therefore introduces and addresses specific elements and characteristics found to be a direct part of the study of botany today.
Biology is the study, or science, of life. It is concerned with the characteristics and behaviors of organisms, how species and individuals come into existence, and the interactions they have with each other and with the environment. Biology encompasses a broad spectrum of academic fields that are often viewed as independent disciplines. However, together they address phenomena related to living organisms (biological phenomena) over a wide range of scales. (ref 6)
Genesis introduces and presents biological life; it introduces distinct characteristics of that life and their behavior that is large sea creature and swarming sea creatures; birds and winged creatures; cattle; creeping things; beasts of the earth ..how these creatures came into existence. In so doing, Genesis introduces and addresses specific elements and characteristics found to be a direct part of the study of biology today.
Therefore it can be said of Genesis 1&2, that its content introduces, include and address the specifics elements and their characteristics that exist as part of the study of biology and botany as a science of today.
In the essay, History of Science, the author says, Because modern science distinguishes between subjective and objective and teaches us that objective is good and subjective is bad, this creates for us an increasingly wide gulf between our perceptions of phenomena and the concepts by which we explain them. (ref 7)
It is my opinion that such an approach is non-conducive to the advancement of a collective and cooperative collaboration of humankinds knowledge. Instead it results in the seperation of knowledge in ways that dichotomize humankinds potential for coming to the fullest understanding of who he is and of the universe in which he lives.
The presentation of the Definition Essay quoted in ref 1 appears to be a fairly reasonable and balanced introduction the history of science. Although, I do not fully agree with some of the more subtle summary conclusions of its author.
-------
ref 1 http://biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio104/hist_sci.htm Par 2
2 ibid. Par 6,7
3 ibid. Par 4,5,6
4 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_of_light , + Electro. Mag. Para 2
5 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botany Par 1
6 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biology Par 1
7 http://biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio104/hist_sci.htm par 7b
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