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Chapter 14—Science and the Bible
Since the book of nature and the book of revelation bear the
impress of the same master mind, they cannot but speak in harmony.
By different methods and in different languages they witness to the
same great truths. Science is ever discovering new wonders, but
from its research it brings nothing that, rightly understood, conflicts
with divine revelation. The book of nature and the written Word
shed light on each other. They make us acquainted with God by
teaching us something of the laws through which He works.
But inferences erroneously drawn from facts observed in nature
have led to supposed conflict between science and revelation. In
the effort to restore harmony, interpretations of Scripture have been
adopted that undermine and destroy the force of the Word of God.
Geology has been thought to contradict the literal interpretation of
the Mosaic record of the Creation. Millions of years, it is claimed,
were required for the earth to evolve from chaos. In order to accom-
modate the Bible to this supposed revelation of science, the days of
creation are assumed to have been vast, indefinite periods, covering
thousands or even millions of years.
Such a conclusion is uncalled for. The Bible record is in harmony
with itself and with the teaching of nature. Of the first day of Creation
the record says, “The evening and the morning were the first day.”
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Genesis 1:5
. And the same, in substance, is said of each of the first
six days of Creation week. Inspiration declares each of these periods
to have been a day consisting of evening and morning, like every day
since that time. In regard to the work of creation itself, the divine
testimony is, “He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it
stood fast.”
Psalm 33:9
. With Him who could thus call into existence
unnumbered worlds, how long a time would be required for the earth
to evolve from chaos? In order to account for His works, must we
do violence to His Word?
It is true that remains found in the earth testify to the existence
of humans, animals, and plants much larger than any now known.
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