Henry Morris - Science and The Bible

1951, BY HENRY M. MORRIS

RENEWAL1979, BY HENRY M. MORRIS

BY HENRY M. MORRIS

Revised Edition

Original Title: The Bible and Modern Science

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

All Scripture quotations, unless noted otherwise, are from the King James Version.

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

Morris, Henry Madison, 1918

Science and the Bible.

Bibliography: p.

Includes index.

1. Religion and science1946- I. Title.

BL240.2.M65 1986 220.1 86-16390

ISBN: 0-8024-0656-4 (pbk.)

Astronomy. Geophysics. Hydrology. Biology. The basic laws of science. Matter and energy. The tri-universe. The question of miracles. Jonahs Whale. The long day. Conclusion.

Evolution versus the Bible. Theism versus evolution. The origin of life. The origin of the species. Circumstantial evidences. The fossil record. Supposed transitional fossils. The ape-men. Evolution versus entropy.

The Flooda global cataclysm. The standard system of historical geology. Fallacies in the geologic column. The Flood model of geology. The revival of catastrophism. Fossil graveyards. Many catastrophes or one cataclysm? The cause of the Flood. Other evidences of the Flood. The age of the earth.

Archaeology and the Bible. Post-Flood migrations. The times of Abraham. The history of Israel. The authenticity of the Old Testament. Daniel and Isaiah. The authenticity of the New Testament. The resurrection of Christ. The influence of Jesus Christ.

Cities in prophecy. Prophecies against whole nations. The nation of Israel. The course of empires. Messianic prophecies. The seventy weeks. Prophecies of the last days. Prophecy and mathematics.

The purpose of this book, very frankly and without apology, is to win people to a genuine faith in Jesus Christ as the eternal Son of God and the Bible as the Word of God, and to help strengthen the faith of those who already believe. The Christian faith is not founded on wishful thinking or blind acceptance of tradition, but rather on a tremendous body of real, objective evidence.

The above paragraph introduced the 1951 edition of this book, as well as the 1956 and 1968 editions. (The book was first published in 1946 under the title That You Might Believe.) That stated purpose has been abundantly fulfilled, confirmed through the years by many wonderful letters and testimonies of conversions and spiritual growth. The purpose remains the same for this new edition.

A book on science and the Bible that has been kept continuously in print for over forty years can only be explained by the perennially vital importance of this subject, which seems to grow more significant every year. Never have there been more widespread and bitter attacks on biblical Christianity than there are today; but likewise never have the scientific evidences for the divine origin and truth of the Bible been so clear and strong. Consequently, it seems appropriate to prepare an updated edition of Science and the Bible.

Since so much has happened since the most recent edition was published in 1968, including the modern revival of creationism, this edition has been almost completely rewritten. It has also been slightly enlarged, but I trust it is still as easy to understand as before. The topics covered are the same; however I believe that the evidences for the truth of the Bible and the saving gospel of Jesus Christ are stronger and more convincing than ever.

As in previous editions, the text has been kept free of extensive footnotes in order to make it easier to read. However, for those readers who desire documentation as well as further information, an annotated bibliography is provided. The bibliography is not exhaustive, of course, but I believe it is representative. Most of the books listed are quite recent, and all are well worth reading.

The evidences discussed in Science and the Bible are mostly practical and objective rather than philosophical or experience-oriented. My own conviction, of course, is that every word of the Bible is true, inspired of God and absolutely free of error. Furthermore, there are today thousands of other scientists, not to mention multitudes of Christian believers in all walks of life who hold similar convictions. There is, indeed, good and sufficient evidence of the truth of Gods Word for all who are willing to consider it.

The evidence can never be strong enough, however, to convince someone who is not willing to believe. If the evidence were so overwhelming as to compel one to believe it, there would be no room for faith, and God desires that we come to Him willingly, through His Son, in faith and love and gratitude. I can only urge the reader, therefore, to look at the evidence with an open mind and heart. It is my prayer that the Lord will use this new edition of Science and the Bible to lead many to a saving acceptance of Christ and to a life of strong faith and fruitful service in His name.

The manuscript for Science and the Bible has been reviewed for accuracy by the following specialists:

Malcolm A. Cutchins (Ph.D., professor of aerospace engineering, Auburn University)

Carl B. Fliermans (Ph.D., microbial ecologist, Dupont Company, Augusta, Georgia)

Donald D. Hamann (Ph.D., professor of food technology, North Carolina State University)

David Menton (Ph.D., associate professor of anatomy, Washington University, St. Louis)

John R. Meyer (Ph.D., professor of biology, Baptist Bible College, Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania)

John D. Morris (Ph.D., associate professor of geology, Institute for Creation Research)

John W. Oller (Ph.D., professor of linguistics, University of New Mexico)

John C. Whitcomb (Th.D., director of doctoral studies, Grace Theological Seminary)

I appreciate their many excellent suggestions, most of which have been incorporated in the book. I do, of course, take full responsibility for its final form.

I also thank my daughter, Mrs. Mary R. Smith, who typed the manuscript and has been of much help in getting it ready for publication. Ella K. Lindvall, managing editor at Moody Press, and her associates have also been most gracious and helpful in carrying it through to publication.

O ne of the most amazing evidences of the divine inspiration of the Bible is its scientific accuracy. There are many unexpected scientific truths that have lain hidden within its pages for thousands of years, only to be recognized and appreciated in recent times. These principles are not expressed in modern technical jargon, of course, but nevertheless are presented accurately and beautifully, indicating remarkable understanding of nature by these ancient authors far in advance of their discovery by modern scientists. Let us look at a few of these.