The Bible Is a Textbook of Science Part II -- By: Henry M. Morris

Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 122:485 (Jan 1965)
Article: The Bible Is a Textbook of Science Part II
Author: Henry M. Morris


The Bible Is a Textbook of Science
Part II

Henry M. Morris

The Life Sciences

The sciences that deal with living matter have not made as much progress as those which deal with inorganic materials. This is partly due to the more complex character of living forms. But probably it is also partly due to the fact that the physical sciences have been developed (even though unwittingly) around the basic physical principles revealed in Scripture, as discussed in the previous section. The life sciences, however, have in the past hundred years been seriously retarded by adherence to the anti-Scriptural and unscientific philosophy of organic evolution. A substantial proportion of the efforts of research workers in these fields has been devoted to fruitless attempts to explain and promote evolution, and these endeavors could have been put to far more productive uses in other aspects of the study of life.

A very interesting anomaly is evident here. Biologists for the most part decry vitalism, vigorously denying that there is any sort of “vital energy” present in organic matter, energy of some radically different nature from the ordinary forms of physical energy. Such concepts as those of “creative evolution,” “orthogenesis,” “entelechy,” and the like are anathema to most life scientists.

It is contended that all organic processes must be explained in terms of chemistry and physics. This means that the basic

laws of chemistry and physics—notably the first and second laws of thermodynamics—must be as determinative in organic processes as they are in inorganic processes. These laws postulate quantitative stability and qualitative deterioration, rather than evolutionary growth and development. And this quite clearly indicates that evolution is invalid as a guiding principle in the study of biologic processes. Certainly there may be mechanisms of biologic change, but these changes must be fundamentally degradational in nature.

These facts had of course been previously set forth in Scripture. The essential identification of the physical substance of organic and inorganic matter is clearly indicated. The earth was to bring forth grass, herbs, and trees (Gen 1:11), as well as cattle and other living creatures (Gen 1:24; 2:19). Finally, man’s body itself was formed of the “dust of the earth” (Gen 2:7; 3:19). In other words, the elementary materials out of which the earth was made (which we now know to be the various chem...

You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
Click here to subscribe
visitor : : uid: ()