Evolution and revelation / by J.A. Fleming.

  • John Ambrose Fleming
Date:
[between 1900 and 1999]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Evolution and revelation / by J.A. Fleming. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    EVOLUTION AND REVELATION By Proressor J. A. Fiemine, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S. a can hardly be denied that in the last half-century, or even less, a very great change has taken place in the attitude of the public mind towards scientific speculations on the great problems of the beginnings of the material Universe, and the origin of the human race. At the earlier point of that period popular thought and opinions on these matters were very widely based on time-honoured interpretations of statements in the earlier chapters of the book of Genesis, and any attempt to modify them was esteemed impious and dangerous. _ At the present time the pendulum has swung to a large extent in the opposite direction. The immense practical achievements of scientific research and invention have given an authority and weight to scientific hypotheses and theories which is some- times in excess of that justified by ascertained facts. Popular expositions have familiarized most persons with the ideas covered by the term Evolution, but have not always been careful to point out where actual knowledge ends and speculation or hypothesis begin. At the same time, another influence has come into operation which has tended to weaken the authority of that ancient and revered literature we call the Bible, and that is the gradual diffusion of ideas regarding it which have resulted from a purely literary treatment commonly called the higher criticism. It is difficult to justify the term “ higher,” and some of it might perhaps more aptly be termed destructive criticism. It is unquestionable that the collection of Hebrew and Jewish writings collectively termed the Bible, and deeply felt by untold multitudes to be not solely the product of human intelligence, has exercised an inexpressibly great influence upon our race. There must be something very peculiar and unique about a collection of writings emanating from one small family of man- kind, which has made it possible and urgent to translate it into every language spoken on this earth, to circulate it by millions, and publish vast libraries of other books expounding it and enforc- ing its teaching. It is a literature which has caused the sacrifice of countless lives of the best of the human race in defence of the A
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