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Evolution against the Ropes?
By William Van Zyl
Published October 2024
Several documentaries produced in the last couple of years show how the church became very concerned as science progressed in the previous 1800’s. During the 1800’s, the clergy met behind closed doors to discuss several threats to the church’s existence. Science made discoveries that shook the church. The Christian church was out of its depth. The church leaders were in damage control.
Behind closed doors, the clergy said things like:
“This discovery could have a very negative impact on believers and the church.”
“Science could impact our belief system and the validity of the Bible.”
However, there has been a significant shift from ‘Evolution’ to ‘Creation Theory’. The reason? The discovery of ‘Intelligent Design’ has delivered a few blows to evolution. The threat of scientific discovery back then has shifted the paradigm of many scientists to acknowledge intelligent design. Marvellous, intelligent design is now staring at us all.
Don’t miss the outstanding animated videos in this post: The Miraculous Microbiology and Nanoengineering will thoroughly entertain you!
I viewed three great documentaries which show how the clergy in the 1800s were out of their depth and did everything in their power to protect the church and its believers. As I have mentioned, there has been a shift. The tide turned. Scientists are now discussing how Intelligent Design fits into evolution.
I will allude to three pivotal events during the 1800s: deciphering hieroglyphs, a notorious telescope, and a tree sketch.
- Champollion: Deciphering the Hieroglyphs:
Champollion’s deciphering of Egyptian hieroglyphs (1822) was seen as a potential threat to the church because it opened up access to ancient Egyptian religious texts and beliefs that predated Christianity. His work, which allowed people to read the texts on temples, tombs, and monuments, revealed a complex and ancient religious system. This challenged certain church doctrines by suggesting that sophisticated religious beliefs, rituals, and ideas about the afterlife existed long before Christianity. As a result, some religious authorities were concerned that Champollion’s discoveries could weaken the church’s authority by introducing alternative historical and spiritual perspectives.
Hieroglyphs from the North: Champollion’s correspondence on the 190th anniversary of his decipherment. Images courtesy of the Natural History Society of Northumbria, the Great North Museum: Hancock.
- Leviathan of Parsonstown (the giant reflector telescope):
The Leviathan of Parsonstown, a massive 19th-century telescope (1845), posed a perceived threat to the church and Christian beliefs. It allowed for unprecedented observation of distant galaxies, challenging the traditional view of a fixed, Earth-centered universe. By revealing the vastness and complexity of the cosmos, it fueled scientific perspectives on the universe’s origin that could contradict biblical teachings. This led some church leaders to worry that such discoveries might encourage scepticism of scripture and diminish the authority of Christian cosmology.
Sectional view of the massive Telescope (Leviathan of Parsonstown). Credit: Sketch by the Author – W Van Zyl.
Full view of the telescope (Leviathan of Parsonstown). Credit: Sketch by the author – W Van Zyl.
IMAGE: Leviathan of Parsonstown. This coloured cotton wall hanging, titled Lord Rosse’s Great Reflecting Telescope, at Parsonstown, Ireland, depicts the Leviathan of Parsonstown, a monumental reflecting telescope erected at Birr Castle in Ireland. Each corner of the hanging has a brass eyelet for easy display, and the number “109” is printed in the lower left corner beneath a stamp from the Working Men’s Educational Union, located on King William Street, Trafalgar Square, London. This piece is one of nine astronomical-themed wall hangings in the National Maritime Museum’s collection, all produced by the Working Men’s Educational Union. Lithographically printed on cotton, likely to bypass paper duty, these hangings were visual aids in public lectures showcasing contemporary scientific discoveries. The Working Men’s Educational Union, a philanthropic organisation, sought to expand access to education for the working class. Its 1853 annual report lists wall hanging “109” as Lord Rosse’s Great Reflecting Telescope at Parsonstown, Ireland, priced at 1s 6d for subscribers and 2s for non-subscribers. The National Maritime Museum also houses a print of the Birr Castle telescope (catalogue number PAJ3506), further illustrating the renowned Leviathan of Parsonstown. CREDIT: Leviathan of Parsonstown. (2024, October 22). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leviathan_of_Parsonstown.
- Darwin’s Theories of Evolution: The Origin of Species
Darwin’s ‘Origin of Species’ (1859) threatened the church and Christian beliefs by introducing the theory of evolution through natural selection, which contradicted the biblical account of creation. By suggesting that species, including humans, evolved over millions of years rather than being created by God in a single act, Darwin’s work challenged the literal interpretation of Genesis. It raised questions about humanity’s place in creation, leading some religious leaders to fear the theory could undermine faith in scripture and the church’s teachings on divine purpose and human uniqueness.
NOTES: In mid-July 1837, Darwin started his “B” notebook on the Transmutation of Species and wrote “I think” above his first evolutionary tree on page 36. The Tree of Life or Universal Tree of Life is a metaphor, conceptual model, and research tool used to explore the evolution of life and describe the relationships between organisms, both living and extinct, as described in a famous passage in Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species (1859)
Credit: By Charles Darwin – http://www.english.uga.edu/nhilton/4890/darwin/DarwinTree.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1859229
Table of Contents
However, there has been a considerable shift over the past few years: ‘Intelligent Design’ has lifted its gentle boxing glove.
As knowledge is constantly increasing, we have experienced a shift. Science has revealed the most stunning discoveries—intelligent design to marvel about.
Non-believers and atheists cringe as new scientific discoveries are made. These discoveries are lifting them out of their comfort zones. Yes, you must have read it somewhere. Science reveals stunning facts about intelligent design. It shows an ‘Intelligent Designer’ who can not be ignored anymore. The revelation of the integration and embedding of these brilliant systems and structures in the world, on a micro and macro scale, as we know it, is stacking up.
Is Evolution against the ropes?
View these stunning animated videos: Microbiology and nanoengineering at their best!
For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139: 13. Berean Standard Bible.
Several creation websites and organisations now have a robust online and Christian television presence. I list a few websites with an image of the landing page under it.
Here’s a list of Christian Science and pro-creation organisations and facilities:
Christian Science Facilities and Organisations
- The First Church of Christ, Scientist (The Mother Church) – Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this is the central church and headquarters of the Christian Science denomination.
- Christian Science Reading Rooms – These are local, publicly accessible spaces associated with Christian Science churches worldwide, offering resources on the Bible and Christian Science teachings.
- The Christian Science Publishing Society – This Boston-based publishing arm produces Christian Science literature, including The Christian Science Monitor, a respected news publication.
- Christian Science Practitioner Services—Certified practitioners worldwide offer healing services based on prayer and Christian Science teachings.
- Christian Science Nursing Facilities—Christian Science has nursing facilities, such as the Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association in Massachusetts, which offers non-medical support and care aligned with Christian Science healing practices.
- Principia College and School—Located in Elsah, Illinois, Principia College and School offers an education based on Christian Science values for students from preschool through college.
Pro-creation (Creationist) Organisations and Research Facilities
- Answers in Genesis (AiG) – Known for its Creation Museum and Ark Encounter in Kentucky, AiG promotes Young Earth Creationism, emphasising a literal interpretation of the Bible’s Genesis account.
- Institute for Creation Research (ICR) – Based in Dallas, Texas, ICR conducts creationist research, publishes educational resources, and offers a Creation Science museum.
- Creation Research Society (CRS)—This organisation provides research grants and publishes the Creation Research Society Quarterly, which focuses on scientific research supporting creationism.
- The Discovery Institute (Center for Science and Culture) – Located in Seattle, Washington, the Discovery Institute is a major proponent of intelligent design, though not specifically religious. It argues for the idea of design in nature over evolutionary explanations.
- Creation Ministries International (CMI) – With offices in several countries, CMI publishes creationist resources, including Creation Magazine, and publishes public outreach to promote biblical creation.
- The Ark Encounter—Built by Answers in Genesis in Kentucky, this life-sized replica of Noah’s Ark is an educational attraction that promotes a literal interpretation of the biblical Flood narrative.
- Creation Science Evangelism (CSE) – Founded by Kent Hovind, CSE provides creationist resources and lectures that argue against evolution and promote Young Earth Creationism.
- Creation Museum – Located in Petersburg, Kentucky, and affiliated with AiG, the museum exhibits displays interpreting scientific evidence through a biblical creationist perspective.
9. Prophesy Watchers: Gary Stearman, television host, author, and pastor, serves as the CEO and host of Prophecy Watchers. Known for his passion for teaching the deeper insights of Bible prophecy, Gary offers a unique perspective on world events, making him a sought-after prophetic resource globally. His trusted voice, calming presence, and joyful spirit have earned him a special place among both his peers and his audience. In his latest book, Time Travelers of the Bible, Gary provides a comprehensive guide to the profound truths in God’s Word. Centred on the cross of Christ, the foresight of the Hebrew prophets, and God’s perfect timing, Gary elevates biblical understanding to new heights.
Link to website: https://prophecywatchers.com/
Conclusion:
These organisations, as shown, support a range of creationist perspectives, from Young Earth Creationism to intelligent design, offering education, research, and public engagement activities that align with their religious and scientific beliefs on creation.
Do you want to read more about intelligent design?
The article below has fantastic videos (simulations and more) of an intelligent designer – detailing intricate designs.
Link to the article: https://www.discovery.org/a/sixfold-evidence-for-intelligent-design/
Copyright © 2024 by William Van Zyl
Evolution against the Ropes?
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Published by Five House Publishing (New Zealand)
First Publishing, October, 2024
More eBooks and articles are available at https://fivehousepublishing.com/
More about the author at http://williamvanzyl.com/
