The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-10-27


OF philosophy, by which twas held that
the universe is made visible manifes'
tation by evolution from God, Seven
centuries have passed since the great
Moorish philosopher, ALHAzEN, he who
was the first to trace the curvillnear path
of ray OF light through the
atmosphere, the first to determine
the upward limit Of that at
mosphere, the first to construct
a table Of specific gravities, propounded
and defended "the progressive develop
ment of animal FORMS" and upheld the
affirmation that "man in his progress
passes through definite succession OF
states" There can then be no danger
to Christian faith from this modern re-
viyal of scientific doctrine that dates
it's origin back tor seven hundred years.
Aud for Theology to join issue in con-
test on this question now can neither do
itself any credit nor Christianity any
good.
Ecclesiastical teachers have ever been
pone to array themselves in opposition
to new problems in Science. Ecclesias-
tical decisions on questions of Science
were once held to be final and irrevoca-
BILE. Upon such authority it has been
determined that the globe is fiat, and
not globe. The theory OF Columbus,
that the earth was round, was selemnly
reluted by the Theological Council OF
Salamanca from the Pentateuch, the
Psalms, the Prophets, the Gospels, the
Epistles and the writings Of the Fathers.
And yet, only thirty years later, Ma
gellan had demonstrated the ro-
tundity of the earth by actually
sailing around it. And thus, when
la theological dogma, founded
upon iufaAlbility, either of the Church
or of Revelation, comes to be mingled
with scientific problems, there is always
positive danger OF decisive solution in
conflict with infalIibility. 1t was so in
the case of CoPERNICUs, that eminent
Prussian, who gave his name to the sys-
tenn of planetary motions, and was
mathematical by the Church for his
anti-Biblioal doctrines. For teaching
the doctrine of the rotation of the earth,
BRUNO was put under theological ban,
and finally was burned at tthe stake as q
hereto.
For eight hundred years the flatness
of the earth was maintained upon the
authority of the geography Of the early
! fathers, and enforced by the theological
|argument of INDrCoPLEUsTEs that, il
1.-THE earth were round, the men on the
other side of the globe could not posi-.
bly, attend on the day of judgment!
! The teachings OF GALILEo met with no
better treatment at tue hands OF Theol-
4 ogy, on the grounds OF their supposed
conflict with the Scriptures, and their
tendency to the overthrow of Christi
anity.
The pulpit attacks upon the science
i of astronomy in former times, and upon
the science OF geology in more recent
days, have in no case redounded to the
credit OF Theology. And yet the most
learned Christian scholars and diVinei
are now using the truths derived from
Il those once mathematical sciences al
the strongest evidence of the truth o
Holy Writ.
/ And this is just what all true scienc,
has proved, and will forever prove, tt
be. Why then should there be uneasi
ness in theological circles and il
Christian minds arising from any sup
Iposed conflict between science ant
revelation? Science has been found tt
be the handmaid of revelation. 1t ha
in some cases compelled and in man.
leases led the Biblical student to
closer study of the Scriptures, ant
thereby shown q broader, brighter, NOR
convincing Interpretation of the sacret
4 volume than had ever before been made
These attacks, then, upon the doctrine
of men SO eminent in science as Pro-
HUXLEY may be mischievous to the yer,
causa thew are intended to serve,