The current KBT edition states that it was first published in 1899, but maybe some parts were released earlier? (I seem to recall that I once found a reference internally to "last year (18??)" - a prize for the first pereson to find it !).
I had heard that the main compiler was George Morrish (1819-1912) and his daughter Hannah (1848-1945), put together over about 10 years, with regular visits to museums and the British Library in London.
It should not be a surprise that young earth creationism does not feature as this is a relatively recent view, especially from the 1960s onwards.
Chapter Two advertises it thus: " Contributors include E. L. Bevir, J. N. Darby & J. A. Trench and other gifted men. Perhaps the single best volume to come from the Geo. Morrish publishing house apart from their Bible editions. No Bible reader’s library should be without it. Now also available in Russian." I understand that Edwin Cross was provided with some information by Everard Morrish many years ago.
With regard to the mention of "Creation Science" above. As pointed out, "young earth creationism" is something that has come about much more recently. J N Darby, William Kelly, F W Grant, and most leaders in the "Plymouth Brethren" held the "Gap Theory."
The Bible is not a science textbook. However, the theory of evolution is not only pressed by those who deny the very existence of God, but also is incompatible with the Bible's doctrine concerning man, especially in respect of his true constitution. Man, in the sense of Genesis 1 verse 27 and chapter 2 verse 7, is a moral and spiritual being consisting of body, soul, and spirit. Of this, man's tripartite nature, evolution takes no account.
The thing that concerns me is that "Creation Science" has become a belief system such that nowadays all are being compelled to accept it even though many of its explanations are hypotheses, suggested possibilities, and in some cases, scriptures are misapplied.
This does not mean that I force the "Gap Theory" on anyone but simply accept that the universe owes its existence to a Creator God. The early chapters of Genesis set the scene for the whole Bible, the heavens and the earth in terms of God's purpose with regard to men, but particularly in the Old Testament, Israel and the nations on earth.
I am not sufficiently knowledgeable on the subject to argue with "evolutionists" in an attempt to refute their reasoning, and convince them otherwise. I believe evolution to be wrong, and dangerously so, but anyone claiming that "evolution is only a theory" immediately proves their ignorance of the definition of the word "theory", thereby reducing their persuasive powers to zero. Nor will absurd notions help.
John
I mentioned something on "Creation Science" since alluded to in an earlier comment, though more was perhaps said than intended. I have no mind to into it in detail.
To press that the universe is 6000 years old is to put a stumbling block before many. The mathematical calculations based on scientific observations point to a very distant past. The Bible simply opens with the words, 'In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth' (Gen 1:1 KJV).
I said earlier that I do not force the "Gap Theory" and have reservations myself about some of the explanations given in its support.
In that known as "Creation Science" are theories too, possible explanations, but some seem little more than guesswork, that with which evolutionists are charged.
My chief concern is supposed scriptural evidence against "death of animals before sin" to be found in such verses as Romans 5 verse 12, chapter 6 verse 23, 1 Corinthians 15 verse 21, and 2 Timothy 1 verse 10. The first of these states, 'And so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.' This cannot be applied to animals! Justice meted out on sinning animals? "Upon all men" is what it says. As to the second, eternal life for animals? The third, the resurrection of animals? And the last, life and immortality for animals?
Genesis 1 must be understood as setting the scene for all that follows in terms of the Bible dealing with man (adam or anthropos) as a moral being, and importantly, as having a spiritual component.
We do not read about the creation of angels, but, as is the main point of the Bible, the creation of and God's purpose regarding man. The 'sons of God' - angels it is assumed - mentioned in Job 38 verses 4 to 7 were already in existence when the foundations of the earth were laid, and at a similar moment, the morning stars sang together for joy.
I think the brother who ran the "Christian school" wise, although he would not endorse the theory of evolution of course.
Enough said on this since my main reason for returning to the website today is to try and find out where I can obtain a copy of the book by J Reid about F W Grant to which Greg above refers. That said by Mr Samuel Ridout is rather interesting.
