The Relation of Science and Religion.pdf - Online Christian Library

EXPERIENCE FROM PAST CONFLICTS. 69Dr. Draper gives often a misleading view ofthe relative positions of religion and science.A reference to Chapter VI. will afford illustration.The subject is, " Conflict Respectingthe Nature of the World." The two prominentcontrasts placed at the head of this chapterare these:-" Scriptural view of the world;the earth a flat surface: scientific view; theearth a globe.'' These are, indeed, completecontrasts; but the question is, Are they accuratelystated ? Is there any warrant for sayingthat Scripture teaches that the earth is aflat surface? Most Bible readers of the presentday will take this as quite a discovery.That there was long and earnest discussion ofthe question whether the earth was flat or aglobe, is certain. But it is erroneous to referto Scripture as the source of the f~rmer position.The opening of the chapter sufficientlydisposes of the suggestion. Dr. Draper says,-" An uncritical observation of the aspect ofnature persuades us that the earth is an extendedlevel surface which sustains the domeof the sky, a firmament dividing the watersabove from the waters beneath; that the heavenlybodies-the sun, the moon, the starspursuetheir way mo~ing from east to west,