Scripture and Science Not at Variance; Or, the Historical Character and Plenary Inspiration of the Earlier Chapters of Genesis Unaffected by the Discoveries of Science

Scripture And Science Not At Variance; Or, The Historical Character And Plenary Inspiration Of The Earlier Chapters Of Genesis Unaffected By The Discoveries Of Science by John Henry Pratt. This work argues that the discoveries of science do not contradict Holy Scripture and that Scripture’s inspiration remains plenary, especially regarding the first eleven chapters of Genesis. In Part I, Pratt surveys historical cases where science seemed to conflict with Scripture (for example, interpretations of the Firmament, antipodes, the Earth’s motion) and shows that, as science advances, Scripture is clarified rather than contradicted, adopting language according to appearances rather than technical scientific terminology. In Part II he defends the historical character and plenary inspiration of Genesis chapters 1–11, contending that Jesus and the Apostles treated these chapters as historical documents and that their authority is supported by their use in the New Testament. He also engages contemporary debates on Earth’s age, the Deluge, and humanity’s origin, arguing for harmony, not discord, between faith and science.