The consensus of scholarship has rejected the creation of the universe
in six days in 4004 B.C., science having proved the existence of the
world for millions of years. Higher Critics refuse to credit the book of
Genesis, according to the first chapter of which the trees, beasts and
fowls were created before man, but according to the second chapter after
man. It is not assuming too much for the humblest writer to say that
Moses was mistaken concerning many things he described in the
Pentateuch. It follows that if one important portion of the Bible is
untrustworthy, other parts of that same book may not be the infallible
Word of God. The New Testament, as well as the Old, may be examined
critically, and if the gospels contain numerous contradictions, the
statements of the authors on any point, including the life of Jesus, are
open to question. A conscientious person should reach conclusions based
upon the best knowledge obtainable from all sources.
If anyone is convinced that Jesus made mistakes, he is not necessarily
compelled to become an atheist. All other Gods that have been worshipped
by men have been found imperfect. The oft exposed errors of Jehovah do
not prevent Christians and Jews from professing belief in God. Those who
require support from outside themselves cling to the symbol of deity
though not thoroughly crediting any personality ever described in any
sacred scriptures. Except Jesus.
An Evolutionist passes beyond the negative denial of God to the
construction of a new philosophy in which Truth is his guide, Truth
being the nearest approximation to reality obtainable with our present
knowledge. Belief in the world as it is now, and as it is going to be,
is a sufficient creed.
_Faith in Jesus_
With Jesus entrenched in popular opinion, there is small probability
that faith in him will be shaken unless there is a preponderance of
evidence against his divinity. No one need abandon faith in Jesus until
convinced that something better has been found. No one should even
expose himself to heretical arguments unless he is a devotee of Truth.
Then only can he rejoice at a revelation of error in confidence that the
more nearly the universe is understood the better can man adjust himself
to his surroundings. A worshipper of Truth fears no destruction of false
gods, nor any facts that may cause him to throw over treasured
superstitions. He is willing to prove all things and hold fast to that
which is true. He rejoices when his idol is shattered, knowing that he
is approaching nearer to the true way of living, a way that Jesus did
not adequately explain.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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