The Bible, Science, and Age of the Earth

I—The Relation of the Bible to Other Sources

In preparation for this study, Spirit of Prophecy counsels especially relating to education have been read and analyzed. Another important source of study has been Ellen White’s first statement on science and the Bible titled, ‘Disguised Infidelity.’ It is especially significant because of its reference to vision. Penned just five years after the appearance of Darwin’s Origin of Species, it can be traced through four dates of publication: Spiritual Gifts, Volume 3 (1864), The Spirit of Prophecy, Volume 1 (1870), The Signs of the Times, March 20, 1879, and Patriarchs and Prophets (1890). The first three are virtually identical, while the last represents a revision and expansion. BSAE 2.5

Four major streams of thought regarding the Bible and science emerge as points of emphasis by Ellen White. These are: (1) The Bible is reliable history; (2) The Bible is greater than science; (3) Cautions regarding theory and speculation, and (4) True higher education. We begin by considering these four areas. BSAE 2.6

1. The Bible is Reliable History BSAE 2.7

Ellen White supports Bible history strongly. She points out that ‘the weekly cycle of seven literal days ... has been preserved and brought down through Bible history,’ and ‘originated in the great facts of the first seven days.’ Speaking plainly about geology and the Bible she says: ‘Without Bible history, geology can prove nothing’ (Spiritual Gifts 3:90, 93). Then she says: BSAE 2.8

It may be innocent to conjecture beyond Bible history, if our suppositions do not contradict the facts found in the sacred Scriptures. But when men leave the Word of God in regard to the history of creation, and seek to account for God’s creative works upon natural principles, they are upon a boundless ocean of uncertainty (Ibid).

She tells us that ‘inspiration, in giving us the history of the flood has explained wonderful mysteries, that geology, independent of inspiration, never could.’ We are warned that ‘in the last days,’ ‘upon the merest pretense, the Word of God will be considered unreliable, while human reasoning will be received, though it be in opposition to plain Scripture facts.’ She reminds us that God designed that the discovery of bones of men, beasts, and trees in the earth ‘should establish the faith of men in inspired history’ (Spiritual Gifts 3:94, 95). BSAE 2.9

The prophetic messenger also emphasizes the quality of Bible history. It is referred to as a ‘record of creation in its purity’ and ‘an authentic account of the creation of the world.’ The Bible is characterized as ‘the most ancient’ and ‘comprehensive history that men possess,’ and ‘an authentic account of our race.’ It is called ‘sacred history’ and ‘wonderful.’ ‘Without it,’ she says, ‘we should have been left to conjecture and fable in regard to the occurrences of the remote past.’ Also, ‘The lessons of Bible history should be kept before the youth in our schools’ (Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 13, 52, 427, 428, 421, 453). BSAE 2.10

Ellen White says that the Bible is a more important study than ‘the sciences and histories of the world.’ She warns against ‘false educators’ who make it easy for students to ‘choose false paths, and to doubt the reliability of both the Old and New Testament records and history.’ She characterizes the Bible as ‘the most wonderful of all histories’ because it is the ‘production of God’ and not man. She speaks of ‘the grand truths of sacred history’ as possessing ‘amazing strength and beauty ... as far-reaching as eternity.’ Speaking to students she asks the question: ‘What other book presents to students more ennobling science, more wonderful history?’ Bible history is presented as ‘superior’ to uninspired history (Fundamentals of Christian Education, 130, 329, 377, 393, 395). BSAE 3.1

Ellen White often pictures geology as in contradiction with a ‘literal interpretation of the Mosaic record of the creation’ with its insistence that ‘millions of years’ were needed to bring the earth from chaos to its present condition. To ‘accommodate the Bible to this supposed revelation of science’ the days of creation are said to be thousands or millions of years in length. She flatly states: ‘Such a conclusion is wholly uncalled for.’ With the deductions and theories of science in conflict and changing, only ‘Bible history,’ she says, ‘furnishes ample explanation’ (Education, 125, 129). BSAE 3.2

One of her most basic statements on Bible history follows: BSAE 3.3

The Bible is the most ancient and the most comprehensive history men possess. It came fresh from the fountain of eternal truth, and throughout the ages a divine hand has preserved its purity. It lights up the far-distant past where human research in vain seeks to penetrate. In God’s Word alone do we behold the power that laid the foundations of the earth and that stretched out the heavens. Here only do we find an authentic account of the origin of nations. Here only is given a history of our race unsullied by human pride or prejudice (Education, 173).

Ellen White says that ‘the Bible reveals the true philosophy of history.’ She says that from ‘the vantage ground of God’s word’ students are given a view of history, but also ‘the principles that govern the course of human events’ (Education, 193, 304). The Bible is pictured as drawing aside the curtain on a stage where we can ‘behold, above, behind, and through all the play and counterplay of human interest and power and passion, the agencies of the All-merciful One, silently, patiently working out the counsels of His own will’ (Prophets and Kings, 499, 500). Her writing of the controversy between Christ and Satan was considered to serve the same purpose. Note her comments from the introduction to The Great Controversy: BSAE 3.4

It is not so much the object of this book to present new truths concerning the struggles of former times, as to bring out facts and principles which have a bearing on coming events... To unfold the scenes of the great controversy between truth and error, to reveal the wiles of Satan, and the means by which he may be successfully resisted; to present a satisfactory solution of the great problem of evil, shedding such a light upon the origin and final disposition of sin as to make fully manifest the justice and benevolence of God in all His dealings with His creatures; and to show the holy, unchanging nature of His law, is the object of this book (GC xii).

Note two final statements on the reliability of the Bible: BSAE 4.1

The greatest minds, if not guided by the word of God in their research, become bewildered in their attempts to trace the relations of science and revelation. Because the Creator and His words are so far beyond their comprehension that they are unable to explain them by natural laws, they regard Bible history as unreliable. Those who doubt the reliability of the records of the Old and New Testament, will be led to go a step further, and doubt the existence of God; and then, having lost their anchor, they are left to beat about upon the rocks of infidelity (Patriarchs and Prophets, 113).

We are dependent on the Bible for a knowledge of the early history of our world, of the creation of man, and of his fall. Remove the Word of God, and what can we expect than to be left to fables and conjectures, and to that enfeebling of the intellect which is the sure result of entertaining error. We need the authentic history of the origin of the earth, of the fall of the covering cherub, and of the introduction of sin into our world. Without the Bible, we should be bewildered by false theories. The mind would be subjected to the tyranny of superstition and falsehood. But having in our possession an authentic history of the beginning of our world, we need not hamper ourselves with human conjecture and unreliable theories (Medical Ministry, 89).

Bible history is clearly characterized as superior and trustworthy. BSAE 4.2

2. The Bible is Greater than Science. BSAE 4.3

A second area of strong emphasis in the Spirit of Prophecy is the relative authority of the Bible and science. She says ‘the Bible is not to be tested by men’s ideas of science, but science is to be brought to the test of the unerring standard.’ It is clear, however, that science is an important partner to the Bible in our search for truth. ‘True science contributes fresh evidences of the wisdom and power of God. Rightly understood, science and the written word agree, and each sheds light on the other.’ Or put another way: ‘Nature is now marred and defiled by sin,’ but ‘even now, rightly studied and interpreted, she speaks of her Creator.’ Or as follows: ‘Nature is full of lessons of the love of God. Rightly understood, these lessons lead to the Creator’ (Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 475, 426, 186, 188). Note those words ‘rightly understood.’ BSAE 4.4

We are warned against ‘burying the truth’ of Scripture beneath ‘the supposed knowledge of science.’ The Bible is called a ‘greater and certain wisdom.’ Again, ‘Heavenly things are superior to the things of earth.’ There is a warning ‘not to take your ideas to the Bible, and make your opinions a center around which truth is to revolve.’ We are told not to ‘rein up the Word of God before a finite tribunal’ and pronounce sentence upon the inspiration of God making it appear ‘as a thing uncertain before the records of science.’ Students are cautioned not to ‘exalt the sciences above the God of science’ (Fundamentals of Christian Education, 130, 181, 182, 308, 328, 329). BSAE 4.5

The prophetic voice tells us that even though ‘science is ever discovering new wonders’ that ‘she brings from her research nothing that rightly understood conflicts with divine revelation.’ Further, ‘The Bible record is in harmony with itself and with the teachings of nature.’ Also, ‘To man’s unaided reason, nature’s teaching cannot but be contradictory and disappointing. Only in the light of revelation can it be read aright’ (Education, 129, 134). BSAE 5.1

It is stated that ‘God is the foundation of everything. All true science is in harmony with His works.’ Also, ‘those who take the written word as their counselor will find in science an aid to understand God’ (Patriarchs and Prophets, 115, 116). We are reminded that ‘in true science there can be nothing contrary to the teaching of the Word of God, for both have the same Author’ (Testimonies for the Church 8:258). BSAE 5.2

Ellen White issues the following challenge to all Adventists: BSAE 5.3

If all would make the Bible their study, we would see a people who were better developed, who were capable of thinking more deeply, who would manifest greater intelligence than those who have earnestly studied apart from the Bible the sciences and histories of the world (The Signs of the Times, June 30, 1893).

Human reasoning, science, and learning must always be placed second to the revealed word of God. Even to put the human on the same level of importance with the divine tends to make the human of greater importance. Note the following clear statements: BSAE 5.4

Science, so-called, human reasoning and poetry, cannot be passed on as of equal authority with revelation; but it is Satan’s studied purpose to exalt the maxims, traditions, and inventions of men to an equal authority with the Word of God; and, having accomplished this, to exalt the words of man to the place of supremacy (The Review and Herald, November 20, 1894).

Men who imagine themselves endowed with mental powers of so high an order that they can find an explanation of all the ways and works of God, are seeking to exalt human wisdom to an equality with the divine and to glorify man as God. They are only repeating that which Satan declared to Eve in Eden: ‘Ye shall be as gods.’ Satan fell because of his ambition to be equal with God. He desired to enter into the divine counsels and purposes, from which he was excluded by his own inability, as a created being, to comprehend the wisdom of the infinite One. It was this ambitious pride that led to his rebellion, and by the same means he seeks to cause the ruin of man (Testimonies for the Church 5:702).

It was implicit faith in God that made Moses what he was. According to all that the Lord commanded him, so he did. All the learning of the wise men could not make Moses a channel through which the Lord could work until he lost his self-confidence, realized his own helplessness, and put his trust in God; until he was willing to obey God’s commands, whether they seemed to his human reason to be right or not (Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 408).

It is clear that Ellen White saw the Scriptures as always taking precedence over science. But also, that science ‘rightly understood’ is an important ally to the Bible. BSAE 6.1

3. Cautions Regarding Theory and Speculation BSAE 6.2

A third emphasis made often by Ellen White is that human theory is always to be subject to Scripture authority. Human theory is not always treated in flattering terms in the Spirit of Prophecy. Some terms used: ‘suppositions’ (Spiritual Gifts 3:95); ‘vain reasoning’ (Spiritual Gifts 3:96); ‘abstract theories’ (Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 34); ‘philosophical speculation’ (Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 377); ‘sophistry’ (Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 390); ‘opinions’ (Fundamentals of Christian Education, 182); ‘supposed deductions’ (Education, 130); ‘men’s ideas’ (Patriarchs and Prophets, 114); ‘superstitious inventions, unscriptural theories’ (The Signs of the Times, February 6, 1893); and ‘human conjecture and unreliable theories’ (The Review and Herald, November 10, 1904). All of these are to be in subjection to the written word. BSAE 6.3

There are a few difficulties that demand a closer look. BSAE 6.4

When in difficulty, philosophers and men of science try to satisfy their minds without appealing to God. They ventilate their philosophy in regard to the heavens and the earth, accounting for plagues, pestilences, epidemics, earthquakes and famines by their supposed science. Questions relating to creation and providence they attempt to solve by saying, This is a law of nature (Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 44). BSAE 6.5

Still another danger: BSAE 6.6

In the schools of today the conclusions that learned men have reached as the result of their scientific investigations are carefully taught and fully explained; while the impression is distinctly given that if these learned men are correct, the Bible cannot be (Testimonies for the Church 8:305).

Another problem that faces the believer of the Bible record of creation is ‘a constant effort made to explain the work of creation as the result of natural causes.’ We are warned that ‘it may be innocent to speculate beyond what God’s word has revealed, if our theories do not contradict facts found in the Scriptures’ (Patriarchs and Prophets, 113). BSAE 6.7

In this area, too, the Scriptures come out first. BSAE 6.8

4. True Higher Education BSAE 6.9

The fourth major point Ellen White makes in her study of revelation and science is to define true higher education. She says ‘true higher education’ is ‘that which is received by sitting at the feet of Jesus and learning of Him’ (Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 252). ‘Only as the higher life is brought to view, as shown in the teachings of Christ, can learning and instruction rightly be called higher education’ (Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 375). ‘Spiritual eyesight is required to understand what the true higher education is. It is the education gained by searching the Scriptures... There can be no higher education than that which comes from the Author of truth. The Word of God is to be our study’ (The Review and Herald, July 3, 1900). BSAE 6.10

The Scriptures also speak of the relative value of secular knowledge and spiritual understanding. Paul, one of the most skilled and educated writers of the Bible, commented on this point frequently: BSAE 7.1

If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God (1 Corinthians 3:18, 19).

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God (Hebrews 3:12).

Now we see only puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we shall see face to face. My knowledge now is partial; then it will be whole, like God’s knowledge of me (1 Corinthians 13:12 NEB).

This is the Spirit that we have received from God, and not the spirit of the world, so that we may know all that God of His own grace gives us; and, because we are interpreting spiritual truths to those who have the Spirit, we speak of these gifts of God in words found for us not by our human wisdom but by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:12, 13 NEB).

Like the Bible writers, Ellen White supports the training of our minds to their highest capacities. Some comments: BSAE 7.2

It is right for the youth to feel that they must reach the highest development of their mental powers (Testimonies for the Church 8:311).

Cultivated intellect is now needed in the cause of God, for novices cannot do the work acceptably (Testimonies for the Church 4:426).

Reach to the highest point of intellectual greatness (Fundamentals of Christian Education, 48).

God would have us avail ourselves of every means of cultivating and strengthening our intellectual powers (Fundamentals of Christian Education, 165).

The intellect is to be kept thoroughly awake with new, earnest, whole hearted work (Fundamentals of Christian Education, 227).

Truth is best appreciated by an intellectual Christian (Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 361).

Concerning the teaching of science in our first college she wrote in 1880: BSAE 7.3

God designs that the college at Battle Creek shall reach a higher standard of intellectual and moral culture than any other institution of the kind in our land. The youth should be taught the importance of cultivating their physical, mental, and moral powers, that they may not only reach the highest attainments in science, but, through a knowledge of God, may be educated to glorify Him (Testimonies for the Church 4:425).

Speaking directly again to the study of science she said: BSAE 8.1

A knowledge of all kinds is power, and it is the purpose of God that advanced science shall be taught in our schools as a preparation for the work that is to precede the closing scenes of earth’s history (Fundamentals of Christian Education, 186).

She says further: BSAE 8.2

It is right that you should feel that you must climb the highest round of the educational ladder (Fundamentals of Christian Education, 192).

To prospective teachers she writes: BSAE 8.3

Each student should feel that, under God, he is to have special training, individual culture; and he should realize that the Lord requires of him to make all of himself that he possibly can, that he may teach others also (Fundamentals of Christian Education, 373).

But some cautions in the pursuit of knowledge are issued: BSAE 8.4

Unless the knowledge of science is a stepping stone to the attainment of the highest purposes, it is worthless (Fundamentals of Christian Education, 192).

All who engage in the acquisition of knowledge should aim to reach the highest round of progress. Let them advance as fast and as far as they can; let their field of study be as broad as their powers can compass, making God their wisdom, clinging to Him, who is infinite in knowledge (Fundamentals of Christian Education, 375).

Priorities are clearly spelled out: BSAE 8.5

True education does not ignore the value of scientific knowledge or literary acquirements; but above information it values power; above power, goodness; above intellectual acquirements, character (Education, 225).

But there is another consideration that should alarm us. It is the pursuit of forbidden knowledge. There is no question that God has opened up great opportunities for us to learn, but there are certain limitations as well. Some knowledge is related to the fall of man in Eden. Satan’s temptation at the tree of knowledge is still going on. There is a curiosity about that which God has not revealed. Satan is ‘seeking to excite a spirit of irreverent curiosity, a restless, inquisitive desire’ for ‘the secrets of divine wisdom and power.’ In such pursuits many overlook ‘the truths which He [God] has revealed, and which are essential to salvation’ (Patriarchs and Prophets, 54, 55). BSAE 8.6

Speaking of when Christ was on the earth in person, Ellen White uses the tree of knowledge and the tree of life in Eden to make an important point: BSAE 9.1

He [Christ] could have presented to men a tree of knowledge from which they might have plucked from age to age; but this work was not essential to their soul’s salvation, and the knowledge of the character of God was necessary to their eternal interests... Jesus, the Lord of life and glory, came to plant the tree of life for the human family, and to invite the members of a fallen race to eat and be satisfied (The Signs of the Times, May 1, 1893).

In the four areas of emphasis just considered there is a common conclusion. When comparing history, science, theory, or education with the Scriptures, the Bible always takes first place. BSAE 9.2