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CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
OTHER CREATIONIST CHALLENGES
THE EARLY CHURCH GIANTS
Biblical readers might be interested in learning how the early leaders of the
church interpreted the Creation Story. It is believed that those early giants of the
faith, being historically closer to the actual events, held a greater understanding of
the Bible. Consequently, their interpretations would be superior to any of the
interpretations that are held with conviction today.
For the record, some of the early church leaders did believe that the
Creation Days spanned long periods of time, and not the strict twenty-four hours
that many Creationists embrace today. Modern scientific theories or discoveries
did not influence those early leaders.
Perhaps an account of the early Day-Age church leaders, and their rationale
for embracing such a conviction might prove informative. A point-by-point comparison
of their arguments and the arguments of today's 24-hour Day church leaders might
also be enlightening. However, I believe that such an account and such a comparison
would prove inconsequential.
The church leaders of yesteryear were men and women of tremendous courage
and faith. They shaped our understanding of science, philosophy, religion, and the
Bible. Their written words and legendary actions still provide us with comfort,
knowledge, wisdom, inspiration, and enlightenment today. But despite their faith and
prominent stature in the church, their beliefs were not always accurate.
Whenever plagues or war ravaged a country or continent, many outspoken religious
leaders would declare the end of the world to be near; many are still declaring it today.
The Second Coming of Jesus has been predicted countless times over the centuries. Even
the early disciples believed that His return was imminent, and the fall of the Roman Empire
was in the foreseeable future. Instead, Christians are still awaiting Jesus' return, and
the Roman Empire prospered, expanded, and survived for several additional centuries.
While great prophets have lived and died, and many were recognized by religious leaders
to be the Savior, the Jewish people are still awaiting their Messiah today.
At one time it was believed that the three continents of Europe, Africa, and
Asia - the only known continents at that time - were symbolic of the three Godheads of
the Holy Trinity. The discovery of additional continents proved that assumption to be
inaccurate. Renowned scholars once believed that the world was both flat and at the
center of the universe. They were mistaken. One of the most infamous examples of church
error was the historical debacle between Galileo and the Catholic Church. In time, Galileo
was proven to be correct.
The early church leaders possessed no greater understanding of the Bible than the
church leaders of today. The early giants also argued and debated the Scriptures with
great conviction and passion, and were just as divided in their contrasting interpretations.
At the times of their deaths, they too, departed this world still puzzled by the many
mysteries of the Bible, and the purpose and meaning of life itself.
We may turn to the written words and courageous lives of the early giants of
our faiths for guidance, knowledge, and inspiration. But we must remember that no man
and no woman has ever acquired all of the answers to the theological, philosophical, and
Biblical questions that are still debated today.
(These are selected paragraphs within this chapter. This is not the entire chapter.)
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