For all that we can tell to the contrary, it would
seem probable that the materials of our solar system were called into
existence expressly for the position they are now occupying; and this
seems to be the plain import of the record in Genesis. Of one thing,
however, we can be certain,--these materials must at some time have been
called into existence by methods or ways that are no longer in operation
around us. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."
V
Some remarks are necessary here regarding the homogeneousness of matter,
or the idea that the various elements are composed of primordial units
which are themselves alike, mere duplicates of each other. If this
should prove to be really the case, as seems to be quite likely in the
light of the facts given above, would it not be a veritable triumph for
materialism? By no means. On the contrary, I think I can show in a very
few words not only that this homogeneousness of matter is the only
rational view of the composition of the material universe, but also
that it is the only view consistent with Christian Theism and with the
doctrine of Creation.
The theory of the atoms with their inherent and unchangeable properties,
which prevailed during the greater part of the nineteenth century,
naturally led us to look upon these properties as inherent in the things
themselves.
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