"Genesis" and Geology

Author: C. C. Gillispie
Translator: Yang Jing
United States / USA
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-10-01
Features: This book is set against the backdrop of early British industrialization (1790—1850) and discusses the relationship between social thought, theological thought, and scientific development. It analyzes the numerous obstacles set by religion, which made the birth and development of geology a tortuous process. The author elaborates that before the publication of On the Origin of Species, scientific discoveries, particularly in geology, not only challenged the attitude of interpreting the Old Testament Genesis literally but, more importantly, challenged the traditional belief that the natural order was controlled by God.