Excerpt from Genesis and Near Science
History writing has its origin in the need of human sympathy. The first man that lived was an historian. We are not satisfied with our pleasures or achievements until we share our pleasure with others and make them acquainted with our deeds. In olden times wandering minstrels sang of heroes and their wonderful deeds.
It is supposed that the Iliad was first sung by minstrels who traveled over the country singing the deeds of their heroes.
But in all cases we want if possible to be certain of the literal truth of the history which interests us.
The child listens with rapture to the stories his father relates of his early life because he believes them to be literal accounts. If he did not, it would have no power to spur him to emulation. The youth imitates the older man because he believes in him. The youth is studying history.
In all cases he expects the literal truth; not symbolical accounts. Just so in the account of creation given in Genesis. The whole Bible claims to be a history of Gods dealings with the race, therefore we have a right to expect a literal statement in the first chapter as well as the last.
The book of Genesis is a chapter of world history, therefore while the account is brief the statements contained therein should be as literally true as in a complete history.
Creation
Since human life as well as all matter is eternal, then people of all ages have had the same urge to learn the past of our globe, and its first generation of animal life and plant life. Therefore we have the brief, concise account in the, first chapters of Genesis. Since the first generation of readers or hearers of this account had just as strong a claim on their Maker as the present, then we have a right to expect a truthful statement.
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