From: Joel Cannon (jcannon@jcannon.washjeff.edu)
Date: Thu May 29 2003 - 00:37:04 EDT
> From: douglas.hayworth@perbio.com
> Date: Wed, 23 Apr 2003 12:47:17 -0500
>
> Hello friends:
>
> Can anyone point me to a good reference that specifically addresses the
> creationist theological assertion that no scientific theory or theology can
> be valid if it allows for there to be physical death before the fall?
>
Augustine, the person who is commonly credited with first articulating
the doctrine of original sin, believed that there was death before the
fall. He expressed this conviction in his commentary, "On the Literal
Meaning of Genesis." (Davis A. Young, PSCF, 40.1:42-45 March 1988,
http://www.asa3.org/ASA/topics/Bible-Science/PSCF3-88Young.html)
Regarding the attribution of Augustine to the doctrine of "original
sin", I am slightly cautious. I heard it in a church history class
from a careful instructor, and have heard it elsewhere. However,
Augustine is also almost universally credited with being the
originator of Just War theory, when in fact, to the degree that his
many writings can be coherently systematized, he holds to something
quite different (see Christian Love and Just War: Moral Paradox and
Political Life in St. Augustine). Thus caution about his roll in the
idea of original sin may be wise.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joel W. Cannon | (724)223-6146
Physics Department | jcannon@washjeff.edu
Washington and Jefferson College |
Washington, PA 15301 |
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