So close – and yet so far!

The title of this article was: "Analysis: Darwin vs. Genesis, a literary smackdown." The writer makes a comparison between the authority of the Bible vs. the unsure words of Darwin's book. The arguments presented were of the utmost significance.

Mr. Marche writes, "You can spot the difference in the quality of the writing from the very first lines of the respective books. The first line of Genesis – 'In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth' – is simply the best sentence ever composed: strong, active, concise, clear, complete and yet turgid with hidden depths."

And of Darwin he writes, "We have to wait for the next sentence to understand his subject (in newspaper-speak, this bad writing habit is called 'burying the lead.'): 'These facts seemed to me to throw some light on the origin of species – that mystery of mysteries, as it has been called by one of our greatest philosophers.' It's a perfect model for what not to do with a lead sentence. Not only does it contain a passive construction, it is also an issue of conditionals, stuffed with 'seemed to me,' 'some light,' and 'one of our greatest.' Its vagueness and weakness have real consequences, too."

He continues on with his comparison, which created in me a sense of joy. It's an absolutely fantastic idea to compare the two books, for they are both the basis of much heated debate over the years. The authority and power of the Bible is really phenomenal. Not only does it say within its pages that "your word is truth" (John 17:17) and that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17), but throughout the centuries, it's the only book that reveals in advance what will come to pass.

I was even happier to read up to the last paragraph where he comes to a wonderful conclusion: "And so we are forced to the conclusion that, in almost every respect, Genesis is a better book than The Origin of Species, in the purity and intensity of its style, in its recognition of human realities" (Ibid). And then, unfortunately, my heart sank to the bottom of the ocean, for Mr. Marche says: "It's just that Genesis is a pack of lies that has served the cause of bafflement for millennia, while The Origin of Species is true and has done more to liberate us from ignorance than any other book" (Ibid).

Ah! So close – and yet so far! This book that God provided for us to learn His way of life generates such contempt today because our age is one of lukewarmness, apathy, disdain for authority and other behaviours that are mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:1-7. But very soon these words of the Bible will come alive and people will then know that, "Your word is truth."

You can prove, as Mr. Marche could, if he would have the will and courage to do it, that the Bible is for real, by requesting our eye-opening booklet The Bible: Fact or Fiction? Prove the Bible for yourself!