Chapter Summary

The Judeo-Christian belief system, as set down in the Bible, was long seen as both a belief system and a source of literal knowledge. As scholars began looking more objectively at nature itself, however, their observations and the rational conclusions they drew from them showed clearly that knowledge of the heavens, the earth, and the earth’s inhabitants required the methods of science. As the scientific method was applied to the study of the earth, scientists gradually learned to give up their presuppositions.

Charles Darwin, adhering faithfully to the spirit of scientific methodology, was able to synthesize his observations and thoughts with those of many others to formulate a theory that made possible the work that has led to our modern knowledge of the nature and evolution of living things.

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