Henry M. Morris

Introduction

American young Earth creationist, Christian apologist and engineer Morris adhered to both biblical literalism and inerrancy.American young Earth creationist, Christian apologist and engineer Morris adhered to both biblical literalism and inerrancy.

Accordingly, he opposed the billions of years time scales of evolution, the age of the Earth and the age of the Universe.Accordingly, he opposed the billions of years time scales of evolution, the age of the Earth and the age of the Universe.

Morris's influential approach, while adopted widely by the modern creationist movement, continues to be rejected by the mainstream scientific community, as well as by old Earth creationists, intelligent design advocates and theistic evolutionists.Morris's influential approach, while adopted widely by the modern creationist movement, continues to be rejected by the mainstream scientific community, as well as by old Earth creationists, intelligent design advocates and theistic evolutionists.

Reception

Morris has been called "the father of modern creation science", It is a system Morris called "Scientific Creationism" that opposes the mainstream scientific community regarding the history of the earth and the universe.Morris has been called "the father of modern creation science", It is a system Morris called "Scientific Creationism" that opposes the mainstream scientific community regarding the history of the earth and the universe.

Morris found an audience among preachers and home school teachers all over the US, where 46% of the public holds some form of creationist belief.Morris found an audience among preachers and home school teachers all over the US, where 46% of the public holds some form of creationist belief.

Morris was the primary source for much of the argumentation used by young Earth creationists when rejecting primary ideas in mainstream science, from the expanding universe to plate tectonics to biological evolution to genetics.Morris was the primary source for much of the argumentation used by young Earth creationists when rejecting primary ideas in mainstream science, from the expanding universe to plate tectonics to biological evolution to genetics.

Morris's book, The Genesis Flood, coauthored by John C. Whitcomb, was very influential on modern creationist belief, and by the time of Morris's death, it was in its 44th printing and sold 250,000 English copies.Morris's book, The Genesis Flood, coauthored by John C. Whitcomb, was very influential on modern creationist belief, and by the time of Morris's death, it was in its 44th printing and sold 250,000 English copies.

In 1995, Morris completed The Defenders Study Bible which includes his scientific & theological notes accompanying the King James Version.In 1995, Morris completed The Defenders Study Bible which includes his scientific & theological notes accompanying the King James Version.

Just prior to his death in 2006 he completed a significant expansion of that work titled The New Defender's Study Bible.Just prior to his death in 2006 he completed a significant expansion of that work titled The New Defender's Study Bible.

In May 2012 The New Defenders Study Bible was updated and released as The Henry Morris Study Bible.In May 2012 The New Defenders Study Bible was updated and released as The Henry Morris Study Bible.

In addition, during his lifetime, Morris published eleven articles on hydraulics in technical journals as well as hundreds of other articles and booklets on Biblical or creationist topics.In addition, during his lifetime, Morris published eleven articles on hydraulics in technical journals as well as hundreds of other articles and booklets on Biblical or creationist topics.

In particular, Massimo Pigliucci criticized Morris' omission of material that interfered with his "mission" and "beliefs".In particular, Massimo Pigliucci criticized Morris' omission of material that interfered with his "mission" and "beliefs".

Pigliucci also criticized Morris' interpretation of thermodynamics.Pigliucci also criticized Morris' interpretation of thermodynamics.

In Evolution & the Modern Christian (1967), Morris hoped to "open the minds and hearts of young people to the true Biblical cosmology."In Evolution & the Modern Christian (1967), Morris hoped to "open the minds and hearts of young people to the true Biblical cosmology."

T. E. Fenton, Professor of Agronomy at Iowa State University, wrote "scientific value of the book is nil; the author selectively chooses the areas of science that he accepts and rejects other areas of accepted science".T. E. Fenton, Professor of Agronomy at Iowa State University, wrote "scientific value of the book is nil; the author selectively chooses the areas of science that he accepts and rejects other areas of accepted science".

David Vogel, Professor of Biology at Creighton University, reviewed the book explaining "his theology is shallow; his exegesis is maddening; his science is wrong; and he tops it off by offending millions of Bible believing Christians who also accept evolution".David Vogel, Professor of Biology at Creighton University, reviewed the book explaining "his theology is shallow; his exegesis is maddening; his science is wrong; and he tops it off by offending millions of Bible believing Christians who also accept evolution".

Morris' book Scientific Creationism (1974 and 1984), according to Herman Kirkpatrick, "is not very convincing evidence to support the recent creation of the earth".Morris' book Scientific Creationism (1974 and 1984), according to Herman Kirkpatrick, "is not very convincing evidence to support the recent creation of the earth".

Thomas Wheeler, Professor of biochemistry at University of Louisville, reviewed the second edition and concluded, "Scientific Creationism cannot be recommended for use in public school classes, or indeed anyone interested in learning science".Thomas Wheeler, Professor of biochemistry at University of Louisville, reviewed the second edition and concluded, "Scientific Creationism cannot be recommended for use in public school classes, or indeed anyone interested in learning science".

Wheeler cited what he claimed was Morris' misunderstanding of science, appeals to religious prejudice, misrepresentation of scientific knowledge, omission of opposing science, double standards in evidence, "absurd conclusions," inappropriate and misidentified sources, attacks on scientists, using discredited arguments, and "silly calculations".Wheeler cited what he claimed was Morris' misunderstanding of science, appeals to religious prejudice, misrepresentation of scientific knowledge, omission of opposing science, double standards in evidence, "absurd conclusions," inappropriate and misidentified sources, attacks on scientists, using discredited arguments, and "silly calculations".

For example, in one instance, a source which read "the sea which vanished so many million years ago" was quoted as "the sea which vanished so many years ago."For example, in one instance, a source which read "the sea which vanished so many million years ago" was quoted as "the sea which vanished so many years ago."

Solum said "Whitcomb and Morris are mistaken about the nature of the rocks associated with thrust faults.Solum said "Whitcomb and Morris are mistaken about the nature of the rocks associated with thrust faults.

Their claim about fossils is based on a Young Earth creationist misunderstanding of how rocks are dated relative to each other, and how the geologic column was constructed."Their claim about fossils is based on a Young Earth creationist misunderstanding of how rocks are dated relative to each other, and how the geologic column was constructed."

Morris was criticized by Randy Moore, of University of Minnesota, for writing in the book that "evolutionism" is satanic and responsible for racism, abortion, and a decline in morality.Morris was criticized by Randy Moore, of University of Minnesota, for writing in the book that "evolutionism" is satanic and responsible for racism, abortion, and a decline in morality.