Struggle of Knowledge and Faith

The Struggle of Knowledge in Faith

Darwinism Versus Creationism

Victor D. Hamilton

American Military University

Abstract

This paper examines the history and continued controversial viewpoints and steadfast positions on the origin and continued evolution of life. It further discusses the value of religious discipline to the moral thread of society against the importance of freethinking in the process of innovative contributions to our world. Darwin’s principles shed a light into not just the history of mankind, but to life in general. His work has changed the world and continues to inspire those to do the same.

Keywords: intelligent design; natural selection

The Struggle of Knowledge in Faith: Darwinism Versus Creationism.

In the grand scheme of self-awareness, Charles Darwin is considered an icon. Among the great free thinkers that have risked becoming pariahs in the face of devoting themselves to explaining the unexplained, Darwin stands among the greats. Aristotle, Galileo, Descartes, all shunned the preconceived notions of divine solidarity to discover proven truth. Darwin, himself a self-described atheist, found his passion in the separating religious obligation from scientific principle. Darwin’s studies were taken as a direct assault against the very core of the Christian faith, which up to that time had a powerful monopoly on the explanation of life. Though his career defining work, On the Origin of Species, was published over one hundred and fifty years ago, it continues to be an impassioned, polarizing debate.

Controversy aside, Darwinism is a basic concept. Consider life as a river, pulled by gravity, from north to south. Then add obstacles to life, such as lack of food, disease, and climate change, for example. Theses examples would be represented by deviations in land formations, such as hills, mountains, valleys, and depressions. If the river doesn’t stop, it adapts and...