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Concordia Theological Monthly

Publication Date

5-1-1953

Document Type

Article

Keywords

species, kind, animals, earth, creation, darwin, organisms, genesis, linnaeus, luther, moses, science

Submission Type

Bible Study; Lecture; Sermon Prep

Abstract

Some would estimate the number of species of animals to be about 1,073,000. Others say that there are about 3,000,000 species of animals. The wide range of difference between these two estimates is due to the diversity of opinion as to the concept "species." Since evolution is the background of modern biology, the term species is accordingly defined as an evolving group and net as an aggregation with set bounds and limits. Darwin's Origin of Species takes this view. Opposed to this view is that of the Bible, which speaks of natural groups of plants and animals and calls such a group min (Hebrew), "kind" (King James), Art (Luther), Gen. 1:11, 12, 21, 24, 25. The problem, then, may be stated thus: Either one may assign each living thing to a group called species, which gradually merges into other similar groups; or one may assign each organism to a group, a kind, which has strict boundaries and limits and which, because it has such sharp lines of demarcation, cannot be called a species as the term is now generally understood.

Disciplines

Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Scripture References in this Resource (separated by semi-colons)

Genesis 1:11-12, 21, 24-25; Genesis 5:2; Romans 8:20; Genesis 1:7-8; Genesis 7:11; Genesis 2:5-6; Genesis 8:22;

Submission Cost

Free

Submission Audience

Laity; Ministers; Scholars

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