The Evils of Copernicanism

Forget about the "evils of Darwinism"

Some creationists say the initial blame lies with the "evils of Copernicanism!

"Historians readily acknowledge that the Copernican Revolution [i.e., the idea that 'the earth moves and turns'] spawned the bloody French and Bolshevic revolutions... set the stage for the ancient Greek dogma of evolution...led to Marxism and Communism...It is reported that Marx even acknowledged his indebtedness to Copernicus, without whom Marx believed that his ideas would not have gained much acceptance...It is thus a small step to total rejection of the Bible and the precepts of morality and law taught therein."

- Gerardus Bouw, Ph.D., "Why Geocentricity?" -- an article that was in press and due to appear in the Baptist Bulletin, circa Sept. 1985. Bouw is leader of the Association of Biblical Astronomy, a group of creationist Christians who teach geocentrism. He is also the author of Geocentricity, a book that argues for a literal understanding of the geocentric passages in Scripture.

"Those who assert that 'the earth moves and turns'...[are] motivated by 'a spirit of bitterness, contradiction, and faultfinding;' possessed by the devil, they aimed 'to pervert the order of nature.'"

- John Calvin, sermon no. 8 on 1st Corinthians, 677, cited in John Calvin: A Sixteenth Century Portrait by William J. Bouwsma (Oxford Univ. Press, 1988), A. 72

The Genesis Institute Selling Geocentrism The Genesis Institute, founded by former Bible Science Association director, the Rev. Walter Lang, writes seeking member/subscribers and offering a list of creationist books for sale. The GI mailing stresses the new interest in geocentrism, contrary to the research of Copernicus, Galileo, and several other astronomers. "Right now we are promoting the book called Geocentricity, by Dr. Gerardus Bouw. We believe this is possibly the most in-depth study of the question so far produced. It is available from the Genesis Institute for $17 plus $2 for shipping and handling. There is also a video produced by Dr. Bouw back in 1990 that answers the questions brought up in connection with the debate of whether the Earth or space turn [sic]. This is $19.95 (+p&h)." The Institute sells a number of books and articles and even Bibles. Anyone interested can contact the Genesis Institute at 7232 Morgan Avenue South, Richland, MN 55423-2940.

"People gave ear to an upstart astrologer who strove to show that the earth revolves, not the heavens or the firmament, the sun and the moon. Whoever wishes to appear clever must devise some new system, which of all systems is of course the very best. This fool [or 'man'] wishes to reverse the entire science of astronomy; but sacred Scripture tells us that Joshua commanded the sun to stand still, and not the earth."

- Martin Luther, Table Talk

"The eyes are witnesses that the heavens revolve in the space of twenty-four hours. But certain men, either from the love of novelty, or to make a display of ingenuity, have concluded that the earth moves; and they maintain that neither the [stars] nor the sun revolves...Now, it is a want of honesty and decency to assert such notions publicly, and the example is pernicious. It is the part of a good mind to accept the truth as revealed by God and to acquiesce in it."

- Melanchthon, famous Protestant Reformer and one of Luther and Calvin's friends -- as cited on the Internet in Wayne Aiken's incredibly long and amusing collection of quotations, "Freethought Fortune Cookie".

"To assert that the earth revolves around the sun is as erroneous as to claim that Jesus Christ was not born of a virgin."

- Cardinal Bellarmine 1615, during the trial of Galileo (cited in Wayne Aiken's "Freethought Fortune Cookie".)

"The heavens revolve daily, and, immense as is their fabric, and inconceivable the rapidity of their revolutions, we experience no concussion -- no disturbance in the harmony of their motion. The sun, though varying its course every diurnal revolution, returns annually to the same point. The planets, in all their wandering, maintain their respective positions. How could the earth hang suspended in the air were it not upheld by God's hand? (Job 26:7) By what means could it [the earth] maintain itself unmoved, while the heavens above are in constant rapid motion, did not its Divine Maker fix and establish it? Accordingly the particle, ape, denoting emphasis, is introduced -- YEA, he hath established it."

- John Calvin, Commentary on the Book of Psalms, Psalm 93, verse 1, trans., James Anderson (Eerdman's, 1949), Vol. 4, p. 7

"I will give $1,000 to anyone who can prove to me that the earth moves."

- R. G. Elmendorf (1980), member of the Association of Biblical Astronomy, and of the Bible-Science Association (a group of young-earth creationists). Elmendorf also has a new book on "scientific geocentrism," titled, The Foucault Pendulum.

Yes, but how can you know for certain the Earth does not move, or, that the earth is only a couple thousand years old?

"The only way we can know for certain whether or not geocentricity is true would be to leave the universe, take a look around outside the universe, and then come back in to tell us what is really happening in that larger scope. Since God is infinitely greater than the universe, and so extends beyond the universe, what God says must present the ultimate case...

"God, in His Word, consistently teaches geocentricity."

- Gerardus Bouw, Ph.D., "why Geocentricity?" -- an article that was in press and due to appear in the Baptist Bulletin, circa Sept. 1985.

"I would not be a geocentrist if it were not for the Scriptures."

- Gerardus Bouw, Ph.D. (1984 Bible Science Conference)

"The only way we can determine the true age of the earth is for God to tell us what it is. And since He has told us, very plainly, in the Holy Scriptures that it is several thousand years in age, and no more, that ought to settle all basic questions of terrestrial chronology."

- Henry Morris, president of the Institute of Creation Research (cited in Wayne Aiken's "Freethought Fortune Cookie").

"I find every [Christian] sect, as far as reason will help them, make use of it gladly; and where it fails them, they cry out, it is a matter of [Biblical] faith, and above reason."

- John Locke