Henry M. Morris

Henry M. Morris
Born	Henry Madison Morris October 6, 1918(1918-10-06) Dallas, Texas, USA
Died	February 25, 2006(2006-02-25) (aged 87) Santee, California
Cause of death	Stroke
Occupation	President of the Institute for Creation Research
Successor	John D. Morris
Religion	Independent Baptist
Children	John D. Morris, Henry Morris III

Henry Madison Morris (October 6, 1918 – February 25, 2006) was an American young earth creationist and Christian apologist. He was one of the founders of the Creation Research Society and the Institute for Creation Research. He is considered by many to be "the father of modern creation science."^[1] He wrote numerous creationist and devotional books, and made regular television and radio appearances.^{[not verified in body]}

Biography

Morris grew up in Texas in the 1920s and 1930s. He graduated from Rice University with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1939.^[2] He married Mary Louise on January 24, 1940, and they later had six children. After his graduation in 1939, and through 1942, he was a hydraulic engineer working with the International Boundary and Water Commission. He returned to Rice, teaching civil engineering from 1942 until 1946. In 1946 he wrote a short book entitled That You Might Believe (1946). From 1946 through 1951, he studied at the University of Minnesota, where he was awarded a master's degree in hydraulics (1948) and a Ph.D. in hydraulic engineering (1950). In 1951 he became a professor and chair of civil engineering at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

He then served as a professor of applied science at Southern Illinois University, 1956—1957, and subsequently as professor of hydraulic engineering and in civil engineering at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), again serving as the department chair. In 1963 Morris and nine others founded the Creation Research Society. After a dispute with the administration of the university^{[citation needed]}, Morris resigned from his position at Virginia Tech in 1969. In 1970, he co-founded the Christian Heritage College in Santee, California which spawned Institute for Creation Research (ICR) in 1972. His son, John D. Morris, took over the presidency of ICR when his father retired. On February 1, 2006, Morris suffered a minor stroke and was hospitalized. Morris was moved from the hospital to a rehabilitation facility near his son's home (and ICR) in Santee, California where he died.^[3]

Works and views

In 1961, Morris and John C. Whitcomb wrote The Genesis Flood, which advocated creationism and flood geology. In it he cited an influence by George McCready Price, a Seventh-day Adventist schoolteacher and defender of creationism in the early 20th century. This work sold more than 200,000 copies worldwide,^[4] While the greater bulk of his published writings address creation science and evolution themes, he had also written Many Infallible Proofs, and The Bible Has The Answer, which are both works of general Christian apologetics.

Morris received criticism from the scientific community for his philosophy of science, and his representation of evolution as a complete religious system has been called a straw man.^[5] In particular, Massimo Pigliucci criticized Morris' omission of material that interferes with his "mission" and "beliefs".^[6] Pigliucci also criticized Morris' interpretation of thermodynamics.^[7] Morris' position had also been the subject of debate among Evangelical scholars of the Old Testament and among Evangelicals working in various fields of science. Morris also strongly defended the use of the King James Bible.^[8]

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".^[9] Morris wrote in The Remarkable Birth of Planet Earth (1972) that the craters of the moon were caused by a cosmic battle between the forces of Satan and the armies of the archangel Michael.^{[citation needed]} 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".^[10]

His book Scientific Creationism (1974 and 1984), according to Herman Kirkpatrick, "is not very convincing evidence to support the recent creation of the earth".^[11] 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".^[12] Wheeler cited 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".^[5]

Morris' work with John C. Whitcomb, The Genesis Flood, has been criticized for taking quotes out of context and misquoting sources.^[13] 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."^[13] Geologist John G. Solum has criticized the work for being inaccurate.^[14] Solum noted "Whitcomb and Morris are mistaken about the nature of the rocks associated with thrust faults. Their claim about fossils is based on a YEC misunderstanding of how rocks are dated relative to each other, and how the geologic column was constructed."^[14] In fact Solum noted, "Morris' explanation of relative dating is not 'somewhat oversimplified' it is entirely incorrect."^[14]

In The Long War Against God: The History and Impact of the Creation/Evolution Conflict (1989) Morris wrote that "the denial of God – rejecting the reality of supernatural creation and the creator's sovereign rule of the world – has always been the root cause of every human problem."^[15] 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.^[16]

Books

• That You Might Believe, self published, 1946
• The Bible & Modern Science, Moody Press, Chicago, 1951
• (with co-author John C. Whitcomb) The Genesis Flood: The Biblical Record and Its Scientific Implications, Presbyterian & Reformed Publishing, Philadelphia, 1961. (ISBN 0-8010-6004-4)
• Applied Hydraulics in Engineering, Ronald Press, New York, 1963.
• Biblical Cosmology and Modern Science, Craig Press, Nutley, New Jersey, 1970. (ISBN 0-8010-5906-2)
• The Remarkable Birth of Planet Earth, Dimension Books, Minneapolis, 1972. (ISBN 0-87123-485-8)
• Many Infallible Proofs, Creation-Life Publishers, San Diego, 1974. (ISBN 0-89051-005-9)
• (ed) Scientific Creationism, Creation-Life Publishers, San Diego, 1974. (ISBN 0-89051-003-2)
• The Genesis Record, A scientific and devotional commentary on the book of beginnings, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, 1976. (ISBN 0-8010-6004-4)
• and Martin E. Clark, The Bible Has The Answer, revised edition, Creation-Life Publishers, San Diego, 1976. (ISBN 0-89051-018-0)
• and Duane Gish (eds) The Battle for Creation, Creation-Life Publishers, San Diego, 1976.
• The Scientific Case for Creation, Creation-Life Publishers, San Diego, 1977. (ISBN 0-89051-037-7)
• The Troubled Waters of Evolution, Creation-Life Publishers, San Diego, 1982. (ISBN 0-89051-087-3)
• and Donald H. Rohrer (eds) Creation, the cutting edge, Creation Life Publishers, San Diego, 1982.
• History of Modern Creationism, Master Books, San Diego, 1984. (ISBN 0-89051-102-0)
• and Gary E. Parker, What is Creation Science?, revised edition, Master Books, El Cajon, 1987. (ISBN 0-89051-081-4)
• The Long War Against God: the history and impact of the creation/evolution conflict, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, 1989. (ISBN 0-89051-291-4)
• Biblical Creationism, Master Books, Green forest, 2003. (ISBN 0-051-293-0)
• God and the Nations, Master Books, Green Forest, 2002. (ISBN 0-89051-389-9)
• The Biblical Basis for Modern Science, Master Books, Green Forest, 2002. (ISBN 0-89051-369-4)

References

1. ^ Schudel, Matt (March 5, 2006). "Obituary: Henry M. Morris, father of "creation science"". The Seattle Times. http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20060305&slug=morrisobit05. Retrieved 2008-01-09. 
2. ^ Looy, Mark (March 2, 2006). "In memoriam—Dr. Henry Morris, founder and president emeritus, Institute for Creation Research". Answers in Genesis. http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs2006/0302morris.asp. Retrieved 2007-01-19. 
3. ^ Williams, Jack (March 1, 2006). "Henry M. Morris, 87 Obituary". The San Diego Union-Tribune. http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060301/news_1m1morris.html. Retrieved 2006-12-11. 
4. ^ Numbers, R. (2006). The Creationists: From Scientific Creationism to Intelligent Design, Expanded Edition. Harvard University Press. ISBN 0674023390.
5. ^ ^{a b} Thomas Wheeler, "Scientific Creationism Review" in Reviews of Creationist Books ed Liz Rank Hughes, National Center for Science Education, 1992. page 97-100 ISBN 0939873524
6. ^ Massimo Pigliucci. Denying Evolution: Creationism, Scientism, and the Nature of Science. (Sinauer, 2002): ISBN 0878936599 page 46
7. ^ Massimo Pigliucci. Denying Evolution: Creationism, Scientism, and the Nature of Science. (Sinauer, 2002): ISBN 0878936599 page 194
8. ^ A Creationist's Defense of the King James Bible by Henry Morris
9. ^ T.E. Fenton, "Evolution & the Modern Christian Review" in Reviews of Creationist Books ed Liz Rank Hughes, National Center for Science Education, 1992. page 93 ISBN 0939873524
10. ^ David Vogel, "The Remarkable Birth of Planet Earth Review" in Reviews of Creationist Books ed Liz Rank Hughes, National Center for Science Education, 1992. page 108 ISBN 0939873524
11. ^ Herman Kirkpatrick, "Scientific Creationism Review" in Reviews of Creationist Books ed Liz Rank Hughes, National Center for Science Education, 1992. page 94 ISBN 0939873524
12. ^ Thomas Wheeler, "Scientific Creationism Review" in Reviews of Creationist Books ed Liz Rank Hughes, National Center for Science Education, 1992. page 102 ISBN 0939873524
13. ^ ^{a b} "Quotations and Misquotations:Classic example from The Genesis Flood". talk.origins. February 7, 2002. http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/quotes/#s2-1. Retrieved 2007-01-19. 
14. ^ ^{a b c} Solum, John (February 7, 2002). "Thrust faults". talk.origins. http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/lewis/#intro. Retrieved 2007-01-19. 
15. ^ Henry M. Morris, The Long War Against God: The History and Impact of the Creation/Evolution Conflict. Master Books, 1989 ISBN 0890512914 page 15 (Introduction online)
16. ^ "Racism and the Public's Perception of Evolution". National Center for Science Education. 1999. http://ncse.com/rncse/22/3/racism-publics-perception-evolution. Retrieved 2007-01-19. 

Further reading

• Ken Campbell, "Some Problems with Creation Science," St. Mark's Review 137 (Autumn 1989) pp. 12–19.
• Livingstone, David N., Darwin's Forgotten Defenders: The Encounter Between Evangelical Theology and Evolutionary Thought, William B. Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 1987.
• Moore, James R., The Post-Darwinian Controversies: A Study of the Protestant Struggle to Come to Terms with Darwin in Great Britain and America 1870-1900, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1979.
• Numbers, Ronald L., The Creationists: The Evolution of Scientific Creationism, University of California Press, Berkeley, 1993.
• Numbers, Ronald L., Darwinism Comes To America, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1998.
• Sarfati,Jonathan, "Refuting Evolution" CMI Australia.
• Stempien, R.; Coleman, S. (1985). "Processes of Persuasion: The Case of Creation Science". Review of Religious Research 27 (2): 169–177. JSTOR 3511671. 
• Strahler, Arthur, Science and Earth History: The Evolution/Creation Controversy, John Wiley, New York, 1987.
• Van de Fliert, J. R., "Fundamentalism and Fundamentals of Geology," International Reformed Review 32/33 (April 1968), pp. 5–27.
• Weinberger, Lael (2005). "The evolution of an idea". Journal of Creation (Creation Ministries International) (1): 43–5. http://creation.com/the-evolution-of-an-idea-journal-of-creation. 
• Young, Davis A. (1973). "Some Practical Geological Problems in the Application of the Mature Creation Doctrine". Westminster Theological Journal 35 (3): 268–80. http://www.galaxie.com/article/14285. 
• Young, Davis A. (1975). "Another Look at Mature Creationism". Westminster Theological Journal 37 (3): 384–9. http://www.galaxie.com/article/14331. 
• Youngblood, Ronald F. (ed) The Genesis Debate: Persistent Questions about Creation and the Flood, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, 1990.

External links

• Biography of Henry M. Morris, from University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law.
• Obituary of Henry M. Morris, from Answers in Genesis.

Persondata
Name	Morris, Henry Madison
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	October 6, 1918
Place of birth	Dallas, Texas, USA
Date of death	February 25, 2006
Place of death	Santee, California