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of Spirit; but it is the false history in contradistinction
to the true.
(The two records)
The Science of the first record proves the falsity of
the second. If one is true, the other is false, for they are
antagonistic. The first record assigns all
might and government to God, and endows
man out of God's perfection and power. The second
record chronicles man as mutable and mortal, - as having
broken away from Deity and as revolving in an orbit
of his own. Existence, separate from divinity, Science
explains as impossible.
This second record unmistakably gives the history of
error in its externalized forms, called life and intelligence
in matter. It records pantheism, opposed to the
supremacy of divine Spirit; but this state of things is
declared to be temporary and this man to be mortal, -
dust returning to dust.
(Erroneous representation)
In this erroneous theory, matter takes the place of Spirit.
Matter is represented as the life-giving principle of the
earth. Spirit is represented as entering matter
in order to create man. God's glowing
denunciations of man when not found in His
image, the likeness of Spirit, convince reason and coincide
with revelation in declaring this material creation false.
(Hypothetical reversal)
This latter part of the second chapter of Genesis, which
portrays Spirit as supposedly cooperating with matter in
constructing the universe, is based on some
hypothesis of error, for the Scripture just preceding
declares God's work to be finished. Does Life,
Truth, and Love produce death, error, and hatred? Does
the creator condemn His own creation? Does the unerring
Principle of divine law change or repent? It cannot
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