THE GENESIS FLOOD IN PRE-DARWINIAN AMERICAN GEOLOGY : THE CASE OF EDWARD HITCHCOCK

The evolving interpretations of the Genesis Flood in pre-Darwinian 19C American geology as illustrated in the life and career of Edward Hitchcock (1793-1864).

The encounters of religious faith and scientific endeavor are often portrayed as interactions and struggles between camps, so to speak, or parties or interest groups. But sometimes the encounter takes place within the mind of a single thinker, where the ideas wrestle with one another in an effort to form an integrated whole. This has always been difficult in a context of change, but especially so in an environment of rapidly expanding scientific knowledge and changing theory.

Edward Hitchcock's various roles as pastor, professor of chemistry and geology, Amherst College president, published field geologist (headed first state geological survey in US - Massachusetts, 1830-1833) and nationally recognized professional (first president of the Association of American Geologists and Naturalists,1842; this organization becomes the AAAS in 1848) position him as a classic indicator this historically interesting geological and theological question: are there geological marks of the Genesis Flood visible on the earth?

From the 1820s to the 1840s, Hitchcock's use of new scientific information and an accommodationist approach to faith-and-science issues are exemplified by his employment of four (4) successive geological interpretations and models of the Genesis Flood during his career, each designed to be as faithful as possible both to the biblical text and the rapidly changing developments in geology in mid-19C America.

So the historical question becomes: did Hitchcock succeed in his efforts to keep faith and science in harmony? If so, at what cost? If not, why not?