John Blakemore Dr.

Jonathan Henry Foundations of Ethics and Science 13 March 2012 A History of Chemistry Chemistry deals with the physical world of matter. The incredibly tiny atoms and molecules making up all matter are a powerful testimony to the great and benevolent power of God. Through its discover of atomic and molecular structure of matter, chemistry has revealed the power of God in a marvelous way, Chemistry of all sciences is one of the greatest testimonies to the preserving power of God. Ancient people knew much practical chemistry, but only in recent centuries have scientists begun to unravel basic secrets of the nature of matter. In the middle ages, the study of matter was not called chemistry, but alchemy. Though the alchemists did invent some of the laboratory equipment used today they came no closer to discovering the basic structure of matter than did the ancient Greeks. Modern chemistry developed in two major stages; the first due to results from the Reformation. The reformation placed high importance on Bible reading and therefore peoples desire to read the Bible led to the desire to be educated on other matters. The second stage in the development of chemistry was the Industrial Revolution. It is arguably an indirect result of the Reformation. As mentioned earlier the Reformation set emphasis on Bible reading. However the Bible also teaches about living wisely in this life. These patterns of life led to prosperity. Due to the effects of the Industrial Revolution ingenious inventors searched for ways to make to make thread and cloth by machine instead of by hand. In 1850 a chemist stumbled upon chemical

reactions for making a beautiful purple dye. Other chemists got to work producing other pigments. This was the prelude to modern chemistry. The search of pigments quickly expanded into a search for other luxuries that could be made inexpensively by chemical reactions. The 1900s were the first century in which animals were not the main transportation due to two factors: the development of gasoline and automobile engines designed to burn it. Even old fashioned cars were cleaner than horse and buggy transportation. Gasoline comes from petroleum, or crude oil. It was known through the ages that crude oil would burn. It was used for torches. In Bible Times people used olive oil or other oils and fuel for lanterns and indoor lighting. However crude oil cannot be used to power a car. Coming out of the ground petroleum is a black gummy liquid; it must be modified in an oil refinery. Kekule tried to work out the structure of certain organic molecules with no success until awakening suddenly one night from a gene realizing hed seen the structure of benzene, a six carbon atom linked in a ring. Chemists have also learned much in the past few decades about how DNA and RNA work. The Christians must remember that not every technological possibility is permissible according to the Bible. The opportunities offered due to advancements in technology should not rule our life. Yet for anyone who has misused technology and set it as an idol before God, there is always forgiveness for the sin and wrong acts we have committed.