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This week in Christian history: ‘Like as the Hart’ written, Catholic Church abuse scandal, Anglican bishop born

By Michael Gryboski, Editor Twitter

James Ussher born – Jan. 4, 1581

James Ussher (1581-1656), an Anglican Church clergyman from Ireland who wrote up a biblical chronology that argued that the earth was created in 4004 BC. His work is still cited as authoritative by some in the modern Creationist movement.
James Ussher (1581-1656), an Anglican Church clergyman from Ireland who wrote up a biblical chronology that argued that the earth was created in 4004 BC. His work is still cited as authoritative by some in the modern Creationist movement. | Public Domain

This week marks the anniversary of when James Ussher, an Anglican prelate who famously concluded that the Earth was created in 4004 BC, was born in Dublin, Ireland.

Ussher was ordained in 1601, becoming bishop of Meath in 1621 and later archbishop of Armagh in 1625. He was also a professor and expert on the Old Testament.

His chronology placing the creation of the universe in 4004 BC, was widely accepted among the population up until the 19th century, according to Britannica.

In the modern day, some Creationist organizations like Answers in Genesis have defended the merit of Ussher’s conclusions, noting that he approached his work as a scholar.

“We have seen that Ussher had logical and historically valid reasons for arriving at the year, and even his proposed beginning date of creation. These were not wild guesses of some illiterate bishop counting on his fingers and toes,” wrote Larry Pierce in a piece for Answers in Genesis.  

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