Probing the depths of “Where did we come from” is challenging, but worth it. Ken Ham, Hugh Ross, Deborah Haarsma, and Stephen Meyer make separate cases for four different views. “Four Views on Creation, Evolution, and Intelligent Design” presents various views, and the editor J.B. Stump lets the experts present their evidence.
It’s easy to learn the Genesis story as a kid, read past it as an adult, teach it to the next
generation and never really peel back the layers to see what’s there. There is a challenging internal
conversation all Christians must have with themselves – either now or later. It’s hard to do the tough
work of reconciling Biblical truth and science, but for many it’s a necessary accounting. It might even be
uncomfortable challenging long held views. What if Biblical truths and science are incompatible? Does
that mean abandoning one or the other?
The Four Views
Young Earth Creationism by Ken Ham
Old Earth Creationism by Hugh Ross
Evolutionary Creation by Deborah Haarsma
Intelligent Design by Stephen Meyer
Each presents his or her best argument for how to reconcile creation, evolution and intelligent design.
Then each has a chance to rebut the others. It’s a fully exposed trial with much of the evidence, cross
examinations, and conclusions presented by experts on these subjects. In this approach, presentation
and rhetoric are much less persuasive than facts, which leave little room to hide.
Haarsma, for instance, challenges Ross on the scientific evidence supporting the order of creation
presented in Genesis 1 – specifically, she calls him out on fossil records – and then Ross offers a
rejoinder.
Main Issues
Astrology, biology, geology, DNA, fossil records, the luminosity of the sun, and various other subjects are
examined and cross-examined in search for truth. Additionally, the evolution of whales from land creatures to giant ocean dwellers receives attention,
the evidence, both strong and weak, for both macroevolution and microevolution is examined and how mutations occur in nature. A strong argument is that random selections should lead to dead ends if God did not guide it.
The book even contains a history lesson on the development of Darwinism and evolution, including why it still hangs around despite the theory’s many flaws. Moreover, it explains arguments from Meyer, for example, demonstrating the astonishingly impossible set of circumstances necessary for the correct combination of mutations to occur time and again to account for the origin of species.
We see from each contributor a “first mover” argument based on the fact that a living organism had to
have created the first living organism. Thus, God had to have been there in the beginning. Darwinism
could never account for the simple truth that inanimate objects can’t create life.
The imporbablility of the correct protein chains developing naturally, the Cambrian explosion, and
sudden increases in oxegen levels at just the right time, are each investigated through this study on the
orgins of human life.
Highly Recommended
The book is challenging, in a good way. The challenging part does not stop when the book is over, but
continues long after. Watch the review or read these books. You can purchase the book here.
It’s a hard book to curate, but J.B. Stump does well to just get out of the way and let the pros do what
they do – sometimes it’s harder than it looks.
