Recommended Reading

Monthly Book Reviews

Monthly book reviews by various authors.

 

For those who might wish to read further in the topics dealt with in this special issue on geoscience, the Recommended Reading page this month carries the following annotated list of selected references on topics related to creationism. The list has been prepared by Geoscience Research Institute members R. H. Brown, K. Ching, R. D. Tkachuck, and C. L. Webster. A more comprehensive listing may be obtained by writing directly to the Geoscience Research Institute, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California 92350.

Please note: Neither the Geoscience Research Institute nor MINISTRY distributes these reference materials. Each item must be obtained from the individual publisher.

Articles

Brooks, C., D. E. James, and S. R. Hart. 1976. "Ancient lithosphere: its role in young continental volcanism," Science, 193:1086-1094- Abundant and firm evidence that radiometric ages of volcanic rocks may reflect the characteristics of the source material rather than the time of the volcanic event that placed them in their present position.

Shea, William H. 1978. "The unity of the Creation account," Origins, 5(l):9-38. Evidence indicating that Genesis 1 and 2 are complementary halves of a unified Creation account.

Books

Eldredge, Niles. 1982. The Monkey Business: A Scientist Looks at Creationism. Pocket Books, New York. 157 pages. An unfavorable critique of the claims of "scientific creationism" from an evolutionist's perspective. Several chapters contain a very good overview of Darwinian history to the present.

Kung, Hans. 1981. Does God Exist? An Answer for Today. Random House, New York. 839 pages. A liberal Catholic theologian discusses philosophical trends along with their proponents (for example, Descartes, Hegel, Nietzsche, Marx, and Freud) through out history that have contributed to the rise of modem atheism and that lead logically to nihilism. He shows that, while scientific proofs for God are not possible, it is possible to believe in God, and that this belief in God, especially the Christian God, provides a more rational way of life than do the alternatives. There is a danger that the reader will become bogged down in the terminology and the sheer volume of words.

Little, Paul E. 1968. Know Why You Believe. Revised edition. Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois. 110 pages. Brief answers to some of the major questions and objections raised against Christianity. The first seven chapters are directed toward bases for belief in God and in the Bible. Further chapters answer questions of God's actions in this world, that is, miracles, science and religion, and the existence of suffering and evil.

McDowell, Josh, and Don Stewart. 1981. Reasons Why Skeptics Ought to Consider Christianity. Here's Life Publishers, Inc., San Bernardino, California. 249 pages. Discusses theories of inspiration and interpretation of the Bible, different versions, and questions about the Noachian flood and the ark. Especially pages 93-220 discuss objections and questions commonly raised by evolutionists as reasons to deny Creation, such as geodating methods and the problem of time.

Particularly helpful is an extensive bibliography.

Schaeffer, Francis A. 1972. Genesis in Space and Time. Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois. 167 pages. An excellent presentation by a theologian who takes a literal stance (with one major exception concerning the days of Creation week) on the first eleven chapters of Genesis and who shows how New Testament authors endorse the Genesis narrative.

Standen, Anthony. 1950. Science Is a Sacred Cow. E. P. Dutton & Co., New York. 221 pages. An entertaining book in which a chemist places in proper perspective the unjustified reverence that is commonly given to scientists and their opinions.

Webber, Robert E. 1981. The Secular Saint. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan. 219 pages. Most Christians are forced to live in two worlds—the regular business world and the otherworldly. The author examines traditional models used by " Christians to adapt to conflicts between the two, defines man's role as a cultural agent, and then describes, a model that allows the Christian to live in both worlds simultaneously without a sense of conflicting loyalties. Using the Bible to support his statements, the author strongly advocates liberation theology and involvement in righting social injustices.

Wysong, R. L. 1976. The Creation-Evolution Controversy. Inquiry Press, Midland, Michigan. 455 pages. A comprehensive treatment of scientific creationism as it stands today. While the author exhibits an ultraconservative Biblical preference, he endeavors to present a fair treatment of contrasting evolutionary and creationist views. Extraordinarily well illustrated; clear, straightforward style; extensive documentation. The treatment of geology, geochemistry, and radiometric dating is principally based on uncritical borrowing from previous creationist literature and does not compare favorably with the manner in which philosophy, molecular biology, and genetics are handled.

Journals

Acts and Facts Impact Series. Published by the Institute for Creation Research, 2100 Greenfield Drive, El Cajon, California 92021. Published as a part of Acts and Facts, a newsletter of the Institute for Creation Research, the Impact Series presents a monthly discussion of a particular topic in the creation-evolution controversy.

Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation. An attempt to bridge the gap between science and religion from the standpoint of liberal Christianity and evolution.

Origins. Published by the Geoscience Research Institute, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California 92350. A biannual publication that discusses scientific and theological aspects of the Creation-evolution controversy. Written for pastors, theologians, and scientists. (See ad on page 31.)


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Monthly book reviews by various authors.

May 1984

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More Articles In This Issue

Does it really matter?

Why give nearly an entire issue to the question of how life began? We're here, and we need to get on with the business of living. Does the Creation-evolution debate touch us where we actually live today?

Darwin's Revolution

Darwin did not burst upon an unsuspecting world with his idea of natural selection as the mechanism by which species evolved. Careful observations had been going on for decades. His book caught the public eye (and sold out in a single day) because of an increasing discontent with the Biblical view of origins and a worldwide destruction by flood. Readers either accepted his ideas eagerly or unswervingly opposed him.

Creation, evolution, or other views?

The choice is not merely God or nature. Between divine creation and naturalistic evolution lie a number of intermediate positions that attempt to bring about some accommodation. Is this possible? The author summarizes these positions and their implications for both science and Scripture.

Evidences for creation

The rich dimensions of human life, both physically and in those areas that penetrate to the essence of what life is about, reveal something about the Designer. No one was around at the origin of life, so all theories about it are really not susceptible to proof. But we can find evidences for the different ideas about origins. Creation by a divine Creator is the only theory that takes into account all that life is.

Evidences for a worldwide flood

Some of the data in the rocks pose problems for one who believes in a literal worldwide flood such as described in Genesis. Such problems need to be recognized. Yet the rocks also present a number of difficulties to the one who believes a worldwide flood never happened. In fact, some features can hardly be explained apart from a water catastrophe of a magnitude greater than anything experienced in modern times.

Evolution confronts Christianity

The following article begins with a look at what constitutes the evolutionary theory, indicates the inconsistency of the principles underlying it with the basic principles of Christianity, and then discusses how it relates to some of the Christian doctrines.

Major objections to Creation and how we answer them

A number of scientific interpretations conflict with the Creation account as depicted in Genesis. The major ones are briefly considered here. For some there are good answers; for others, not. In this article, the staff of the Geoscience Research Institute candidly present the most serious objections raised against the creationist position. The reader ought to be aware, however, that the scientific evidence for Creation cannot be adequately evaluated on the basis of objections only.

Shepherdess: The Stature Seekers

Even in the religious world, and even among ministerial families, status rather than stature can easily become the goal If we want to indulge ambition, Scripture encourages us to seek stature to the fullest.

In search of the silver bullet

Can't creationists come up with some evidence so spectacular and overwhelming that evolutionists will be forced to watch their theories crumple into a heap? Such a search is futile, says the author, and may lead to something less than objectivity.

Sermons from Psalms

We read from the Psalms at hospital bedsides, at weddings, and at funerals. We use them devotionally and we even sing some of them. But we rarely preach from them. And the reason, the author suggests, is because we don't really understand them. Here's how you can get into preaching from the Psalms in a way that will make them mean something to the people in your pews.

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