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Product Description
Dr Denis Alexander is a biochemist who believes passionately in both the biblical doctrine of creation and the coherence of evolutionary theory. His book draws on the latest genetic research. What do we mean by creation and evolution? What are the common scientific objections to evolution? Is evolution atheistic? Who were Adam and Eve? Can the concept of the Fall be reconciled with evolutionary theory? How could a God of love create a world where animals kill each other? What about intelligent design? The author concludes that the question in the title is a false dichotomy: we do not need to choose, since both are true. 'Nature is what God does' - Augustine
About the Author
Dr Denis Alexander is joint editor of the journal Science and Christian Belief and heads The Faraday Institute in Cambridge. He is also author of 'Rebuilding the Matrix' (Lion).
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have finally been able to pout this book down, now that I have finished it. Although the Evolution/Creationism debate is nothing like as hotly debated on the UK side of the Atlantic, Alexander (a British biochemist) sees the damage that it is doing both to Science and to Religion and here nails the fact that it ought not to be doing anything of the sort.
The very existence of people like Alexander, who have a deep and thorough grasp of evolution while also having deep religious faith ought to put the lie to the idea that these two are mutually inimical. What Alexander does, however, is to explain it. His explanation of evolution is lucid and thorough and avoids the misleading metaphors and simplifications of, say, Richard Dawkins. The discussion of genetics is not always easy to follow, but that's simply because it's a difficult subject. His demonstration that the Bible - especially Genesis - can be perfectly well understood in the light of evolution is also clear and lucid. Moreover his tone is never less than respectful for those who hold a different position from his own.
The central core of his argument - that those who cannot see that evolution and Christianity work perfectly well together springs from a misconception regarding the idea of "naturalism" - is clearly made and, from this Christian science-teacher's perspective, pretty watertight.
At this point I feel I ought to put in some negatives to make this a balanced review. It's hard to find any. It is a little hard-going at times, but the effort required in reading it carefully pays dividends. In short, I would recommend this book without hesitation to any pastor or scientist interested in evolution and/or religious faith.
The very existence of people like Alexander, who have a deep and thorough grasp of evolution while also having deep religious faith ought to put the lie to the idea that these two are mutually inimical. What Alexander does, however, is to explain it. His explanation of evolution is lucid and thorough and avoids the misleading metaphors and simplifications of, say, Richard Dawkins. The discussion of genetics is not always easy to follow, but that's simply because it's a difficult subject. His demonstration that the Bible - especially Genesis - can be perfectly well understood in the light of evolution is also clear and lucid. Moreover his tone is never less than respectful for those who hold a different position from his own.
The central core of his argument - that those who cannot see that evolution and Christianity work perfectly well together springs from a misconception regarding the idea of "naturalism" - is clearly made and, from this Christian science-teacher's perspective, pretty watertight.
At this point I feel I ought to put in some negatives to make this a balanced review. It's hard to find any. It is a little hard-going at times, but the effort required in reading it carefully pays dividends. In short, I would recommend this book without hesitation to any pastor or scientist interested in evolution and/or religious faith.
35 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I enjoyed this book. Its great merit is that it affirms both great science and great faith. The one can, and does, benefit the other. Alexander takes us back to the idea of the scientist as one who explores the workings of God's universe. This book gets us away from the sterile either/or thinking of the evangelical atheists and the militant creationists.
The book echoes echoes thoughts from Michael Ruse (Can a Darwinian be a Christian?) who from a philosophical background shows that Christian faith and evolutionary biology are compatible, and Francis Collins (The Mind of God) who also has no problem reconciling his biological knowledge and his belief in God.
Alexander is particularly good at showing how DNA changes can generate genetic diversity which is the substrate for evolution. He also shows how natural selection is likely to be a conservative force on most occasions.
Alexander takes evolution back to its original role as a biological theory that explained the formation of new species from existing ones. As such evolution is a powerful theory, with great explanatory power. His account of species formation, and the examples provided are excellent.
Alexander is also good at showing how the idea of evolution has been exteneded to ends far beyond its biological use. The right with its belief in survival of the fittest businesses and individuals, the left with its idea of human perfectibility and inevitable historical progress, the Nazis with their idea of "lives not fit to be lived", the atheist materialist who must deny any idea of design or purpose all use evolution far beyond its intended, or valid, remit.
This book is both an excellent account of evolution, and a demonstration that science and religion can be successfully and effectively pursued together.
The two possible areas of weakness in the book are the section on the origin of life and its summary dismissal of the arguments of intelligent design.
Overall however this is a useful book, and one that allows scientists to get on with studying evolution together whatever their religious differences may be. It helps to build a very powerful bridge across the false divide presented by those who prefer to talk about, "science versus religion."
The book echoes echoes thoughts from Michael Ruse (Can a Darwinian be a Christian?) who from a philosophical background shows that Christian faith and evolutionary biology are compatible, and Francis Collins (The Mind of God) who also has no problem reconciling his biological knowledge and his belief in God.
Alexander is particularly good at showing how DNA changes can generate genetic diversity which is the substrate for evolution. He also shows how natural selection is likely to be a conservative force on most occasions.
Alexander takes evolution back to its original role as a biological theory that explained the formation of new species from existing ones. As such evolution is a powerful theory, with great explanatory power. His account of species formation, and the examples provided are excellent.
Alexander is also good at showing how the idea of evolution has been exteneded to ends far beyond its biological use. The right with its belief in survival of the fittest businesses and individuals, the left with its idea of human perfectibility and inevitable historical progress, the Nazis with their idea of "lives not fit to be lived", the atheist materialist who must deny any idea of design or purpose all use evolution far beyond its intended, or valid, remit.
This book is both an excellent account of evolution, and a demonstration that science and religion can be successfully and effectively pursued together.
The two possible areas of weakness in the book are the section on the origin of life and its summary dismissal of the arguments of intelligent design.
Overall however this is a useful book, and one that allows scientists to get on with studying evolution together whatever their religious differences may be. It helps to build a very powerful bridge across the false divide presented by those who prefer to talk about, "science versus religion."
16 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is a rare bringing-together of sound biblical and outstanding biological scholarship. The result is a very readable exposition of the unassailable claim of Darwinian Evolution to be fact rather than some sort of fanciful theory, whilst maintaining that the biblical accounts of the Creation in no way contradict the science. Quite brilliant; a MUST READ for anyone interested in this question.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Outstanding
A beautifully written account of the latest genetic research and how this informs current evolutionary theory. Read more
Published 14 days ago by Dr. Iestyn B. Jones
Intelligent and well reasoned
The book gives a good balance of detailed evidence for evolution, scholarly assessment of biblical texts and a sound demonstration of the consistency of both. Read more
Published 1 month ago by P. D. Hemsley
Suitable for qualified geneticists!
The overall thesis of Alexander's book is reasonable, but it is totally spoilt by going into the detail of genetics that is way beyond the likely reader of this book. Read more
Published 1 month ago by cranleigh boy
Book purchase Creation & Evoltion
Book in perfect condition 24 hours delivery.
Contents clear & concise. Scientifically based but with scriptural references. Read more
Contents clear & concise. Scientifically based but with scriptural references. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Tony
Creation or Evolution ?
A superb book.
Especially for Christians who have difficulty in squaring what the Bible says with the findings of science. Read more
Especially for Christians who have difficulty in squaring what the Bible says with the findings of science. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Dr. Peter J. Hickman
Creation or Evolution:Do we have to choose?
An excellent contribution to the Christianity v Science debate. It is carefully argued and is essential reading on an issue which has divided many Christians and others. Read more
Published 21 months ago by fingalpot
Not a balanced account
The author claims his book "is written as a discussion and a dialogue", yet he makes no serious attempt to understand the thinking of the other parties. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Lloyd To
An amazingly helpful book!
This is an amazingly helpful book! The first eight chapters tease out the title with both scientific and theological competence. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Ian Hore-Lacy
Faithful to Bible and Science
I have just finished this excellent book, and have learned a great deal. Although I am reasonably well informed about both evolutionary science and the interpretation of early... Read more
Published on 28 April 2010 by Peter Clarke
The Best Christian View of Creation
An excellent response to misleading claims that the first three chapters of Genesis in the Bible should be taken literally. Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2010 by Eileen Mohr
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