The Selfless Gene [Paperback]

'Sparkling and enjoyable'

(New Statesman )

'If you are a creationist it is most unlikely you'll be one by the time you finish reading this thought-provoking book. But anyone who is, like myself, a Darwinian is equally at risk. Re-affirming the foundational Genesis narrative as our central and vital myth, Charles Foster explores why we find ourselves in a disastrously fractured world but also propels us to a new and lyrical vision of a world crafted by evolution but one permeated by meaning and beauty, and ultimately to be made perfect. This is a book the atheist Darwinists will loathe, but I'll bet anything they won't have an answer.' (Simon Conway Morris, author of LIFE'S SOLUTION )

'Charles Darwin wrote to his Harvard friend Asa Gray that he could see no reason why a man or other animal may not have been aboriginally produced by laws expressly designed by a omniscient Creator. Charles Foster shows himself a true disciple of Darwin by choosing the difficult option of defending reason against the fundamentalism of both religion and atheism. He succeeds marvellously. His book is fun to read and an important antidote to the shrill hysteria about evolution from both extremes. Such unreason ought to be rejected out of hand but still captivates many people. Read THE SELFLESS GENE and inwardly digest it.' (Professor Sam Berry, Professor of Genetics, University College, London )

'Science and religion are frequently thought to be at odds. However, in this book Charles Foster assesses the arguments of creationists, intelligent design, Charles Darwin and Richard Dawkins, and shows that there is no conflict between science and the Bible if both are properly understood. The book is written in a clear and lively style, and contains many fascinating facts: I found it difficult to put down.' (Professor Colin Humphreys, Professor of Materials Science and Director of Research, University of Cambridge )

'Charles Foster is a thinker who is prepared to engage with real full-blooded science and with real full-blooded Christianity. The result is a book that moves beyond the usual stereotypes and battle-lines into an exciting world of awe, wonder, Darwin and God.' (Revd Dr David Wilkinson, Principal St John's College, Durham University )

‘This is an outstanding book, which has great importance for scientists and others, who are Christians and who are disturbed my the media's obsession with that great self-publicist and "new atheist", Richard Dawkins. It comes to a deeply meaningful conclusion about the significance of the Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden and its connection to the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.’ (Michael Balls, Emeritus Professor of Medical Cell Biology at the University of Nottingham )

'Sparkling and enjoyable' -- New Statesman 20091126 'If you are a creationist it is most unlikely you'll be one by the time you finish reading this thought-provoking book. But anyone who is, like myself, a Darwinian is equally at risk. Re-affirming the foundational Genesis narrative as our central and vital myth, Charles Foster explores why we find ourselves in a disastrously fractured world but also propels us to a new and lyrical vision of a world crafted by evolution but one permeated by meaning and beauty, and ultimately to be made perfect. This is a book the atheist Darwinists will loathe, but I'll bet anything they won't have an answer.' -- Simon Conway Morris, author of LIFE'S SOLUTION 20091126 'Charles Darwin wrote to his Harvard friend Asa Gray that he could see no reason why a man or other animal may not have been aboriginally produced by laws expressly designed by a omniscient Creator. Charles Foster shows himself a true disciple of Darwin by choosing the difficult option of defending reason against the fundamentalism of both religion and atheism. He succeeds marvellously. His book is fun to read and an important antidote to the shrill hysteria about evolution from both extremes. Such unreason ought to be rejected out of hand but still captivates many people. Read THE SELFLESS GENE and inwardly digest it.' -- Professor Sam Berry, Professor of Genetics, University College, London 20091126 'Science and religion are frequently thought to be at odds. However, in this book Charles Foster assesses the arguments of creationists, intelligent design, Charles Darwin and Richard Dawkins, and shows that there is no conflict between science and the Bible if both are properly understood. The book is written in a clear and lively style, and contains many fascinating facts: I found it difficult to put down.' -- Professor Colin Humphreys, Professor of Materials Science and Director of Research, University of Cambridge 20091126 'Charles Foster is a thinker who is prepared to engage with real full-blooded science and with real full-blooded Christianity. The result is a book that moves beyond the usual stereotypes and battle-lines into an exciting world of awe, wonder, Darwin and God.' -- Revd Dr David Wilkinson, Principal St John's College, Durham University 20091126 'This is an outstanding book, which has great importance for scientists and others, who are Christians and who are disturbed my the media's obsession with that great self-publicist and "new atheist", Richard Dawkins. It comes to a deeply meaningful conclusion about the significance of the Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden and its connection to the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.' -- Michael Balls, Emeritus Professor of Medical Cell Biology at the University of Nottingham 20091126 --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

In THE SELFLESS GENE, Charles Foster assesses the claims of Neo-Darwinists and Young Earth Creationists, demonstrating that orthodox Christianity is not incompatible with what evolutionary biology says about our world. The real issue, he argues, centres around the ethical implications of natural selection, and what such a system – based on selfishness, waste and death – might say about the loving creator God of the Christian faith.

Intelligent, provocative and accessible, THE SELFLESS GENE offers the prospect of a reasoned dialogue between faith and scientific study, and a reconciliation of what are popularly seen as two opposing worldviews. (20091126)

Charles Foster is a writer, barrister and tutor in Medical Law and Ethics at the University of Oxford and sits as a part-time judge in the criminal and civil courts. He read veterinary medicine and law at the University of Cambridge and has written, edited or contributed to thirty books. His two most recently published books are The Jesus Inquest (an inquiry into the historicity of the resurrection) and Tracking The Ark Of The Covenant. He writes regularly for many publications. (20091126)