Stafford
has interviewed and tells the stories of scientists who are also
Bible-believing Christians. They love the Bible and they love
science. The scientists fall into three categories: young earth
creationists, intelligent design creationists, evolutionary
creationists. Stafford has a final chapter where he identifies what
he considers to be the strengths and weaknesses of each position.
Stafford
writes much more about the life stories of the scientists than he does
on their understanding of the relationship between the Bible and the
findings of science, particularly evolution. Some say evolution
really isn't science since it is not observable, repeatable and
testable. Some compartmentalize their lives. Some “think belief in
God is congruent with what evolution reveals.” (180) Many comment
that there are unanswered questions and we are still learning.
“My
goal,” Stafford writes, “was for readers to get to know them and
to understand their points of view.” (199) The idea being, I think,
that if we know some of the story of these people we are more likely
to be understanding of their positions. Stafford hopes that the
dialog around the issue of origins will be one of being faithful to
Scripture yet seeing science as a gift from God, all the while realizing that
there is so much more yet to learn. (211-212)
I
was disappointed in the book. I had hoped to read much more about how
these scientists “held on to a strong faith while wrestling with
the mystery of human origins” (subtitle). Having read the book, I
know each scientist's life story but generally do not know how they
reconcile their faith in God with the findings of science.
Tim
Stafford is senior writer for Christianity Today and the author
of more than thirty books. He and his wife have three children and
live in Santa Rosa, California.
Thomas
Nelson, 240 pages.
I
received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the
purpose of this review.
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