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The New Creationism: Building Scientific Theory on a Biblical Foundation by Paul Garner
The academic culture in which science is practiced today is one of tacit - if not explicit - atheism. Nowhere is this more evident than in the scientific study of how the universe began and developed - the field of origins. This book has been written in the conviction that the first eleven chapters of the book of Genesis - the Bible's book of beginnings - provide a trustworthy and accurate account of the early history of the universe.In the increasingly secular age in which we live, it is all too easy to forget that the major disciplines of science were founded by men of broadly Christian convictions. Their names are perhaps familiar to us - Boyle, Ray, Hooke, Newton, Faraday - but there is often an embarrassed silence concerning the spiritual beliefs that motivated these scientific giants.Like the astronomer, Kepler, these men perceived that in their scientific insights they were thinking God's thoughts after him'. Today, however, there is a sense of collective amnesia about the religious motivations of these men.
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First published March 1, 2009
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About the author
Paul Garner
4 books9 followersPaul Garner is a full time researcher and lecturer for Biblical Creation Trust. He has a masters degree in geoscience from University College London, where he specialised in palaeobiology. He is a Fellow of the Geological Society of London and a member of several other scientific societies. He is author of two books, The New Creationism: Building Scientific Theories on a Biblical Foundation, published by Evangelical Press in 2009, and Fossils and the Flood: Exploring Lost Worlds with Science and Scripture, published by New Creation in 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 5, 2019
An excellent laymen's introduction to various scientific theories that support young earth creation. Garner is humble, but begins as all Christians should with a plain reading of Genesis 1-11 and then proceeds to give an overview of young earth science in connection to radiometric dateing, ice age, embryo, kinds/species/baramins, worldwide flood, etc. Some chapters are more complicated than others, but on the whole one can understand them.
Several thoughts occurred to me as I read:
1. The Biblical text gives no room for an old earth. A natural reading of the Genesis 1-11, as well a natural reading of the numerous other references to Genesis 1-11, in particular 1-3 throughout Scripture do not just make a young earth probable, they demand it. The more OEC men and others who have theories about the days in Genesis 1 talk the less believable they become.
2. Young earth science takes evolutionists and OEC men a lot more seriously than OEC men and evolutionists take YEC men. I have read numerous OEC and Theistic evolutionists and rarely do I see a book that repeatedly interacts with YEC men. The opposite is rarely true. Garner interacts with numerous secular theories as well some OEC men. He is widely read in his opponents and takes seriously their claims. I know there are some YEC who are guilty of treating their opponents with disrespect, but that group is dwindling.
3. In the end there will only be theistic evolutionists and YECers. I have been convinced of this for years and it is hard to persuade me otherwise at this point. Right now there are some that hold to a middle position or are non-committal on theistic evolution. But the bottom line is that type of person will eventually be faced with a choice. Evolution is the entire reason that OEC exists, even if OEC men will not admit. Eventually one will have to choose.
4. Finally, creation science is starting to do some really good stuff. As Garner says, it is in its infancy and often underfunded when compared with secular counterparts. Nonetheless, YEC scientists continue to do great work with long term experiments designed to answer questions about the earth's beginning, the flood, man, the various kinds/species of animals, etc. Many of these experiments and studies are complex and rigorous. I used to think science was a weak point for the YEC while the Biblical text was a strong point. That is changing, especially as men like Todd Wood and Kurt Wise continue to do experiments, studies and develop theories. YEC science is in good hands. Gone are the days where a man who is primarily a theologian tries to debunk evolution. YEC scientists continue to do excellent work. I am looking forward to the coming years as they study the world God has made.
Several thoughts occurred to me as I read:
1. The Biblical text gives no room for an old earth. A natural reading of the Genesis 1-11, as well a natural reading of the numerous other references to Genesis 1-11, in particular 1-3 throughout Scripture do not just make a young earth probable, they demand it. The more OEC men and others who have theories about the days in Genesis 1 talk the less believable they become.
2. Young earth science takes evolutionists and OEC men a lot more seriously than OEC men and evolutionists take YEC men. I have read numerous OEC and Theistic evolutionists and rarely do I see a book that repeatedly interacts with YEC men. The opposite is rarely true. Garner interacts with numerous secular theories as well some OEC men. He is widely read in his opponents and takes seriously their claims. I know there are some YEC who are guilty of treating their opponents with disrespect, but that group is dwindling.
3. In the end there will only be theistic evolutionists and YECers. I have been convinced of this for years and it is hard to persuade me otherwise at this point. Right now there are some that hold to a middle position or are non-committal on theistic evolution. But the bottom line is that type of person will eventually be faced with a choice. Evolution is the entire reason that OEC exists, even if OEC men will not admit. Eventually one will have to choose.
4. Finally, creation science is starting to do some really good stuff. As Garner says, it is in its infancy and often underfunded when compared with secular counterparts. Nonetheless, YEC scientists continue to do great work with long term experiments designed to answer questions about the earth's beginning, the flood, man, the various kinds/species of animals, etc. Many of these experiments and studies are complex and rigorous. I used to think science was a weak point for the YEC while the Biblical text was a strong point. That is changing, especially as men like Todd Wood and Kurt Wise continue to do experiments, studies and develop theories. YEC science is in good hands. Gone are the days where a man who is primarily a theologian tries to debunk evolution. YEC scientists continue to do excellent work. I am looking forward to the coming years as they study the world God has made.
September 24, 2017
The author is Paul A. Garner with a foreword by Andrew Snelling. The book attempts to lay out the best contemporary case for the general reader for young earth creationism (YEC) with its accompanying view of flood geology. The contents consists of 4 parts and sixteen chapters.
Like all young earth creationist works this one depends on a particular interpretation of the early chapters of Genesis irrespective of its historical, literary, and cultural backgrounds. The author attempts to argue in favor of his viewpoint and why he rejects the others, but it boils down to a particular approach centered in literalism and inerrancy as starting assumptions and a disregard for contemporary scholarly approaches that take the ancient Near Eastern cosmogenic views into consideration.
Each chapter attempts to lay out the distinction between the contemporary views of science and the young earth view and then give reasons for that position. Many references are listed in the endnotes for further research, unfortunately most of those references are to other young earth creationist sources.
Like most works of this type it's frustrating to read. For example, the chapter on radiometric dating which the author admits is probably the most difficult chapter in the entire book starts off arguing that the evidence of radiometric decay is "consistent with an Earth whose age is 4.6 billion years, but inconsistent with an age much younger." He then proceeds to argue that the decay was greatly accelerated during creation week and the global flood of Noah and then admits that there are difficulties that need to be resolved with future research. Those difficulties are accelerated heat and radiation such that if the acceleration happened to the degrees that are suggested the Earth's oceans and crust would be vaporized. These problems aren't secondary, but go to the heart of young earth creationism, you can't simply ignore them with the hope that one day future creationists can resolve the issues.
As a representative of young earth creationism I think this book does about the best that can be done, but ultimately it fails.
Like all young earth creationist works this one depends on a particular interpretation of the early chapters of Genesis irrespective of its historical, literary, and cultural backgrounds. The author attempts to argue in favor of his viewpoint and why he rejects the others, but it boils down to a particular approach centered in literalism and inerrancy as starting assumptions and a disregard for contemporary scholarly approaches that take the ancient Near Eastern cosmogenic views into consideration.
Each chapter attempts to lay out the distinction between the contemporary views of science and the young earth view and then give reasons for that position. Many references are listed in the endnotes for further research, unfortunately most of those references are to other young earth creationist sources.
Like most works of this type it's frustrating to read. For example, the chapter on radiometric dating which the author admits is probably the most difficult chapter in the entire book starts off arguing that the evidence of radiometric decay is "consistent with an Earth whose age is 4.6 billion years, but inconsistent with an age much younger." He then proceeds to argue that the decay was greatly accelerated during creation week and the global flood of Noah and then admits that there are difficulties that need to be resolved with future research. Those difficulties are accelerated heat and radiation such that if the acceleration happened to the degrees that are suggested the Earth's oceans and crust would be vaporized. These problems aren't secondary, but go to the heart of young earth creationism, you can't simply ignore them with the hope that one day future creationists can resolve the issues.
As a representative of young earth creationism I think this book does about the best that can be done, but ultimately it fails.
March 18, 2011
Teriffic defense of the young-earth Creationist model. Garner discusses plate tectonics, biology, paleontology, cosmology, and others and shows how scientific evidence is better explained through a Creationist framework than an evolutionary one. A must-read for science majors.
August 25, 2025
A good introduction to creationism. I think the book achieves what it sets out to do: provide a brief introduction, with some key scientific pointers. It does provide a significant reference for those who may want to go deeper. I would have liked a little more detail on the few of the topics I think, as there were a few times I thought the authors evidence stopped quite shy of convincing me of his point.
I think my summary of the book is that there is a lot that comes from the conventional scientific theories we believe to be watertight, but is far from being so. And that these uncertainties are accepted by the scientific community too (pg 132). Perhaps our misplaced faith in these comes from them being taught to us as facts when the term theory would be far better suited.
I think my summary of the book is that there is a lot that comes from the conventional scientific theories we believe to be watertight, but is far from being so. And that these uncertainties are accepted by the scientific community too (pg 132). Perhaps our misplaced faith in these comes from them being taught to us as facts when the term theory would be far better suited.
July 14, 2019
I am surprised at how much I liked this book. Garner is clear and concise. He does not dance around the strengths and weaknesses of the young earth position, but rather tackles the issues head on. If you fear the rhetorical wizardry, mainstream jokes, and cool shaming, aimed at "back woods" young-Earth creationists, this book will introduce you to more than enough PhD's and lab coats to alleviate your concern of intellectual ostracism.
I did find the final chapter of this book to be disappointing. Mainly because the theological implications are not addressed. Otherwise, it is a helpful launching point to go deeper into the Biblical young-Earth creation and old-Earth evolution controversy.
I did find the final chapter of this book to be disappointing. Mainly because the theological implications are not addressed. Otherwise, it is a helpful launching point to go deeper into the Biblical young-Earth creation and old-Earth evolution controversy.
Want to read
July 15, 2017A good place to start in exploring the young earth creationism vs. old earth evolution debate.
Mentioned here: https://www.isgenesishistory.com/six-...
Mentioned here: https://www.isgenesishistory.com/six-...
April 27, 2016
If you're looking for a book to provide a quick overview of the modern scientific theories offered by Christian apologists, you'd enjoy it. Garner doesn't get too deep or technical but still provides a wealth of helpful information.
February 24, 2011
An easy to read, useful introduction to the basics of the evolution/creation debate.
September 14, 2022
The New Creationism provides examples of *scientific* theories addressing the origin of the universe, the age of Earth, the origin of species, interpretation of the geological and fossil records (including the few existing human fossils) in a thorough attempt to convince the skeptic and Creationist that Creationism, with scientific support, can better explain things that modern secular science struggles with.
In doing so, the scientist in me shudders, that Garner is attempting to pull together pieces of science that fit the explanation that he desires (which I was always taught was BAD science!). However, the Creationist in me must submit to the ultimate authority of the Bible, so using it as the starting point for any other intellectual pursuit is not only allowed but encouraged, if not required. That was a challenge to my own heart and faith which I'm thankful for.
Thankfully, Garner does not directly criticise the scientific endeavours of secular scientists, but rather illustrates that gaps in the theories that both sides of the debate have known for a long time. Then, imploring that Christians never compromise on the authority and accuracy of Scripture, plainly lays out recent Creationist ideas that attempt to explain the universe and our place in it through the scientific method. Garner humbly,wisely, faithfully and honestly presents this new Creationism as a very young field where the scientists are underfunded and outnumbered, while demonstrating that even these basic theories have strengths that any scientist must acknowledge.
The discussions on the measurement and understanding of geological time were particularly useful. Beginning with a plain reading of Biblical texts that suggests a 6,000 year old earth, Garner shows that modern estimates of the 4 billion year old earth lack solid grounding using the proposed methods of molecular clocks and observations of the geological column. Recent studies put a maximum limit on the age and duration of such things that is much smaller than the required billions of years. Similarly, he discusses how the fossil record is impossible to sort out in the current framework of evolutionary biology (something we all knew about but didn't like talking about at university), and gives a convincing presentation of Flood-based geology which appears to make much more sense of the fossils we observe today.
Beautifully, this is a Creationist argument that doesn't require a flat earth, fossils placed by the devil to trick you or a complete immutability of species. It's a serious, well thought-out, self-aware, Bible-obedient and genuinely scientific collection of theories. These theories describe species by descent with modification (within limits), explain the Flood with plate tectonics, and include some real surprises like an Ice Age and the legitimacy of non-sapien human fossils. While I'm not convinced on every single point, that attitude and approach used throughout are exemplary to Christians and must be intriguing to agnostics.
In doing so, the scientist in me shudders, that Garner is attempting to pull together pieces of science that fit the explanation that he desires (which I was always taught was BAD science!). However, the Creationist in me must submit to the ultimate authority of the Bible, so using it as the starting point for any other intellectual pursuit is not only allowed but encouraged, if not required. That was a challenge to my own heart and faith which I'm thankful for.
Thankfully, Garner does not directly criticise the scientific endeavours of secular scientists, but rather illustrates that gaps in the theories that both sides of the debate have known for a long time. Then, imploring that Christians never compromise on the authority and accuracy of Scripture, plainly lays out recent Creationist ideas that attempt to explain the universe and our place in it through the scientific method. Garner humbly,wisely, faithfully and honestly presents this new Creationism as a very young field where the scientists are underfunded and outnumbered, while demonstrating that even these basic theories have strengths that any scientist must acknowledge.
The discussions on the measurement and understanding of geological time were particularly useful. Beginning with a plain reading of Biblical texts that suggests a 6,000 year old earth, Garner shows that modern estimates of the 4 billion year old earth lack solid grounding using the proposed methods of molecular clocks and observations of the geological column. Recent studies put a maximum limit on the age and duration of such things that is much smaller than the required billions of years. Similarly, he discusses how the fossil record is impossible to sort out in the current framework of evolutionary biology (something we all knew about but didn't like talking about at university), and gives a convincing presentation of Flood-based geology which appears to make much more sense of the fossils we observe today.
Beautifully, this is a Creationist argument that doesn't require a flat earth, fossils placed by the devil to trick you or a complete immutability of species. It's a serious, well thought-out, self-aware, Bible-obedient and genuinely scientific collection of theories. These theories describe species by descent with modification (within limits), explain the Flood with plate tectonics, and include some real surprises like an Ice Age and the legitimacy of non-sapien human fossils. While I'm not convinced on every single point, that attitude and approach used throughout are exemplary to Christians and must be intriguing to agnostics.
June 14, 2018
Creationism has come a long way since its early opposition to Darwin. It has progressed from arguing that fossils were placed in the ground by God as a test of our faith to shooting holes in conventional evolutionary theory and historical geology to postulating competing hypotheses. This book is a high-level summary the current creation hypotheses in cosmology, geology and biology. While the material can be somewhat technical, Mr. Garner appears to work under the assumption that his readers might have nothing more than a high school science background and has presented his material accordingly. In general, when approaching a topic in which creationists challenge conventional science, he summarizes the conventional science and the evidence for it. Afterwards, he discusses the proposed creationist alternative and explains how it can explain all the data, including the anomalous data that the conventional science cannot explain.
I know that many will brand Mr. Garner as anti-science without giving any consideration to what he has to say. Such accusations are nothing but slanderous nonsense. The book is full of science. Just because it represents a minority view does not make it any less science. To those who would argue that anything other than the majority view is not science, I would ask the following question:
When Copernicus proposed his heliocentric model, it represented a minority view, with the geocentric Ptolemaic model being the majority view. Was Copernicus anti-science until enough people accepted his model to make it the majority view?
I have the utmost respect for scientists and others like Mr. Garner who advocate for creationism in the face of virulent opposition. It takes guts. I don’t doubt that some of the creationist hypotheses Mr. Garner discusses in the book will ultimately fail to pass muster and will be abandoned in lieu of other hypotheses that better explain the data, for this is the way science works. May scientists have the never give up attitude of Winston Churchill.
I know that many will brand Mr. Garner as anti-science without giving any consideration to what he has to say. Such accusations are nothing but slanderous nonsense. The book is full of science. Just because it represents a minority view does not make it any less science. To those who would argue that anything other than the majority view is not science, I would ask the following question:
When Copernicus proposed his heliocentric model, it represented a minority view, with the geocentric Ptolemaic model being the majority view. Was Copernicus anti-science until enough people accepted his model to make it the majority view?
I have the utmost respect for scientists and others like Mr. Garner who advocate for creationism in the face of virulent opposition. It takes guts. I don’t doubt that some of the creationist hypotheses Mr. Garner discusses in the book will ultimately fail to pass muster and will be abandoned in lieu of other hypotheses that better explain the data, for this is the way science works. May scientists have the never give up attitude of Winston Churchill.
February 27, 2023
I fell asleep every single time I read this book. And this is not the fault of the author, nor his in-depth research, nor his worldview. My brain simply is not wired for astrophysics or geology. This reading was required for a college course, and I didn't have to read the entire book, but I did, probably out of guilt for my inability to stay awake during the assigned portions. That being said, the research Paul Garner did to compile this book is astounding, and I appreciate his thoroughness and dedication to his worldview. Please do read if you have greater scientific mental fortitude than I and can stomach the deluge of scientific data.
April 24, 2021
"And if you have already trusted in Christ for salvation, I pray that your love for Him as your Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer, and King will have been deepened by what you have learned in this book and that you will continue to live, study, and work for Him, and for HIs glory alone."
This book is a fantastic resource for Christians who want to explain why they believe what they believe in regard to God's creation of the natural world. I had to read this for a science class, but I'll definitely be keeping it for future reference.
This book is a fantastic resource for Christians who want to explain why they believe what they believe in regard to God's creation of the natural world. I had to read this for a science class, but I'll definitely be keeping it for future reference.
March 29, 2025
What Henry Morris's "Scientific Creationism" was for the 1970's, this book is for for 2010's and 2020's: a great starting place for anyone wanting to understand Young Age Creationism, its understanding of the Scriptures, and its current scientific research in the various disciplines. If you like it, check out Garner and Todd Wood's podcast "Let's Talk Creation."
March 14, 2023
It was a good book about different ideas that atheists have formulated through the years. It was very technical, but good information. The author does a good job addressing beliefs that he is not particularly positive about.
August 25, 2018
The best single introduction to scientific creationism out there. The bibliography in the endnotes is rich and helpful.
September 6, 2019
3.5 stars
May 28, 2024
Very interesting. Good information on the state of creationist science. Lots more work remains to be done.
January 29, 2025
This book was perfect for the average person to understand how to defend young earth creation. Some of the topics go deeper and more technical but are still able to be grasped.
April 20, 2014
I could probably rate it 3.5 stars maybe. I can't remember a lot of it it because I was reading it a while ago but i finished it today and it was a bit confusing (a lot actually) and though the information in it was probably good, I'm still finding it hard to decide what point it was trying to make. Sort of.
June 3, 2024
Paul Garner is a young earth creationist who is kind and willing to admit where their is mystery and more work to be done regarding the theory. This book is an enjoyable read for some of the evidences that are more easily explained by a young universe than an old one, as well as a look at some of the most common objections.
December 30, 2014
Excellent overview of the hows, whys, and rationale behind a scientifically substantiated Creationism in the modern world of secular science. It tends a bit more technical than the average reader might prefer, but I enjoyed the technical depth.
September 6, 2023
A nice, concise overview of creationism that covers the fields of geology, biology, cosmos, etc. Not as in depth as the landmark books in this field, so it serves as a nice introduction to the science. Very readable and well organized.
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January 26, 2012Overview of creationism as of 2009.
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February 8, 2014read for school
April 2, 2025
Excellent read. This is the book I give to my Christian friends who are wrestling with 6 literal days/evolution.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews