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David's Gift
Barry and Susan Nelson's firstborn, David, is one of those very rare children who gets bored after having mastered quantum mechanics by his ninth birthday. Raising him in the Christian faith, they soon find that he is asking piercing theological questions concerning evolution vs Creation, and that they need expert help in providing him with answers. In the same way they sought out college professors to tutor him in advanced mathematics and physics, they turn to their church's pastor, who is both a medical doctor and a Doctor of Philosophy. Rev. Johnson's incredibly detailed discussions with David examine every facet of the debate. David's Gift is a fictional tale of an absolutely non-fiction issue, addressed comprehensively by an author who clearly has a deep understanding of what he refers to as Evolutionized Creation. There is, Keller contends in the Introduction, no reason to abandon your Creationist beliefs, especially not when the science so clearly supports the reality of a Creator.A story of new faith, lost faith renewed and the staggering complexity and ineradicable beauty of a perfect Creation. HG Keller was born in a small Nebraska town where he spent the first 38 years as a Medical Technologist, an engineer and sales assistant. He moved to Virginia to work as a sales representative and after 22 years retired and moved to Colorado to live closer to his children and grandchildren. Throughout his life he has studied evolutionary science and biology. He has wrestled with the idea of a creator and the theory of neo-Darwinism. He has been waiting for someone to come along and resolve the mystery of human creation. David's Gift is an effort to put forth ideas on how it all could have happened. Contact Mr. Keller at Davidsgift771@gmail.com with your thoughts about this book and find out about his next literary project.
156 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2013
1 person is currently reading
322 people want to read
About the author
H.G. Keller
1 book4 followersGraduated HS 1967 from Kearney High School, from college 1971 Kearney State College(University of Nebraska at Kearney), Lincoln General Hospital School of Medical Technology, 1972.
Worked as Medical Technologist (MT, ASCP) until 1975 when he joined the engineering group at Baldwin Filters. In 1986 he move to Virgina as District Sales Manager for Baldwin. Retired in 2007.
Father to a son a daughter and grandfather to four boys and one girl.
He now resides in Firestone Colorado in summer months and San Tan Valley, Arizona in winter months.
Enjoys writing and reading spending time with his grandchildren.
Worked as Medical Technologist (MT, ASCP) until 1975 when he joined the engineering group at Baldwin Filters. In 1986 he move to Virgina as District Sales Manager for Baldwin. Retired in 2007.
Father to a son a daughter and grandfather to four boys and one girl.
He now resides in Firestone Colorado in summer months and San Tan Valley, Arizona in winter months.
Enjoys writing and reading spending time with his grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 15, 2014
This review is partially influenced by the fact that I have recently been marathon watching 17,18, and 19 Kids and Counting on Netflix where one of the episodes is about the creation museum and Jim Bob and Michelle discuss how they don't teach their children evolution because the Bible says the world is only 6,000 years old (which I find to be complete hogwash.) I would love to see the Duggar children (and parent's actually) read this book. Honestly, I have rationalized for years that evolution doesn't necessarily exclude a creator, although I don't have the need to believe in one myself. As this book states, we can't possibly grasp the extent of a "day" to God, and it's very possible that his "days" cover the billions of years it took for the Earth to form as it has. Basically I can easily agree with a lot of the rationalizations in this book, and if that helps believers in God also believe in evolution (which is scientifically proven), then it's alright by me.
My issues with the book include the mountain scenes, which did more to subtract from the story than anything for me. I'd be grooving along on the God-based evolutionary journey and then slammed back to the mountains at the beginning of the next chapter, pulling me out of the story a little. There were also several typographical and grammatical errors. Not so many that they completely distracted from the story, but far more than I expect to see in a book this size. Overall though, it really was a decent read and I would recommend it to parents and children that are trying to rationalize evolution with their belief in God.
My issues with the book include the mountain scenes, which did more to subtract from the story than anything for me. I'd be grooving along on the God-based evolutionary journey and then slammed back to the mountains at the beginning of the next chapter, pulling me out of the story a little. There were also several typographical and grammatical errors. Not so many that they completely distracted from the story, but far more than I expect to see in a book this size. Overall though, it really was a decent read and I would recommend it to parents and children that are trying to rationalize evolution with their belief in God.
September 25, 2014
i receive this book as a giveaway long time ago but i read it until now. i regret that i didn't read it at the beginning. at the beginning the story was really slow but the theory behind the book is pretty convincing and i had never taught about that before. the book made me realize that i can believe in evolution and god at the same time, that god has a plan for us and that he created DNA with a purpose. i always think that humans are perfect through DNA but i never realize it was because of god. i have to admit that this book is not the kind of books that i read but when i read it my perspective about evolution change completely, the thing that i like about this book is that is not a cliche religious book that tries to convince you that god exist, the book really really gives a theory and gives facts to why believe in him. At the beginning i was confuse about what the book was about and why the book was call David's gift, i thought that it was because he was a gifted child but the throughout the book i realize that the name was because David give to his to his dad the knowledge that he was denied when he was a child. i really enjoyed the book, even though i took forever to read it and write my review.
July 1, 2014
First, I will start by saying that I received this book from GoodReads First Reads, but this in no way influences my opinions on the novel.
I am giving this novel 1.5 out of 5 stars.
The pros of this novel are as follows:
1) The cover art is beautiful and it is likely that anyone in a bookstore would be intrigued enough to pick the novel up.
2) This was a very easy read from start to finish, but towards the end of the novel the author does begin to explain concepts in biology/chemistry which might be difficult for a younger individual to comprehend.
3) I can see this novel being a great discussion starter on the idea of Creation vs Darwinism and the idea of bridging the gap between these schools of thought.
The cons of this novel are as follows:
1) The author markets this as a fictional story developed with the intent of asking piercing or theological questions. I would argue that this novel does not read as a fictional story, but rather as a self-help novel or a novel aimed at addressing the issue of creation and Darwinism. That is, the author could have more seamlessly interwoven issues of creation and Darwinism into a fictional narrative.
2) This book shifts from past to present in a way that is completely unnecessary. This novel would have been much better if the author started from the past and worked his way to the present. Instead, he provides brief descriptions of the present and then moves to the past. Arguably, this novel simply attempts too much. It moves from past to present and attempts to utilize a fictional story to address non-fictional ideas.
3) I stated that one of the pros of this novel is that it is a simple easy read. While this is true, it is also one of the downfalls of this novel. I never found myself invested in the characters of this book and found the explanations/descriptions of settings, and characters to be very flat, and underwhelming. In other words, I felt like I barely understood or grasp the surface features or characteristics of the landscape and participants let alone any subsurface features of values.
4) I was not pleased with the ending. I can't really explain why without spoiling it, but I feel like the ending needed more or needed a more neutral conclusion if the novel is trying to address non-fictional issues.
Overall, I found this novel extremely difficult to get through and would not recommend it to others.
I am giving this novel 1.5 out of 5 stars.
The pros of this novel are as follows:
1) The cover art is beautiful and it is likely that anyone in a bookstore would be intrigued enough to pick the novel up.
2) This was a very easy read from start to finish, but towards the end of the novel the author does begin to explain concepts in biology/chemistry which might be difficult for a younger individual to comprehend.
3) I can see this novel being a great discussion starter on the idea of Creation vs Darwinism and the idea of bridging the gap between these schools of thought.
The cons of this novel are as follows:
1) The author markets this as a fictional story developed with the intent of asking piercing or theological questions. I would argue that this novel does not read as a fictional story, but rather as a self-help novel or a novel aimed at addressing the issue of creation and Darwinism. That is, the author could have more seamlessly interwoven issues of creation and Darwinism into a fictional narrative.
2) This book shifts from past to present in a way that is completely unnecessary. This novel would have been much better if the author started from the past and worked his way to the present. Instead, he provides brief descriptions of the present and then moves to the past. Arguably, this novel simply attempts too much. It moves from past to present and attempts to utilize a fictional story to address non-fictional ideas.
3) I stated that one of the pros of this novel is that it is a simple easy read. While this is true, it is also one of the downfalls of this novel. I never found myself invested in the characters of this book and found the explanations/descriptions of settings, and characters to be very flat, and underwhelming. In other words, I felt like I barely understood or grasp the surface features or characteristics of the landscape and participants let alone any subsurface features of values.
4) I was not pleased with the ending. I can't really explain why without spoiling it, but I feel like the ending needed more or needed a more neutral conclusion if the novel is trying to address non-fictional issues.
Overall, I found this novel extremely difficult to get through and would not recommend it to others.
August 13, 2014
I received this book through Goodreads giveaways.
I found this book underwhelming. The author initially presents the book as a novel then uses readers interest in the characters to present an agenda of indoctrinating the reader with this agenda.
The story connecting religion and evolution goes from a discussion that is understandable to a presentation that is extremely complex, distancing the reader from the story and going over and above the level of comprehension of a young adult.--I am older than a young adult and I found my mind wandering and myself asking whether the author would get on with it already and why was he stating essentially the same thing over and over in different formulations.
Also, the author presents two stories simultaneously; one in the past and one in the present. This presentation only adds confusion and does not enhance the story or the plot.
In trying to make a connection between evolution and religion, the author prides himself in a clear explanation of the connection. However, he/his characters, fail to address several concepts; Why, for instance, would God create a whole era of creature types only to annihilate them completely (AKA. the dinosaurs). He also fails to touch on why humans need a savior.
This book was arduous to read. An easy read it was not and its claim to clarify the connection between evolution and creation was imposed on the reader. I felt like I was being prosthletized and this was off putting.
I found this book underwhelming. The author initially presents the book as a novel then uses readers interest in the characters to present an agenda of indoctrinating the reader with this agenda.
The story connecting religion and evolution goes from a discussion that is understandable to a presentation that is extremely complex, distancing the reader from the story and going over and above the level of comprehension of a young adult.--I am older than a young adult and I found my mind wandering and myself asking whether the author would get on with it already and why was he stating essentially the same thing over and over in different formulations.
Also, the author presents two stories simultaneously; one in the past and one in the present. This presentation only adds confusion and does not enhance the story or the plot.
In trying to make a connection between evolution and religion, the author prides himself in a clear explanation of the connection. However, he/his characters, fail to address several concepts; Why, for instance, would God create a whole era of creature types only to annihilate them completely (AKA. the dinosaurs). He also fails to touch on why humans need a savior.
This book was arduous to read. An easy read it was not and its claim to clarify the connection between evolution and creation was imposed on the reader. I felt like I was being prosthletized and this was off putting.
February 5, 2016
Attempts to marry the two arguments of evolution and creationism . Not much of a plot but some thought provoking solutions to age old questions. One premiss is that DNA is so complex that it could not be an accident of nature, it had to be designed.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews