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Creation or Evolution
Dr Denis Alexander is a neuroscientist who believes passionately in both the biblical doctrine of creation and the coherence of evolutionary theory. His book draws on the latest genetic research.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2008
26 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
About the author
Denis Alexander
20 books15 followersEmeritus Director of the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion at St Edmund's College, Cambridge, a molecular biologist and an author on science and religion. PhD in neurochemistry.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 2, 2022
Despite being a book primarily about science, this book may be one of my new favorite theological texts. Dr. Alexander’s approach is always scriptural first, accompanied in later chapters by scientific data. Reading this, you can tell he is a devoted Christian, seeking to do his job as a scientist for the glory of God (nothing short of encouraging for a new scientist in the faith, like myself).
Dr. Alexander makes a very convincing case not just for his claim, that Christians need not ignore modern scientific explanations for human origins, but also how we, informed by the ultimate power of the gospel need not fear academia or intellectual progress. If God has truly saved us, we are free to learn about him, having faith that all knowledge revealed in this world can be used to glorify God.
Dr. Alexander makes a very convincing case not just for his claim, that Christians need not ignore modern scientific explanations for human origins, but also how we, informed by the ultimate power of the gospel need not fear academia or intellectual progress. If God has truly saved us, we are free to learn about him, having faith that all knowledge revealed in this world can be used to glorify God.
November 3, 2012
This book is primarily for Christians who are seeking a better understanding of the current creation-evolution debate. The author, who is the Director of the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, St. Edmund's College, Cambridge, begins by assuming that the Bible is the authoritative Word of God.
Dr. Alexander then tackles his subject systematically, starting with biblical interpretation, then the biblical doctrine of creation, then three chapters on "What do we mean by evolution?" His discussion of the supporting evidence for evolution is the best and most up-to-date that I've yet seen in the popular press. He then spends a chapter defending evolution against common objections, such as:
* Evolution is a chance process and this is incompatible with the God of the Bible bringing about his purposeful plan of creation.
* The theory of evolution is not truly scientific because it does not involve repeatable experiments in the laboratory.
* Evolution runs counter to the second law of thermodynamics.
* Perhaps God makes things took old, although in reality they are much younger, in order to test our faith.
* What use is half an eye?
* Surely if evolution were true, God would have simply told us so in his Word so that we don't need to have all this discussion.
* Perhaps God made the original kinds by special acts of creation which then underwent rapid evolution to generate the species diversity that we see today.
In bringing together Adam & Eve and evolution, he presents the same five models (A-E) that he described in his paper at the joint meeting of the American Scientific Affiliation and Christians-in-Science in Edinburgh in 2007. He favors his Model C, in which "God in his grace chose a couple of Neolithic farmers in the near East . . . to whom he chose to reveal himself in a special way, calling them into fellowship with himself - so that they might know him as a personal God." Model C is consistent with the historical and biblical records. So is a local flood saving those who "walked with God." The calling of Adam & Eve to be the recipients of God's specific commands set the pattern for all the other specific people subsequently called by God for God's specific purpose, including Abraham, Moses and Mary.
In his discussion of death before the Fall, he makes the point that "nowhere in the Old Testament is there the slightest suggestion that the physical death of either animals or humans, after a reasonable span of years, is anything other than the normal pattern ordained by God for this earth."
Chapter 14 (Intelligent Design) does as good a demolition of ID as science as I have seen anywhere, and better than most. He also describes Simon Conway Morris's concept of evolutionary convergence ("Life's Solution: Inevitable Humans in a Lonely Universe").
There is a brief discussion of accommodation (God giving his Word in language that his people could understand), with virtually no mention of Ancient Near East cosmology, which is treated very well in Gordon Glover's "Beyond the Firmament," or the problems of scientific concordism (the Bible teaches the facts of science), which is treated very well in Denis Lamoureux's "Evolutionary Creation". It also has a relatively weak discussion of how we know that the earth is very old, but after all, he is a biochemist. Despite these minor shortcomings, this is an excellent book for Christians, especially Young Earth, Day-Age and Progressive Creationists, who have doubts about their current position but greater doubts about the compatibility of the Bible and biological evolution.
A friend of mine used to say that you have to tell someone something three times before they really get it. If you're like that (or if you're over 65 like me and can't remember what you read last week), I highly recommend reading this book plus Gordon Glover's "Beyond the Firmament" and Denis Lamoureux's "Evolutionary Creation" in order to "get it."
Dr. Alexander then tackles his subject systematically, starting with biblical interpretation, then the biblical doctrine of creation, then three chapters on "What do we mean by evolution?" His discussion of the supporting evidence for evolution is the best and most up-to-date that I've yet seen in the popular press. He then spends a chapter defending evolution against common objections, such as:
* Evolution is a chance process and this is incompatible with the God of the Bible bringing about his purposeful plan of creation.
* The theory of evolution is not truly scientific because it does not involve repeatable experiments in the laboratory.
* Evolution runs counter to the second law of thermodynamics.
* Perhaps God makes things took old, although in reality they are much younger, in order to test our faith.
* What use is half an eye?
* Surely if evolution were true, God would have simply told us so in his Word so that we don't need to have all this discussion.
* Perhaps God made the original kinds by special acts of creation which then underwent rapid evolution to generate the species diversity that we see today.
In bringing together Adam & Eve and evolution, he presents the same five models (A-E) that he described in his paper at the joint meeting of the American Scientific Affiliation and Christians-in-Science in Edinburgh in 2007. He favors his Model C, in which "God in his grace chose a couple of Neolithic farmers in the near East . . . to whom he chose to reveal himself in a special way, calling them into fellowship with himself - so that they might know him as a personal God." Model C is consistent with the historical and biblical records. So is a local flood saving those who "walked with God." The calling of Adam & Eve to be the recipients of God's specific commands set the pattern for all the other specific people subsequently called by God for God's specific purpose, including Abraham, Moses and Mary.
In his discussion of death before the Fall, he makes the point that "nowhere in the Old Testament is there the slightest suggestion that the physical death of either animals or humans, after a reasonable span of years, is anything other than the normal pattern ordained by God for this earth."
Chapter 14 (Intelligent Design) does as good a demolition of ID as science as I have seen anywhere, and better than most. He also describes Simon Conway Morris's concept of evolutionary convergence ("Life's Solution: Inevitable Humans in a Lonely Universe").
There is a brief discussion of accommodation (God giving his Word in language that his people could understand), with virtually no mention of Ancient Near East cosmology, which is treated very well in Gordon Glover's "Beyond the Firmament," or the problems of scientific concordism (the Bible teaches the facts of science), which is treated very well in Denis Lamoureux's "Evolutionary Creation". It also has a relatively weak discussion of how we know that the earth is very old, but after all, he is a biochemist. Despite these minor shortcomings, this is an excellent book for Christians, especially Young Earth, Day-Age and Progressive Creationists, who have doubts about their current position but greater doubts about the compatibility of the Bible and biological evolution.
A friend of mine used to say that you have to tell someone something three times before they really get it. If you're like that (or if you're over 65 like me and can't remember what you read last week), I highly recommend reading this book plus Gordon Glover's "Beyond the Firmament" and Denis Lamoureux's "Evolutionary Creation" in order to "get it."
April 12, 2017
Of all the books I've read that attempt to discuss the theological issues surrounding the Bible and evolution, this is the first one I've read which has lead me to cry, 'Finally! Someone who actually gets what the problem is!' Dr Alexander's explanation of both the science and the theology show both a polymathic understanding of the concepts and the deep desire and the ability to communicate them. His theological solutions to the problems (which revolve mainly around Adam and the Fall rather than around the 'six days') are quite ingenious, although it will be a long time before an answer to please everyone will show up. Still, this is by far and away the best treatment on the subject, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to take this often wearisome debate to a new level.
July 28, 2011
Maybe I could give this fine book a five except I’m not smart enough to process a lot of the science that is related here! Anyway, I’ll attempt a humble review. In his thought-provoking work “Proper Confidence”, the late Lesslie Newbigin draws some conclusions which I think also relate to Denis Alexander’s excellent book: (1) “To look outside of the gospel for a starting point for the demonstration of the reasonableness of the gospel is itself a contradiction of the gospel, for it implies that we look for the logos elsewhere than in Jesus” (p. 94); (2) “Our lives are shaped not by the confidence that we know enough of the laws of nature to chart our course with certainty, but by a faith (which can always be questioned) in the one whose story it is” (p. 73); (3) “As a Christian, my understanding of the truth must be constantly open to revision and correction, but—and this is the crucial point—only and always within the irreversible commitment to Jesus Christ. If that commitment is questioned, then I am once again a clueless wanderer in the darkness, bamboozled by the products of my own imagination.” (p. 70)
In the spirit of Newbigin’s conclusions above, Alexander approaches the scientific task with a firm faith in God as the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. He speaks passionately throughout this book of “God’s patience and his power in bringing the present created order into being through the evolutionary process.” (p. 190) “There is nothing in the created order without exception that is not created and sustained by God.” (p. 320) And “it is not particularly helpful to think of God as tweaking the occasional mutation here, or bringing about the extinction of a species there, because the unavoidable implication from such a suggestion is that then God is less involved in some other aspect of the process. If the immanence of God in the created order means anything, then it means God’s working through all the processes of the evolutionary process without exception, in the billions of years when (to our minds not much was happening on the earth and things were very small, just as much as in the Cambrian explosion when life became more diverse and interesting (again to our minds) and as much again as in the relatively rapid process of evolution that led eventually to our own appearance on the planet. In other words, God is the author of the whole story of creation, not just of bits of it.” (187)
In spite of his strong faith, or perhaps precisely because of it, Alexander comes out strongly against insecure “fundamentalists [who] do a disservice to the gospel when as sometimes happens they adopt a style of certainty more in the tradition of Descartes than in the truly evangelical spirit.” (p. 70) Sometimes? His postscript is especially scathing of the attitudes of many well-intentioned Christians toward science, quoting Augustine as others such as Francis Collins have done in recent years.
On the other hand, Alexander comes out just as strong against Richard Dawkins and his ilk with their unscientific, illogical propagandistic style: “if the ‘evolution’ word is linked with the ‘atheism’ idea long enough, then eventually people will think that one implies the other.” (p. 180)
An early conclusion drawn midway through this book states “the geographical distribution of species, the existence of ongoing speciation events, the fossil record, comparative anatomy and, above all, genomics, all provide an immense array of persuasive data in support of common descent with variation.” (p. 137) Alexander moves on from there to examine different biblical creation perspectives and related theological questions, concluding with a vague but helpful discussion of the present understanding of science on the “Origin of Life” issue. In summary, definitely read this book, but you’ll need to read it multiple times and/or several others as well to even begin to get a grasp of the issues.issue. In summary, definitely read this book, but you’ll need to read it multiple times and/or several others as well to even begin to get a grasp of the issues.
In the spirit of Newbigin’s conclusions above, Alexander approaches the scientific task with a firm faith in God as the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. He speaks passionately throughout this book of “God’s patience and his power in bringing the present created order into being through the evolutionary process.” (p. 190) “There is nothing in the created order without exception that is not created and sustained by God.” (p. 320) And “it is not particularly helpful to think of God as tweaking the occasional mutation here, or bringing about the extinction of a species there, because the unavoidable implication from such a suggestion is that then God is less involved in some other aspect of the process. If the immanence of God in the created order means anything, then it means God’s working through all the processes of the evolutionary process without exception, in the billions of years when (to our minds not much was happening on the earth and things were very small, just as much as in the Cambrian explosion when life became more diverse and interesting (again to our minds) and as much again as in the relatively rapid process of evolution that led eventually to our own appearance on the planet. In other words, God is the author of the whole story of creation, not just of bits of it.” (187)
In spite of his strong faith, or perhaps precisely because of it, Alexander comes out strongly against insecure “fundamentalists [who] do a disservice to the gospel when as sometimes happens they adopt a style of certainty more in the tradition of Descartes than in the truly evangelical spirit.” (p. 70) Sometimes? His postscript is especially scathing of the attitudes of many well-intentioned Christians toward science, quoting Augustine as others such as Francis Collins have done in recent years.
On the other hand, Alexander comes out just as strong against Richard Dawkins and his ilk with their unscientific, illogical propagandistic style: “if the ‘evolution’ word is linked with the ‘atheism’ idea long enough, then eventually people will think that one implies the other.” (p. 180)
An early conclusion drawn midway through this book states “the geographical distribution of species, the existence of ongoing speciation events, the fossil record, comparative anatomy and, above all, genomics, all provide an immense array of persuasive data in support of common descent with variation.” (p. 137) Alexander moves on from there to examine different biblical creation perspectives and related theological questions, concluding with a vague but helpful discussion of the present understanding of science on the “Origin of Life” issue. In summary, definitely read this book, but you’ll need to read it multiple times and/or several others as well to even begin to get a grasp of the issues.issue. In summary, definitely read this book, but you’ll need to read it multiple times and/or several others as well to even begin to get a grasp of the issues.
July 2, 2011
The book is outstanding, and I state this even though I do not agree with him. Alexander is gracious to those he disagrees with; even with those he does not respect. The book clearly outlines his belief as well as his philosophical assumptions. I think I finally understand his viewpoint. Only a small portion of the book could be described as negative toward others. But, even here Alexander was even handed. My only significant complaint with the book is that he completely ignored the strongest arguments of those he disagrees with (i.e. Behe & Lennox). As it turns out, this is because he believes their strongest arguments are inappropriate to the discussion. Yet, this is not true for many of us who do not share his views, and significantly weakens what is otherwise a terrific book. I fully agree with J.I.Packer, who says on the front cover: "Surely the best informed and most judicious treatment of the question in its title that you can find anywhere today."
September 22, 2009
The author, Denis Alexander, is a biochemist. He presents the evidence for evolution very well. He then summarizes several possible views that an orthodox Christian may take on evolution, from outright denial to acceptance. All views maintain the authority of scripture. He also presents the theological problems associated with Intelligent Design. Based on Alexander's arguments, I am currently convinced that God created the universe using evolution as His tool. I also remain convinced that Adam and Eve are historic figures, rather than mere symbols (although they are certainly symbols in addition to being historic). Alexander convincingly shows how this position is possible. Jolly good work overall.
November 24, 2018
I recommend this book for any Christians who have ever felt that modern understanding of biology precludes them being able to "love the Lord your God with all your...mind" (Mk 12:39). I wish non-believers would learn from this book that accepting Christ does not require turning off your brain, and that science is not antithetical to Christianity despite the most common depictions in mass media.
I agree with Denis Alexander that it is tragic that so many people, Christians and non-Christians alike, have come to see evolution as a "deal-breaker" to Christian faith. As such, I appreciate almost any humble, genuine attempt to show how this need not be the case. However, this is not just any attempt. This author has an elite understanding of both modern biology (and especially biochemistry) and the Bible. This allows the author to treat the subject without compromising either the full intellectual rigor of modern scientific inquiry or the soul-saturating reverence for a transcendently powerful yet personal God of Christian faith. Biochemical mechanisms and Hebrew word studies are both cited with an ease and clarity that reveals the author's extensive personal study of both.
Despite his uncommon understanding of the relevant subject matter, the author's tone is clearly one of intellectual honesty and self-awareness leading to a fundamental posture of humility. From this stance, it seems clear that the author undertakes this book with a servant's desire to help others because it agonizes him to see people unable to enjoy Christ with full intellectual and emotional vigor due to a false perception of conflict over this subject. This is definitely a departure from other authors who write books like this as an attempt to demonstrate how self-evidently correct their positions are. In fact, the style alone shatters the false impression many have that being a Christian requires or even suggests a blind and stultifying adherence to rigid dogmas.
As with most books across a range of positions in this genre, the author is at pains to say that his personal "model" of how the biblical account played out historically may well not be right on every detail but rather is at least one plausible scenario which is enough to disprove the contention that evolution and Christian faith are intrinsically mutually exclusive. While I do not feel it is necessary to adopt the author's exact views to appreciate this book, I find his views to be very thoughtful and well-argued. I think my own views are more closely aligned with these than with any other single-author work I've read (which is admittedly a very small selection). While any personal understanding of this topic will leave some unanswered questions, I appreciate that the unanswered questions in this view are ones that an intellectual person can be unashamedly open about rather than things that you hope no one will ask because they are difficult to defend with a straight face.
I agree with Denis Alexander that it is tragic that so many people, Christians and non-Christians alike, have come to see evolution as a "deal-breaker" to Christian faith. As such, I appreciate almost any humble, genuine attempt to show how this need not be the case. However, this is not just any attempt. This author has an elite understanding of both modern biology (and especially biochemistry) and the Bible. This allows the author to treat the subject without compromising either the full intellectual rigor of modern scientific inquiry or the soul-saturating reverence for a transcendently powerful yet personal God of Christian faith. Biochemical mechanisms and Hebrew word studies are both cited with an ease and clarity that reveals the author's extensive personal study of both.
Despite his uncommon understanding of the relevant subject matter, the author's tone is clearly one of intellectual honesty and self-awareness leading to a fundamental posture of humility. From this stance, it seems clear that the author undertakes this book with a servant's desire to help others because it agonizes him to see people unable to enjoy Christ with full intellectual and emotional vigor due to a false perception of conflict over this subject. This is definitely a departure from other authors who write books like this as an attempt to demonstrate how self-evidently correct their positions are. In fact, the style alone shatters the false impression many have that being a Christian requires or even suggests a blind and stultifying adherence to rigid dogmas.
As with most books across a range of positions in this genre, the author is at pains to say that his personal "model" of how the biblical account played out historically may well not be right on every detail but rather is at least one plausible scenario which is enough to disprove the contention that evolution and Christian faith are intrinsically mutually exclusive. While I do not feel it is necessary to adopt the author's exact views to appreciate this book, I find his views to be very thoughtful and well-argued. I think my own views are more closely aligned with these than with any other single-author work I've read (which is admittedly a very small selection). While any personal understanding of this topic will leave some unanswered questions, I appreciate that the unanswered questions in this view are ones that an intellectual person can be unashamedly open about rather than things that you hope no one will ask because they are difficult to defend with a straight face.
September 6, 2018
Remarcable! A truly GOOD book, and these words don't even do it justice.
This reading was my most challenging read this year, but it was worth it all the way.
It was challenging in two major ways, as it also does tackle two major perspectives on Life: the biological and the theological.
My biggest intellectual challenge was the depth this book gave in the biological research, theories and findings. Man! With an almost less then basic understanding of biology I could hardly follow those parts and for sure I did learn a lot. On the other side, even though I am by no means an expert, the facts as stated by the author coincide with my formal education at University, they even served to help me understand some things of my own field of study (Psychology) thematises a little bit better.
Now the second challenge was theological. And if I am no position to actually differentiate subtantiated biology statements, my formal Theology studies do allow me to say that the theological statements of these book, the exegesis, the literature critique and hermeneutics applied to interpret key passages of the Bible are top notch! I was amazed of the theological knowledge of this non-theologian and this is what eventually moved me from my more or less firm old-earth creationist, flirting with ID ideas place into seeing evolution as God's handiwork and work towards expanding my theological knowledge to keep on deepening my understanding of the Bible as it was intended.
I am greatful that this book crossed my path, I learned much from it. I commend the authors clear and transparent use of language, his great investment in making sure the reader is able to follow him on this journey. I am so amazed by how easy to read this book was! Unbelievable, especially regarding the topic.
To speak of one more of my favourite aspects: I could feel the passion that fueled the research and the writing of this book. I could almost sense the excitement with which the results were presented, I could feel the dedication to the cause of reconciliation of ideas and of clearing the path for more important things than finding the answer to this book. Yes, maybe this was the best part of reading this; however much it worked towards giving an answer to the question of the title, that was still overshadowed by the joy over God's Word and God's Work, their harmony and the joy over the future of this endeavour which will be revealed in the New Heaven and New Earth! The author is clearly looking forward to that time and he managed to contagiate me as well!
I fullheartedly recommend this book to every person who ever asked themselves the question in the title. I fullheartedly believe that no matter what your educational or doctrinal background may be, with an open mind this book can bring a great blessing into your life!
This reading was my most challenging read this year, but it was worth it all the way.
It was challenging in two major ways, as it also does tackle two major perspectives on Life: the biological and the theological.
My biggest intellectual challenge was the depth this book gave in the biological research, theories and findings. Man! With an almost less then basic understanding of biology I could hardly follow those parts and for sure I did learn a lot. On the other side, even though I am by no means an expert, the facts as stated by the author coincide with my formal education at University, they even served to help me understand some things of my own field of study (Psychology) thematises a little bit better.
Now the second challenge was theological. And if I am no position to actually differentiate subtantiated biology statements, my formal Theology studies do allow me to say that the theological statements of these book, the exegesis, the literature critique and hermeneutics applied to interpret key passages of the Bible are top notch! I was amazed of the theological knowledge of this non-theologian and this is what eventually moved me from my more or less firm old-earth creationist, flirting with ID ideas place into seeing evolution as God's handiwork and work towards expanding my theological knowledge to keep on deepening my understanding of the Bible as it was intended.
I am greatful that this book crossed my path, I learned much from it. I commend the authors clear and transparent use of language, his great investment in making sure the reader is able to follow him on this journey. I am so amazed by how easy to read this book was! Unbelievable, especially regarding the topic.
To speak of one more of my favourite aspects: I could feel the passion that fueled the research and the writing of this book. I could almost sense the excitement with which the results were presented, I could feel the dedication to the cause of reconciliation of ideas and of clearing the path for more important things than finding the answer to this book. Yes, maybe this was the best part of reading this; however much it worked towards giving an answer to the question of the title, that was still overshadowed by the joy over God's Word and God's Work, their harmony and the joy over the future of this endeavour which will be revealed in the New Heaven and New Earth! The author is clearly looking forward to that time and he managed to contagiate me as well!
I fullheartedly recommend this book to every person who ever asked themselves the question in the title. I fullheartedly believe that no matter what your educational or doctrinal background may be, with an open mind this book can bring a great blessing into your life!
February 27, 2024
An extremely eye-opening experience for this Christian.
I have never seen a more elegant or elaborate discussion regarding the theory of evolution, and I believe every Christian should read this book, if for nothing else, to learn about how the author seamlessly argues creation/biological evolution, using scripture and science. This book has furthered my understanding considerably regarding my own faith and the theory of evolution and understanding of biology. Now, at least I can better defend my position on what I believe with either camp. it was quite enlightening to hear this author praise the works of God and scripture all the while, pointing out how God‘s hand is ultimately in all of this, especially biological evolution.
My own beliefs aside, I have always been annoyed at the average Christian’s avoidance of science. Christians need to embrace science, not the political science of the day, but the science that informs us, about us, our bodies, and our universe, which the Lord has given us.
My own faith was made more solid and my personal beliefs about the 6 24 hour time periods vs. millions, and millions of years are now more understandable to myself and easier to share with others. A wonderful book that this Christian highly recommends.
I have never seen a more elegant or elaborate discussion regarding the theory of evolution, and I believe every Christian should read this book, if for nothing else, to learn about how the author seamlessly argues creation/biological evolution, using scripture and science. This book has furthered my understanding considerably regarding my own faith and the theory of evolution and understanding of biology. Now, at least I can better defend my position on what I believe with either camp. it was quite enlightening to hear this author praise the works of God and scripture all the while, pointing out how God‘s hand is ultimately in all of this, especially biological evolution.
My own beliefs aside, I have always been annoyed at the average Christian’s avoidance of science. Christians need to embrace science, not the political science of the day, but the science that informs us, about us, our bodies, and our universe, which the Lord has given us.
My own faith was made more solid and my personal beliefs about the 6 24 hour time periods vs. millions, and millions of years are now more understandable to myself and easier to share with others. A wonderful book that this Christian highly recommends.
June 23, 2017
Dr. Alexander, an evangelical Christian, is the Emeritus Director of the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion. He is also a molecular biologist. In this book, Dr. Alexander covers the Biblical doctrine of creation, Adam and Eve, and the Fall with great care, drawing from numerous sections of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. He examines the history of Christian thought on creation, salvation, and how God acts within the world. Turning to science, he examines the evidence for evolution of life over time, and of the common ancestry of life, including the fossil record and DNA evidence, and makes an excellent case for God having used evolution. He also makes a compelling argument why the Intelligent Design movement is not honest science. Throughout the book, the author gives glory to God for what He has revealed in the Bible and within creation.
May 17, 2025
I do not have the scientific-academic pedigree to either or agree or disagree with the content of this book. I can say that it has made me think more on the subject of science and faith than any other book. For that, I am grateful.
The chapters switch between more scientific and more theological parts, making it easier to read at times. This means that one is not always reading about science with unfamiliar terms or concepts. Reading theologically reflective chapters in between gave me the sense of getting a break from the heavy content.
I appreciate dr. Alexander's faith and genuine love for Jesus Christ. This is reflected throughout this book.
The chapters switch between more scientific and more theological parts, making it easier to read at times. This means that one is not always reading about science with unfamiliar terms or concepts. Reading theologically reflective chapters in between gave me the sense of getting a break from the heavy content.
I appreciate dr. Alexander's faith and genuine love for Jesus Christ. This is reflected throughout this book.
February 20, 2024
It is very detailed and needs reading more than once. Anyone who wants to seriously see that science/evolution and faith/Bible can live very happily side by side - then this is the book for you
June 13, 2013
Denis Alexander provides an accessible treatise on how evolution relates to scripture, covering everything from exegetical concerns about Genesis to scientific and philosophical objections to evolution. Denis does a particularly great job explaining how evolution works while sternly refusing to attach the scientific theory to any sort of philosophy or ideology. He argues brilliantly that evolution does not commit one to metaphysical naturalism and even puts forward an argument that evolution may make more sense on theism than atheism.
Finally when it comes to exegetical issues, it is clear Dr. Alexander has done his homework, he lays out a whole host of evidence and examples which make cast serious doubt on labeling Genesis 1 and 2 as a pure historical narrative. Clearly, chronology, places and events in these passages have huge theological claims put into their very structure. So for example; in Genesis chapter 2 a serpent, which clearly represents satan, tempts Adam and Eve to “become like God” and eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, afterwards the serpent is cursed by God. This passage mirrors closely a story in the epic of Gilgamesh where a serpent prevents Gilgamesh from achieving immortality by eating the plant of immortality before Gilgamesh could. The author of the Genesis story reverses the Gilgamesh story, however, so that it is not the serpent who controls man’s immortality, but God. In this way, the author of Genesis is not merely copying pagan stories, but offering a critique or polemic against their theology. With this in mind Genesis as a theological polemic becomes a much more sophisticated and beautiful work instead of an awkward linear historical account. That being said, it is important to note that clearly there is much history in Genesis 1 and 2, its just not written as a story but as a theology; God created the heavens and the Earth, not many gods, one God. God created the stars for men, the stars are not gods to be worshipped. God created man (Adam) and woman (Havva) to subdue the earth (Adamah) and fill it with life (Havva). Thus interpreting Genesis is not as simple as taking it as “figurative” or “literal” but involves much contextual research and study to understand its motifs and main ideas.
Finally when it comes to exegetical issues, it is clear Dr. Alexander has done his homework, he lays out a whole host of evidence and examples which make cast serious doubt on labeling Genesis 1 and 2 as a pure historical narrative. Clearly, chronology, places and events in these passages have huge theological claims put into their very structure. So for example; in Genesis chapter 2 a serpent, which clearly represents satan, tempts Adam and Eve to “become like God” and eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, afterwards the serpent is cursed by God. This passage mirrors closely a story in the epic of Gilgamesh where a serpent prevents Gilgamesh from achieving immortality by eating the plant of immortality before Gilgamesh could. The author of the Genesis story reverses the Gilgamesh story, however, so that it is not the serpent who controls man’s immortality, but God. In this way, the author of Genesis is not merely copying pagan stories, but offering a critique or polemic against their theology. With this in mind Genesis as a theological polemic becomes a much more sophisticated and beautiful work instead of an awkward linear historical account. That being said, it is important to note that clearly there is much history in Genesis 1 and 2, its just not written as a story but as a theology; God created the heavens and the Earth, not many gods, one God. God created the stars for men, the stars are not gods to be worshipped. God created man (Adam) and woman (Havva) to subdue the earth (Adamah) and fill it with life (Havva). Thus interpreting Genesis is not as simple as taking it as “figurative” or “literal” but involves much contextual research and study to understand its motifs and main ideas.
October 31, 2014
Recomand cartea tuturor credinciosilor care considera teoria evolutiei ca fiind o teorie fara vreun fundament testabil. Cartea e scrisa, de un biochimist crestin, pentru crestinii care neaga ceva ce nu cunosc si isi construiesc viziunea vietii pe o perceptie ingusta a realitatii. Este foarte bine documentata stiintific dar presarata cu explicatii, dupa parerea mea hilare si fara nicio legatura cu subiectul, din biblie pentru a incerca armonizarea stiintei cu scriptura. Intr-adevar, dupa parerea mea, tocmai ce nu vrea autorul sa sugereze scoate de fapt in evidenta, evolutia si biblia se exclud reciproc si nicio argumentatie lucida nu poate armoniza gandirea rationala, empirica si falsificabila cu scriptura, dogmatica si superficiala chiar daca celei din urma autorul incerca, prin argumentatie deziderativa construita prin non sequitururi evidente, sa-i confere niste valente profunde si esentiale vietii. Autorul doreste sa imprime in constiinta credinciosului ca dzeu, cumva, ofera fundatia si scheletul pe care, rational, se poate descrie procesul evolutiv observat in natura.
Pentru decenta si detaliul argumentatiei stiintifice ofer 4 stele desi indoctrinarea religioasa este evidenta iar rezultatul ei este incompatibil cu teoria darwinista.
Pentru decenta si detaliul argumentatiei stiintifice ofer 4 stele desi indoctrinarea religioasa este evidenta iar rezultatul ei este incompatibil cu teoria darwinista.
July 24, 2011
I recommend Alexander's book very highly. For the non-scientist, he presents in sufficient detail the arguments for and against evolution in detail sufficient to highlight the key issues. For the non-theologian, he presents the biblical account of creation and the creationist and ID arguments with enough specificity to make the arguments understandable. He makes a strong case for the compatibility of a biblical understanding of creation with the scientific theory of evolution. Basically, he can be described as a theistic evolutionist. He writes as a committed Christian and a practicing scientist.
June 27, 2011
explains things so simply and clearly, especially targets fundamental christians, says he is a christian and is at pains to explain the reality of evolution to other Christians of the fundy persuasion. a great overview regardless of your religion or none
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August 10, 2011Very good, probably over sciencey for a lot of people but I enjoyed it. Definitely a theistic evolutionist now!
Want to read
December 13, 2011"Surely the best informed, clearest and most judicious treatment of the question in its title that you can find anywhere today" - J. I. Packer
December 28, 2013
Instrumental in establishing my thinking as a Christian scientist
September 13, 2011
Really excellent overview of all issues from evolutionary creationist point of view.
February 22, 2016
Livre qui aidera le créationniste à se réconcilier avec l'évolution.
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