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More Than a Theory: Revealing a Testable Model for Creation
The year 2009 marks the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species . Alongside that event, there are many Darwin Day celebrations planned to acknowledge his 200th birthday. Add to these the virulent attacks of the New Atheists, led by Richard Dawkins. Bible-believing Christians will be left increasingly challenged with the theory of evolution as the only model to explain the origins and age of the universe.
In More Than a Theory , Hugh Ross, founder and president of Reasons To Believe, offers discerning readers a comprehensive, testable creation model to consider as an alternative. This fascinating resource will educate readers with a direct response to the recent and well-publicized challenges from aggressive atheists. In doing so, it also reminds the scientific community of what constitutes good science. Furthermore, it will supply Christians with the scientific information they need to defend their convictions that the God of the Bible is the Creator.
Complete with several appendices that put common documents and stories to the same test, More Than a Theory is a bold, brave, and unapologetic work of apologetics that will stir much discussion in both the scientific and religious realms.
In More Than a Theory , Hugh Ross, founder and president of Reasons To Believe, offers discerning readers a comprehensive, testable creation model to consider as an alternative. This fascinating resource will educate readers with a direct response to the recent and well-publicized challenges from aggressive atheists. In doing so, it also reminds the scientific community of what constitutes good science. Furthermore, it will supply Christians with the scientific information they need to defend their convictions that the God of the Bible is the Creator.
Complete with several appendices that put common documents and stories to the same test, More Than a Theory is a bold, brave, and unapologetic work of apologetics that will stir much discussion in both the scientific and religious realms.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
73 people are currently reading
495 people want to read
About the author
Hugh Ross
140 books317 followersAstrophysicist Hugh Ross is founder, senior scholar, and former president of Reasons to Believe (RTB).
He earned a degree in physics from the University of British Columbia and a PhD in astronomy from the University of Toronto. He continued his research on quasars and galaxies as a postdoctoral fellow at Caltech. In 1986, Ross launched RTB to research, develop, and communicate the harmonious relationship between science and Christianity.
Ross has authored or coauthored numerous books, including Rescuing Inerrancy, Designed to the Core, and The Creator and the Cosmos. He has also presented his testable creation model in countless interviews, peer-reviewed articles, videos, and podcasts, as well as at hundreds of speaking engagements at venues around the world.
He earned a degree in physics from the University of British Columbia and a PhD in astronomy from the University of Toronto. He continued his research on quasars and galaxies as a postdoctoral fellow at Caltech. In 1986, Ross launched RTB to research, develop, and communicate the harmonious relationship between science and Christianity.
Ross has authored or coauthored numerous books, including Rescuing Inerrancy, Designed to the Core, and The Creator and the Cosmos. He has also presented his testable creation model in countless interviews, peer-reviewed articles, videos, and podcasts, as well as at hundreds of speaking engagements at venues around the world.
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January 19, 2013
Dr. Hugh Ross is an astronomer and an astro-physicist. He is also a creationist. More precisely, he is an old earth creationist believing that the universe is many billions year old, as opposed to new earth creationists who state it is no more than 10,000 years old, and he is opposed to evolution. What makes Dr. Ross interesting is that he has no love for intelligent design theorists, not because he believes they are wrong but because they do not present any form of scientific ideas except their opposition to naturalism.
More Than a Theory is his attempt to present a testable scientific theory for creationism and he should be given credit for trying. It's a tall order. I came into this book believing he would not be successful and I do not think he is successful. Yet I did find the book fascinating. He is obviously a very brilliant man and he spend much of the time discussing Big Bang and issues of astronomy and cosmology is a way a layman like me would understand. He believes that the current theory of the beginning of the universe (Big Bang, etc.) is compatible with the Book of Genesis and it is fun to see how he makes his case. But when he get to the Adam and Eve story he goes literal. Dr. Ross is clearly a fine astro-physicist but is quite weak is the biology department and any area dealing with evolution. Eventually with all his fascinating information he still comes to the same point as any other creationist or ID proponent: It looks designed therefore God must have done it. Any truly testable theory of origin must go beyond this mistake of logic. Statements like natural disasters exist because eliminating the suffering "would thwart several of his purposes for creating the universe" and "God endowed each soulish species with specific capacities to serve or please humans" reveal that justification of religious belief is the prime decider here and not scientific research.
So this was a well written and entertaining work of apologetics, hence the three stars, but ultimately it will not convince anyone that creationism will ever have a chance at the big leagues of scientific research.
More Than a Theory is his attempt to present a testable scientific theory for creationism and he should be given credit for trying. It's a tall order. I came into this book believing he would not be successful and I do not think he is successful. Yet I did find the book fascinating. He is obviously a very brilliant man and he spend much of the time discussing Big Bang and issues of astronomy and cosmology is a way a layman like me would understand. He believes that the current theory of the beginning of the universe (Big Bang, etc.) is compatible with the Book of Genesis and it is fun to see how he makes his case. But when he get to the Adam and Eve story he goes literal. Dr. Ross is clearly a fine astro-physicist but is quite weak is the biology department and any area dealing with evolution. Eventually with all his fascinating information he still comes to the same point as any other creationist or ID proponent: It looks designed therefore God must have done it. Any truly testable theory of origin must go beyond this mistake of logic. Statements like natural disasters exist because eliminating the suffering "would thwart several of his purposes for creating the universe" and "God endowed each soulish species with specific capacities to serve or please humans" reveal that justification of religious belief is the prime decider here and not scientific research.
So this was a well written and entertaining work of apologetics, hence the three stars, but ultimately it will not convince anyone that creationism will ever have a chance at the big leagues of scientific research.
March 13, 2019
I've read several of Dr. Ross' book and have always been impressed with his scholarship and his ability to "dumb-down" his knowledge in order to make it more accessible to us mere mortals sacrificing passion.
This book may be the most important he's written. He and the ministry he's founded (Reasons to Believe -- RTB) exist to demonstrate that scientific research consistently support, rather than erode, confidence in the truth of the Bible.
This book lays out a creation model that is scientifically testable. Hugh presents the tenets of the 4-ish basic theories of life and describes how these principles can be tested. The RTB philosophy is to subject them all to scrutiny and let the chips fall where they may.
He also describes how the RTB model differentiates itself from other creationist theories. Most notable that of "Young-Earth." Y.E. posits that the Earth is only about 10,000 years old. As a Christian, I find this position embarrassing and comparable to flat-Earth type theories that have withered under scientific scrutiny. (I wish creationists would find a better champion than Ken Ham to debate this topic.)
The book's subject was fascinating but occasionally got a bit too mired in scientific technicalities. I also was a bit confused on what the RTB scientific model is -- as opposed to what it is trying to accomplish. Here is a description of the model from RTB's website.
As is typical with Dr. Ross' books, these are cross-referenced with tons of end notes pointing to scholarly works.
I hope that research into creation and origin of life expands. Hugh Ross and RTB challenge the notions that such matters of faith can't be scientifically examined. Bring it on!
This book may be the most important he's written. He and the ministry he's founded (Reasons to Believe -- RTB) exist to demonstrate that scientific research consistently support, rather than erode, confidence in the truth of the Bible.
This book lays out a creation model that is scientifically testable. Hugh presents the tenets of the 4-ish basic theories of life and describes how these principles can be tested. The RTB philosophy is to subject them all to scrutiny and let the chips fall where they may.
He also describes how the RTB model differentiates itself from other creationist theories. Most notable that of "Young-Earth." Y.E. posits that the Earth is only about 10,000 years old. As a Christian, I find this position embarrassing and comparable to flat-Earth type theories that have withered under scientific scrutiny. (I wish creationists would find a better champion than Ken Ham to debate this topic.)
The book's subject was fascinating but occasionally got a bit too mired in scientific technicalities. I also was a bit confused on what the RTB scientific model is -- as opposed to what it is trying to accomplish. Here is a description of the model from RTB's website.
As is typical with Dr. Ross' books, these are cross-referenced with tons of end notes pointing to scholarly works.
I hope that research into creation and origin of life expands. Hugh Ross and RTB challenge the notions that such matters of faith can't be scientifically examined. Bring it on!
August 20, 2016
This book will make you reframe your concept of Science and belief in God.
Firstly I will say the book starts off real slow, but by the fifth chapter it gets very interesting. I was a bit skeptical about the concept of an actual testable old earth creation model especially with how slow the book started. But by halfway through the book, all that skepticism was put to rest. This is very methodical and takes a while for the layman to digest, but that's a good thing. For something more for a popular audience you might want to try "Why the Universe is the Way it is" which touches on the things in this book without getting into the nuts and bolts. But if you like nuts and bolts and want to know how the creation/natural models actually work, this book is for you. If you have any interest in Science whatsoever you need to read this. This book is one of the few books on science out there that could possibly change how you think about faith, Science and it's interaction. This book also has the great potential to kindle a passion for science among Christians. I think churches that aren't afraid of Old Earth Creationism would do well to make this book or the other one I mentioned above available for adults and teens interested in science. Hugh Ross and his team have consistently presented bits of this information in this book in front of atheist or agnostic scientific organizations (which you can find on YouTube) and have proven that the RTB theory can hold its own. It was truly a joy reading.
Firstly I will say the book starts off real slow, but by the fifth chapter it gets very interesting. I was a bit skeptical about the concept of an actual testable old earth creation model especially with how slow the book started. But by halfway through the book, all that skepticism was put to rest. This is very methodical and takes a while for the layman to digest, but that's a good thing. For something more for a popular audience you might want to try "Why the Universe is the Way it is" which touches on the things in this book without getting into the nuts and bolts. But if you like nuts and bolts and want to know how the creation/natural models actually work, this book is for you. If you have any interest in Science whatsoever you need to read this. This book is one of the few books on science out there that could possibly change how you think about faith, Science and it's interaction. This book also has the great potential to kindle a passion for science among Christians. I think churches that aren't afraid of Old Earth Creationism would do well to make this book or the other one I mentioned above available for adults and teens interested in science. Hugh Ross and his team have consistently presented bits of this information in this book in front of atheist or agnostic scientific organizations (which you can find on YouTube) and have proven that the RTB theory can hold its own. It was truly a joy reading.
October 4, 2012
This book was really good, but started very poorly. I was seriously tempted to stop reading after the introduction and first few chapters. Initially, Ross was far too self-congratulatory in his writing. The initial apparent lack of humility was rather troubling (in contrast John Lennox has similar views but a more gentle delivery). Thankfully, after a poor start, the book turned into an easy-to-read science text, which was both interesting and enlightening. Portions of the book reminded me of “Rare Earth”, by Peter D. Ward and Donald Brownlee. The main difference was that in Rare Earth, as the probability of our existing becomes functionally impossible those authors turn to a multiverse to explain it, while Ross uses those odds as very good evidence for a creator. As a Physicist, there were portions of the book that I am quite familiar with, but to my delight there were numerous areas that I was not familiar with. I think it is particularly useful to have intelligent books by scientists who are Christians. This was a very useful summary of Old Earth Creationism from (primarily) a scientific perspective. Hopefully we can eventually render Young Earth Creationism into the same history books as beliefs on the flat earth or an earth centred universe.
March 13, 2013
Another excellent book produced by RTB (Reasons to Believe). I recommend it for any who enjoy science and are willing to give serious thought to the claims of Christianity. This is not a book for people (both Christian and non-Christian) who are afraid to have their beliefs challenged; however, if you're interested in truth then this is a book for you.
April 25, 2023
This book was assigned in a class in seminary. Being unable to really comment on the meat of the science, I can nonetheless say that Hugh Ross's model (a form of old Earth creationism) is very thought provoking and does a good job of making it's case to a lay audience. It at least seems like a solid contribution to the discussion.
March 27, 2019
Don't agree with his premise but good read.
October 21, 2015
COSMOLOGY & ASTRONOMY:
1. The earth in space, affected only by gravity. While other sources declared the earth sat on the back of an elephant or turtle, or was held up by Atlas, the Bible alone states what we now know to be true.
Job 26:7: He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and Suspending the earth upon nothing.
2. The earth is an orb or sphere. At a time when many thought the earth was flat, the Bible told us that the earth is spherical.
Isaiah 40:22: It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in.
Webster's 1828 Dictionary's definition of CIRCLE. "In popular use, the line that comprehends the figure, the plane or surface comprehended, and the whole body or solid matter of a round substance, are denominated a circle; a ring; an orb; the earth."
3. Scripture assumes a revolving (spherical) earth. Jesus said that at His return some would be asleep at night while others would be working at day time activities in the field. This is a clear indication of a revolving earth, with day and night occurring simultaneously.
Luke 17:34-36: I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
4. Black holes and dark matter anticipated. Cosmologists now speculate that over 98% of the known universe is comprised of dark matter, with dark energy and black holes. A black hole's gravitational field is so strong that nothing, not even light, escapes. Beyond the expanding universe there is no measured radiation and therefore only outer darkness exists. These theories paint a seemingly accurate description of what the Bible calls "outer darkness" or "the blackness of darkness forever."
Matthew 25:30: And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Jude 13: Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
5. Incalculable number of stars. At a time when less than 5,000 stars were visible to the human eye, God stated that the stars of heaven were innumerable. Not until the 17th century did Galileo glimpse the immensity of our universe with his new telescope. Today, astronomers estimate that there are ten thousand billion trillion stars - a 1 followed by 25 zeros! Yet, as the Bible states, scientists admit this number may be woefully inadequate.
Jeremiah 33:22: As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.
6. The number of stars, though vast, are finite. Although man is unable to calculate the exact number of stars, we now know their number is finite. Of course God knew this all along.
Isaiah 40:26: Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
7. The Bible compares the number of stars with the number of grains of sand on the seashore. Amazingly, gross estimates of the number of sand grains are comparable to the estimated number of stars in the universe.
Genesis 22:17: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.
8. The universe is expanding. Repeatedly God declares that He stretches out the heavens. During the early 20th century, most scientists (including Einstein) believed the universe was static. Others believed it should have collapsed due to gravity. Then in 1929, astronomer Edwin Hubble showed that distant galaxies were receding from the earth, and the further away they were, the faster they were moving. This discovery revolutionized the field of astronomy. Eisntein admitted his mistake, and today most astronomers agree with what the Creator told us millennia ago - the universe is expanding!
Isaiah 42:5: Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein.
Jeremiah 51:15: He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.
Zechariah 12:1: The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
9. Each star is unique. Centuries before the advent of the telescope, the Bible declared what only God and the angels knew: each star varies in size and intensity!
1 Corinthians 15:41: There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
10. The sun goes in a circuit. Some scientists scoffed at this verse thinking that it taught geocentricity - the theory that the sun revolves around the earth. They insisted the sun was stationary. However, we now know that the sun is traveling through space at approximately 600,000 miles per hour. It is literally moving through space in a huge circuit - just as the Bible stated 3,000 years ago!
Psalm 19:6: [The sun's] going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
PHYSICS:
1. Creation is made of atoms and particles, indiscernible to our eyes. Not until the 19th century was it discovered that all visible matter consists of invisible elements.
Hebrews 11:3: Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
2. Light can be divided. Sir Isaac Newton studied light and discovered that white light is made of seven colors, which can be "parted" and then recombined. Science confirmed this four centuries ago - God declared it four millennia ago!
Job 38:24: By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
3. Light travels in a path. Light is said to have a "way" [Hebrew: derek, literally a traveled path or road]. Until the 17th century it was believed that light was transmitted instantaneously. We now know that light is a form of energy that travels at 186,000 miles per second in a straight line. Indeed, there is a "way" of light.
Job 38:19: Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof.
4. The Bible says that light can be sent, and then manifest itself in speech. We now know that radio waves and light waves are two forms of the same thing: electromagnetic waves. Therefore, radio waves are a form of light. Today, using radio transmitters, we can send "lightnings" which indeed speak when they arrive.
Job 38:35: Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?
5. The First Law of Thermodynamics established. The First Law states that the total quantity of energy and matter in the universe is a constant. One form of energy or matter may be converted into another, but the total quantity always remains the same. Therefore the creation is finished, exactly as God said way back in Genesis.
Genesis 2:1-2: Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
6. The Second Law of Thermodynamics (Entropy). This law states that everything in the universe is running down, deteriorating, and constantly becoming less and less orderly. Entropy (disorder) entered when mankind rebelled against God - resulting in the curse (Genesis 3:17-19; Romans 8:20-22). Historically most people believed the universe was unchangeable. Yet modern science verifies that the universe is growing "old as doth a garment'' (Hebrews 1:11). Evolution directly contradicts this, the most tested of all scientific laws.
Psalm 102:25-26: Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed.
Romans 8:20-22: For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
BIOLOGY:
1. Law of Biogenesis explained. Scientists observe that life only comes from existing life. This law has never been violated under observation or experimentation (as evolution requires). Therefore, life, God's life, created all life.
Genesis 1:11, 20, 24: And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. ... And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. ... And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
Genesis 2:7: And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
2. The earth was designed for biological life. Scientists have discovered that the most fundamental characteristics of our earth and cosmos are so finely tuned that if just one of them were even slightly different, life as we know it couldn't exist. This is called the Anthropic Principle and it agrees with the Bible which states that God formed the earth to be inhabited.
Isaiah 45:18: For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
3. God has given us just the right amount of water to sustain life. We now recognize that if there was significantly more or less water, the earth would not support life as we know it.
Isaiah 40:12: Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
4. Our bodies are made from the dust of the ground. Scientists have discovered that the human body is comprised of some 28 base and trace elements - all of which are found in the earth.
Genesis 2:7: And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Genesis 3:19: In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
5. Life begins at fertilization. God declares that He knew us before we were born. The Biblical penalty for murdering an unborn child was death (Exodus 21:22-23). Today, it is an irrefutable biological fact that the fertilized egg is truly an entire human being. Nothing will be added to the first cell except nutrition and oxygen.
Psalm 139:15: "My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth."
Jeremiah 1:5: Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
6. God fashions and knits us together in the womb. Science was ignorant concerning embryonic development until recently. Yet thousands of years ago, the Bible accurately described God making us an intricate unity' in the womb.
Job 10:8-12: "Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me. Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again? Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese? Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews. Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit."
7. The seed of a plant contains its life. As stated in the Book of Genesis, we now recognize that inside the humble seed is life itself. Within the seed is a tiny factory of amazing complexity. No scientist can build a synthetic seed and no seed is simple!
Genesis 1:11-12: "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good."
8. A seed must die to produce new life. In John 12:24 is remarkable confirmation of two of the fundamental concepts in biology: 1) Cells arise only from existing cells. 2) A grain must die to produce more grain. The fallen seed is surrounded by supporting cells from the old body. These supporting cells "give their lives" to provide nourishment to the inner kernel. Once planted, this inner kernel germinates resulting in much grain.
John 12:24: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."
1 Corinthians 15:36-38: "Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body."
www.jw.org
1. The earth in space, affected only by gravity. While other sources declared the earth sat on the back of an elephant or turtle, or was held up by Atlas, the Bible alone states what we now know to be true.
Job 26:7: He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and Suspending the earth upon nothing.
2. The earth is an orb or sphere. At a time when many thought the earth was flat, the Bible told us that the earth is spherical.
Isaiah 40:22: It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in.
Webster's 1828 Dictionary's definition of CIRCLE. "In popular use, the line that comprehends the figure, the plane or surface comprehended, and the whole body or solid matter of a round substance, are denominated a circle; a ring; an orb; the earth."
3. Scripture assumes a revolving (spherical) earth. Jesus said that at His return some would be asleep at night while others would be working at day time activities in the field. This is a clear indication of a revolving earth, with day and night occurring simultaneously.
Luke 17:34-36: I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
4. Black holes and dark matter anticipated. Cosmologists now speculate that over 98% of the known universe is comprised of dark matter, with dark energy and black holes. A black hole's gravitational field is so strong that nothing, not even light, escapes. Beyond the expanding universe there is no measured radiation and therefore only outer darkness exists. These theories paint a seemingly accurate description of what the Bible calls "outer darkness" or "the blackness of darkness forever."
Matthew 25:30: And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Jude 13: Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
5. Incalculable number of stars. At a time when less than 5,000 stars were visible to the human eye, God stated that the stars of heaven were innumerable. Not until the 17th century did Galileo glimpse the immensity of our universe with his new telescope. Today, astronomers estimate that there are ten thousand billion trillion stars - a 1 followed by 25 zeros! Yet, as the Bible states, scientists admit this number may be woefully inadequate.
Jeremiah 33:22: As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.
6. The number of stars, though vast, are finite. Although man is unable to calculate the exact number of stars, we now know their number is finite. Of course God knew this all along.
Isaiah 40:26: Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
7. The Bible compares the number of stars with the number of grains of sand on the seashore. Amazingly, gross estimates of the number of sand grains are comparable to the estimated number of stars in the universe.
Genesis 22:17: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.
8. The universe is expanding. Repeatedly God declares that He stretches out the heavens. During the early 20th century, most scientists (including Einstein) believed the universe was static. Others believed it should have collapsed due to gravity. Then in 1929, astronomer Edwin Hubble showed that distant galaxies were receding from the earth, and the further away they were, the faster they were moving. This discovery revolutionized the field of astronomy. Eisntein admitted his mistake, and today most astronomers agree with what the Creator told us millennia ago - the universe is expanding!
Isaiah 42:5: Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein.
Jeremiah 51:15: He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.
Zechariah 12:1: The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
9. Each star is unique. Centuries before the advent of the telescope, the Bible declared what only God and the angels knew: each star varies in size and intensity!
1 Corinthians 15:41: There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
10. The sun goes in a circuit. Some scientists scoffed at this verse thinking that it taught geocentricity - the theory that the sun revolves around the earth. They insisted the sun was stationary. However, we now know that the sun is traveling through space at approximately 600,000 miles per hour. It is literally moving through space in a huge circuit - just as the Bible stated 3,000 years ago!
Psalm 19:6: [The sun's] going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
PHYSICS:
1. Creation is made of atoms and particles, indiscernible to our eyes. Not until the 19th century was it discovered that all visible matter consists of invisible elements.
Hebrews 11:3: Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
2. Light can be divided. Sir Isaac Newton studied light and discovered that white light is made of seven colors, which can be "parted" and then recombined. Science confirmed this four centuries ago - God declared it four millennia ago!
Job 38:24: By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
3. Light travels in a path. Light is said to have a "way" [Hebrew: derek, literally a traveled path or road]. Until the 17th century it was believed that light was transmitted instantaneously. We now know that light is a form of energy that travels at 186,000 miles per second in a straight line. Indeed, there is a "way" of light.
Job 38:19: Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof.
4. The Bible says that light can be sent, and then manifest itself in speech. We now know that radio waves and light waves are two forms of the same thing: electromagnetic waves. Therefore, radio waves are a form of light. Today, using radio transmitters, we can send "lightnings" which indeed speak when they arrive.
Job 38:35: Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?
5. The First Law of Thermodynamics established. The First Law states that the total quantity of energy and matter in the universe is a constant. One form of energy or matter may be converted into another, but the total quantity always remains the same. Therefore the creation is finished, exactly as God said way back in Genesis.
Genesis 2:1-2: Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
6. The Second Law of Thermodynamics (Entropy). This law states that everything in the universe is running down, deteriorating, and constantly becoming less and less orderly. Entropy (disorder) entered when mankind rebelled against God - resulting in the curse (Genesis 3:17-19; Romans 8:20-22). Historically most people believed the universe was unchangeable. Yet modern science verifies that the universe is growing "old as doth a garment'' (Hebrews 1:11). Evolution directly contradicts this, the most tested of all scientific laws.
Psalm 102:25-26: Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed.
Romans 8:20-22: For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
BIOLOGY:
1. Law of Biogenesis explained. Scientists observe that life only comes from existing life. This law has never been violated under observation or experimentation (as evolution requires). Therefore, life, God's life, created all life.
Genesis 1:11, 20, 24: And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. ... And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. ... And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
Genesis 2:7: And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
2. The earth was designed for biological life. Scientists have discovered that the most fundamental characteristics of our earth and cosmos are so finely tuned that if just one of them were even slightly different, life as we know it couldn't exist. This is called the Anthropic Principle and it agrees with the Bible which states that God formed the earth to be inhabited.
Isaiah 45:18: For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
3. God has given us just the right amount of water to sustain life. We now recognize that if there was significantly more or less water, the earth would not support life as we know it.
Isaiah 40:12: Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
4. Our bodies are made from the dust of the ground. Scientists have discovered that the human body is comprised of some 28 base and trace elements - all of which are found in the earth.
Genesis 2:7: And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Genesis 3:19: In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
5. Life begins at fertilization. God declares that He knew us before we were born. The Biblical penalty for murdering an unborn child was death (Exodus 21:22-23). Today, it is an irrefutable biological fact that the fertilized egg is truly an entire human being. Nothing will be added to the first cell except nutrition and oxygen.
Psalm 139:15: "My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth."
Jeremiah 1:5: Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
6. God fashions and knits us together in the womb. Science was ignorant concerning embryonic development until recently. Yet thousands of years ago, the Bible accurately described God making us an intricate unity' in the womb.
Job 10:8-12: "Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me. Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again? Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese? Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews. Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit."
7. The seed of a plant contains its life. As stated in the Book of Genesis, we now recognize that inside the humble seed is life itself. Within the seed is a tiny factory of amazing complexity. No scientist can build a synthetic seed and no seed is simple!
Genesis 1:11-12: "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good."
8. A seed must die to produce new life. In John 12:24 is remarkable confirmation of two of the fundamental concepts in biology: 1) Cells arise only from existing cells. 2) A grain must die to produce more grain. The fallen seed is surrounded by supporting cells from the old body. These supporting cells "give their lives" to provide nourishment to the inner kernel. Once planted, this inner kernel germinates resulting in much grain.
John 12:24: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."
1 Corinthians 15:36-38: "Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body."
www.jw.org
January 6, 2021
Borderline (if not blatantly) heretical to orthodox Christian doctrine. Ross asserts that death and decay occurred before the Fall of man into sin and that “The Fall” only referred to HUMANS dying. In addition, he expresses that Genesis’s account of the flood and creation was not literal. Lastly, he states that certain “higher mammals” in creations had souls... He seems like a very intelligent man with good reasoning, but ultimately his integrative approach rejects the overall narrative of scripture and biblical truth.
December 9, 2022
A great book to demonstrate Reason's to Believe (RTB) testable creation model. The book will help you to think through the issues related to naturalistic evolution, theistic evolution, young-earth creation and old-earth creation and which of these theories has the best explanatory power based on scientific evidence. The reader will also gain a better understanding of the RTB testable creation model.
December 29, 2025
This is a pretty heavy and dense book. The first few chapters might be dull, but give a good foundation for what is going to be brought up in the rest of the book.
The scientific method and evidence he used to explain how the Bible and science go together is very good and convincing. It definitely feels like you are reading a scientific paper. Overall it is a great book, just mot so easy to read for beginners like me.
The scientific method and evidence he used to explain how the Bible and science go together is very good and convincing. It definitely feels like you are reading a scientific paper. Overall it is a great book, just mot so easy to read for beginners like me.
July 20, 2017
More excellent evidence that one can be both a person of science as well as a person of faith. A well written easy to follow book that does not require a background in science to understand ... however ... probably wouldn't hurt? One of my favorites that I keep close by in my office.
"In the beginning ... God".
"In the beginning ... God".
January 9, 2019
Excellent
I loved this book. It's exactly what I needed in order to find answers regarding science and faith. I'll definitely read it more than once. Although it has a lot of terminology it's not difficult to read.
I loved this book. It's exactly what I needed in order to find answers regarding science and faith. I'll definitely read it more than once. Although it has a lot of terminology it's not difficult to read.
December 17, 2020
Testing cosmology models
I have appreciated Hugh Ross' views on origins for many years now and this book is a comprehensive summary of his work. Readers will be impressed with the breadth of research supporting his views.
I have appreciated Hugh Ross' views on origins for many years now and this book is a comprehensive summary of his work. Readers will be impressed with the breadth of research supporting his views.
January 9, 2023
This was a very heartening and serious attempt at reconciling science to the Biblical account of creation. By considering that the 6 days are not literal days, Ross brings a great deal of credibiity to the explanation/model that he dubs RTB for "Reason To Believe".
December 2, 2024
Very thought-provoking read. It is definitely laid out like a textbook so some sections are slow and dense while others are gripping. I’m interested in learning where the points made in this book stand based on discoveries made more recently in science and theology.
December 18, 2017
Fantastic book. Promotes scientific proposition from the Bible that are verifiable, testable and falsifiable.
September 11, 2012
This is a clearly written and thoroughly thought through treatise which tackles the modern day tension between science and theology (Christian theology in particular). Some of the issues addressed are farily heavy and in some cases may not be fully understood by those who are not well read in the particular area (as I found for myself from time to time). However, I dont think this will prevent most readers from grasping the points being made, making this an important, perhaps key text on the creation/evolution topic.
Hugh Ross proposes an old earth interventionist creationism model as an alternative to the main viewpoints that get most airplay regarding ''origins'. He is respectful towards those he disagrees with and does not seek to be dogmatic in his promotion of his theory/hypothesis. So, whilst young earth creationism is clearly not validated by the science Ross puts forward, nor does he fully agree with its theology, but adherents are not denigrated in the process. Natrualism/athiesm viewpoints on origins are also rteated dispassionately and without resort to slurs on the morality or intelligence of its proponents. Other viewpoints such as theistic evolution and to a lesser extent intelligent design, are also addressed but in less detail.
The strengths of the book are lie in pointing to the gaps in our sceintific understanding ot the universe and life on earth. While asserting that the God of the Bible is the solution to the gaps, he points out that in many cases naturalism resorts to the same explanations. Instead of the possibility of a deity, the pre-big bang source of our universe is an infinite array of multi-verses of which the one so perfect for us is just one. The rapid rise of life on Earth, the lack of transitional forms, the advanced brain/mind of humans are other cases where we have hypotheses rather than strong scientific evidence leaving all parties subject to ad hoc explanations. A particular difficulty for non-theistic scientists is the speacialness of the Earth: fine tuned physical laws are one thing, but randomly organised galaxies, stars and planets which have the 'just right' characteristics seems far less tangible.
I am nno sure that I Agree with all the theological or scientific conclusions made, however. While I think care has been taken to exhaustively rrefer to peer reviewed research and preserve its context, some points seem stretched or outside the expertise of the authors and open to the accusation of cherry picking. (using an example close to my field, I was surprised by the assertion that most eexhalative sulfide deposits are biologically influenced seemd too strong, although this becoming recognised iin emerging research). Likewise some of the interpretatiion of the Bible seems tto be interpreted to fit the science rather than convincingly standing up on the text alone.
I doubt this will convince many with a firm position on this issue to change, but I do think it offers a far better starting point for discussion than previous theological-science syntheses. Those who object to the Bible's viewpoint on creation, usually have plenty of objections to other parts of it as well, so I would have prefered this aspect to be less overt: the gaps in the scientific record leave space open for the God of the Bible to have acted, but in asserting a causal agent, other possibilites also come to mind for those who are not pre-committed to Christianity.
An interesting aspect of the book are the predictions of which predictions will will prove best amongst he various models - a kind of meta-model of scientific truth. I guess this is how observational and theoretical models interact with eachother, but it is rare for predictive power of models to be stressed over the physical evidence that bears out the predictions (or not).
I certainly hope this perspective gets more airtime in both secular discussion and within church walls.
Hugh Ross proposes an old earth interventionist creationism model as an alternative to the main viewpoints that get most airplay regarding ''origins'. He is respectful towards those he disagrees with and does not seek to be dogmatic in his promotion of his theory/hypothesis. So, whilst young earth creationism is clearly not validated by the science Ross puts forward, nor does he fully agree with its theology, but adherents are not denigrated in the process. Natrualism/athiesm viewpoints on origins are also rteated dispassionately and without resort to slurs on the morality or intelligence of its proponents. Other viewpoints such as theistic evolution and to a lesser extent intelligent design, are also addressed but in less detail.
The strengths of the book are lie in pointing to the gaps in our sceintific understanding ot the universe and life on earth. While asserting that the God of the Bible is the solution to the gaps, he points out that in many cases naturalism resorts to the same explanations. Instead of the possibility of a deity, the pre-big bang source of our universe is an infinite array of multi-verses of which the one so perfect for us is just one. The rapid rise of life on Earth, the lack of transitional forms, the advanced brain/mind of humans are other cases where we have hypotheses rather than strong scientific evidence leaving all parties subject to ad hoc explanations. A particular difficulty for non-theistic scientists is the speacialness of the Earth: fine tuned physical laws are one thing, but randomly organised galaxies, stars and planets which have the 'just right' characteristics seems far less tangible.
I am nno sure that I Agree with all the theological or scientific conclusions made, however. While I think care has been taken to exhaustively rrefer to peer reviewed research and preserve its context, some points seem stretched or outside the expertise of the authors and open to the accusation of cherry picking. (using an example close to my field, I was surprised by the assertion that most eexhalative sulfide deposits are biologically influenced seemd too strong, although this becoming recognised iin emerging research). Likewise some of the interpretatiion of the Bible seems tto be interpreted to fit the science rather than convincingly standing up on the text alone.
I doubt this will convince many with a firm position on this issue to change, but I do think it offers a far better starting point for discussion than previous theological-science syntheses. Those who object to the Bible's viewpoint on creation, usually have plenty of objections to other parts of it as well, so I would have prefered this aspect to be less overt: the gaps in the scientific record leave space open for the God of the Bible to have acted, but in asserting a causal agent, other possibilites also come to mind for those who are not pre-committed to Christianity.
An interesting aspect of the book are the predictions of which predictions will will prove best amongst he various models - a kind of meta-model of scientific truth. I guess this is how observational and theoretical models interact with eachother, but it is rare for predictive power of models to be stressed over the physical evidence that bears out the predictions (or not).
I certainly hope this perspective gets more airtime in both secular discussion and within church walls.
May 20, 2015
This is kind of a hard book to review as it is covers some mathematical ground which is not my stong point. Written by a scientist who is an astronomer and astrophysicist, it addresses the age of the universe (over 13 billion years) and the stages of its growth and its projected future development and how that relates to humans and life on earth.
The author presents the information as a model, where research is assessed to see what it is telling us and then formulating the expected direction of future discoveries. For any existing model about the origins of the universe and life, while the facts of what is known so far should be a common starting point (a moving one as knowledge continues to increase), obviously, ones beliefs direct the expected future discoveries stated in any model - and each new discovery adds to prove/disprove or strengthen/weaken various models. Given that the author believes in a creator, some readers might have issues with the underlying intentionality in the discussion but while that belief informs the model it does not drive the conclusions for, as the author says (paraphrased), any reseacher or model must follow the scientific results to their conclusion regardless of their personal feelings, assessing their models and adapting them as the knowledge base expands.
I found the book to be quite readable (not too mathmatical to be beyond a basic grasp) and the overwhelming reminders of just how amazing and even miraculous the universe and life is, how delicate and precise, was a good reminder not to take this world for granted.
The author presents the information as a model, where research is assessed to see what it is telling us and then formulating the expected direction of future discoveries. For any existing model about the origins of the universe and life, while the facts of what is known so far should be a common starting point (a moving one as knowledge continues to increase), obviously, ones beliefs direct the expected future discoveries stated in any model - and each new discovery adds to prove/disprove or strengthen/weaken various models. Given that the author believes in a creator, some readers might have issues with the underlying intentionality in the discussion but while that belief informs the model it does not drive the conclusions for, as the author says (paraphrased), any reseacher or model must follow the scientific results to their conclusion regardless of their personal feelings, assessing their models and adapting them as the knowledge base expands.
I found the book to be quite readable (not too mathmatical to be beyond a basic grasp) and the overwhelming reminders of just how amazing and even miraculous the universe and life is, how delicate and precise, was a good reminder not to take this world for granted.
April 15, 2011
In this book Hugh Ross presents why the Reasons to Believe (RTB) creation/evolution Model is a viable scientific model. He discusses many of the elements of the model from the origins of the Cosmos to the history of the Earth and the origin and history of life upon the Earth and why/how this model qualifies as a genuine scientific model.
There are attributes necessary for a model to be considered scientific and taken seriously by the scientific community. A model needs to be testable, verifiable, falsifiable and predictive to name a few of these attributes. In this book Ross discusses how the RTB model meets these requirements and even details, to the extent possible in a 250 page book, what the RTB predicts science will discover in the future about the origin of the universe, the Earth and the life contained upon it.
Not only does he present the RTB model in this book but he also compares and contrasts it with other models such as evolution science (the only accepted secular model), young-earth creationists, intelligent design, and theistic evolutionists and points out some of the short comings of these models and how the RTB model meets both Biblical and scientific standards.
A great read for someone interested in a general survey of one perspective on the ever contested evolution/creation debate.
There are attributes necessary for a model to be considered scientific and taken seriously by the scientific community. A model needs to be testable, verifiable, falsifiable and predictive to name a few of these attributes. In this book Ross discusses how the RTB model meets these requirements and even details, to the extent possible in a 250 page book, what the RTB predicts science will discover in the future about the origin of the universe, the Earth and the life contained upon it.
Not only does he present the RTB model in this book but he also compares and contrasts it with other models such as evolution science (the only accepted secular model), young-earth creationists, intelligent design, and theistic evolutionists and points out some of the short comings of these models and how the RTB model meets both Biblical and scientific standards.
A great read for someone interested in a general survey of one perspective on the ever contested evolution/creation debate.
February 25, 2021
Excelente perspectiva. Es la presentación básica del modelo.
July 25, 2014
This book is amazing. I am a Christian (pastor) and have also been an amateur astronomer and enthusiast since childhood. This book shows how God used the natural laws and laws of physics to provide for and create our universe. Hugh Ross provides research from all the latest scientific discoveries, and shows how God, in the Bible, actually tells us about these things only recently discovered. He shows how our universe is billions of years old, and how God created life on earth. This is a must read for any thinking Christian, and it is a great read for those seeking answers about our origin.
March 25, 2016
Yes 5 out of 5....something I rarely do. Ross's book was truly inspirational...can you believe that coming from a highly scientific text. Yes, once you understand how truly improbable (can I say impossible) it is for even simple life to arise by purely natural and unguided means you will be inspired too. Those with open minds whether they are young-earthers, naturalists, old-earth creationists or theistic evolutionists will find this book engaging, fair, and honest.
December 5, 2011
There were portions of this book I really enjoyed, others were boring ,and some down right over my head. What can I say I'm definitely not a astrophysicist. Overall the book was good. I will say I do prefer Ross speaking verses his writing.
December 14, 2015
Integration of Science and Scripture
Can both science and the bible be true? In More Than a Theory, Hugh Ross presents several arguments for why that may be the case. If his findings are correct, further research will confirm or deny biblical truth.
Can both science and the bible be true? In More Than a Theory, Hugh Ross presents several arguments for why that may be the case. If his findings are correct, further research will confirm or deny biblical truth.
September 20, 2009
I am currently ready this book
November 11, 2015
60 pages in, and is very insightful to contemporary workings in New Atheist dogma. Im looking forward to the read.
April 26, 2018
I have not had a lot of exposure to old earth creationists and I found Ross's arguments to be very persuasive. Some of the book was over my head, but overall it was a very enjoyable read.
September 1, 2013
A great read.
Read
April 9, 2017I am re-reading this book. It provides an excellent examination of science and creation.
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