Perspectives on an Evolving Creation

by Keith B. Miller

According to the authors of this book, who explore evolutionary theory from a clear Christian perspective, the common view of conflict between evolutionary theory and Christian faith is mistaken. Written by contributors representing the natural sciences, philosophy, theology, and the history of science, this thought-provoking work is informed by both solid scientific knowledge and keen theological insight. The three sections of the book address (1) relevant biblical, historical, and scientific background, (2) the scientific evidence for an evolving creation, and (3) theological issues commonly raised in connection with evolution, including the nature of God's creative activity, the meaning of the miraculous, and the uniqueness of humankind. Woven through the volume are short meditations designed to direct readers toward worshiping the God of providence. Laurie J. Braaten Warren S. Brown Jr. David Campbell Robin Collins Edward B. Davis Terry M. Gray Jeffrey K. Greenberg Deborah B. Haarsma Loren Haarsma James P. Hurd Conrad Hyers David N. Livingstone Keith B. Miller John C. Munday Jr. George L. Murphy Mark A. Noll Robert John Russell Howard J. Van Till David L. Wilcox Jennifer Wiseman

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Evolution

809 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Paul Bruggink · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of essays by some of the leading evangelical thinkers and writers in the area of the relationship between the Bible and science is the best introduction by far into evolutionary creationism, which is more commonly known as theistic evolution.

The book includes (among others) essays by:
Conrad Hyers (Comparing Biblical and Scientific Maps of Origins),
Edward (Ted) Davis (The Word and the Works: Concordism and American Evangelicals),
Mark Noll and David Livingstone (Charles Hodge and B.B. Warfield on Science, the Bible, Evolution, and Darwinism),
Deborah Haarsma and Jennifer Wiseman (An Evolving Cosmos),
Jeffrey Greenberg (Geological Framework of an Evolving Creation),
Keith Miller (Common Descent,Transitional Forms, and the Fossil Record),
David Campbell and Keith Miller (The "Cambrian Explosion": A Challenge to Evolutionary Theory?),
James Hurd (Hominids in the Garden?),
David Wilcox (Finding Adam: The Genetics of Human Origins),
Terry Gray (Biochemistry and Evolution),
Robert John Russell (Special Providence and Genetic Mutation: A New Defense of Theistic Evolution),
George Murphy (Christology, Evolution and the Cross), and
Robin Collins (Evolution and Original Sin).

The only topic that is missing is a good discussion of God's accommodation of the biblical creation message to the culture of the time of the Israelites, but this topic is covered more than adequately in Gordon Glover's "Beyond the Firmament: Understanding Science and the Theology of Creation," and Denis Lamoureux's "Evolutionary Creation: A Christian Approach to Evolution."

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the compatibility of biological evolution and the Bible, whether you are just beginning to explore this area or have been for years.

[Julia · Rating 1 out of 5]

This author is the reason people without theology degrees shouldn’t be allowed to publish books as if they do. This was very much “here’s the science which is fact, here’s a couple Bible passages that *might* support it if you stretch them enough”. Some of his overall arguments were correct and could be effectively argued with biblical support—for example old earth. But for some reason he neglected to include theological aspects and Hebrew translations of certain passages that would prove those points, and instead resorted to stretching Genesis 1 way more than it should be stretched. The bottom line here is that you cannot hold science to be your ultimate basis of factual information and simply mold the Bible to fit those beliefs. And that is all this book is.

[Randall Pratt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an extremely well organized and well written collection of essays that forcefully challenges the supposed conflict between biological evolutionary theory and orthodox, evangelical Christian faith. It successfully exposes that it is a *false* choice to insist that life forms *either* evolved *or* were designed.



The book is comprised of three sections. The first develops a context for the essays that follow, touching on historical, scientific and exegetical elements relevant to the discussion. Part two provides an extensive summary of current scientific evidence and thought on the developing cosmos, the changing earth, and biological evolution. The third section focuses on philosophical and theological issues that are frequently cited in the current debate.



The writers come from a variety of disciplines in the scientific and theological communities. They include evangelical Christians at secular universities and at well-respected evangelical institutions (for instance, Wheaton College, Messiah College, Calvin College).



Though it is a rigorous book, and sometimes a difficult read (depending on the reader's background in science and theology) I *highly* recommend this book for all those seeking truth about the world we live in and the God whom we serve.

[Ted Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of more than 21 contributions collectively discredit the myth that one cannot simultaneously believe in an old earth, evolution, Christianity, and God's role in creation/evolution. Authors include theologians, scientists, and historians. Intended to (a) expand the horizons of Christians and scientists and (b) foster fruitful dialog.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Provides lots of science (real professional science) background information covering the evolution of the universe. The book is written by Christians so if you are looking for a book written by real scientists to explain elements of science without an underlying anti-religious agenda this is a good book to consider reading.

[Matt Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

basically a college text on the issue . . very in-depth, but didn't focus on the specifically theological issues i was looking for

[Luke Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great chapters: 2, 4, 5, 11
Disappointing chapters: 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 19
Disaster chapters: 20, 21