"Let the Earth Bring Forth": Evolution and Scripture

by Howard C. Stutz, Duane Jeffrey (Foreword)

A century ago in 1809, Charles Darwin was born. Fifty years later, he published a scientific treatise describing the process of speciation that launched what appeared to be a challenge to the traditional religious interpretation of how life was created on earth. The controversy has erupted anew in the last decade as Creationists and Young Earth adherents challenge school curricula and try to displace "the theory of evolution." This book is filled with fascinating examples of speciation by the well-known process of mutation but also by the less well-known processes of sexual recombination and polyploidy. In addition to the fossil record, Howard Stutz examines the evidence from the embryo stages of human beings and other creatures to show how selection and differentiation moved development in certain favored directions while leaving behind evidence of earlier, discarded developments. Anatomy, biochemistry, and genetics are all examined in their turn. With rigorously scientific clarity but in language accessible to a popular audience, the book proceeds to its conclusion, reached after a lifetime of the divine map of creation is one supported by both scientific evidence and the scriptures. This is a book to be read, not only for its fascinating scientific insights, but also for a new appreciation of well-known scriptures.

Genres: Nonfiction, Lds, Religion

130 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2010

Reviews

[Herschel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost gave this 4 stars for being a bit sparse, but then I realized that it is probably better to review the book for what it is (compact, concise, accessible, and comprehensive) rather than what it is not or what many may wish it to be (lengthy, detailed account supporting weak ideas of many naïve creationists or falsely supporting the idea that scriptures are literal and scientific in nature). I recommend this book to all, the open-mined doubting person of faith, and atheists who actually want to know what's out there. The author is beyond qualified, and I am grateful for his efforts to portray the beauty which is there to be had when we disregard ignorance and prejudices in order to realize that sciences pose no threat to God, or the other way around. It's a simple and elegant account, and if you are looking for something more lengthy, look elsewhere. It's a sturdy springboard for those looking to dive into further studies on such topics.

[Bryan Sebesta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a few books on evolution and religion, and this is the first one that I put down convinced–without any heavy handedness–that evolution is actually more in line with scripture than creation ex nihilo or other explanations. Which, to be frank, surprised me. I recommend the book, if for nothing else than to see how his repeated emphasis on the earth "bringing forth" changes how one reads Genesis 1-2. He continually weaves the scriptural injunctions of "letting the earth bring forth," each species "begetting after its own kind," and the idea of man being "created from the dust of the earth" into his own explanations of evolution.

As an emeritus professor of genetics at BYU, he actually begins by invoking the idea of "opposition of all things" as a support for the idea of organic evolution as the mechanism by which God allowed for creation. He then proceeds to explain how new species emerge: primarily by mutations and sexual reproduction, but also, in the case of plants, by polyploidy. (His specialty was plants, so, makes some sense.) He then walks through all of the evidences for evolution: the fossil record, distribution of species across the earth, embryological, comparative anatomy, biochemical, and genetic, and along the way pokes holes in the old Pioneer idea of species being "transplanted" from other "planets" (a folk Mormon idea I've heard a few times) and, of course, instantaneous creation. And in the last few chapters, he discusses the quest for truth: the idea that because religion and science both pursue truth, their paths will inevitably cross, and what the consequences are for this. He also discusses the formation of mankind, and then closes with a more in depth look at evolution and the scriptures.

All in all? A good book. Stutz passed away in 2010, before he could finish the manuscript entirely. Since it's been 6+ years, I wonder if some minor details in this book may be outdated as science has not stopped in the six years since. But overall, his faith and optimist is something I really appreciated. I have learned to love evolution from authors like Steven L. Peck, whose book Evolving Faith - Wanderings of a Mormon Biologist impacted me immensely last year. His writings on "deep genealogy" and his humorous short story about Noah trying, impossibly, to get all the creatures off the ark in just the right location (Marsupials go in Australia, son! Not the Americas!) made some points that have, to be honest, connected me more deeply and personally to God's creations. And I do have to lend some credit to David Christian's 'Big History Project' TED talk, which to this day remains one of the biggest influences on my science education. (John Green and his brother Hank's Crash Course in Big History also deserves a mention, especially their video on "the Evolutionary Epic".) These have all coalesced into one bigger vision of how God has worked wonders on this earth. As a Mormon, I've been long grateful for the truths taught by Elder Henry Eyring father, the Chemist Henry Eyring Sr, who said both: "In this Church you don't have to believe anything that isn't true" and, to his son, "You go over to the University of Arizona and learn everything that you can, and whatever is true is part of the gospel."

Good book. 4/5

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't really comment on all the dense science in the middle - although it was interesting. However, the opening and concluding chapters were very thought provoking. I highly recommend this book to anyone wrestling with this question.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I agree with the author that evolution is true.

However, the author does a poor job of explaining the science. Moreover, the author’s scriptural interpretations are poor. He continually quotes the line “let the earth bring forth” as proof of the concept of evolution being contained in Genesis. This is a dubious reading. The authors of Genesis surely had no concept of organic evolution.

His reading of the word “day” is also dubious. According to some biblical scholars, the word “day” in Genesis actually refers to a 24-hour period.

In short, the Bible is not a book of science, and we should not treat it as such. We should seek the messages God has given therein, while realizing that the science is an ancient science (and incorrect).

[Bob Streeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

What you always wanted to know about sex but were afraid to ask

Very good. God works in mysterious ways not improbable ways. For far too long man has created God in his own image and not the other way around. Heavenly Father uses the laws of this universe in creation. It is time we learned them also

[Karla · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh...why do I always expect more than I get. The title pretty much sums up the whole premise of the book. It is a little sciency for and really the last 10 pages were all that somewhat interested me.

[Clay Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The earth is a biological machine!

Marriage of Genesis (creation) and Darwin. If you are struggling with Discoveries which show an evolution of Homo sapiens long before Adam, read this book. It will get you sorted out.