Origins TheologyForum for the discussion of Creation Science (Young/Old) vs Theistic Evolution. Discussion of Atheistic Evolution should be taken to the Discussion and Debate forums.
I accept evolution and an old earth as true. I don't have a problem with you if you disagree with me, but that's not the point of my post, so please hold your persuasion for another thread.
I have several friends, though, who are YECs. I was wondering if anyone knew of a good book (or books) that gives a wholly Christian perspective on evolution and an old earth.
What I've seen a lot of in books on this subject include:
Non-Christian or mixed-faith perspectives (Christian Buddhism, Unitarian Universalist, etc) that are not grounded in Scripture.
Disrespectful attitudes (Perhaps entertaining for an evolutionist to read, but such attitudes are not about to convince someone from the other tent).
Copious amounts of verbosity (400+ pages of Biblical commentary, analysis, and opinions).
I'd like to find a book that is reasonably short (200 pages or less, if possible), contains a respectful attitude toward YECs, and uses Biblically based arguments (in addition to solid science) to show how evolution and an old earth are true.
I can think of all kinds, though they don't all hold to your 200 page limit:
Paradigms on Pilgrimage
Beyond the Firmament
Evolutionary Creation
Perspectives on an Evolving Creation
Can't go wrong with any of 'em.
__________________ We can allow satellites, planets, suns, universe, nay whole systems of universes, to be governed by laws, but the smallest insect, we wish to be created at once by special act.
Language of God, Francis Collins
Finding Darwins God, Ken Miller
They are mainly scientific
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I can think of all kinds, though they don't all hold to your 200 page limit:
Paradigms on Pilgrimage
Beyond the Firmament
Evolutionary Creation
Perspectives on an Evolving Creation
Can't go wrong with any of 'em.
In your opinion, which of those is the "best" in regards to explaining theology? Mainly, giving the cultural backdrop and the meaning of Genesis as being true while at the same time being poetic symbolism? (or however they word it)
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Coming to Peace with Science, by Darrel Falk. It's just over 200 pages, but they're low-density pages and it's a pretty easy read. It's mostly science, but it start with the scriptural context. It's addressed to evangelical YECs, and it's very respectful.
In your opinion, which of those is the "best" in regards to explaining theology? Mainly, giving the cultural backdrop and the meaning of Genesis as being true while at the same time being poetic symbolism? (or however they word it)
They're all pretty good. My favourite is probably Evolutionary Creation, though it's a bit of a slog at nearly 500-pages, if I recall. The author, Denis Lamoureux, recently released a condensed version called I Love Jesus and I Accept Evolution, but I haven't read it yet.
Otherwise, I'd probably go with Beyond the Firmament. Again, all those books are quite good, and each touches on different aspects of evolution and Christian theology.
By the way, Beyond the Firmament is summarized in a series of video presentations given here: BEYOND THE FIRMAMENT Science and Christian Education
They're excellent, and I highly recommend you encourage your friend to watch them.
__________________ We can allow satellites, planets, suns, universe, nay whole systems of universes, to be governed by laws, but the smallest insect, we wish to be created at once by special act.
I accept evolution and an old earth as true. I don't have a problem with you if you disagree with me, but that's not the point of my post, so please hold your persuasion for another thread.
I have several friends, though, who are YECs. I was wondering if anyone knew of a good book (or books) that gives a wholly Christian perspective on evolution and an old earth.
What I've seen a lot of in books on this subject include:
Non-Christian or mixed-faith perspectives (Christian Buddhism, Unitarian Universalist, etc) that are not grounded in Scripture.
Disrespectful attitudes (Perhaps entertaining for an evolutionist to read, but such attitudes are not about to convince someone from the other tent).
Copious amounts of verbosity (400+ pages of Biblical commentary, analysis, and opinions).
I'd like to find a book that is reasonably short (200 pages or less, if possible), contains a respectful attitude toward YECs, and uses Biblically based arguments (in addition to solid science) to show how evolution and an old earth are true.
Does such a book exist?
Thank you in advance!
Scott
There can't be a good book out that mixes the beliefs of the secular world with the beliefs of God because they oppose each other. God and Satan do not mix. All you have to understand is Genesis 2:7 to know that if you change those words to suit your desires, you have to change the rest of the bible as well.
There can't be a good book out that mixes the beliefs of the secular world with the beliefs of God because they oppose each other. God and Satan do not mix. All you have to understand is Genesis 2:7 to know that if you change those words to suit your desires, you have to change the rest of the bible as well.
God made the "secular" world. I think you give satan too much credit.
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In addition to the excellent books the others have mentioned I would recommend:
Genesis 1-4 by John C. Collins Redeeming Science by Vern Poythress
(Yes, the first book is a commentary. But other than a few hard bits it is surprisingly readable - and serious Bible study must start involving commentaries at some point!)
These two books are very even-handed about science and their relationship to Genesis (first book) and Christianity in general (second book), to the point where the authors say some things that I would disagree with. But they are still excellent reads because both authors, while operating from within a conservative mindset, find Scriptural reasons (concordant with their conservative mindset) to doubt the YEC interpretation of Scripture.
__________________
And who that has understanding will suppose that the first, and second, and third day, and the evening and the morning, existed without a sun, and moon, and stars? - Origen, 215AD [De Principiis 4.1.16]
The Language of God by Francis Collins was very good...
Reading the Bible Again for the First Time by Marcus Borg is another great book that addressed reading the Bible based on modern scholarly and textual studies, basically looking at the parts of the bible (including the creation stories) for what they are, written by mankind to represent their view of things. It doesn't directly interface the issue of Evolution but it helps you understand some of the historical details and textual details of what the Biblical texts are (so basically results in Evolution being a non-issue).
Good Christian Evolution Book? 
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