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Creation As Science: A Testable Model Approach to End the Creation/evolution Wars
In this third component to the Reasons To Believe foundational series, Hugh Ross draws from the depths of his studies in both science and Scripture to show how creation and evolution intertwine.
291 pages, Hardcover
First published August 22, 2006
1 person is currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Hugh Ross
139 books298 followersHUGH ROSS launched his career at age seven when he went to the library to find out why stars are hot. Physics and astronomy captured his curiosity and never let go. At age seventeen he was the youngest person ever to serve as director of observations for Vancouver's Royal Astronomical Society. With the help of a provincial scholarship and a National Research Council (NRC) of Canada fellowship, he completed his undergraduate degree in physics (University of British Columbia) and graduate degrees in astronomy (University of Toronto). The NRC also sent him to the United States for postdoctoral studies. At Caltech he researched quasi-stellar objects, or "quasars," some of the most distant and ancient objects in the universe.
Hugh's unshakable confidence that God's revelation in Scripture and nature do not, will not, and cannot contradict became his unique message. Communicating that message as broadly and clearly as possible became his mission, wholeheartedly encouraged by family and friends. He and his colleagues at Reasons To Believe keep tabs on the frontiers of research to share with scientists and nonscientists alike the thrilling news of what's being discovered and how it connects with biblical theology. In this realm, he has written many books, including: The Fingerprint of God, The Creator and the Cosmos, Beyond the Cosmos, The Genesis Question, A Matter of Days, Creation As Science, and Why the Universe Is the Way It Is, due to be released October 1, 2008.
Between writing books and articles and hosting Creation Update, a weekly live webcast, Hugh travels the world challenging students and faculty, churches and professional groups to consider what they believe and why. He presents a persuasive case for Christianity without applying pressure. Because he treats people's questions and comments with respect, he is in great demand as a speaker and as a talk-radio and television guest.
Hugh lives in Southern California with his wife, Kathy, and two sons—and two cats.
from reasons.org
Hugh's unshakable confidence that God's revelation in Scripture and nature do not, will not, and cannot contradict became his unique message. Communicating that message as broadly and clearly as possible became his mission, wholeheartedly encouraged by family and friends. He and his colleagues at Reasons To Believe keep tabs on the frontiers of research to share with scientists and nonscientists alike the thrilling news of what's being discovered and how it connects with biblical theology. In this realm, he has written many books, including: The Fingerprint of God, The Creator and the Cosmos, Beyond the Cosmos, The Genesis Question, A Matter of Days, Creation As Science, and Why the Universe Is the Way It Is, due to be released October 1, 2008.
Between writing books and articles and hosting Creation Update, a weekly live webcast, Hugh travels the world challenging students and faculty, churches and professional groups to consider what they believe and why. He presents a persuasive case for Christianity without applying pressure. Because he treats people's questions and comments with respect, he is in great demand as a speaker and as a talk-radio and television guest.
Hugh lives in Southern California with his wife, Kathy, and two sons—and two cats.
from reasons.org
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 18, 2016
As a counterpoint read to this book, I would highly suggest Why Evolution Is True
The first chapter started me off with an optimistic outlook for this book - finally, a creationist that wanted to play by the established rules of science! But then, it all started to go downhill. There were the typical creationist tactics of quote-mining, and circular reasoning (Arguing for the Bible from the Bible is just a waste of time. People who don't already believe in it won't be convinced by it, and people who do believe in it don't need it).
In general, I think that most of his claims about how the Bible lines up with known science are tenuous. I think that "Science as Metaphor" might have been a better title. He likes to use certain vague terms (ex: supernatural, soulish, Biblical kind) that in my opinion are not well-defined.
However, if one is used only to hearing Young Earth Creationism, then there are some things that could be learned from this book, such as the idea of testability and falsification, for one (Though he does introduce the idea, I don't think he's actually very rigorous in how he uses the idea).
At least one of his claims did seem very original: The Earth was optimally designed (he's not an IDist) for a technically advanced (read: fossil-fuel consuming) spiritual species..
The first chapter started me off with an optimistic outlook for this book - finally, a creationist that wanted to play by the established rules of science! But then, it all started to go downhill. There were the typical creationist tactics of quote-mining, and circular reasoning (Arguing for the Bible from the Bible is just a waste of time. People who don't already believe in it won't be convinced by it, and people who do believe in it don't need it).
In general, I think that most of his claims about how the Bible lines up with known science are tenuous. I think that "Science as Metaphor" might have been a better title. He likes to use certain vague terms (ex: supernatural, soulish, Biblical kind) that in my opinion are not well-defined.
However, if one is used only to hearing Young Earth Creationism, then there are some things that could be learned from this book, such as the idea of testability and falsification, for one (Though he does introduce the idea, I don't think he's actually very rigorous in how he uses the idea).
At least one of his claims did seem very original: The Earth was optimally designed (he's not an IDist) for a technically advanced (read: fossil-fuel consuming) spiritual species..
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
March 25, 2018
Ross is within the bounds of Christian orthodoxy, and seems to be engaging in a genuine faithful attempt to calm the waters and end conflict between secular and Christian people. However, that doesn’t change the fact that he’s missing a lot of important things, and is largely wrong. I don’t think that his model is ultimately successful on either scientific or Biblical exegetical standards, and he falls victim to many of the harmful rhetorical trends that have crippled the persuasiveness of the so-called “creation science” movement.
First, the scientific weaknesses of Ross’s model are myriad. For one thing, he likes to exploit poorly understood regions of science, such as quantum physics, to produce fantastical explanations for some of his personal beliefs, like the “skies rolled back like a scroll” eschaton mentioned in Isaiah. He insists that this is a description of a real future event, with naturalistic causes, brought on by an error in the universal topology. This is just irresponsible. He also allows certain popular conservative beliefs, which are sometimes almost conspiracy theories, to dictate his “scientific predictions” about the future. For instance, he believes that falling birthrates may wipe out the human race, a view commonly expressed in ultraconservative Christian circles but mostly repudiated by the scientific community. In my opinion, he also falls victim to some doubtful results coming out of Intelligent Design, which insist that evolution is probabilistically impossible for large creatures. He may be right or wrong about this, but there’s really not enough data to tell. It's certainly not very wise to hang one's entire view of naturalistic evolution upon someone else's shoddy mathematics.
Second, it’s important to note the philosophical and theological weaknesses of the model, of which there are a significant number. First, I found Ross's model to be nauseatingly anthropocentric and modernistic. The notion that God would give us huge fossil fuel deposits in hopes of our developing an industrial economy is strange on several levels. First, our use of these fuels has clearly marred God’s good creation in irreparable ways. God’s provision for us cannot include an expectation that we will do evil things. Second, Ross seems to regard modern society as the peak of human development. That’s horribly prideful and short-sighted, and ignores the possibility that future generations could find better ways to live. Also, his exegesis is way too specific and narrow, causing him to cherry-pick doubtful connections from Scripture to the scientific consensus. This ignores one of the most important exegetical principles—that human finitude might make our exegesis wrong—and fails to incorporate context-based interpretations of the Biblical text. So you believe that Noah's Flood was a local flood in Mesopotamia. Fine. But don't even begin to suppose that you can write a book in which you give your readers the exact coordinates of Noah's landing. That's insane.
However, despite its shortcomings, the model does have a handful of strengths. For instance, for a reader who has been primarily influenced by the young-earth model, Ross at least introduces the possibility that an old earth could be compatible with the Biblical account. This could calm some of the vitriol between evolutionists and young earth creationists. Also, he does a reasonably good job overall of understanding and narrating the scientific consensus position, at least as far as the geological record goes. (His view of evolution is, as mentioned above, bonkers.)
TL;DR: I wouldn't recommend this book. It doesn't seem to benefit anyone, on any side of the debate, and uses ridiculous philosophical, exegetical, and scientific standards.
First, the scientific weaknesses of Ross’s model are myriad. For one thing, he likes to exploit poorly understood regions of science, such as quantum physics, to produce fantastical explanations for some of his personal beliefs, like the “skies rolled back like a scroll” eschaton mentioned in Isaiah. He insists that this is a description of a real future event, with naturalistic causes, brought on by an error in the universal topology. This is just irresponsible. He also allows certain popular conservative beliefs, which are sometimes almost conspiracy theories, to dictate his “scientific predictions” about the future. For instance, he believes that falling birthrates may wipe out the human race, a view commonly expressed in ultraconservative Christian circles but mostly repudiated by the scientific community. In my opinion, he also falls victim to some doubtful results coming out of Intelligent Design, which insist that evolution is probabilistically impossible for large creatures. He may be right or wrong about this, but there’s really not enough data to tell. It's certainly not very wise to hang one's entire view of naturalistic evolution upon someone else's shoddy mathematics.
Second, it’s important to note the philosophical and theological weaknesses of the model, of which there are a significant number. First, I found Ross's model to be nauseatingly anthropocentric and modernistic. The notion that God would give us huge fossil fuel deposits in hopes of our developing an industrial economy is strange on several levels. First, our use of these fuels has clearly marred God’s good creation in irreparable ways. God’s provision for us cannot include an expectation that we will do evil things. Second, Ross seems to regard modern society as the peak of human development. That’s horribly prideful and short-sighted, and ignores the possibility that future generations could find better ways to live. Also, his exegesis is way too specific and narrow, causing him to cherry-pick doubtful connections from Scripture to the scientific consensus. This ignores one of the most important exegetical principles—that human finitude might make our exegesis wrong—and fails to incorporate context-based interpretations of the Biblical text. So you believe that Noah's Flood was a local flood in Mesopotamia. Fine. But don't even begin to suppose that you can write a book in which you give your readers the exact coordinates of Noah's landing. That's insane.
However, despite its shortcomings, the model does have a handful of strengths. For instance, for a reader who has been primarily influenced by the young-earth model, Ross at least introduces the possibility that an old earth could be compatible with the Biblical account. This could calm some of the vitriol between evolutionists and young earth creationists. Also, he does a reasonably good job overall of understanding and narrating the scientific consensus position, at least as far as the geological record goes. (His view of evolution is, as mentioned above, bonkers.)
TL;DR: I wouldn't recommend this book. It doesn't seem to benefit anyone, on any side of the debate, and uses ridiculous philosophical, exegetical, and scientific standards.
November 9, 2015
In Creation as Science, astronomer Hugh Ross states his position on how the universe was created and how God played crucial roles in the development of the world. Ross uses both scientific evidence and biblical passages to support his theory, called the Reasons To Believe (RTB) model. This model credits the Christian God as the creator of the universe, states that God transformed our solar system into an environment able to contain human life, and follows the biblical sequence of events concerning Adam and Eve and the rest of humanity. Starting off by examining why there are disputes about creation, Ross defines the views of creationists (believers in any Creator), evolutionists (believers in evolution as the main agent of change in nature), and other scientific thinkers, like intelligent design theorists and theistic evolutionists. He then proceeds to offer a solution to end the “creation/evolution wars” through the RTB model, which synthesizes scientific discoveries with the Bible. Throughout the entire book, Ross utilizes his expertise in astronomy to support his theory; he examines numerous aspects of the world, like the perfect positioning of the Earth and the miraculously expanding universe, to reveal God’s handiwork and precision. He also frequently compares the chaos following Orson Welles’ broadcast of The War of the Worlds to the chaos that can come from trying to understand creation. Just like how listeners had to stop and think reasonably and logically when “Martians” were “invading Earth”, creationists and evolutionists alike have to stop and gain the proper perspective before jumping to conclusions about creationism.
Creation as Science certainly pushed my limits in regards to reading more advanced books. Though my knowledge on astronomy and cosmology is very limited, I still was able to understand the gist of Ross’ observations and beliefs. I found it very helpful when the author defined new terms that came up, and the extent of his knowledge and the research he’s conducted for this book was very impressive. That said, because Hugh Ross is such an intelligent man, the reading level of the book was probably a bit too high for me. Even though the main points of Ross’ RTB model were relatively easy to follow, the more complex explanations concerning cosmology were too difficult for me to decipher, and I felt like that negatively affected my views about the book. Nevertheless, Ross’s book still effectively persuaded me that the universe is too fine-tuned to have come into existence without an intelligent creator (God). Creation as Science definitely enhanced my understanding of cosmology and astronomy, and I can’t wait to be able to apply that new-found knowledge as I’m learning more and more. Now, I have a better understanding of the science behind my faith and will be able to better defend what I believe in the future.
Finally, because of the scientific nature of this book, I believe Creation as Science would only appeal to a certain audience. Anyone who doesn’t enjoy astronomy-related subjects may find this book boring and extremely hard to understand. That said, if you are interested in science and creationism, this book is thought-provoking and perfect for intellectuals.
Creation as Science certainly pushed my limits in regards to reading more advanced books. Though my knowledge on astronomy and cosmology is very limited, I still was able to understand the gist of Ross’ observations and beliefs. I found it very helpful when the author defined new terms that came up, and the extent of his knowledge and the research he’s conducted for this book was very impressive. That said, because Hugh Ross is such an intelligent man, the reading level of the book was probably a bit too high for me. Even though the main points of Ross’ RTB model were relatively easy to follow, the more complex explanations concerning cosmology were too difficult for me to decipher, and I felt like that negatively affected my views about the book. Nevertheless, Ross’s book still effectively persuaded me that the universe is too fine-tuned to have come into existence without an intelligent creator (God). Creation as Science definitely enhanced my understanding of cosmology and astronomy, and I can’t wait to be able to apply that new-found knowledge as I’m learning more and more. Now, I have a better understanding of the science behind my faith and will be able to better defend what I believe in the future.
Finally, because of the scientific nature of this book, I believe Creation as Science would only appeal to a certain audience. Anyone who doesn’t enjoy astronomy-related subjects may find this book boring and extremely hard to understand. That said, if you are interested in science and creationism, this book is thought-provoking and perfect for intellectuals.
December 30, 2012
Hugh Ross does something with the question "How did we [i.e., the universe and all it contains] get here?" that I have not seen any other author do. Ross, an astronomer (University of Toronto), theologian, and pastor, is the head of the non-denominational, not-for-profit parachurch ministry Reasons to Believe located in Pasadena, California. What Ross does is offer a scientifically testable model for creation.
"Young Earth" Creationism, "Intelligent Design", theistic evolution, and even Darwin's theory as originally constructed are all more belief systems than actual science. Ross wants to change that by offering a scientifically constructed, scientifically testable model for the theory that the universe was created by a Supreme Being of superior intelligence and power. He lays out specific tests to which this model can be subjected, specific results that would validate or invalidate the model, and specific ways in which the model should evolve as results come in. Ross also lays out an unmistakeable challenge to all other scientists and theologians to put up scientifically constructed and testable models for their own hypotheses and theories of origin.
Whether you agree with Ross or not, this book is worth reading and considering. Rather than dismiss it out of hand, I encourage readers to do what Ross challenges us to do: test the model rigorously and see if the results match his hypothesis.
"Young Earth" Creationism, "Intelligent Design", theistic evolution, and even Darwin's theory as originally constructed are all more belief systems than actual science. Ross wants to change that by offering a scientifically constructed, scientifically testable model for the theory that the universe was created by a Supreme Being of superior intelligence and power. He lays out specific tests to which this model can be subjected, specific results that would validate or invalidate the model, and specific ways in which the model should evolve as results come in. Ross also lays out an unmistakeable challenge to all other scientists and theologians to put up scientifically constructed and testable models for their own hypotheses and theories of origin.
Whether you agree with Ross or not, this book is worth reading and considering. Rather than dismiss it out of hand, I encourage readers to do what Ross challenges us to do: test the model rigorously and see if the results match his hypothesis.
September 29, 2009
This book gave me a lot of things to think about. It challenged some of my assumptions about evolution/creationism. This book advocates the RTB creation model which is an old-earth creationism model which attempts to harmonize scientific and biblical data without compromising the integrity of either one; and more importantly it provides at testable model with specific predictions about what future research will discover. And as a testable model it allows for changes to be made to the model rather than assuming that his particular explanation is perfect and doesn't need to be adjusted as better information becomes available.
Though I'm not totally sold on the idea, I like the direction he's going and the goal of "ending the creation vs. evolution wars". I think this has potential; I'd like to read more of his books.
Though I'm not totally sold on the idea, I like the direction he's going and the goal of "ending the creation vs. evolution wars". I think this has potential; I'd like to read more of his books.
July 13, 2021
Brilliant! A challenge to evolutionary and young earth extremism and an appeal for discussion. A well thought out model for creation using the scientific method, which is Biblically based! A valuable addition to my library for my research. Definitely worth reading multiple times.
December 12, 2008
hmmm...interesting but not well done IMO...I felt like this work was rushed out the door to make a buck (probably not the case because other works by Ross I've found to be quite good)
April 22, 2020
Pioneer.
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