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Case for a Creator for Kids, Updated and Expanded (Case for... Series for Kids)

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I could probably have fun criticizing this book, as some below do, if I let myself. Strobel's "ace reporter" routine can get a bit hokey, though he's generally a good writer. His
"skepticism" does appear staged, and critics who complains about the unfairness of interviewing only people who agree with you have a point. (Though it is called "the case for," not "the case for and against.") And as a Christian apologist myself, I might not above petty jealousy at Strobel's success. Beyond that, there are serious problems with the arguments in about half this book. Nevertheless, if truth is your main concern, this book is worth reading, in my opinion.

First of all, the people Strobel interviews have a lot to say. Whatever you think of their ideas, you should hear Craig, Meyer, Gonzales, Behe, Moreland, and Collins for themselves. Despite his bias, Strobel asks many of the right questions. And this may be the most accessible and personable introduction to these issues.

Secondly, the arguments given in chapters 4-7 and 9 are often enlightening, and usually convincing. In these chapters, Strobel discusses the origin of the universe, the "anthropic principle," the "just right" character of our cosmic environs, and the first origins of life. If you look over the 150 or so reviews below, you'll find that very few challenge Strobel on anything he says in these chapters -- only four, by my count, and two of those just complain that Strobel misunderstands
"imaginary numbers." (By contrast, dozens take issue with his treatment of evolution.) There are some amazing facts in these parts of the book. Clearly, many readers would be happy to prove Strobel wrong, and some of these readers seem generally well-informed. It is therefore telling that Strobel's arguments in this half the book go almost unchallenged. Having read a number of books that cover much the same territory, I think he gives a pretty good popular presentation on these subjects: simple, readable, to the point, and mostly accurate.

Strobel's discussion of evolution is something else, I agree. He talks much of gaps in the fossil record, but does not mention the plain and enormous fact that in general, the fossil record shows progress from simple to complex. And as a Christian biologist I know pointed out to Fazale Rana, you don't find fossils radically out of order -- among the critters in the Pre-Cambrian, you won't find a hamster or halibut. Again, Strobel points out that the fossils of early man could fit in a box -- but does not go on to ask, if such recent evolutionary remains are so sparse, why should the Pre-Cambrian record so long ago be anything like complete? His "spin" on the genetic similarities between man and ape -- that it is as consistent with design as with common ancestry -- is post hoc and, frankly, lame. ID does not predict that; common ancestry does. Strobel comments on whether "the evidence" supports Darwinism, but appears to know less about the matter than I do, and I'm a historian, not a scientist. (I'm still trying to make up my mind about some key questions in the debate.) It is not true (as some complain) that Strobel assumes what Wells calls the "icons of evolution" are all the evidence for evolution. But until Strobel confronts meatier evidence and refutes it, the evolution portion of his argument is useless.

Essentially, Strobel's discussion of evolution depends on argument from authority. But if a hundred "scientists" signed against evolution, hundreds named "Steve" signed another list for it. I personally know several Christian biologists who find ID wanting. The argument from authority, or Phillip Johnson-like bad-mouthing of the "atheistic" opposition, simply don't help.

In sum, this book is a mixed bag. On balance, though, I'd say the glass is more than half full.

Some of the skeptics below should be more cautious in their criticism. ("Idiotic Christians once believed the earth was flat" -- an old historical myth that Strobel actually refutes, and rightly so.) The book is a lot better than some attacks on religion I've read lately, like Sam Harris' ignorant The End of Faith, or Daniel Dennett's almost fact-free Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomena. Strobel represents skeptical ideas far more accurately, and in more detail, than those guys explain Christian views. Yet many skeptics praise those books (see the Amazon sites) without showing any sign of noticing their severe shortcomings.

Readers who would like to understand the relationship between Christianity and other religions, a topic several reviewers criticize Strobel for not addressing, will I think find my book, Jesus and the Religions of Man, worth a read.

Lee Strobel has written another fantastic book for the beginners-level apologist. This book turned out to be an excellent sequel to his previous two works, "The Case for Christ" and "The Case for Faith." I found the experts that Strobel interviewed to provide excellent cases for "Intelligent Design" based on data from their respective fields of study. Strobel also does a good job of keeping the book entertaining by providing the right mix of technical data and easier-to-immediately comprehend material. This is a good feature so as to keep the reader interested.

It must be kept in mind that Strobel discusses 8 or 9 topics, each of which has prompted the writing of a multitude of books covering that topic alone. The reader that wants a comprehensive defense of each individual topic must look elsewhere, and Strobel, as in his previous 2 books, provides a short list of pertinent books at the end of each interview. A solid summary-defense seems to be offered in each case as well as answers to a few objections, but in the limited space devoted to each topic, it is impossible to do complete justice to all of the evidence and to answer every possible objection. One example would be in the first interview with Jonathan Wells where various common evolutionary "icons" (e.g. Java man) are discussed. Wells it seems gives the reader good reason to be skeptical of the evidential value that each icon discussed may actually have for evolutionary theory. However, not all of the icons touted by evolutionists could be discussed, and Strobel rightly concedes as much in his book. One point of this chapter, however, was to evoke a healthy skepticism and desire to scrutinize the evidence that is being touted rather than accepting it as fact uncritically, and I think that Strobel is successful in demonstrating why this should be done by the reader.

For a reader wanting to become familiarized with some of the evidence for "Intelligent Design," this book is fantastic. For one wanting to delve deeply into the evidence, this book would still provide a great stepping-stone into deeper-level material, such as the books that Strobel lists at the end of each interview.

Like a lot of people (including the author of this book!), I was turned off to faith in God because I thought Darwinism made theism obsolete. I found Phillip Johnson's book "Darwin on Trial" and Michael Denton's book "Evolution: A Theory in Crisis" helpful in refuting the fundamentals of evolutionary theory, but this book is even more powerful for several reasons.

First, this book is not just a critique of Darwinism, although it does contain an excellent interview with Dr. Jonathan Wells, who pretty much decimates the idea that evolution can explain the diversity (or origin) of life. This book also builds a persuasive AFFIRMATIVE case for God from a scientific perspective. Drawing from interviews with scientists and philosophers of science, this book methodically builds the case for a creator from cosmology, physics, astronomy, biochemistry, biological information, and cognitive science, or human consciousness. By the time I finished, I felt like the verdict of "design" was pretty close to being airtight.

Second, this book is actually entertaining to read! I've looked at several other books that delve into faith and science, including those that espouse the "intelligent design" perspective, and frankly they were pretty tough to slog through. In contrast, this book has energy, colorful writing, and an intriguing true-life storyline of a one-time atheistic reporter pursuing the facts. The opening chapter really grabbed me as the writer describes a newspaper assignment that confirmed his opinion (at the time) that science has dissolved theism in a vat of nitric acid. By the end of the book, he has shown quite the opposite to be true -- "science, when done right, points toward God."

The interview with Dr. Stephen Meyer on the relationship between science and faith was worth the price of the book, in my opinion. If you believe, as I once did, that science and faith are in perpetual conflict, read this chapter! Meyer not only forcefully argues that science and faith actually are compatible, but he then does a phenomenal job of summarizing the evidence from science that points toward the existence of God. This chapter ought to be reproduced and distributed to every science student in the country!

I highly recommend this book to anyone whose faith has been undermined by those who claim science has relegated God to the unemployment line. As this book documents, not only does science point toward a creator, but the clear-cut implications of the data are that this creator fits the description of the God of the Bible. That may seem controversial, but the facts speak for themselves. Read this book and decide for yourself.

Why is it that the world of science has made such an about-face with the idea that the universe has an intelligent designer? At one time in the very recent past anyone supporting the idea of a Creator of the universe would have been ridiculed in the scientific community. These days they seem to be in the majority with more and more converts every year. In his book "The Case for a Creator" author Lee Strobel goes over the evidence that is causing such a shift in thinking.

In a very easy to read interview writing style he discusses evolution, Darwinism, science and faith, the big bang theory of cosmology, physics, astronomy and probability, biochemistry, DNA, and consciousness. For each one of these subjects he delivers an interview with a top scientist who is a specialist in that particular field of knowledge. Here is your chance to listen in as Lee quizzes them on their reasoning and theories. Listen in as he asks the difficult questions and receives soundly reasoned answers.

While these are recognized experts in their fields it should be noted that they were, of course, hand picked because they believe in a creator. As a result the book is basically an opportunity for them to espouse their views and give answers to common objections. Still, hand picked or not, the important thing is that they provide soundly reasoned, realistic answers to the questions and problems posed.

If you received an education on evolution in school then you owe it to yourself to at least be fair and learn the other side of the coin. If you have come to doubt a creator for whatever reason and have been taught that science has no room for a creator then you owe it to yourself to see why top scientists are moving over to the creation camp. At least you will find that there are two sides to this debate and it is not a closed question coming down on the side of no creator. "The Case for a Creator" is a highly recommended read on one of the most enjoyable books on the subject that I have read.

I am a Christian and am currently about halfway through this book. Most of the critical reviews by readers are not without merit (though a few obviously didn't read the book), and some of the postive reviews go overboard. Let's be honest, there is hypocrisy, dishonesty, and bias on both sides of the debate. Accusations that Strobel simply used the "god of the gap" theory may be somewhat true, but science is all about filling in gaps with *possible* answers and then testing to see which is the most likely. Many times skeptical scientists (not science) offer their opinions on the existence of God and then turn around and make the accusation that Christians cannot use science to prove God exists. If that is true, then neither can it prove he does not exist - but that doesn't stop many atheists from using it to do so. The debate is a result of the misuse of science by both sides. It cannot prove either way, neither can it prove whether he is one, many, or the God of Islam, Judaism/Christianity or pantheism/paganism. These are matters of faith, and if you're relying on the latest evolution vs. creation debate for your faith, you have missed the point.

Although God's existence cannot be *deduced* from science, you may infer, with an *inductive* argument, the *possibility* of his existence based on some of the very methods that science uses. I believe Strobel uses induction, but then states his conclusions as if they were logical deductions that are 100% sure. Scientists ask themsevles the question, "If we assume Evolution to be true, what will we expect to see?" (In the fossil record, biodiversity, microevolution, etc). Theists may ask themsevles the same types of questions: "If God was involved in forming the Universe, what would we expect to see?" (Information in nature, DNA, complexity, overwhelming odds against our existence). Although this is not sufficient to *deduce* God's existence, it can be made into a strong inductive argument, even if it can't be tested. Indeed, many theories put forth by science will never be fully tested - the existence of multiverses are obviously outside our capability to test, but that doesn't stop scientists from proposing theories like it.

I believe Strobel has provided some good information for further research, but his sources are obviously (and admittedly, to his credit) biased. This book is as good a place as any for a beginner to start, but do not let it be your only source or you'll find yourself embarrassed by a real scientist. I've read Behe's book, _Darwin's Black Box_ and Kenneth Miller's, _Finding Darwin's God_. Both are also good sources of information from both sides of the debate. There is also much information on the Internet. Believers and non-believers alike should reach their own conclusions by filtering out the fluff and focusing on the facts. Just keep this in mind while reading this book.

I have been using this book as resource for a Bible study and I was quite impressed with it, but before I proceed with the review, let me state a couple of things...

First, I am an Aerospace Engineer and have been studying physics and applied science for almost a decade. Science is extremely important to me and I fully accept that science can, and does, lead to Truth.

Second, I am a Christian. As such, I believe that all Truth is revealed by God to us in whatever manner He sees fit, including, but not limited to, science.

Now, to the book. Strobel has done a remarkable job with this text, compiling a comprehensive argument for creation in the form of Intelligent Design. If you're at all curious about ID, I definitely recommend this book, you'll learn pretty much everything you need to know about ID. That said, you'll have to keep an open mind, ID is just a different way of looking at the exact same evidence evolutionists see. Think of it this way, Copernicus saw the EXACT same sky that Ptolemy did, but Copernicus came to an entirely different conclusion(the helio-centric solar system). Similarly, ID proponents look at the Big Bang, that same Big Bang proposed by an evolutionary universe, and come to a different conclusion(the existence of a "divine" intelligence). This is one simple example of what ID really is, a different way of looking at the evidence, and it's this type of argument you'll find in Strobel's book.

I had intended this review to be more technical, but I think I've said what needs to be said. If you read Strobel's "The Case for A Creator" with an open mind, I think you'll be surprised by what you'll learn.

Lee Strobel has done an outstanding job of presenting views in support of intelligent design from biologists, physicists and astromomers who carry significant credibility in their fields. It's a fast read, yet deep enough to go back over and use as a springboard for deeper inquiry.

For anyone who wishes to objectively weigh the claims for and against design, this book is an excellent reference. Does the book have a bias? Certainly. Just as much as many of the books by Sagan, Gould and Dawkins do as they draw on their atheistic philosophy. That does not prevent one from looking at the interviews, examining the points made by respected scholars, and weighing the evidence for competing viewpoints.

I found this book to be a persuasive compilation of the current scientific data that support a theistic worldview. I say this despite some negative reviews in which the writers apparently failed to read the book! For example, one reviewer claims the universe might be the product of a "vacuum fluctuation." If he had simply read this book, instead of merely perusing the cover, he would have discovered that the author explores this very possibility, accurately concluding that this kind of vacuum itself would have required a cause, since it is not "nothing" but is a very active sea of energy. Furthermore, the author never claims (as this reviewer asserts) that modern biological systems emerged fully formed. Indeed, that's a "straw man" argument if I ever heard one! Actually, he points out that even a minimal living organism would have required too many protein parts to have come together purely by naturalistic means. And the truth is that origin-of-life researchers are stymied in terms of trying to explain how the most primitive early cell came into being. I'm glad this reviewer conceded he only read the cover of the book -- but failing to actually READ a book before reviewing it does not reflect the kind of careful analysis that he inaccurately derides the author for failing to have. A few have claimed there's nothing new in this book -- again, a false assertion, since it focuses on discoveries made just over the last few decades. Actually, the material from astronomer Guillermo Gonzalez and science philosopher J.W. Richards is so new that it has just been published in the last few months. So don't be deterred by knee-jerk materialists who want to steer you away from this book. Consider its claims for yourself. In the words of Cambridge-educated Dr. Stephen Meyer, "science, when done right, points toward God."

Warning! This book is not for everyone.

If you are looking for a hard hitting, fair and balanced debate of the creationists versus the evolutionists this book is not for you. Find another book.

If you are already a creationist, you will love this book. If you are like me and just want to know the creationist point of view just for your own education it's still a decent book. Mr. Strobel organizes his facts well and presents them in a way that is readable both for those educated in science or not.

Mr. Strobel's "investigative reporter" approach to the debate is a bit annoying, but I was able to put that complaint aside about half way through the book. I simply accepted that fact that he was writing a biased book.

Let's face it - this is a topic of debate that we will never know the answer to in our lifetime. It's good to hear both sides of the debate, but in the end it doesn't matter. We just aren't going to know the answer until we move on to the next world (if there is one). One's faith is simply that - faith.

To summarize, this book gives a good overview of the facts that creationists base their beliefs on. If you want to understand those facts, buy this book. If you are looking for a debate, look elsewhere.

I really liked the information and how it was presented. Strobel definitely makes you think about religion being a blend of fact and faith. I wish that the writer only would have used more opinions of people who were against it; I felt that his work was biased toward the side of a Creator. Also, need some women interviews! But, definitely a good read.