Coming to Peace with Science: Bridging the Worlds Between Faith and Biology [Paperback]

Darrel R. Falk (Author), Francis Collins (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 6, 2004

Is a thoroughly Christian and biblically informed doctrine of creation compatible with widely held conclusions of modern science, especially biology? For Darrel R. Falk, this is not just an abstract question but one with which he has personally wrestled. A professor of biology, Falk brings together his biblically based understanding of creation and the most current research in biology. The result of his efforts to acknowledge the validity of science and the authority of Scripture is a new paradigm for relating the claims of science to the truths of Christianity. Written with the undergraduate student in mind, this book nonetheless will help anyone who is looking for a place to stand in the creation-evolution debate, fearful that they'll have to choose between intellectual integrity and the faith of the church. Calling for charitable discussions within the church, Falk shows how an original and ongoing interaction of God with creation is fully reconcilable with the kinds of development identified by current biological science.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In this highly instructive book, Darrel Falk describes his intellectual and spiritual journey in reconciling Christian belief with biological evolution. It is important for the wider body of Christians, many of whom remain skeptical of biological evolution, to grapple with the arguments contained in this book. This book promises to start a real conversation about the role of evolution in relation to the Christian faith, a conversation in which all parties to the creation-evolution debate feel welcome to participate, speak their minds freely and can put forward their best efforts." (William A. Dembski, author of The Design Revolution )

"There is much good news within these pages. Skeptics of science can be reassured that life makes sense and that the methods of science can be trusted. Those fearful that science requires a descent into atheism will be reassured by the vibrant Christian spirituality evidenced in Falk's narrative." (From the foreword by Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., Physician, Geneticist and Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) )

"Books on creation typically suggest that either God or the scientific community actively delude humankind. Falk's book offers a breath of fresh air to those who believe that the God of the Bible is the source of all truth. Passionate in his faith, certain that the Scriptures and science can stand careful scrutiny, Falk carefully integrates the evidence to build a picture of the loving creator-God. Needed for so long, this powerful book can intellectually and spiritually nourish the Christian community." (Philip Batterham, Associate Professor, Department of Genetics, University of Melbourne )

"Darrel Falk is a skilled educator and pastoral writer. Theologically sound, scientifically accurate, understandable at the high school and early college science level, this is a superb book for evangelicals and other Christians who want to learn about the history of life that God is revealing to us in the book of his creation." (Loren Haarsma, Assistant Professor of Physics, Calvin College )

"Coming to Peace with Science is a well-informed and very personal look at evolution by a biologist and committed evangelical Christian. It is written in an understandable and sensitive way that honors both the scientific vocation and the authority of scripture. The book is a refreshing contrast to much popular Christian writing on evolution. In it, Darrel Falk embraces and rejoices in both the biblical message and the history and processes of creation as revealed by scientific investigation. He also makes a strong and personal appeal for peace--not only between science and faith but also among committed believers who have come to different conclusions with regard to the creation's formational history." (Keith B. Miller, research assistant professor of geology at Kansas State University, fellow of the American Scientific Affiliation, and editor of Perspectives on an Evolving Creation )

"Professor Falk's Coming to Peace with Science is the most informed, thoughtful and spiritually sensitive look at 'creation through the eyes of a biologist' that I have ever read. Falk knows firsthand just how hard it can be for an evangelical raised on the Bible to make peace with the theory of evolution. As a respected biologist who takes the Bible very seriously he knows, however, that this peace must be found. Coming to Peace with Science will be an effective bridge between science and religion for years to come." (Karl Giberson, Ph.D., Professor of Physics, Eastern Nazarene College, Editor in Chief, Science & Spirit, Editor, Research News & Opportunities in Science & Theology )

Product Details

• Paperback: 235 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic; 1St Edition edition (April 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830827420
• ISBN-13: 978-0830827428
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #193,262 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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94 of 102 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Must the debate continue?, January 21, 2006

By 

Richard Menninger (Ottawa, KS USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Coming to Peace with Science: Bridging the Worlds Between Faith and Biology (Paperback)

As I write this review, I am team teaching with a colleague from the Biology department at Ottawa University in Ottawa, KS. The course we are teaching is one on Intelligent Design. With all the furor over the Kansas State Board of Education's revision of science curriculum, this course is timely, to say the least. As part of our course material, we are attempting to articulate the debate in the broader terms of the science/religion dispute set in the context of differing worldviews. One important area of all of this investigation is the issue of the confrontation between evolutionists and creationists. Must they be opponents, even enemies? Falk say no.

Our author writes from an Evangelical Christian viewpoint. He is clear about his faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and how the first chapters of Genesis are a great hymn celebrating-though not literally- God's creation of the world. He arrives at this conclusion about the creation account from the evidence science has amassed about the age and development of the universe. One of the strengths of this book is Falk's discussion of fossil evidence, geological evidence and genetic theory. These discussions are supplemented by graphs and pictures that are helpful. Since I am trained in theology and not science, I found these parts of the book enlightening without being condescending.

Falk, who has taught biology for over 20 years, supports the idea that species developed gradually, including humans. And he sees no conflict between faith and the naturalist's view of our world. Overall, he appears to attempt to write within the worldview that science should not be depended on to point a person of faith to God and science must realize that it is not equipped to discover the supernatural.

Falk delves into theological issues such as where does death enter in the story, if indeed, animals died before the appearance of humans. Also, he spends 10-15 pages on the question of how humans were created. He shares that there are alternative ways to interpet the picture in Genesis 2-literal and figurative-though he readily admits science cannot answer the `when' or the `how' of the spiritual side of human creation.

Falk is clear to point out that Christianity has been too quick and too harsh to push science away. But he is also intent to bring an end to the war between the opposing camps in Christianity, between those who hold to a literal view of creation as opposed to a gradual creation on the part of God. In some sense his book is a positive addition to the discussion. To see a Christian biologist hold to his faith and to evolution without a crisis developing in his thinking is hopeful. But his book also affirms (at least in my mind) that the two disciplines will never be compatible. Not that they must remain antagonistic toward one another but simply they ask two different sets of questions.

Regardless of my final observation I recommend Falk's book for those interested in the science and religion debate.

56 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow., October 9, 2006

By 

Jedidiah Palosaari "Not My Real Name" (Fes, Morocco) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Coming to Peace with Science: Bridging the Worlds Between Faith and Biology (Paperback)

It's difficult to not type with superlatives when reviewing this book. This is one of the top devotional books on nature I've ever read. I've never seen a finer treatment of the basics of evolution for the layman. I've never seen a more clear portrayal of how Christ is involved in evolution. But most of all, in all my reading on the intersection of evolution and Christianity, I've never seen a more gentle, kinder approach that so exemplifies that attitude of Christ.

Falk comes with a strong support for evolution, in all it's glory. But he treats it as far more glorious than most biologists, for he sees God's presence within it. There is no holding back here- Falk makes clear, cogent arguments in favor of every step and aspect of evolution. His treatment is something that anyone can understand, and anyone with an open mind can come to agree with. He comes from a background originally in literal creationism, and so knows the arguments that speak to the literal creationist. As someone who was also once a literal creationist, I can say Falk knows the arguments that refute the classic creationist arguments as well.

But he doesn't stop there. He then turns to the scriptures. Falk fully supports complete acceptance of the scriptures, but he's not interested in blind literal acceptance. He wants us to delve into the Bible and accept the points that God is trying to make. Throughout Falk's personal relationship with Jesus is clear. He sees this as the point behind everything. And he finds that he sees more of Christ by studying biology and evolution. It would be easy to try to proof-text passages to make the Bible appear to be supportive of evolution. That's not Falk's style. He's looking to see what God wants us to know, primarily through the scriptures.

This is the first time I've found a work that fully explains the nature of sin, death, and decay, using biology and the Bible both. For those unfamiliar with the controversy, this is the lynchpin of the literal creationist distate for evolution. Falk at no point denies the miraculous, but rather finds it foundational to his faith. However, he argues for a God that works through natual laws that He created- and ingeniously, Falk argues this based on how we see God working in our own individual lives.

I can not stress this enough. This is the most grace-filled treatment of this subject I have ever read. You get the feeling that Falk actually cares about his readers, whatever stripe they might be. He cares more that we treat each other with love on this subject than that we be right. If you have only $15 left to eat or buy this book, get the book. Feed your mind first and see what glories you might behold.

63 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughts from a life-long creationist..., September 7, 2006

By 

Stacy J. Peterson "trochilids" (Eagle River, AK USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Coming to Peace with Science: Bridging the Worlds Between Faith and Biology (Paperback)

Other reviewers have reviewed the actual contents of this book; I would like to address how this book effected my life. This is likely pertinent since the author clearly makes an effort to "bridge the worlds between faith and biology."

I'm very grateful that Falk persisted in tackling such a difficult and provocative topic (science and religion) as he did with "Coming to Peace..." I've read it many times and each time am struck by the sensitivity, sincerity, and Christian love with which he approaches this topic. This book should be very understandable to a wide audience (college degrees not required)!

I'm 36 years old with a masters in biology from a private Christian college. I've grown up in a Christian denomination whose official position on creation is a belief in a literal 6-day, young-earth interpretation of Genesis.

I greatly appreciate my church's interpretation of most biblical issues. Their stand on creation, however, gives me trouble. This past winter I visited with one of my past college biology professors and one of my graduate student colleagues who is now a bioloy teacher himself. We had quite a long talk about their spiritual journeys as biologists, and they both turned me on to Falk's book (Coming to Peace with Science).

As a biologist by training (if not direct avocation at this point in my life), I've been exposed to evolution, and I recognize that it's difficult to ignore the evidence from the fossil record, age of the earth, etc. But meshing that with my faith was difficult at best. For a long time I just kept them compartmentalized, and focused on Christ as my salvation instead of Christ as the Creator. Falk's book and my wonderful talks with my old college friends have opened a brand new door of understanding to me. It's really a source of great relief! I have been touched spiritually and intellectually by the material presented in this book.

I'm still trying to wrap my mind around my understanding of God's role in human evolutionary development, and the concept of death and destruction before the "fall" of Adam and Eve -- and even who Adam and Eve really were -- but I can only say that having a devout Christian present possibilities to me, as Falk does in his book, is truly a source of comfort during these struggles. It's even more comforting to know that Falk has struggled greatly with these very same issues.

If you have found yourself asking how science can be explained in a religious context without undermining the integrity of either science or faith, then this book is for you. If you're anything like me, you may continue to have questions, but you won't feel ridiculed or unloved -- by the author or by your God.