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.
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Hugh Ross (Ph.D., University of Toronto) is founder and president of Reasons To Believe, a ministry team devoted to bridging the gap between science and faith. A well-known author and Christian apologist, Ross has addressed students and faculty on hundreds of campuses, churches, and professional groups in the U.S. and abroad. He also serves on the pastoral staff of Sierra Madre Congregational Church, and as adjunct faculty at A.W. Tozer Seminary in Redding, California. He and his wife, Kathy, and their two sons live in Southern California.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Reasons To Believe's third in a series of books proposing a testable creation model takes on the origin and design of the universe. Creation As Science develops a biblical creation model and compares the predictions of this model to naturalistic, young earth creationism, and theistic evolutionary models. This biblical creation model is divided into four main areas, the origin of the universe, the origin of the Solar System, the history of life on earth, and the origin and history of mankind.
Cosmological implications of the biblical model include extra dimensions, cosmic expansion, size of the universe, the anthropic principle, constancy of the laws of the universe, and humanity's specific viewing platform. The characteristics of the earth are compared to those of known extrasolar planets, showing that the earth is rare, if not unique among the planets.
Other chapters examine life's origin in terms of the naturalistic processes that would be required. The naturalistic model is shown to be lacking in that life appears early and is complex. Subsequently, new species are introduced at the right time to transform the earth into a planet suitable for advanced life forms. The origin of humanity is examined in detail to complete the biblical model of creation.
Naturalists primary complaint about intelligent design is that it offers no model and makes no predictions. The strength of Creation As Science lies in its challenge to naturalistic models of origins through specific predictive claims. Chapter 11 examines specific predictions of the four models examined. Along with Appendix F, 22 cosmological and planetary sciences predictions are given for each model. Fifty-two predictive tests are listed for the origin and history of life on earth. In addition, 15 specific theological and philosophical predictions are made for each model. The success or failure of these predictions will determine the value of this approach in future years.
The book seems to be titled to attract Christians, but I hope that secular readers will not be dissuaded by the close opposition of "Creation" and "Science" to dismiss it outright as just another deceptive creation science book. The science is generally quite good, other than a few errors (Figure 7.4: "Oxygenation history of earth's atmosphere" seems to attribute oxygenation of the atmosphere earlier than most published studies, and the claim that when carbon dioxide falls below about 225 parts per million, all photosynthetic life dies is false, since the earth goes through such periods on a regular basis), and missing citations for some key data. Hopefully this book will begin a dialog among the various groups to sort out what each model predicts and which reflects the science better.
Cosmological implications of the biblical model include extra dimensions, cosmic expansion, size of the universe, the anthropic principle, constancy of the laws of the universe, and humanity's specific viewing platform. The characteristics of the earth are compared to those of known extrasolar planets, showing that the earth is rare, if not unique among the planets.
Other chapters examine life's origin in terms of the naturalistic processes that would be required. The naturalistic model is shown to be lacking in that life appears early and is complex. Subsequently, new species are introduced at the right time to transform the earth into a planet suitable for advanced life forms. The origin of humanity is examined in detail to complete the biblical model of creation.
Naturalists primary complaint about intelligent design is that it offers no model and makes no predictions. The strength of Creation As Science lies in its challenge to naturalistic models of origins through specific predictive claims. Chapter 11 examines specific predictions of the four models examined. Along with Appendix F, 22 cosmological and planetary sciences predictions are given for each model. Fifty-two predictive tests are listed for the origin and history of life on earth. In addition, 15 specific theological and philosophical predictions are made for each model. The success or failure of these predictions will determine the value of this approach in future years.
The book seems to be titled to attract Christians, but I hope that secular readers will not be dissuaded by the close opposition of "Creation" and "Science" to dismiss it outright as just another deceptive creation science book. The science is generally quite good, other than a few errors (Figure 7.4: "Oxygenation history of earth's atmosphere" seems to attribute oxygenation of the atmosphere earlier than most published studies, and the claim that when carbon dioxide falls below about 225 parts per million, all photosynthetic life dies is false, since the earth goes through such periods on a regular basis), and missing citations for some key data. Hopefully this book will begin a dialog among the various groups to sort out what each model predicts and which reflects the science better.
42 of 58 people found the following review helpful
By OmegaMan
Format:Hardcover
This work by Dr Hugh Ross goes far in order to first establish what a scientific principle is, and later to use this definition in order to argue his case.
Contrary to other reviewers, there is nothing that can be found in the way of pseudoscience in this work. All of the facts are presented objectively, and are quite scientific (take for example the WMAP of the background cosmic radiation, or the series of events that lead to the formation of the moon and atmosphere. If there is indeed pseudoscience, how come nobody pointed out where he made an incorrect or spurious scientific claim?). One of the points made in the book is that a vast array of factors had to be done with precision far beyond that which is within the bounds of human ability (and most certainly beyond any reasonable probability of being carried out by random accident), and therefore would imply a creative intelligence.
All of these arguments are also used within a movement called the Intelligent Design theory. The problem with Intelligent Design is that it does not identify any creator or causal agent: this is one of the reasons that it did not hold up in court recently, and perhaps one of the main reasons why, upon its rejection from the court, people consider it to be pseudoscience. In fact, many court cases dealing with evolution and creation can be found within the book!
Dr Ross attempts to formulate his model on the assumption that the creator is identified as the God of the Bible, and then use predictions based on this and an interpretation of the Bible to predict results of as yet unresolved scientific dilemmas. For those who claim that this book contains pseudoscience, refer to the appendix within the book which actually lists a large number of as yet unresolved issues in science, and see for yourself whether the outcome favors the theory of Dr Ross or of other, competing theories.
There have been reviews claiming that and religious claim must fall out of science, and that the two should be separate in their scope, otherwise the necessary addition of faith is needed within the scientific enterprise, which is contrary to the purpose of science. It is, however, not difficult to see why this view is completely wrong, simply because it requires that faith in this assumption be placed, and according to the above, any faith is contrary to the functioning of the scientific enterprise. In fact, it says within the book that theories and their underlying assumptions are to be tested objectively, and it is precisely this objective testing (without choosing any favorites, just putting the theories to the table and seeing which set of assumptions best explains the results) of assumptions that makes science work.
I personally found this book to be very enjoyable, it is well written and has a convincing argument for those willing to listen. It contains hundreds of references to scientific sources such as journals, papers, and books by renowned scientists: even if you disagree with its message, any careful reading and thorough investigation of the facts will show that no claim in this book is made without careful and purposeful consideration, and it certainly does not contain even a hint of pseudoscience.
Contrary to other reviewers, there is nothing that can be found in the way of pseudoscience in this work. All of the facts are presented objectively, and are quite scientific (take for example the WMAP of the background cosmic radiation, or the series of events that lead to the formation of the moon and atmosphere. If there is indeed pseudoscience, how come nobody pointed out where he made an incorrect or spurious scientific claim?). One of the points made in the book is that a vast array of factors had to be done with precision far beyond that which is within the bounds of human ability (and most certainly beyond any reasonable probability of being carried out by random accident), and therefore would imply a creative intelligence.
All of these arguments are also used within a movement called the Intelligent Design theory. The problem with Intelligent Design is that it does not identify any creator or causal agent: this is one of the reasons that it did not hold up in court recently, and perhaps one of the main reasons why, upon its rejection from the court, people consider it to be pseudoscience. In fact, many court cases dealing with evolution and creation can be found within the book!
Dr Ross attempts to formulate his model on the assumption that the creator is identified as the God of the Bible, and then use predictions based on this and an interpretation of the Bible to predict results of as yet unresolved scientific dilemmas. For those who claim that this book contains pseudoscience, refer to the appendix within the book which actually lists a large number of as yet unresolved issues in science, and see for yourself whether the outcome favors the theory of Dr Ross or of other, competing theories.
There have been reviews claiming that and religious claim must fall out of science, and that the two should be separate in their scope, otherwise the necessary addition of faith is needed within the scientific enterprise, which is contrary to the purpose of science. It is, however, not difficult to see why this view is completely wrong, simply because it requires that faith in this assumption be placed, and according to the above, any faith is contrary to the functioning of the scientific enterprise. In fact, it says within the book that theories and their underlying assumptions are to be tested objectively, and it is precisely this objective testing (without choosing any favorites, just putting the theories to the table and seeing which set of assumptions best explains the results) of assumptions that makes science work.
I personally found this book to be very enjoyable, it is well written and has a convincing argument for those willing to listen. It contains hundreds of references to scientific sources such as journals, papers, and books by renowned scientists: even if you disagree with its message, any careful reading and thorough investigation of the facts will show that no claim in this book is made without careful and purposeful consideration, and it certainly does not contain even a hint of pseudoscience.
50 of 70 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
"Creation as Science" actually contains, in a 25-page side-by-side table, four models of creation: the Reasons to Believe (RTB) Model, Naturalism, Young-Earth Creationism and Theistic Evolution, with a total of 89 predictive tests for each model.
In addition to the models, the 225 pages of preceding text contain a lot of worthwhile material, including a list of ten parallels between the "evolution" of the universe and Scripture (p. 75) and an extensive description of the careful, many-faceted preparations God orchestrated over a period of 13.7 billion years to prepare planet Earth for us humans.
While he may or may not have gotten everything right, Hugh Ross seems to have made a good first pass that should stir up much discussion and, hopefully, progress.
In addition to the models, the 225 pages of preceding text contain a lot of worthwhile material, including a list of ten parallels between the "evolution" of the universe and Scripture (p. 75) and an extensive description of the careful, many-faceted preparations God orchestrated over a period of 13.7 billion years to prepare planet Earth for us humans.
While he may or may not have gotten everything right, Hugh Ross seems to have made a good first pass that should stir up much discussion and, hopefully, progress.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Creation and Science....not at all Incompatible
First let me state this is my first read of any work by Dr. Ross's, it will not be my last. The tone of his work is reasonable and scientifically competent, it is clear he is... Read more
Published on June 30, 2010 by Mark (Greek for "Hammer")
2.0 out of 5 stars
Misinterpretation of scientific results to ideas they are not actually...
The science discussed in this book is not pseudoscience as one other reviewer here has mentioned. And this book is a very scholarly exposition of the science it covers. Read more
Published on January 28, 2010 by Bowser
1.0 out of 5 stars
Who Was That Masked Man?
Hugh Ross, the author of this book, claims: "If the Earth were one half of one percent closer to the sun, water on Earth would boil off. Read more
Published on October 7, 2009 by V
5.0 out of 5 stars
A riveting trip back to the Middle Ages
Don't miss out on this riveting trip back to the Middle Ages. My only criticism is that is doesn't debunk the preposterous notion that the world is round (or do the God haters and... Read more
Published on September 16, 2009 by Archtopopotamus
2.0 out of 5 stars
Are you serious?
Biology with MasteringBiology (8th Edition)
I gave it two stars for the cover. There are a lot of math problems on the front (though none are in the text or have... Read more
I gave it two stars for the cover. There are a lot of math problems on the front (though none are in the text or have... Read more
Published on September 5, 2009 by John M. Tramel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Publication by Dr. Hugh Ross
My initial book by Dr. Ross was; "The Creator and the Cosmos" also, "Beyond the Cosmos." Dr. Ross' approach to the reconcilliation of Science and the Bible is refreshing and... Read more
Published on January 11, 2009 by Percy Rouse Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Creation as Science
As a Christian and physician I have had a sense of tension in my belief and position regarding the Creation vs. Evolution dichotomy. That is until now. Read more
Published on November 3, 2008 by C. L. Mabee
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Mormon's perspective of the book
I meet with a group of friends weekly to do Bible study. The group is made up of professionals, mostly engineers, with a strong interest in science and religion. Read more
Published on May 28, 2008 by Jeffrey Van Wagoner
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Read, well documented with very sound reasoning
Dr. Ross always delivers a good book and this is no exception. He presents complex subjects in a manner most lay people can get and always has a solid scientific basis for his... Read more
Published on February 8, 2008 by G. Louque
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting and provocative.
I'm a Christian, but I also accept the infallacy of proof and the scientific method when properly applied. Read more
Published on January 16, 2008 by Jason D. Coffey
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 87
books:
See all 87 books this book cites
- The Creator and the Cosmos: How the Greatest Scientific Discoveries of the Century Reveal God by Hugh Ross on 6 pages
- Origins of Life: Biblical and Evolutionary Models Face Off by Fazale Rana on 6 pages
- The Genesis Question: Scientific Advances and the Accuracy of Genesis by Hugh Ross on 5 pages
- The Invisible Man and The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells on 5 pages
- The War of the Worlds (Great Illustrated Classics) by H. G. Wells on 5 pages
See all 87 books this book cites
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