Customer Reviews

Creation: Facts of Life

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As one who formerly taught evolution and believed in it, Dr. Parker understands the intricacies of evolutionary theory: he is quite capable of arguing the side of evolution. The tone of his book is respectful and proper, unlike some other books on creationism that I have read. His arguments are well thought through, and quite convincing. He starts off discussing DNA and how it is difficult to reconcile observable facts of DNA with evolutionary theory. Most other works start off with Darwin, which might make sense historically, but scientifically it is better to start off as Dr. Parker did. Dr. Parker asserts that observable facts can only support or disprove a theory, such as evolution or creationism, and never prove it. He demonstrates how observable facts are more consistent with creationism and inconsistent with evolution. Great short book and easy to read.

I couldn't recommend this book any more! It is highly scientific and filled with facts, yet easy and very fun to read. Focuses on areas such as biology, fossils, flood geology, basics, etc.

After reviewing and reading a number of books on creation vs. evolution, I chose this one as a "textbook" for a class on the subject. The book is short and easy-to-read. Parker writes clearly, succinctly, and convincingly. If you ever thought that science had all the facts, and creationists had all the faith, you may discover the roles are reversed!

This book is well worth reading by those with an interest in the debate between evolutionists and creationists. Dr. Parker writes clearly and presents the evidence succinctly.

I found this book well worth reading. The author clearly expresses his beliefs and seems to have done a good job of footnoting his references. By itself, this book is unlikely to change the mind of someone opposed to creation, but it may inspire further study of some of the ideas. This book is easier to read than Dean Overman's "A Case Against Accident and Self-Organization" and has some interesting references to geological questions that I previously thought were unquestioned facts. I intend to read two of the referenced sources to learn more about some of these theories.

I started reading this book with scepticism, especially since the world has adopted Darwin's theory of evolution as irrefutable! The so-called scientific facts re Darwinism that we are regularly bombarded with are revealed as mere theories, that lack even adequate scientific proof. Yet we have been accepting these theories as gospel for decades! One has to wonder at the ethical mores of the scientists that are aware of the shortfalls of this theory, yet continue to propogate it. This book also offers various other theories for the readers to digest, yet does not pinpoint a specific theory as absolutely and irrefutably correct. Well-balanced, thought-provoking and a deserving a prominent spot in anyone's bookshelf!

In his calm and simple manner, Gary Parker lays out a well-written overview of the evidence for creation. He intersperses the examination of the scientific evidence for creation with brief anecdotes about how he gradually gave up his own belief in evolution. Parker outlines the complexities of life that are unsatisfactorily explained (if at all) by evolutionary theory. Evidence from molecular biology, gross anatomy, genetics, mutation and selection, fossils, and geology are compared from an both evolutionary and creation standpoint. An important feature of this book for new readers to the creation/evolution controversy is the discussion of scientific data that creationists and evolutionists agree upon, yet how certain explanations differ. His non-aggresive approach will even allow skeptics to give fair consideration to the evidence without feeling attacked. Parker also shows important contradictions among evolutionists that witness to the weakening of some long-held theories. This book is a great introductory read!

I say in the real world, because that what Dr. Parker is talking about. I have the 1994 edition of this book. This book is very readable and Parker presents it as if he were talking to you personally I felt. The table of contents indicate what the subject matter is really about. The subjects he covers include logic and observation, the origin of life, DNA and protein, homology, embryonic development, adaptation and ecology, design, natural selection and mutations, pangenesis, variation, species and kinds, invertebrates, vertebrates, fossil plants, human beings, neocatastrophism and the Grand Canyon. Some pictures are provided making it even more interesting. I found a couple of typos in my edition. No index was provided which is useful to some who may be looking for information on a particular subject. I highly recommend the book and it should be in your library.

Evolution is based on faith, bias and obstinacy. Creation is based on logic demonstrated through evidence and facts. This book is the definitive one (it can't get any better) to finally vote for Creationism as against Evolution (that is, macro-evolution). You won't need any more books because you won't have any more doubts.

Evolutionists would still have us believe that the sun moves around the Earth simply because they have to justify their salaries. But they never convince, they threaten and insult, that they do well. Next thing they will have us believe that Princes come from frogs, if you only kiss them for three million years. I am not an ultra-conservative or anti-utopian person. I am open-minded enough and willing to give evolution a chance if I see some evidence, just as I would believe in the goodness of Marxism if I could see it work somewhere (and Castro would just quit). But it ain't the case, Chase.

There are a lot of questions that strict evolutionists don't know how to answer, even by 2007 and, however, they are absolutely obstinate about being right. "In evolutionary thinking, chance and struggle produce 'new and improved' forms of life. In biblical thinking, chance and struggle produce disease, decline and death."

The author himself was an evolutionist before he decided to check the facts from a biblical perspective. It took him three years to change his mind and fully believe that the Bible is the best guide to understanding God's world. This book is written by a scientist who became a Christian. It is written in an easy to understand language, full of facts, quotes from other leading scientists, and lots of investigation on fields like biology, genetics to paleontology (and don't tell me you're smarter than him, that won't do).

Evolutionists don't even explain why horses, dogs or fish have stopped evolving, if they ever evolved -which they haven't, otherwise why have they stopped?-. Evolution does not trespass barriers between species. There are different "varieties" of dogs, but they are still dogs. Animals just become more adapted and fitted to their particular environment. The change is only within kind, not from one kind to others. "Natural selection does not explain the origin of species or traits, but only their preservation. Lewontin ... recognizes that 'natural selection operates essentially to enable the organisms to maintain their state rather than to improve it'. "

There is the false idea that mutations in the genes are the motor of transformation, but: "mutations presuppose creation. After all, mutations are only changes in genes that already exist."

There's a warning in this book against trying to become a peacemaker between evolutionists and creationists while being a Christian. The author himself had been through that stage. He tried to convince himself that evolution told us how God did it. The reason for the warning: "Darwin described the evolutionary process (as) ... the 'war of nature, famine, and death'. Evolution is a gruesome cycle of struggle-and-death." But "God even tells us that He was 'grieved to His heart by the violence and corruption' that filled the earth after people turned away from Him (Genesis 6:5-6). If God was grieved by violence and corruption, how could He use it as His means of creation? ... Evolution is the opposite of the whole Gospel message."

"great variation within kind ("micro-evolution") by itself could never, even in infinite time, lead to macro-evolution." That is, small changes don't just add up continuously.

The chapter about fossils is very relevant. The Neanderthals, who were supposed to be our ancestors, are now considered to be -even by evolutionists- no more different from people living today (and I think know those people). Somebody owes an apology to Mr Neanderthal. But these nice Neanderthals were not the only ones so ill-treated by our racists of laboratory: The Tasmanian aborigines were once considered also as a subhuman evolutionary link. Then there's the Piltdown hoax. Why did that happen? " ... people (just) wanted to believe in evolution". Kind of what happend with the infamous Da Vinci Code: people just want to believe it. Then the author discusses the Lucy bones, and the Austrolopitecus (forgive my spelling) and that does more than convince me.

A final word: More evolutionary fantasy is not going to help us, folks. In Spain one chimp already ran for president and won (he's known as the Spanish Mr Bean), and things are getting pretty hair-raising here. Those who are not into any monkey business will soon end up as second rate citizens in a cage. And no banana.

I can hardly forget reading this book for the first time. I was 12 years old, and I had believed firmly in the bible my entire life. I remember watching discovery channel and they would say something like, "The salamander evolved 30 million years ago as a result of the pressures of competing lizards", or something to that effect. I remember thinking, "Yeah right, they expect me to believe this nonsense? They didn't offer any proof!" However, I thought that I was maybe one of the few people who rejected evolution. I thought that all "grown-ups" believed in evolution, except for my daddy of course. But I held firm to my beliefs.

One day, my dad said, "Here Kyle, read this book. It's pretty interesting." I remember looking at the title "Creation: Facts of Life". I sat there wondering, could this possibly be a book about evidence that we were created?

As one would expect, I was totally unaware of the large amount of creationist literature out there. I read through the book in amazement. Not only did this book reaffirm what I believed, it even gave evidence from things like genetics and the fossil record. I was shocked to learn that Parker was actually a former athiest/evolutionist.

Anyways, this book has always been a bit special to me. This book turned me into a YEC, and I am very happy that Parker was able to change my life in such a positive way.