Darwin's Forgotten Defenders: The Encounter Between Evangelical Theology and Evolutionary Thought (Paperback)

by David N. Livingstone (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Tracing the Christian response to evolution from the mid-19th century to the present, Livingstone finds accommodation to have been more common than confrontation. Nineteenth-century theologians concentrated upon reconciling evolutionary thought with the existence of a Divine plan for the universe. It was only with the rise of Fundamentalism, which saw evolutionary theory as an attack upon the authority of scripture and as yet another of the modern forces demolishing society's old values, that a split between religion and science developed. Hence, Livingstone concludes, this split is not necessary. While not as comprehensive as James R. Moore's The Post-Darwinian Controveries ( LJ 7/79), this is an excellent work. D. Stephen Rockwood, Mount Saint Mary's Coll. Lib., Emmitsburg, Md.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 210 pages
• Publisher: Regent College Publishing (January 1, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573830933
• ISBN-13: 978-1573830935
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,220,774 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Retelling a Forgotten Legacy, November 28, 2000

By	"brentmw" (Chicaco, IL USA) - See all my reviews

Evangelicals don't know their history. That's why they fight for the dubious notion of a renaissance of our American Christian roots. It's why they get suckered into prophecy hysteria every 15 years. It's also why they don't discuss the important and complex facets of the evolution-creation debate. Unbeknownst to many, the history of evangelical reaction to evolution is not a one-sided testament to antievolutionism. Not at all.

David Livingstone has written an important work because it teaches 3 important lessons relevant to the origins debate: 1. Evangelicals often misunderstand what is and what is not at stake in the evolution debate. 2. The issue of reconciling science and Christianity is far more complex than the either/or categories evangelicals often use. 3. History is full of valuable arguments and insights that remain relevant to the issue today. Evangelicals must look to the past as more than ammo to "disprove" evolution.

The title of this book is a little deceptive. Evangelicals have always (and rightfully) been uncomfortable about evolution. Livingstone does not tell a one-sided history. Instead, he delves into the lively intellectual response to Darwin. Especially intriguing is the reaction to evolution in Princeton. There we discover "the Fundamentals" contributor B.B. Warfield held to both a theistic evolutionary scheme of creation AND inerrancy!

Livinstone is masterful in telling the historical evangelical reaction to Charles Darwin and evolutionary thought. A must-read for anyone who is frustrated by the nonsensical rantings of modern antievolutionism.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening, December 19, 2002

By	"useapencil" (snohomish wa) - See all my reviews

Brilliant survey of early views of specifically Darwinian evolution by 19th century scientists and evangelical clerics, showing that originally there was not great conflict and shows why there need not be today. A must read for those who feel modern evangelicalism is a bit too strident (or perhaps just wrong) in its denunciation of evolution.