Customer Reviews

Do Science and the Bible Conflict? (Tough Questions)

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There are serious flaws with this study. It may be the single worst book to give a science-oriented seeker looking for God. It starts with the concept that it is important for people to discuss their beliefs to learn and develop their faith. After the first chapter, however, it goes decidedly downhill. If the seeker didn't have serious questions about cosmology to start with they will have a whole bunch of them when they are done.
Most of the "text" consists of quotations and explanations from an agnostic or atheist viewpoint. The authors contrast the two most radical positions on science, ie. radical agnostic or atheist vs. radical fundamentalist. There is no presentation of moderate or middle ground postions on either side. There are almost zero quotations or counter arguments offered from a moderate Christian perspective. The authors do not seem to allow that there can be Christian scientists with, say, a view of a guided evolution. The authors force the question to be a purely atheistic view against a purely fundamental view of creationism.
Their point about the lack of Christian scientists is something like this---only 0.2 % of scientists believe that the creation occured as a mass creation of all the species at the same time. I would agree that most Christian scientists don't believe in a fundamentalist "one-instant" creation view, but the book ignores any other possible understanding of God's hand in the making of the universe. Despite the fact that even the Genesis account is evolutionary, ie. it occured over time not in one instant. This study defines Christians on the basis of a narrow "one-instant" understanding of Creation - this very fact is extremely objectionable. We have world class scientists in our congregation who were totally offended by this study, and felt their point of view was neither acknowledged nor represented. The authors seem to want to develop controversy rather than support a God created world.
As a result this book is a collection of controversies without any real understanding of the broad spectrum of literature or arguements from various philosophers, scientists, and Christians in the past... It is inexplicably antithetical to the seeker sensitive values of Willow Creek. I cannot believe they allowed this book to be published under their name.

This series, and this book, are a terrific and helpful guide for people looking to lead seekers studies. If you are looking to lead such a group, this is a terrific resource.