Description
In this provocative book, evolutionist and evangelical Christian Denis O. Lamoureux proposes an approach to origins that moves beyond the ‘evolution-versus-creation’ debate. Arguing for an intimate relationship between the Book of God’s Words and the Book of God’s Works, he presents evolutionary creation – a position that asserts that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit created the universe and life through an ordained and sustained evolutionary process. This view of origins affirms an evolutionary understanding of the concept of intelligent design and the belief that beauty, complexity, and functionality in nature reflect the mind of God.
Lamoureux also challenges the popular Christian assumption that the Holy Spirit revealed scientific and historical facts in the opening chapters of the Bible. He contends that Scripture features an ancient understanding of origins that functions as a vessel to deliver inerrant and infallible messages of faith.
The book closes with the two most important issues in the origins controversy – the pastoral and pedagogical implications. How should churches approach this volatile topic? And what should Christians teach their children about origins?
About the Author
Denis O. Lamoureux is an assistant professor of science and religion at St. Joseph’s College, University of Alberta, Canada. He holds three earned doctoral degrees – in dentistry, theology, and biology. He coauthored with Philip E. Johnson Darwinism Defeated? The Johnson-Lamoureux Debate on Biological Origins (1999).
Contents
List of Illustrations
Preface
Acknowledgements
1. Introductory Categories
Evolution. Creation. Concordism.
2. Beyond the “Evolution” vs. “Creation” Debate
Young Earth Creation. Progressive Creation. Evolutionary Creation. Deistic Evolution. Dysteleological Evolution
3. The Creator in a Designed and Evolving Creation
Divine Action. Intelligent Design. The Anthropic Principle
4. The Ancient Science in the Bible
Introductory Categories. Ancient Geology. Ancient Astronomy. Ancient Biology
5. The Bible and Science: Beyond Conflict and Concordism
Implications of Ancient Science. Principles of Biblical Interpretation. An Incarnational Approach to Biblical Inerrancy and Infallibility
6. The Ancient History in Genesis 1-11
Introductory Categories. The Historicity of Genesis 1-11
7. Genesis 1-11 and History: Beyond Conflict and Concordism
Historiography, Ancient Motifs and Divine Inspiration. Toward the Literary Genre of Genesis 1-11. Were Adam and Noah Historical?
8. A Christian Approach to Human Evolution
The Manifestation of the Image of God and Human Sin. Suffering and Death in Evolution. The Sin-Death Problem
9. Coming to Terms with Evolution: A Personal Story
10. Final Thoughts and Reflections
Credits and Permissions
Appendices
Notes
Glossary
Subject Index
Scripture Index
Endorsements and Reviews
Denis Lamoureux has thought deeply about the intersection of the truths of the Book of Nature and the Book of the Bible. In this remarkable analysis, he describes how he has found compelling harmony between these worldviews.
Francis Collins, Former Director of the Human Genome Project
A book that takes both science and Scripture seriously. In his fascinating guide to Biblical interpretation, Denis Lamoureux argues that the Bible doesn’t lie even if the episodes in the first eleven chapters of Genesis never happened.
Owen Gingerich, Professor of Astronomy, Harvard University, author of God’s Universe
I will be recommending this book to anyone who might have even the slightest interest in moving from an anti-evolutionary world view.
Stephen Godfrey, in Report
We have in this book a refreshing challenge to some contemporary dogmas. This man is definitely on to something. Do yourself a favour, don’t prejudge him; buy this book and draw your own conclusions.
Dennis Gordon, in Stimulus
Lamoureux’s book reflects years of study in what is a well-argued and insightful book that eschews simplistic answers.
Stephen Lloyd, in Origins, No 55
