Parker, a former evolutionist, is uniquely qualified to present both sides of the issues of evolution vs. creation. With a doctorate in biology, he lectures for Creation Ministries International and Answers in Genesis.
Using the building metaphor, each chapter begins with a rubric cube type image. Toward the end a feature, “Form Your Foundation” guides the reader to establish foundational truths. Finally, a page of questions, “Building Inspection” summarizes the key points. Bonus Projects give students interesting assignments to further explore ideas presented in the book.
Three major areas for the three units:
- War of World Views
- Dinosaurs!
- Human Origins
By beginning with the War of the World Views, Parker sets the stage and continues the contrasting views throughout the book.
Key to the debate presented by Parker lays an understanding of the scientific method and how it cannot apply to much the evolutionist claims. Since the scientific method requires that an observer must observe the event and that it must be repeatable for others to observe, the origin of man and our world does not fall within the realm of science to the degree assumed by many. Both evolutionists and creationists must have “faith” in their understanding of our origins. Our foundational beliefs do affect how we understand what we do observe in our lives today. Parker does make the case well that what we observe today does not invalidate the Creator’s account of the origin of mankind and our world.
Dr. Parker introduces the readers to key evolutionist individuals: Charles Darwin, Charles Lyell, Francis Crick, Thomas Henry Huxley, Ernst Haeckel, and Henry Fairfield Osbourne. He also mentions famous scientists who were Christians.
According to Fry’s Readability Scale, this book rates at an upper high school reading level. Younger students may also enjoy this book as the terms used have many syllables. Parker does a good job of explaining the complex concepts in terms that most of us can follow.
Have you ever wondered why the Bible doesn’t talk about dinosaurs if they lived alongside humans? Easy answer: The word “dinosaurs” was not used until the 1800s. The behemoth mentioned in Job 40:15-24 describes best what we know as dinosaurs because of the strong tail like cedar. The elephant or rhino sometimes are put forth as candidates but do not have tails like cedar.
Quotable quotes:
“Scientific evidence in God’s world supports the historical record in God’s Word, the Bible: God’s perfect creation, corrupted by man’s sin, destroyed in Noah’s flood, restored to new life in Jesus Christ – summarized in four Cs: Creation, Corruption, Catastrophe, and Christ.” P. 15
“The creation and evolution models involve elements of history and philosophy that lie beyond the reach of science, but both also make predictions about the kinds of evidence found in our world that can be tested by repeatable observation and the methods of empirical science.” P. 38 Parker provides a number of charts illustrating the dramatic contrasts of these two models.
Look for this book and Parker’s next book in the Laying A Creation Foundation series, Building Blocks in Life Science on http://www.answersingenesis.org Answers in Genesis has a host of valuable resources for families and teachers. Also visit, Christian Ministries International’s website: http://www.creation.com
