By John Blanchard
Evangelical Press 160 pages. £6.95
ISBN 0 85234 568 2
This is the latest addition to the author's 'popular Christian apologetics collection'. Clearly it is a resource for his itinerant ministry, but the question addressed is hardly new, and whether yet another response is needed is debatable. This one follows some well-worn paths, albeit in a racy style driven along by a cascade of references and quotations.
Chapter 1 gives a working definition of science, briefly indicates that the 'big five' world religions are not the same, and affirms evangelical Christianity. Chapter 2 refutes the claim, by those like Richard Dawkins, that science can explain everything (scientism). Chapter 3 looks at the limits of science. Chapter 4 focuses on Darwinism and macroevolution, and finds five 'huge flaws' in the widely accepted scenario. Chapter 5 examines the 'faith factor' in science, and concludes with discussion of the evidence for, and implications of, the resurrection of Jesus. Chapter 6 ('Lazy fatheads?') counters critical comments by atheist scientist Peter Atkins by pointing to many influential scientists past and present who were or are convinced Christians (of various shades). Chapter 7 affirms that the Bible's doctrine of creation is not only thoroughly consistent with the scientific endeavour, but also provides a conceptual basis for it, and concludes with some apologetics for God's revelation in creation, in the Bible and in Jesus Christ.
