EVOLUTION AND CHRISTIAN THOUGHT TODAY, ed. by Russell L. Mixter. Wm. Eerdmans, Co., Grand Rapids. 240 pp. $4.50.
Here thirteen authors offer us eleven chapters on evolution from a Christian point of view. This is not a popular book; much less a rabble rousing
book, as some non-Christians might
unknowingly suppose. On the contrary, it is rather technical. The authors are practicing scientists (with
one exception). They are chairmen
of departments, professors of zoology,
chemistry, genetics, a research radio-chemist at Oak Ridge, and an assistant
director of a genetics Institute.
Some of the chapter headings are:
The Origin of the Universe, The Origin of Life, Genetics, The Role of
Hybridization in Evolution, and a very
fine chapter on Fossils and their Occurence.
Because of the immense amount of
detail crowded into these essays, it
is impossible to summarize them. To
those who have done some studying
on the problems, it will not be a surprise to find the authors disagreeing
among themselves on several points.
For example, one writer thinks that
science must be mechanistic; another,
does not. This disagreement occurs
of course among non-Christian scientists too. The final, well-documented
article is by theologian Carl Henry,
who has a facility for tying loose ends
together.
The editor, Dr. Mixter, and the
American Scientific Affiliation are to
be congratulated for preparing this
volume, which can serve to inform
the public, both Christian and otherwise, of how technical science and
Christianity mix.
— Gordon H. Clark, Ph.D.
Butler University
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