Creation or Evolution

Creation or Evolution helps you make sense of the complex common ground between the biblical doctrine of creation and the scientific evidence behind the theory of evolutionary. With the guidance of neuroscientist Denis Alexander - a passionate believer in both the Bible and science, you can build a fully integrated understanding of the tricky questions that have divided so many for too long. This book combines the latest genetic research with an exploration of what we mean by creation and evolution to overcome the common scientific and religious objections to each. He addresses the argument that evolution is atheistic and discovers who Adam and Eve really were. An enthusiast for both the biblical and scientific contributions to our understanding of God and creation, he shows how the concept of The Fall be reconciled with evolutionary theory. Finally he asks the big question: how could a God of love create a world where people kill each other and inflict so much suffering? Read Creation or Evolution and you will discover that maybe you don't have to choose. And you will have the arguments and responses to help others overcome their objections to biblical faith without abandoning the scientific facts.

Table of Contents:
Contents Figures 10 Preface to the First Edition 11 Preface to the Second Edition 15 1 What Do We Mean By Creation? 21 2 The Biblical Doctrine of Creation 35 3 What Do We Mean By Evolution? Dating, DNA and Genes 58 4 What Do We Mean By Evolution? Natural Selection, Reproductive Success and Cooperation 88 5 What Do We Mean By Evolution? Speciation, Fossils and the Question of Information 112 6 Objections to Evolution 154 7 What About Genesis? 177 8 Evolutionary Creationism 199 9 Who were Adam and Eve? The Background 223 10 Who were Adam and Eve? Genesis and Science in Conversation 252 11 Evolution and the Biblical Understanding of Death 305 12 Evolution and the Fall 316 13 Evolution, Natural Evil and the Theodicy Question 366 14 Intelligent Design and Creation’s Order 389 15 Evolution: Intelligent and Designed? 414 16 The Origin of Life 435 Postscript 461 Notes 464 Index 493

About the Author :
Denis Alexander is the Emeritus Director of the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion,St Edmund's College, Cambridge, where he is a Fellow.Dr Alexander was previously Chairman of the Molecular Immunology Programme and Head of the Laboratory of Lymphocyte Signalling and Development at The Babraham Institute, Cambridge. Prior to that he was at the Imperial Cancer Research Laboratories in London (now Cancer Research UK), andspent 15 years developing university departments and laboratories overseas, latterly as Associate Professor of Biochemistry in the Medical Faculty of the American University of Beirut, Lebanon. There he helped to establish the National Unit of Human Genetics. He was initially an Open Scholar at Oxford reading Biochemistry, before obtaining a PhD in Neurochemistry at the Institute of Psychiatry in London. Dr Alexander writes,lectures and broadcasts widely in the field of science and religion. His Monarch titles include: Creation or Evolution and Is There Purpose inBiology?.

Review :
'Surely the best informed, clearest and most judicious treatment of the question in its title that you can find anywhere today.' - Professor J I Packer, Regent College Canada -- J I Packer 'In this brilliant and highly readable treatise, Denis Alexander the scientist-believer argues convincingly and lovingly that a committed Christian need not fear evolution, but can embrace it as God's awesome means of creation.' - Dr Francis S Collins, Head of the Human Genome Project, USA -- Francis S Collins "Regardless of what position one might hold, Alexander's book will light the way to a more informed understanding of the terrain in one of today's most volatile issues. Just as importantly, he models the graciousness that ought to characterize our conversations. His expertise in the pertinent sciences is undergirded with a nuanced understanding of the biblical and theological issues and a commitment to their importance. Those who sometimes struggle with the technical jargon that often characterizes this conversation will find a breath of fresh air in his ability to communicate clearly. Books like this are helping the church to move beyond the warfare mentality and to consider anew ways that we can think as Christians in a complicated world, and Alexander's work has earned a spot at the top of the list." -- John Walton, Professor of Old Testament, Wheaton College [author of The Lost World of Genesis One] 'Very timely, thoughtful, thorough and full of integrity. It speaks the languages of both science and faith in a remarkably clear and accessible way.' -- Rt Revd John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford, UK 'A masterful and enlightening journey through both the relevant biblical text and the science underlying evolution.' -- Andrew P. Halestrap, Professor of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, UK 'A fresh and massive contribution to an important debate...no Christian interested in the questions of origins can ignore this book.' -- Julian Hardyman, Senior Pastor, Eden Baptist Church, Cambridge, UK "Immensely valuable ... a thoughtful and thought-provoking work." -- Professor Ernan McMullin The Tablet