Resources for studying the Creation Issue
As a follow up to my earlier posts on the issue of the creation days of Genesis, I thought it would be helpful for those who might wish to dig deeper into this controversy to list some resources for the study of this and related issues.
Critiques of Darwinism, Naturalism and Evolutionary Theory
Darwin on Trial by Phillip E. Johnson (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993)
Defeating Darwinism by Opening Minds by Phillip E. Johnson (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1997)
Reason in the Balance: The Case Against Naturalism in Science, Law & Education by Phillip E. Johnson (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1995)
Darwin’s Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design by Stephen C. Meyer (New York, New York: HarperOne, An Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2013)
The Politically Incorrect Guide to Darwinism and Intelligent Design by Jonathan Wells (Washington, DC: Regnery Publishing, Inc. 2006)
Should Christians Embrace Evolution? Biblical and Scientific Responses Edited by Norman C. Nevin (Phillipsburg, New Jersey: P & R Publishing, 2009)
Websites:
Uncommon Descent: http://www.uncommondescent.com/
Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture: http://www.discovery.org/csc/
Resources on the Relationship between Science and Faith
Intelligent Design: The Bridge Between Science & Theology by William A. Dembski (Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Academic, 1999)
Science & Faith: Friends or Foes? by C. John Collins (Wheaton, Illinois; Crossway, 2003) Well written and easy to read. Recommended as a good place to start for those who are just getting into this issue of the relationship between science and Christian faith.
The Galileo Connection: Resolving Conflicts between Science & the Bible by Charles E. Hummel (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1986)
Scaling the Secular City: A Defense of Christianity by J.P. Moreland (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1987) While this volume seeks to defend the Christian Faith from the standpoint of a “classical apologetics” methodology (as opposed to the “presuppositional apologetics” methodology favored in most confessional Presbyterian and Reformed circles today), it offers a helpful chapter on “Science and Christianity” (chapter 7, pp. 185-223).
Resources on the Interpretation of the Genesis Account of Creation
The Genesis Debate: Three Views on the Days of Creation Edited by David G. Hagopian (Mission Viejo, California: Crux Press, 2001) This book contains written interactions between proponents of the 24-Hour View, the Day-Age View, and the Framework View.
Did God Create in Six Days? Edited by Joseph A. Pipa, Jr. and David W. Hall (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 1999 Southern Presbyterian Press) While this volume contains articles written from several different viewpoints, it leans heavily in support of the literal six day interpretation of the creation days of Genesis.
Genesis 1-4: A Linguistic, Literary, and Theological Commentary by C. John Collins (Phillipsburg, New Jersey: P & R Publishing, 2006) Somewhat technical and scholarly.
In the Beginning: The Opening Chapters of Genesis by Henri Blocher (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Illinois: Inter-Varsity Press, 1984) This volume is a classic explanation of the so-called “framework” interpretation of the Genesis creation days.
Genesis Unbound: A Provocative New Look at the Creation Account by John Sailhamer (Sisters, Oregon: Multnomah Books, 1996) Sailhamer presents an intriguing case for the creation account of Genesis being concerned primarily to introduce the story of Israel, and thus it has more to do with God’s preparation of the promised land for His covenant people than it does with cosmic origins.
The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate by John H. Walton (Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Academic, 2009) While he affirms the biblical doctrine of creation ex nihilo (“creation out of nothing”), Walton argues that the Genesis creation account has more to do with functional as opposed to material origins, and that the goal of God’s work of creation is the functioning of creation as a cosmic temple of the LORD.
Last Things First: Unlocking Genesis 1-3 with the Christ of Eschatology by J.V. Fesko (Scotland, UK: Mentor / Christian Focus Publications, 2007) Highly recommended!
Defenses of the Young Earth Interpretation
Scientific Creationism by Henry M. Morris (El Cajon, California: Master Books, 1974) This is the classic explanation and defense of the young earth view from the “creation science” viewpoint.
The Genesis Flood: The Biblical Record and its Scientific Implications by John C. Whitcomb and Henry M. Morris (Phillipsburg, New Jersey: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 1961) Another classic young earth creationist volume. Promotes the interpretation of the biblical flood of Noah’s day as a universal flood and seeks to offer scientific support for flood geology (called “Biblical Geology” in the book).
The Ultimate Proof of Creation: Resolving the Origins Debate by Jason Lisle (Green Forest, AR: 2009) Dr. Lisle utilizes a popularized version of Van Til’s presuppositional apologetics in service of the young earth creationist cause. One suspects that Reformed presuppositionalists who affirm the young earth interpretation will appreciate Dr. Lisle’s line of argumentation, while Reformed presuppositionalists who do not hold the young earth interpretation will likely conclude that Lisle has conflated presuppositionalism and young earth creationism, which old earth Reformed believers would see as being distinct matters (one having to do with apologetic methodology or how best to defend the faith, the other having to do with biblical hermeneutics or how to properly interpret a biblical passage such as the Genesis creation account).
The Revised & Expanded Answers Book Edited by Don Batten, Ken Ham, Jonathan Sarfati, and Carl Wieland (Green Forest, AR: Master Books, Inc., 1990 Creation Science Foundation, Ltd.)
Refuting Compromise: A Biblical and Scientific Refutation of “Progressive Creationism” (Billions of Years) As Popularized by Astronomer Hugh Ross by Jonathan Sarfati (Green Forest, AR: 2004) This is a detailed and at times scathing young earth refutation of old earth creationism (called “progressive creationism”) as promoted by Dr. Hugh Ross. The polemics of the book serves well to demonstrate the sharp divide that can exist between young earth and old earth creationists.
Creation and Change: Genesis 1:1-2:4 in the Light of Changing Scientific Paradigms by Douglas F. Kelly (Scotland, UK: Mentor / Christian Focus Publications, 1997 Douglas F. Kelly)
Websites:
Answers in Genesis: https://answersingenesis.org/
Creationism.org: http://www.creationism.org/
Defenses of the Old Earth Interpretation
A Biblical Case for an Old Earth by David Snoke (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 2006) A thought-provoking defense of an old earth as compatible with the biblical record. Snoke defends a version of the “Day Age” interpretation and the notion of concordantist science (i.e., the view that Scripture and science should mutually inform each other).
The Creator and the Cosmos by Hugh Ross (Colorado Springs, Colorado: NavPress 1993, 1995, 2001 by Reasons To Believe)
The Bible, Rocks and Time: Geological Evidence for the Age of the Earth by Davis A. Young and Ralph F. Stearley (Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Academic, 2008) Written by two Christian mainstream geologists, this volume Includes a fascinating history of the science of geology, thought-provoking biblical interpretation, and a great deal of geological information. Much of the geological information contained in this lengthy book (which can get quite technical) is focused on refuting the claims of “flood geology” as promoted by young earth creationist literature, such as Whitcomb’ and Morris’ volume The Genesis Flood (listed above).
Websites:
Evidence for God from Science: http://godandscience.org/
Reasons to Believe (Dr. Hugh Ross’ ministry): http://www.reasons.org/
Old Earth Ministries: http://oldearth.org/