The greatest hoax on earth

Is this science?

THE GREATEST HOAX ON EARTH
Refuting Dawkins on evolution
By Jonathan Safarti
Creation Book Publishers. 333 pages
ISBN 978-1-92164-306-4

According to the author, the Bible is a scientific textbook that precludes the possibilities of ‘deep time’, an ancient universe and the existence of a unified explanation for the origins of biological diversity. So those who have inferred these conclusions from empirical research are victims of a gigantic hoax or conspiracy, as the title proposes.

Superficially, it appears that these issues are being addressed by a bona fide member of the scientific community. However, notwithstanding the author’s science PhD, his original scientific output is restricted to co-authorship of five competent papers from the period 1988-1995. But then — as now — this would have been insufficient for him to secure appointment as a junior lecturer at a ‘Russell Group’ university. Even more so, Jonathan Sarfati is patently unwilling to exhibit the traits of authentic open-minded scientific mentality. Where is the fearless and creative engagement with the world of science and scholarship that is characteristic of the best of Christian thought down the centuries? Its absence is enough to make the angels weep.

Yet again, the superficial impression is given that the work is one of true scholarship, as indicated by the mass of footnotes. Some of these are very good, but there is a strong preference for citing authors of similar persuasion. Given that this is intended as a teaching exercise for the Christian public, I hoped for a reference in chapter 11 to at least one accessible work setting out the evidence for earth’s antiquity — for example: Matthew Hedman, The Age of Everything: How science explores the past (2008).

The author’s outlook directs him to a Procrustean methodology that will only countenance evidence that appears to fit his truncated worldview. The remainder is chopped off and dismissed. Hence, despite wide reading and discussion, his general conclusions are viciously circular and entirely predictable. So his approach lacks all conviction as an even-handed assessment of evidence. Despite this, the work is clearly written and well structured. As a Calvinist, I must admit that — as with the works of the heathen — his efforts are not entirely without profit.

Of course, a major target is Richard Dawkins and especially his book The Greatest Show on Earth. Generally, though not particularly in that book, Dawkins is such a gift to the Christian apologist! However, it does not follow that everything that Dawkins says is automatically erroneous. After all, Professor Dawkins actually lives in the same universe as us — created and controlled by God. Given his passion for exploration of that world, it would be astonishing if he did not highlight many things that are good, true and beautiful. Sadly, Dawkins is spiritually blind — which Safarti, by divine grace, is not. So here is a work by a genuine Christian brother, who, I conclude nevertheless, is misguided and misguiding. Let the reader understand!

Professor David Watts,
Alexander von Humboldt Laureate, University of Manchester;
Sale Evangelical Church

Is this science?

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