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Genesis for Today - showing the relevance of the creation/evolution debate to today's society

Genesis for Today:
showing the relevance of the creation/evolution debate to today's society
By Andy McIntosh
Day One Publications. 208 pages. £6.99
ISBN 0 902548 78 6

Dr. McIntosh is Reader in Combustion Theory at the University of Leeds, is closely involved with Young Life and United Beach Missions, and a young earth creationist.
He states: 'It is not the primary purpose of this book to be another apologetics title on the subject of creation/evolution' (p.20); rather, his concern is to expound the implications of a literal reading of Genesis 1-11 for wider aspects of Christian theology. Hence, claims for scientific evidence for design, a young earth and Noah's flood, and comments on fossils and dating methods are placed in three appendices. Essentially, Dr. McIntosh urgently seeks to show the relevance of the gospel of creation, fall and redemption to our nation and culture ('the desert of ungodliness all around us' (p.91)) - and, according to Ken Ham's foreword, the book contributes to a worldwide movement to bring reformation to a church which has compromised the vital foundational role of Genesis.
The chapters are headed 'Genesis and . . .' - fundamentals, science, history, marriage, family life, the Sabbath, the gospel, outreach, the nation and the Saviour. Traditional orthodox evangelical views are strongly affirmed throughout. There are extensive footnotes and references.
Advocates of theistic evolution are considered to be 'sincere but misguided' (p.20); for Dr. McIntosh, 'evolution is really a religious philosophy' (p.100). 'Leading evangelical church leaders in the UK are not agreed on the vital question of evolution' (p.112) - true. 'The trumpet is blown with an uncertain sound and for some churches it is evident that secret agreements have been made with the enemy of souls' (pp.112-113) - some will take issue with such a claim.
Indeed, sweeping and somewhat simplistic claims occur quite often in what can be rather breathless writing. Verses are pulled together from all over the Bible to support assertions that 'Scripture clearly teaches . . .', or 'This is why the Lord says . . .', and so on. Zeal to uphold the reliability of Scripture tends to translate into unwavering confidence in the method or content of the particular interpretations offered, and some texts or words are pressed too hard for meaning and significance. The crusading style sweeps aside, or is perhaps unaware of, legitimate hermeneutical questions prompted by such features.
Nevertheless, much of what Dr. McIntosh writes should be affirmed without hesitation. Some will want to argue that the foundational role of early Genesis need not require such a literal reading as he propounds: that may be so, but the essential historicity of these texts should not be compromised. If we cannot go along with Dr. McIntosh at every point of interpretation or application, we do owe it to him, and more importantly, to those who are in desperate need of redemption in its fullest sense, to respond to the central, heartfelt message of this book.

Philip Duce