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Deluded by Darwinism?Intelligent Design, Evolution and GodOrigin of the fallacies?DELUDED BY DARWINISM? I guess most folk, whether creationist or evolutionist, must stifle a groan when yet another book comes out on this subject! Is this one worth a place on the bookcase? Mr. Down writes at a popular level and so the book is very readable. There is probably nothing new to anyone involved in following the subject, but it could be a valuable introduction for someone wanting to acquaint themselves with the issues for the first time. UniquenessThe book is written in three parts, each ending with a useful summary of the author’s arguments. In section one, Martin Down draws our attention to the uniqueness of the world in which we live by covering issues such as the special place of the earth in the universe, the uniqueness of water, the information built into DNA and the irreducible complexity of many biological systems. He sums up by comparing the two approaches to the explanation of these factors. In the next section he reviews in detail some of the evolutionary arguments, looking at the peppered moths, the fossil record, homology and Haeckel’s embryos. He summarises the evidence by showing the inadequacy of this approach. So, what about the creationist explanations? This takes up the last section of the book and centres on the geological issues (the Flood, sedimentation, Mount St. Helens, etc.). Question marksI have some minor concerns about the content. The author does not centre his approach to creation on the Bible (except by using such issues as the Flood). In his debate, he should also have considered the theistic evolutionary position and why he considers this inadequate. Sometimes Mr. Down seems to be a little loose in his use of the biological term ‘species’. At page 90, he looks at a hypothetical evolutionary approach to the development of the bat and dismisses any concept of change over time. Yet, in his model, the bat is apparently always a bat. Such a change is not a problem to the creationist. It is without dispute that there have been frauds in the evolutionary world. He refers to the work of Haeckel concerning embryology, yet surprisingly ignores the debate about Kettlewell’s work on the peppered moths in his chapter on them. However, while acknowledging these sad incidents (and we must show the fallacy of using them as evidence for evolution), we cannot demolish a theory because some have lied. Creationists too have had to withdraw earlier arguments which have been found to be invalid. In his final section on the Flood events, he refers to dinosaur violence (p.124) as an example of Genesis 6.11. Regardless of whether that is a fair interpretation of the passage, it is a hypothetical example! Mr. Down also uses the argument of zonation in the Flood to explain the distribution of the fossils (p.126). If the Flood was of the proportions described in the Bible, it is difficult to see how this explanation could work. One has only to compare modern flood events to see that this is not what happens. I would expect to see much more of a mixture of fossils. A better explanation is needed for the distribution of the fossils in the rocks. I mention these problems (as I perceive them), but I would not want to detract from the usefulness of the book. Many will find it a valuable tool. J.H. John Peet, © Evangelicals Now - August 2008 |