This book has given me a better understanding and grasp of the concept of faith.  It is a great book and answers questions that many have about their religious beliefs.  I recommend this book to any one who has ever questioned their faith in God.
- Chadd Elsen, Lay-leader

The Challenge of Evolution is the perfect book to wake up and inspire junior high and high school students, to equip their young minds with a worldview that will guide them in matters of science, society, and religion.
- Nancy Gill, Christian School Principal

The Challenge of Evolution succeeds where other (books) have not. Paul presents for us a alearly thought through, plainly written and easy to follow argument that covers the key issues surrounding the question of origins.
- Ian Prichard, Pastor

SECTION I – THE EXISTENCE OF A CREATOR

Is There a Creator?

The Challenge of Scientific Atheism

The Logic for a Creator

The Nature of Matter – Evidence of a Creator

The Cause and Design of Matter –Evidence of a Creator

Meaning and Value – Evidence of a Creator

Right and Wrong – Evidence of a Creator

There is a Creator

SECTION 2 –THE NATURE OF THE CREATOR

The Creator is Eternal

The Creator is Powerful and Intelligent

The Creator is a Just Person

The Creator is Good

The Creator is a Communicator

SECTION III – THE CREATOR AND EVOLUTION

The Bible versus Evolution

The History of Evolution

The Challenge of Time: The Age of the Universe

The Challenge of Time: Dating the Rocks

What Does it all Mean?

*     *     *     *     *

PREFACE:

Sam Harris a noted atheistic author wrote that he was inundated with hate mail by Christians, after he wrote his book on atheism.  It is always difficult to be confronted with strong opposing points of view that challenge the very basis for one’s faith. However, the words of Jesus come to mind, “Love your enemies [and] to care for those who spitefully use us.”[i]

Even though this book is a response to many of the arguments raised by atheistic evolution, it is not written with animosity toward atheists or scientists. It is simply a response to the claims statements that they have made.

On a personal note I am disappointed with not only my behavior at times, but for the way Christians have behaved on many occasions in history. From the Crusades to racial bigotry many have been rightly offended by these actions. There is no excuse, we can only apologize and explain that these things were not done with the permission or approval of the Creator.

Our attitude and heart are as important as what we say. The Apostle Paul said; In gentleness instruct those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth[ii]. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men”.[iii]

As we discuss this topic, understand that my heart is to inform and challenge thoughts and beliefs that undermine a true knowledge of the Creator.

*     *     *     *    *

INTRODUCTION:

This book is a discussion about creationism, evolution and the apparent division between religion and science. We will attempt to answer the following: Is there a Creator?  What is He like? Does He care about mankind? How did He create the universe?

The purpose is to strengthen and restore confidence in the believability of the Bible, in its historical record and its message to mankind. The intended audience is anyone who has ever questioned the existence of God, Christian and non-Christian alike.  It is written to encourage those who believe, but doubt, and to help those who doubt, but want to believe.  It is my hope that it will build a bridge to all seekers of truth.

From the beginning of human existence, mankind’s relationship with the Creator has been challenged. In the first test of Adam and Eve’s fidelity, the Creator’s instructions and motives were questioned and subsequently ignored. Abel, was murdered because his brother Cain, was unhappy with the Creator’s instructions. This is a consistent pattern throughout history, there are always voices which question the existence and nature of the Creator and His instructions to mankind.

The early church faced similar challenges. During the first several centuries being a Christian could cost you your life, property and place in Roman society. Many Roman Emperors sought to destroy the scriptures; they outlawed and burned every copy they could find.  Others questioned the teachings and messages in the Bible.

Each subsequent era has faced unique difficulties; the age of enlightenment brought a new round of challenges aimed specifically at the teaching and historical accuracy of the Bible. The first of these challenges came through James Hutton and Charles Lyell’s theory of uniformity.  This belief states that the geology of the earth is the result of millions of years of erosion and uplift.

Uniformity’s long ages of geological time opened the door for the theory of evolution. Hutton’s theory provided the theoretical time Darwin needed for evolution to take place. Both philosophies directly contradict a literal six day creation, what many believe that the biblical record is teaching.

A third challenge followed on Darwin’s heels, and questioned the authorship and dating of the biblical text. Specifically, this challenge focused on the first five books of the Bible.  Theologians, who had already rejected the authority of the Bible, began to publicly question the historical accuracy of the recorded events.

Julius Wellhausen was directly influenced by the naturalism of uniformity and the advent of Darwin’s theory of evolution. Wellhausen popularized the “Documentary Hypothesis”[iv] which, along with similar theories, held an anti-supernatural view of the scriptures.

As this new theology and scientific worldview took hold in western civilization, evolution’s primary philosophy of naturalism replaced faith in the God of the Bible, the biblical record, miracles and belief in a supernatural realm.

In most mainline Christian churches, belief in the Bible digressed from being the very words of God and a reliable source of historical truth, to a collection of fables, myths, and abstract religious beliefs.

Though archeology and conservative Christian scholarship has repeatedly answered these criticisms, it has not been able to undo the progressive erosion of biblical authority in many parts of the Christian community.

In Europe, these challenges to biblical authority have had a devastating affect on historical Christianity; the Church is only a shell of its former self.  In his book, “The Suicide of the West”, James Burnham eloquently states, “The West remembers enough about Christianity to feel guilty for its sins, but not enough to recall where forgiveness comes from.”[v]

The effect in America, while significant, was not as widespread. Fundamentalist religious groups in the United States were able to successfully respond and rebuff these attacks.  Americans are surprisingly strong in their belief in a personal creator, the rejection of evolution and acceptance of the Genesis account of creation.  A Gallup poll of 1,005 adults, taken in September 2005, showed that,

53 percent of adults believed “God created human beings in their present form exactly the way the Bible describes it.” Thirty-one percent believed humans “evolved over millions of years from other forms of life and God guided” the process, and 12 percent said humans “have evolved over millions of years from other forms of life, but God has no part.

By comparison,

Only 7 percent of those surveyed in Great Britain said they take the biblical creation account of Genesis 1 literally… Respondents in Germany, Norway, Russia and the Netherlands all ranked significantly lower than the United States in biblical literalism.[vi]

The battle is ongoing.  Evolution is taught as a fact throughout the world’s public school systems. From elementary through college, evolution is drilled into the minds and hearts of young people. Many, once strong Christian colleges and universities, now teach various forms of Darwinism, the Documentary Hypothesis, and other criticisms of the biblical record.

“National Geographic” and the Discovery Channel continually tell us the earth is billions of years old. The History Channel speaks almost exclusively from an anti-supernatural view of the Bible; it continually questions biblical history and authority.  The challenge for Christianity in both Europe and America is huge.  Even though many in America confess faith in the Bible, the constant drumbeat has left many Christians and non-Christians alike genuinely confused about the existence of God and the reliability of the Bible.

These are significant challenges and must be honestly examined. We begin our examination with the basis for belief in a Creator. Before we can be certain about the authority of the Bible or any religion, we must first be certain about the existence and nature of a Creator.

Can we know for certain there is a Creator?  The Bible teaches that God’s existence is an innate truth written on the soul of every person. The Apostle Paul declared,

That which is known about God is evident within them, for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made.[vii]

The psalmist David wrote:

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the works of His hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech, night after they display knowledge.  There is no speech or language where there is voice is not heard.  Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the end of the world.[viii]

If these statements are true, then we should be able to examine the universe and through the process of deduction, demonstrate the existence and nature of the creator. This will in turn provide us with an objective source for belief in God, apart from the aid of religion.  Obviously I believe that we can discover the truth about a Creator, my hope is that each of you will reason with me as we examine the evidence for a creator.

[ii] 2 Timothy 2:25 NIV

[iii] Romans 12:17,18

[iv] The “Documentary Hypothesis” teaches that the Old Testament Scriptures were written several centuries later that has been held by both Jewish and Christian scholars.  The view throughout history is that Moses wrote the Torah between 1500 and 1300 BC, using a variety of original sources.  Wellhausen speculated that Judaism was originally polytheistic and eventually evolved into a monotheistic religion, but well after the time of Moses.  This theory is based in part of four primary assumptions. First that evolution is true in religion as well as the natural world.  Secondly, that there was no written language at the time of Moses, the Elba Tablets completely disproved this theory. Thirdly, it was also based on the belief that all of the supernatural events in the Bible were mythological and untrue.  Finally it based on the usage of different names for God used in various sections of the Torah.  All of the “scholarship” associated with the “Documentary Hypothesis” has been refuted and answered by conservative scholarship, and there is reason to believe any of the opinion it holds are historically accurate.  There is no reason to doubt the conservative date for the writing of the Scripture.

[v] Burnham, James.  “Suicide of the West”. The John Day Company, New York, NY. USA

[vi] http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/evol4.htm

[vii] Romans 1:19, 20. NASB

[viii] Psalm 19:1-4 NIV

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This easy-to-read book gives a concise overview of current discussion in our society about the existence of God and the conflict between evolution and creationism. If you believe in God, this book will clarify and strengthen your belief. It will prepare you to speak to those with questions about God’s existence. This book would make a great gift to friends, family and co-workers with serious questions about these issues.

THE CHALLENGE OF EVOLUTION is a must read for every high school and college-aged person in America. While geared for high school and college students, it has found great reception with adults as well. One pastor read the book then made it required reading for his teenage sons before they leave home. The book and available study guide can be used in classrooms, youth groups, book clubs and Bible studies.

Paul talks about THE CHALLENGE OF EVOLUTION…

The first time I felt a desire to share the gospel I was 8 years old.  I had some friends at school that I did not believe were Christians, and I wanted to tell them about Jesus. All I could actually do was invite them to church, I wanted to say more, but I just could not get it out.

I grew up in a Christian home, my father was a seminary professor and church planting pastor and it seemed that we were always moving.  The move in the sixth grade was the hardest for me and I began to rebel against life, I became angry and over the next several years got involved in things that I now regret.  At age 16 I re-committed my life to the Lord and to fulltime Christian service; I experienced a radical transformation, and immediately began to boldly share the gospel with anyone that would listen, even some that would not.

One of the greatest joys of my life happened when I was leaving a church service and a young man walked up to me that I did not recognize.  He asked, do you remember me? I confessed I didn’t. He proceeded to tell me that I had lead him to the Lord several years earlier and that we walking with the Lord and a member of the church we were attending.

Evangelism is difficult work; it requires anointing from the Holy Spirit, some personal courage and assertiveness.  We often forget that there are many aspects to evangelism, plowing, sowing, tending and harvesting, no stage can be skipped or ignored.

THE CHALLENGE OF EVOLUTION grew out of my personal experiences in evangelism.  I have shared the gospel with thousands of people over my lifetime.  I have given away many copies of More than a Carpenter or The Case For Faith, I will continue to do so at times.

What I realized is that many people have serious questions about the Bible and evolution.  Many doubt the Bible and question the existence of God because of the claims of evolution. A simple but thorough explanation is needed that resolves the apparent conflict between the Bible and science; THE CHALLENGE OF EVOLUTION, a technical book written for the lay person.

THE CHALLENGE OF EVOLUTION will affect people differently depending on where they are in their journey.  For some it will be like having their soil plowed, it will bring others to the door of salvation. It is written to encourage those who believe, but doubt, and to encourage those who doubt, but want to believe.  It is my hope that it will build a bridge to all seekers of truth.

It can be used in the classroom or home school, Bible studies, Sunday school or for anyone who wants to understand the issues involved.  There are many quotes and references that will be useful even for those familiar with the topic. I hope your questions are answered and faith is strengthened as you read THE CHALLENGE OF EVOLUTION. Enjoy the excerpts.

The book is temporarily not available through our website. Please visit Amazon.com to order your copy today.

Keep Abortion Legal

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Have you ever wondered if the federal government should be involved in the abortion debate? Do you think government should keep abortion legal or stop abortion now? Whatever your current stance on abortion (or lack of one), this book is for you!

You will discover:

A logical approach to this highly complicated debate

The primary role of our federal government

What the founding fathers thought about government

The essence of unalienable rights

How to distinguish between conflicting rights

When life begins

Personhood in biological and philosophical terms

When a fetus gains unalienable rights

Why the federal government has a duty to stop abortion

readable and thorough, this book will serve as an invaluable primer for those who wish to equip themselves for the public debate on the right to life. - Dr. Dennis McNutt, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science

A moral, legal, and ethical issue revisited with a poignant viewpoint that needs to be acknowledged and explored. - Shawn Haggerty, J.D., Attorney at Law

Well researched, documented, and consistent with medical data. - Dr. Ken Williams, D.O., Medical Doctor

Michael Shurance is an educator and political commentator. He has been involved with the pro-life movement for over a decade.

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