Atheism is all over the world. One of the key reasons is the universal acceptance of the theory of evolution. Evolution implies that life on earth is a product of chance, i.e., a random process. This is the opposite of what the Bible teaches that God created life. For decades, the theory of evolution has been taught in high schools, colleges, and universities as the explanation for the origin of life. This has caused many people to depart from the belief in the existence of God. This issue was at the heart of a landmark US federal case in 2005, where scientists on both sides argued their positions. At the center of the debate is a microscopic molecular nanomachine found inside the bacteria, the flagellum. Intelligent design scientists argued that the bacterial flagellum could not have been a product of evolution because of its irreducible complexity. Evolutionist scientists argued on the contrary. The judge decided in favor of evolution. This book is written in an easy-to-understand, step-by-step manner so that even high school students and their parents can grasp the complex issues involved. Mr. Meimban demonstrated that the theory of evolution is the result of the erroneous use of correlation and extrapolating it to justify assertions of cause and effect. At the core of his exposition is a mathematical demonstration that the flagellum could not have been a product of random process. There is a creator. God exists. "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good."-Psalm 14:1 (NIV)

People of faith insist that God is the God of the world around us. Yet scientific evidence supporting evolution seems to offer an explanation of reality different from the biblical one. In light of this apparent conflict, some choose either to deny the scientific data or separate science and faith from each other, giving the appearance that faith is disconnected from reality. Others accommodate faith to science, but run the risk of watering down faith such that faith "fills in the blanks" left by science. Against these options, Daniel Harrell asserts that the evidence for evolution accurately describes the world we see, but insists that this description does not adequately serve as an explanation for the world. Rather than seeing science and faith as diametrically opposed, Harrell suggests that evolutionary data actually opens the door for deeper theological reflection on God's creation. Writing out of a pastoral concern for those struggling to negotiate faith and evolution, Harrell argues that being reliable witnesses to creation helps people of faith be reliable witnesses to its creator. Whether they are pastors wondering how to talk about these issues with their congregations, or students asking whether their biology classes make their faith irrelevant, Harrell's readers are winsomely led on a journey of exploration in which a robust biblical faith can be held along with affirmation of the scientific data for evolution.

The debate between science and religion is never out of the news: emotions run high, fuelled by polemical bestsellers like The God Delusion and, at the other end of the spectrum, high-profile campaigns to teach "Intelligent Design" in schools. Yet there is much more to the debate than the clash of these extremes. As Thomas Dixon shows in this balanced and thought-provoking introduction, a whole range of views, subtle arguments, and fascinating perspectives can be found on this complex and centuries-old subject. He explores the key philosophical questions that underlie the debate, but also highlights the social, political, and ethical contexts that have made the tensions between science and religion such a fraught and interesting topic in the modern world. Dixon emphasizes how the modern conflict between evolution and creationism is quintessentially an American phenomenon, arising from the culture and history of the United States, as exemplified through the ongoing debates about how to interpret the First-Amendment's separation of church and state. Along the way, he examines landmark historical episodes such as the Galileo affair, Charles Darwin's own religious and scientific odyssey, the Scopes "Monkey Trial" in Tennessee in 1925, and the Dover Area School Board case of 2005, and includes perspectives from non-Christian religions and examples from across the physical, biological, and social sciences. About the Series: Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics, from philosophy to Freud, quantum theory to Islam.

Four scholars engage in respectful dialogue about the relationship between science and religion. Using as their starting point the ongoing discussion regarding evolutionary theory and the biblical accounts of creation, these scholars present an integrated analysis demonstrating the intimate and not antagonistic relationship of their respective disciplines. Readers will encounter an exploration of the history and meaning of the biblical creation accounts, the nature of scientific investigation, the ethical and philosophical significance of the theory of evolution, and the need for a theology that embraces evolution.--From publisher's description.