Synopses & Reviews
Intelligent design, creationism, and evolution have always been hot topics for debate in America. Creationism and intelligent design are usually seen as the province of religious people, while evolution belongs to the scientists. More often than not, both camps see the other as "the enemy." But what about committed Christians who find something lacking in the ideas of both creationism and intelligent design? Can you still be a Christian and support the idea of evolution?
Scientist Karl Giberson believes you can. Raised a fundamentalist and influenced as a boy by Henry Morris's creationist classic The Genesis Flood, Giberson firmly believed in creationism through his college years. But while working on his Ph.D. in physics, he began to doubt that science could have gotten everything as thoroughly wrong as the creationists suggested, and he gradually abandoned his creationist beliefs—but not his belief in Christianity. Through careful research, Giberson concluded that Christianity and evolution do not have to be incompatible. In Saving Darwin, Giberson paints a clear picture of the creation/evolution controversy and explores its intricate history, from Darwin to the current culture wars, carefully showing why—and how—it is possible to believe in God and evolution at the same time.
Review
“A much-needed book . . . a powerful contribution.” Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D.
Review
“Giberson has a native understanding of how conservative Christians feel and think about evolution . . . he sketches an engaging historical narrative. Publishers Weekly
Review
Giberson attacks the conundrum [of evolution] with eloquence and clarity. Washington Post
Review
“An intensely personal account of [Gibersons] intellectual journey from creationism to the acceptance of evolution . . . By situating his own story in the context of larger social and scientific developments, Gibersons book can serve as a guide for other Christians on a similar trek.” Edward J. Larson, author of the Pulitzer Prize winning Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and the American Controversy over Creation and Evolution.
Review
“Karl Giberson skillfully unravels the tangled skein of argument about creation and evolution, showing that there need be no incompatibility between Christianity and Darwinism. His writing is lively, in a style that is both informal and informed. This is a book that many will find helpful.” Ronald L. Numbers, Hilldale Professor of the History of Science and Medicine, Department of Medical History and Bioethics, University of Wisconsin
Review
“Karl Giberson here presents a poignant account of his Christian pilgrimage from Creationist to Evolutionist. He offers a sympathetic historical analysis laced with trenchant criticism of both misguided intelligent design advocates and hard core atheists.” Owen Gingerich, author of God's Universe, Professor Emeritus of Astronomy & History of Science, Harvard University
Review
Giberson posesses a boundless inquisitiveness typical of many scientiests, but also displays the wry wit of a seasoned polemicist. He seems to know how to counteract your best arguments before you have even made them. Salon.com
Review
“Giberson makes the case, persuasively and with considerable wit, that theres no irreconcilable conflict between robust Christian faith and evolutionary biology, rightly understood. This is a wonderfully readable book: humane, modest, and wise.” John Wilson, Editor, Books & Culture
Review
“Giberson . . . provides an edifying summary of the tenets and the flaws of modern creationism . . . and raises a valuable alarm about the dangers facing American science and culture.” New Republic
Review
“A poignant account of [Gibersons] Christian pilgrimage from Creationist to Evolutionist. He offers a sympathetic historical analysis laced with trenchant criticism of both misguided intelligent design advocates and hard core atheists.” Kenneth R. Miller, Professor of Biology, Brown University, and author of Finding Darwin's God
Review
“One of the best books of 2008” The Washington Post Book World, 2008 Holiday Guide
Review
“Sensitively written and convincingly argued. . . . [A] truly courageous work.” Library Journal
Review
“Karl Giberson skillfully unravels the tangled skein of argument about creation and evolution, showing that there need be no incompatibility between Christianity and Darwinism. His writing is lively, in a style that is both informal and informed. This is a book that many will find helpful.” John Polkinghorne, author of Belief in God in an Age of Science
Synopsis
Is it possible to still be a Christian and support the idea of evolution? Giberson explores the history of the controversy that swirls around evolution and shows why--and how--it is possible to believe in God and evolution at the same time.
About the Author
Karl W. Giberson is professor of physics at Eastern Nazarene College and director of the Forum on Faith and Science at Gordon College. His books include Worlds Apart: The Unholy War Between Religion and Science; Species of Origins: America's Search for a Creation Story (with Donald A. Yerxa); and Oracles of Science: Celebrity Scientists versus God and Religion (with Spanish philosopher Mariano Artigas). He is a contributing editor to Books & Culture and the former editor of Science & Theology News and Science & Spirit.