Authors and scientists, Henry and John Morris combined to produce what is billed as “the definitive work on the subject.”  This may seem to be a bold assertion but no one is more qualified to write “the definitive work” on the creation v. evolution controversy than Dr. Henry Morris.  The second and third volume are subtitled “Science and Creation” and “Society and Creation” respectively. 

     In this first volume, the authors make the case for young earth creationism without appealing to scientific arguments or pragmatic arguments based on the effects evolution has had on society.  The book begins with an overview of the pertinent passages from Genesis 1 – 11.  This section is helpful for anyone who has little training on this subject but will seem like review to anyone who has followed the debate for any length of time.  Nevertheless, it is a necessary component of presenting the biblical case for creation.

     Following this section, the various “compromise theories” (i.e. Gap Theory, Day-Age Theory, Progressive Creation, etc.) are dealt with in some detail.  These different approaches are shown to be erroneous when compared to the biblical account of creation and the record of the flood.  Perhaps the most devastating arguments against these views comes from the fifth chapter in which the authors conclusively demonstrate that Jesus, Paul, and Peter all viewed Genesis 1 – 11 as literal history.  The sixth chapter contains a rebuttal of some alleged problems with the young earth view.  The seventh shows the distressing effects that compromise has had on the church.

     The final five chapters deal with the biblical concepts, which have a direct association with Genesis.  Included in this section are chapters entitled “The Importance of Creation,” “Jesus Christ – Creator and Redeemer,” “Creation and the Eternal Kingdom,” “Creation Evangelism,” “and “Bypaths in Creationland.”  This final chapter touches on some of the fascinating topics that occasionally come up when talking about creation.

     As an aspiring theologian, this first book was my favorite in the series, although not by much.  Since I have seriously studied this issue for nearly a decade there was not a whole lot of new information but there were a few surprises.  I guess even an old dog can learn new tricks.  Especially enlightening was the new insight gained from one of my favorite verses – Romans 1: 20, which states, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”  I have always looked at this verse as a key passage for demonstrating the importance of general revelation; however, I never noticed that it states that God’s invisible attributes have been clearly seen and understood [by creation] since the creation of the world.  In other words, someone has been around since the creation to understand who God is.  This cannot be referring to angels because the entire context is speaking about mankind.  Therefore, it is absolutely impossible to have millions or billions of years between the creation of the universe and the creation of man.  They had to have been accomplished in the same period of time.  This is exactly what Genesis 1 reveals. 

     I would highly recommend this series to anyone who is interested in learning more about the creation v. evolution topic.  A copy of the books on CD-ROM is included as well.  This is helpful for future reference since one can quickly search for any passage in the books. 

(2/28/06)

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