Synopsis
Berkeley law professor Phillip Johnson looks at the scientific evidence for and against Darwinistic evolution.

Synopsis
Philip E. Johnson offers a careful, reasoned, and scientifically sound evaluation of the support for Darwinism - from the fossil records to molecular biology. He argues that this hotly debated theory is based more on faith than on evidence.

Customer Comments

A reader from Chicago, IL, November 2, 1999
Lawyer Shows the Bankruptcy of Evolution
What if modern molecules-to-man theory had been subject to the same standards of evidence as a typical court proceeding? Evolution would be thrown out of court! Legal expert Phillip Johnson, the author, makes this very clear in this excellent book.

Evolutionists may object that standards for scientific evidence are not the same as those for a legal case. In that case, their dogmatic pronouncements of evolution as fact, and denigration of those who disagree, are all the more incorrect and inexcusable.

andrew.baker@kalamazoo.co.uk from Stourbridge, England, October 3, 1999
Hey!
Come, come now, all you 1 star reviewers. Johnson’s case is justified by the fact that scientists have not once observed random mutations which have added DNA information to an organism. Not one instance of evolution has ever been observed which has resulted in a new species.

Many materialists highlight the classic examples of ‘dog breeding’, or that finches’ beaks have been observed to evolve as a means of proving that natural selection exists – therefore vindicating Darwin’s theory. Yet these are merely examples of sifting EXISTING DNA information into different gene pools. The significant point is that NO NEW SPECIES evolve because no new DNA information is created via natural processes. (See Lee. M. Spetner’s book "Not By Chance").

Evolution, as an explanation for new species or life itself, must mean that new and unique information is ADDED to the DNA to create new features and functions: eyes or wings etc. Scientists have not even observed one instance of DNA information being added into the genome.

The belief that Darwin's theory properly explains how we got here, ironically requires even more faith than the Pope has in God.

The materialist must also hold that inanimate atoms accidentally became aware of themselves, merely as a result of natural selection. Inert bundles of matter accidentally had the capacity to experience friendship, love and intrinsic value.

It seems that Philip E. Johnson is more on the ball than many of the one star reviewers below.

A reader from IL, USA, September 10, 1999
What's the big deal about evolution?
If you're wondering how in the world the Kansas School Board could possibly "de-emphasize" evolution, read this book. It clearly explains how reasonable people can reach the conclusion that evolution is far from the "proven fact" rabid atheists claim it is. Accusations of psuedo-science are groundless because Johnson examines the evolutionist's own evidence and logic.

On the other hand, if you're looking for a defense of Biblical creation, you won't find it in this book. Why? Because it's not necessary to prove divine creation to expose the weaknesses of evolution. In fact, Johnson slaps down the weak arguments of creation (pseudo) science and "flood geology" as well.

Contrary to the claims of another reviewer, Johnson does not focus on Darwin. He spends much more time on the arguments of evolution's current poster boy, Stephen Jay Gould. His critique of Gould's theory of punctuated equilibrium (i.e. the fossil record shows minuscule evidence of evolution because it was always occurring on the "isolated fringe" - meaning somewhere else) was eye opening.

But for me, the most valuable aspect of this book was the exposure of the fallacious arguments evolutionist's must resort to, as well as their intolerance of anyone who dares to criticize them. Whether you believe that God (of some sort) created life or life created itself, read this book to get a better understanding of the debate. (Atheists and new-agers, don't be afraid. This book will not "brainwash" you into believing in the Judeo-Christian God as you can infer from the emotional responses of some of the other reviewers.)

I also recommend Stephen C. Meyer's article "The Message in the Microcosm" (available on the web) for a discussion of the challenge presented by the origin of the first life form, and Don Stoner's book, "A New Look at an Old Earth" for an examination of the short vs. long creation days debate (probably not of much interest to Bible haters unless they want to understand some of what they're dismissing without actually studying the Bible themselves). Finally, if you're interested in evidence for the reliability and accuracy of the Bible, read Lee Stobel's "The Case for Christ" and "The Stones Cry Out" by Randall Price.

A reader, September 12, 1999
Excellent. Johnson makes a good case.
That evolution occurs is not in doubt. That it explains everything some Darwinists think it explains is not only very much in doubt but just plain false, as Johnson argues here and in his other books (also recommended). And no, you don't have to be an evangelical Christian, or even a theist of any kind, to appreciate Johnson's arguments. He meets the Darwinists on their own turf and points out the flaws in their own theories/arguments. All in all, a soundly argued book that raises important criticisms of a strange new fundamentalist orthodoxy: Darwinist materialism.

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