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‘The Wonder of Science’

Exploring the creation/evolution debate

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wonder-of-science

CMI is proud to present a new resource in our portfolio:

The Wonder of Science: Exploring the creation/evolution debate

A wonderful cover depicting the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) greets the reader of this splendid book, plus an array of inset images illustrating various subjects covered in its pages. The diversity of topics listed in the contents of this book by Dominic Statham justifies the cover. What is more, the author’s many years of experience of writing and talking about creation apologetics, evolution, and science is apparent on every page. The foreword is provided by CMI’s Dr Jonathan Sarfati.

Formerly, the material used was first published in five smaller volumes by Christian Education Europe1 but this revised, enhanced compilation (replete with full colour illustrations and diagrams throughout) is suitable for all kinds of readers: parents, teachers, students, and any others with a love of science, particularly the aspects connected with origins.

The five main parts are as follows:

  1. Science and Faith
  2. Genetics and Evolution
  3. Earth and Atmosphere
  4. Cell Biology and Chemical Evolution
  5. Space Science

The opening paragraph of parts 2–5 lays out the modules covered in many school curricula, but Dominic goes further. What makes this book different is that the views of both sides of the debate—evolution and creation—are carefully explained, and explained very well. No longer does the reader need to compare two separate books. This is especially important in origins-related matters since such books inevitably give a unilateral defence of the worldview of the author(s). Instead, Dominic Statham has gone to great lengths to do justice to each view, assessing the scientific evidence accordingly, and letting the reader make up his/her own mind. The aim is that the reader will see that the true ‘wonder of science’ flows most naturally from the creationist perspective. Unashamedly, the author hopes his readers will respond in awe and wonder to the One responsible for our world’s originally perfect beginning (Genesis 1:31; Romans 1:20).

Each main part ends with its own comprehensive list of references. The reader is free to look up these references to pursue the evidence. Parts 2–5 have sections called ‘Diving Deeper’ for the more ‘hungry’ reader.

embryonic-development

The first two parts also include specific ‘case studies’. For instance, part two covers fossils and biological change, and readers also learn more about genetic information as follows:

“However, since microbes do not have the building instructions in their DNA to produce hearts, lungs, brains, legs etc., the evolutionary process must somehow have produced these. In other words, for microbe-to-man evolution to progress, many totally new genes, i.e. with new information that did not previously exist anywhere in nature, must be added. Darwin skeptics argue that observed cases of natural selection result in genetic information being lost. Natural selection, they say, is therefore not the same as evolution”2 (emphases in original).

In case study nine, the author uses dog breeding—something that most people can relate to—to drive the point home:

“Both artificial selection and natural selection act like a sculptor working on a statue. The sculptor carves away the material he doesn’t want. Similarly, artificial selection and natural selection remove […] undesirable characteristics, leaving just the characteristics that the breeder wants, or, in the wild, those characteristics that enable the animals to thrive within a given environment.”3

These arguments about selection are complemented in the section about chemical evolution, which features Louis Pasteur, a firm Bible-believing Christian. Pasteur is famous for his experiments that led to the law of biogenesis: ‘Living things only arise from other living things’. Genetic mutations don’t help the evolutionist if there is not already a living organism, as even the leading biologist and atheist Francis Crick conceded: “the origin of life appears at the moment to be almost a miracle”.4

Wonder of Science is one of those books that can be read and enjoyed again and again. Former Managing Director of the Australian office, Carl Wieland, wrote this endorsement:

“The author’s calm, non-argumentative style encourages and equips readers to dispassionately weigh up the evidence on origins from opposing viewpoints. It makes clear why biblical Christianity and its creation corollary are foundational to modern science itself. In short—just brilliant!”
uniformitarian-explanatios-for-coal

“Seek, and you will find” said Jesus (Matthew 7:7). Whether you’re a novice when it comes to science, a believer in evolution, or a seasoned creationist, I believe you would find this book illuminating and refreshing. For the Christian, it is also wholly God-honouring. Certainly, evolutionists who happen to read this work will be challenged in their thinking, hopefully concluding that the arguments purportedly supporting their position are weak at best, and we would argue, deceptive at worst.

You can find Wonder of Science in our store (stock yet to arrive in some countries), or click the image under the Helpful Resources.

Published: 16 November 2021

References and notes

  1. These had a small print run and were especially geared to the British National Curriculum science guidelines, shop.christian.education/search?type=product&q=NOT+tag%3A__gift+AND+teaching+guide*. Return to text.
  2. Statham, D. The Wonder of Science, Creation Book Publishers, Powder Springs, GA, USA, p. 69, 2021. Return to text.
  3. Ref. 1, p. 70. Return to text.
  4. Ref. 1, p. 169. Return to text.

Helpful Resources

The Wonder of Science
by Dominic Statham
US $20.00
Soft cover
Inspiration from Creation
by Professor Stuart Burgess & Dominic Statham
US $14.00
Soft cover
Evolution: Good Science?
by Dominic Statham
US $13.00
Soft cover