Overview

What are the main positions in the debate over creation and evolution? Why do they disagree? Can the debates about origins and evolution ever be resolved. Gerald Rau offers a fair-minded overview of the six predominant models used to explain the origins of the universe, of life, of species and of humans. He aims to show the contours of current debates both among Christians and between Christians and non-theists. He also enables us to evaluate and think more clearly about the various arguments for each position. He accomplishes this by not only describing the options on origins, but by exploring the philosophical assumptions behind each and how evidence is counted corresponding with each model. While surveying the various models, Rau does not avoid in-depth consideration of the complexities involved in what makes up a given model and how they differ. Rau investigates the nature of science and the differing philosophies of science operating in the debates. He goes on to show the importance of philosophical assumptions involved in each model and the key role among Christians of the assumed proper hermeneutic for interpreting Scripture. Rau cogently identifies the role those assumptions play in determining what counts as significant evidence in the current debates. He presents in detail how the scientific evidence is interpreted by each model to substantiate its conclusions. He also notes the limits of a scientifically gained knowledge. In the end, he shows not just what the differences are among the options but why they disagree and why we shouldn't expect any resolution as long as the philosophical assumptions remain fixed. Any reader will not only become better informed about the current debates on origins but will become better thinkers about the issues at stake.

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9781844746163

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Reviews

Unlike other multiple-views volumes prevalent across the evangelical scholarly spectrum in which contributors attempt to convince others of their views, this book invites readers to understand the religious and scientific logic at work amid the disputes. Rau maps not only the origins debate but also the diversity of scientific presuppositions and methodologies. Mapping has the potential to reorient the evangelical discussion and set it in a constructive direction. --Amos Yong, J. Rodman Williams Professor of Theology, Regent University, School of Divinity, Virginia Beach, Virginia

"""It's about time a book like this hit the market! No caricatures of 'them, ' no hackneyed stereotypes of 'the other side, ' this is an honest assessment of where the debate lies. Although an expert himself, Dr. Rau shows his seasoned pedagogical skills and does not lose nonspecialist readers in unnecessary technical jargon. If you've suspected that there are more options than just creationism or philosophical materialism, this book is for you.""--Nicholas G. Piotrowski, Crossroads Bible College ""The thoughtful and comprehensive description of the range of positions on origins that is presented would be enough for me to highly recommend this book. Dr. Gerry Rau's exploration of the origins debate is made even more valuable by a helpful description of the nature of science, a careful exploration of the assumptions and associated conclusions of each position, and a fair and objective presentation throughout.""--Raymond J. Lewis, associate professor of biology, Wheaton College ""Unlike other multiple-views volumes prevalent across the evangelical scholarly spectrum in which contributors attempt to convince others of their views, this book invites readers to understand the religious and scientific logic at work amid the disputes. Rau maps not only the origins debate but also the diversity of scientific presuppositions and methodologies. Mapping has the potential to reorient the evangelical discussion and set it in a constructive direction.""--Amos Yong, J. Rodman Williams Professor of Theology, Regent University, School of Divinity, Virginia Beach, Virginia ""Eminently qualified with advanced degrees in genetics and science education from top universities, Dr. Gerald Rau not only aims to present the arguments for each position as neutrally as possible, he actually succeeds where angels, let alone countless other scholars, have feared or failed to tread. His thoughtful Christian voice rings clearly in the midst of an often shrill debate where too many are unwilling to acknowledge how their respective worldviews shape their interpretations of scientific data.""--Robert Osburn, Ph.D., executive director, Wilberforce Academy, adjunct professor, University of Minnesota ""Mapping the Origins Debate offers readers a helpful map of the confusing and noisy terrain of America's troubled conversation about origins. Readers will appreciate Gerald Rau's calm and reasoned guide to the debate; he provides light in an area where most books offer only heat.""--Karl Giberson, professor of science & religion, Stonehill College, author, The Wonder of the Universe: Hints of God in our Fine-Tuned World"

It's about time a book like this hit the market! No caricatures of 'them, ' no hackneyed stereotypes of 'the other side, ' this is an honest assessment of where the debate lies. Although an expert himself, Dr. Rau shows his seasoned pedagogical skills and does not lose nonspecialist readers in unnecessary technical jargon. If you've suspected that there are more options than just creationism or philosophical materialism, this book is for you. --Nicholas G. Piotrowski, Crossroads Bible College The thoughtful and comprehensive description of the range of positions on origins that is presented would be enough for me to highly recommend this book. Dr. Gerry Rau's exploration of the origins debate is made even more valuable by a helpful description of the nature of science, a careful exploration of the assumptions and associated conclusions of each position, and a fair and objective presentation throughout. --Raymond J. Lewis, associate professor of biology, Wheaton College Unlike other multiple-views volumes prevalent across the evangelical scholarly spectrum in which contributors attempt to convince others of their views, this book invites readers to understand the religious and scientific logic at work amid the disputes. Rau maps not only the origins debate but also the diversity of scientific presuppositions and methodologies. Mapping has the potential to reorient the evangelical discussion and set it in a constructive direction. --Amos Yong, J. Rodman Williams Professor of Theology, Regent University, School of Divinity, Virginia Beach, Virginia Eminently qualified with advanced degrees in genetics and science education from top universities, Dr. Gerald Rau not only aims to present the arguments for each position as neutrally as possible, he actually succeeds where angels, let alone countless other scholars, have feared or failed to tread. His thoughtful Christian voice rings clearly in the midst of an often shrill debate where too many are unwilling to acknowledge how their respective worldviews shape their interpretations of scientific data. --Robert Osburn, Ph.D., executive director, Wilberforce Academy, adjunct professor, University of Minnesota Mapping the Origins Debate offers readers a helpful map of the confusing and noisy terrain of America's troubled conversation about origins. Readers will appreciate Gerald Rau's calm and reasoned guide to the debate; he provides light in an area where most books offer only heat. --Karl Giberson, professor of science & religion, Stonehill College, author, The Wonder of the Universe: Hints of God in our Fine-Tuned World

Author Information

Gerald A. Rau (PhD, Cornell) is founder and chief editor at Professional English International, Inc., a team providing high quality editing services in English academic writing, based at National Chung Cheng University in Chiayi, Taiwan. He was previously an adjunct professor teaching biology courses at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois. Rau has an impressive history of education with degrees in biology, science education, horticulture, plant breeding, vegetable crops, and International Agriculture, which are all subjects he continues to include in his writings as an independent scholar.

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