Creationism On Trial

THIS BOOK IS ABOUT THE DIVISION IN THE CHURCH ON YOUNG EARTH VERSES OLD EARTH BELIEF

On the author's role as an expert witness for the ACLU in the "creationist" trial (regarding Arkansas Act 590 of 1981) in Little Rock, Arkansas, Dec. 1981.

This study sheds light on the work of the evangelical scientists who sought to bridge the cultural divide Christianity and evolutionary theory. In the well-known Scopes “Monkey Trial” of 1925, famously portrayed in the film and play Inherit the Wind, William Jennings Bryan’s clashed with defense attorney Clarence Darrow. The drama, pitting fundamentalist fervor against aggressive agnosticism, illustrated what current scholars call the conflict thesis. Regardless of the actual legal question of the trial, it appeared as though Christianity and science were at war with each other. Decades later, a new generation of evangelical scientists struggled to restore peace. After the Monkey Trial is the compelling history of those evangelical scientists in Britain and America who, unlike their fundamentalist cousins, supported mainstream scientific conclusions of the world and resisted the anti-science impulses of the era. Christopher M. Rios focuses on two organizations, the American Scientific Affiliation and the Research Scientists’ Christian Fellowship (today Christians in Science), who for more than six decades have worked to reshape evangelical engagement with science and redefine what it means to be a creationist.

In light of the embattled status of evolutionary theory, particularly as 'intelligent design' makes headway against Darwinism in the schools and in the courts, this account of the roots of creationism assumes new relevance. This edition offers an overview of the arguments and figures at the heart of the debate.

Ranging from before the 1925 Scopes trial to the creationism disputes of the 1980s, this book offers a comprehensive account of the American controversy over creation and evolution.

"Twenty-somethings once faithfully attended church. What made them stop? While most said they still believe that the Bible is God's Word, they also said that the idea that the earth is millions of years old was one thing that caused them to doubt the bible? The crumbling foundation of the church takes a devastating toll on future generations. Therefore, churches must reclaim the historical truth found in Genesis and apply the Bible's authority to every area of life." -Ken Ham, President Answers in Genesis As the modern Church struggles to find a place of relevancy for a new generation that already has massive demands on its time and attention, more and more young people raised in the Church are leaving it - failing to find the answers to their questions of faith and life, beset with doubts raised by issues that the Church chooses not to address. Opting to skirt the controversy of Genesis as literal history, the biblical authority of the Holy Word is called into question and reduced to a collection of mere stories. More popularly considered an issue for schools or in the public realm, the conflicting views on the age of the earth also remain a pivotal issue within the Church - as it has for over two centuries. Was the Creation week literally six days? Does science really point to an old earth? Does the issue really matter for Christians? Should this issue even be discussed within the Church? Join authors Dr. Jason Lisle and Tim Chaffey as they put forth a case against an old-earth interpretation of Scripture. A comprehensive biblical, theological, and scientific critique of old-earth creationism, the book presents its compelling testimony in layman's terms to create a powerful debate that leads to unquestionable truth.

A brilliant critique of the neo-Darwinian theory of evolution.