Faith, Reason, and Earth History:
A Paradigm of Earth and Biological Origins
by Intelligent Design
Leonard Brand
©1997 ISBN 1-883925-15-0
Andrews University Press
213 Information Services Building
Berrien Springs, Michigan 49104-1700
(616) 471-6915
E-mail: aupress@andrews.edu
The following pages present an overview of
how the scientific method works, and then apply that understanding to an analysis of data
in biology and earth science to illustrate how a scientist who is a creationist thinks,
finally outlining an alternate interpretation of earth history. Many scientists contend
that a person who believes in creation cannot possibly be a good scientist, that
creationism is incompatible with the scientific method. The creationist activities of some
individuals are incompatible with science, but it is no more fair to say this of all
creationists than it would be to generalize from a few untrained evolution enthusiasts
about all evolutionists. A central thesis of this book is that a creationist can indeed be
an effective scientist and that that thesis is supported by personal experience and
observation of individuals who are creationists and are also productive scientists. The
approach taken here also is based on the observation that it is inappropriate and
incorrect to characterize non-creationist scientists as stupid or uninformed people who
believe in a ridiculous theory. We may indeed differ on some important philosophical
issues, but the non-creationist scientists whom I know are very capable, knowledgeable
individuals who can give a lot of good evidence to support what they believe is the
correct understanding of earth history. A constructive approach to an alternate view of
earth history needs to concentrate on careful analysis of data and the development of
credible interpretations of the data.
The useful term "informed
intervention" was used in the book by Thaxton et al. (1984) and was brought to my
attention by my friend Bob Chilson. I use that term to refer to the concept of creation
for a couple of reasons. The biblical creation, in the strict sense, is what happened at
the beginning. Much of what creationists talk about involves earth and biological history
that occurred after the initial creation. Informed intervention is a more inclusive
term — a view of history that recognizes the important role of intelligent intervention
in history, including creation, intervention in geological history, and God's
communication to us through the Scriptures. This view of history also must deal with the
biological and geological changes that have resulted from the normal operation of natural
processes to make a unified picture of earth history. To try to include all of this in the
term "creation" is like including all of evolutionary and geological theory in
the term abiogenesis (origin of life by biochemical evolution). Clear communication
requires words that are not confusing. For this reason, I refer to the philosophical
approach presented here as interventionism. This term does not define the nature of the
intervention and could include a variety of interpretations from the concept of a God who
starts the universe and leaves it to develop, to theistic evolution, and to more literal
interpretations of the Bible. I discuss here one version of informed interventionism which
reflects my confidence in the Scriptural account of origins.
In the scientific community, terms like
creation, creationist, and creationism have acquired very negative connotations, and it's
not just because of disagreement over the concept of creation. For many, these words
conjure up an image of court battles over what should be taught in high-school science
classes, debates, careless science, and sarcastic and derisive comments about "those
evolutionists." The term "informed intervention" (also interventionist and
interventionism) does not include any political agenda. My goal is to discuss these issues
in a way that does not drive apart those who disagree from those who agree with me, but
that helps us to understand each other.
It is somewhat dangerous to publish information
like this because some may give it more authority than it deserves. George McCready Price
published books on creationism and geology several decades ago, and there are people today
who react to challenges to his writings as if the Bible itself were being challenged. A
book, and particularly this one, should not be used to get "the answers;" it
should be read as one person's thinking on the topic at this time. As new information
becomes available and as science changes, part of the information in this volume will need
to change with accumulating data.
It is assumed that the reader is familiar with
basic biological concepts, but no previous knowledge of geology is assumed. The focus is
not to present a comprehensive analysis of the works of philosophers of science, nor is it
to present new data on geology or evolutionary biology. It is to present adequate
information providing a basis for discussion of the issues, and the emphasis is on the
question of how to integrate these topics into a coherent approach to an interventionist
paradigm of earth history.
The biological portion of my research
experience and training has emphasized small mammals, and thus, many of my examples
involve them. One who studies insects or plants, for example, would no doubt use quite
different examples and may even have a different perspective on certain aspects of
evolutionary theory. In this volume, mammals play an important role in introducing a
particular way of thinking about origins.
Traducción al castellano y dirección de la edición: Merling Alomía
Fe y Razón en la historia de la Tierra: Un paradigma de los orígenes de la tierra y
de la vida
Universidad Peruana Unión, Ediciones Theologika, Casilla 3564, Lima, Perú
I.S.B.N. 9972-604-02-0