Anyone who has ever wondered about the relationship between Christian faith and modern science should read this book. It makes a crystal clear and highly compelling case for calling a halt to the alleged warfare between Christianity and evolution. Denis Lamoureux's unique personal story as a theologian-scientist, combined with careful scholarly argumentation and unashamed faith in Jesus, makes this book very hard to put down. It will be an oasis in the desert for many readers. Unlike so many other writings on science and religion, this book is generous toward other views and invites readers to draw their own conclusions. * Jeffrey P. Greenman, President, Regent College *
Denis Lamoureux's elegant biblical and biological scholarship is presented at a level accessible to anyone and illuminates a path where Christians can engage both the Word of God and biological science in harmonious dialogue. Lamoureux is intimately aware of the struggles faced when we look for peace between the evidence for evolution in the natural revelation of God and the Truth in the Holy Scriptures. Trained to the doctoral level in both theology and biology, he utilizes his own journey through these struggles to provide a pastoral and accommodating exposition of the intersection between the ancient science presented by the Holy Spirit-inspired biblical writers and the compelling evidence of a God-ordained and sustained process of evolution. * Nancy Halliday, PhD, Associate Professor of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine *
Denis O. Lamoureux is passionate about integrating science and a biblical- based faith in regards to the origins and evolution discussion. He writes in an understandable fashion for the layperson and scientist alike, clearly explaining the scientific and theological rationale for the evolutionary creationist perspective while maintaining a high regard for biblical inerrancy and scientific information. His love for Christ and God's created world is a common theme throughout the book, and his constant desire is to enable all believers, young and old alike, to come to a reasoned and God-inspired perspective on the origin of the biological diversity. Denis weaves his own journey to faith and reconciliation with science throughout the book in such a way as to serve as an example to all who are interested in this discussion. I have interacted with Denis personally and on seminar panels, and I can assure readers that he loves God and God's people and does not denigrate any believer or their views on this hotly debated topic. Denis uniquely balances grace and tenacity in supporting his position. Anyone interested in the creation-evolution discussion needs to seriously engage with Dr. Lamoureux's evolutionary creationist perspective of the creative work of God in His world. * Hal C. Reed, PhD, Professor of Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biology, Oral Roberts University *
Every year students in high school and college who come from Bible-believing churches are faced with the dilemma, Do I give up my faith and listen to what the science teachers say, or do I reject science and keep my faith? This scenario has played out for all too many and for all too many years! Now Dr. Lamoureux, like a Catcher in the Rye, uses his advanced degree studies in theology and biology to give students and the church a way to keep their faith, see even more glorious things in Genesis 1, and yet grasp all that the best science has to offer. I recommend this book to Intervarsity staff (my former co-workers in the academic world), pastors, parents, and students who are currently struggling with the literal interpretation of Genesis and what the science texts and professors are saying. Carefully working through this book will help strengthen faith and open otherwise closed gateways to the exciting world of God's creation as science is coming to understand it. * Terry Morrison, PhD, Emeritus Director, Faculty Ministry, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship *
In clear and engaging fashion, Dr. Lamoureux weaves together the tales of his own spiritual and intellectual wrestlings, showing how evolutionary creation enables him to become an intellectually fulfilled theist. I especially appreciate his recurring exposure of the fallacious either/or thinking that we trap ourselves with! Agree with him or not (or a little of both!), you will find Lamoureux a worthy conversation partner. * C. John (Jack) Collins, Professor of Old Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary *
In Evolution: Scripture and Nature Say Yes!, Dr. Denis Lamoureux uses his personal experiences to powerfully illustrate why so many Christian students lose their faith in college over questions of faith and science. He then provides a remarkably accessible and comprehensive outline of the various assumptions that Christians make regarding how they interpret Scripture and understand natural history, opting for the view that the science in Scripture reflects the ancient understanding of nature at the time the Bible was written. Finally, he argues persuasively that remarkable evolutionary pathways point to an intelligently designed universe and uses the writings of both Charles Darwin and Richard Dawkins to show how they struggled with the clear evidence of design in nature. * Walter l. Bradley, PhD, Emeritus Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University and Baylor University *
No one is more qualified to write about evolution and Christian faith than Denis Lamoureux, who has studied both areas extensively for many years. I recommend this book not only for the wealth of important information it contains, but especially for its wonderful attitude of honest inquiry coupled with genuine zeal for the future of the body of Christ. Written by a teacher and scholar with pastoral sensitivity, it brings the voice of personal experience to bear on an issue that challenges many young people and documents the damage done to the next generation by some promoters of young-earth creationism. * Edward B. Davis, Professor of the History of Science, Messiah College *
Please listen carefully to Denis Lamoureux's fascinating story. He struggled a lot and finally found peace between scientific integrity and his true love for Jesus. Reading this book will save you so much time and trouble, giving you the precious clues that will enable you to escape from the confusing maze of the origins debate. * Benoit Hebert, President of Science et Foi (Science and Faith), www.scienceetfoi.com *
Readers will be enthralled by Denis Lamoureux's compelling personal story and his compelling evidence. His strong Christian testimony and his conviction that evolution is our best way to understand God's creative work can be life-changing for those who feel trapped in the belief that they have to choose between creation and evolution. The evidence says they don't, and Lamoureux's clear presentation tells them why. Even those who are not inclined to accept an evolutionary model for creation will find a new appreciation for how committed Christians who take the Bible seriously can accept such a model and yet maintain the integrity of their faith. * John H. Walton, Professor of Old Testament, Wheaton College *
The singular contribution of this book is the emphasis on the problem in the church and in the science laboratory on either-or thinking, and Denis Lamoureux proves this is a false and dangerous dichotomy. In Evolution: Scripture and Nature Say Yes!, Lamoureux encourages Christians to listen to the Bible and to science. Honest, fair, and reasoned listening leads to an explosion of joy and freedom as one sees in both the Bible and nature the glory of our God. I pray that Christians across the spectrum will give this book a fair hearing. If they do, we will all grow. * Scot McKnight, Julius R. Mantey Professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary *
This book is a magnificent contribution to Evangelicalism. It is a searchlight cutting through the fog of the Bible vs. science debate. Lamoureux shows how evolution and all of science can be integrated with a full commitment to Jesus Christ and to the divine authority of Scripture. Its crowning benefit is that every chapter breathes out Jesus! * Paul h. Seely, author of Inerrant Wisdom: Science and Inerrancy in Biblical Perspective *
This is a great book to hand to a Christian student or friend who is asking questions about evolution. Denis Lamoureux, a pioneer of Christian engagement with evolution as both a theologian and a scientist, roots his arguments in the classic doctrine of the two books---God's word and God's world. But even more than that, his pastoral heart comes through in these pages as he shares his own story. Denis shows that people don't have to choose between Scripture and nature but can say Yes! to both. * Deborah Haarsma, President of BioLogos *
This is a successful and effective academic project, but more than this, it is an utterly convincing decades-long autobiographical account of God's faithful revelation through the author's attentive reading of both the Book of God's Word, written in Scripture, and the Book of God's Works, written in the material creation that science is privileged to consider. While arguing for an evolutionary dimension to God's creation, the author is concerned to refute damaging skepticism towards scientific insight, on the part of theologically conservative North American Christians. The outcome provides a more vigorous witness to a scientifically savvy world . . . which includes both young people being raised in Christian communities, and unbelievers for whom the Church seeks an entree for evangelism! * Ian Johnston, Professor of Biological Sciences, Bethel University *
Writing in a captivating narrative style, Denis Lamoureux shares his personal journey from Christianity to atheism and back to Christianity and from atheistic evolution to creationism to evolutionary creation. The book radiates his love and passion for Jesus while clearly explaining the evidence he learned while earning three doctoral degrees in dentistry, theology, and evolutionary biology. This book should be required reading for every scientist and non- scientist interested in science and Christian faith. * Randy Isaac, Executive Director Emeritus, American Scientific Affiliation and Retired IBM Research Vice-President for Science and Technology *
