The Genesis Factor
edited by Ron J. Bigalke, Jr.
(Master Books, 2008, 254 pages)
A common refrain within creation science circles is "Creation is the foundation." And indeed it is, as we see Darwinism slowly falling from secular grace amidst ongoing research and investigation. Creation science unapologetically has as its foundation the Bible, and Genesis--the book of beginnings--in particular. Clearly, it is no wonder that of the 66 books of the Bible, Genesis is most often maligned and vilified.
The Genesis Factor, edited by Ron J. Bigalke, Jr., is a current, substantive, and outstanding apologetic source for the creation activist--and none too soon, as secular (and sadly, sacred) attacks on Genesis are increasing. The purpose of this book is to show that those who view the Bible as historically accurate do not need to compromise with ever-changing secular science in order to maintain the truth of their position.
In the first chapter, Christopher Cone gives a first-rate overview of the history of creationism in the Church. This is followed by articles offering solid biblical support for the creation week's 24-hour day (Ron J. Bigalke, Jr.) and the literal historical interpretation of the opening chapters of Genesis (Eugene H. Merrill).
Australia's Tas Walker does a commendable job cataloging the geological evidences for a young earth and answering many of the criticisms (pitch, evaporates, and varves) of Alan Hayward, Dan Wonderly, and Glenn Morton, Christians who accept evolution's timescale of millions and billions of years. His article also includes an excellent section on radiohalos and Flood chronology.
Creation science continues to make progress, particularly in astronomy. Contributor Jonathan Henry lists for the reader various planetary rings (their dissipation, widening, or recent formation), lunar statistics, and other challenges to the conventional chronology of our solar system that point to a recent creation. Then ICR's own Larry Vardiman supplies oceanic and atmospheric evidence for a young earth.
It was gratifying to see that the authors did not shy away from the unscriptural progressive creation beliefs of Hugh Ross and others. The late Henry Morris was succinct in stating in the book's Introduction that "...the day-age and progressive creation concepts are not accepted by the |secular| scientific establishment any more than is young-earth creationism."1
Dr. Morris' Genesis Flood co-author John C. Whitcomb also confronts Ross' progressive creation theology, as well as the little-known framework hypothesis and divine accommodation theory. Dr. Whitcomb perhaps summarizes this little volume best when he states,
...this author humbly insists that it is essential to believe the Genesis record of origins in order to please God. Believing the Genesis record obviously includes the manner in which living things were created ("full-grown" with a superficial appearance of history; e.g., Adam and Eve); the order in which things were created (e.g., the earth before the sun and moon; trees before marine life; and flying creatures and whales before reptiles and land mammals); and the duration of creation events (six 24-hour days only a few thousand years ago).2May the Church and its leaders once again embrace Genesis as literal history recorded by the One who was there--and pass this faith on to the next generation.
References
- Morris, H.M. 2008. Introduction: The Days Do Matter. In Bigalke, Jr., R. (ed.), The Genesis Factor. Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 18.
- Whitcomb, J.C., The Genesis Flood, The Genesis Factor, 208, emphasis in original.
* Mr. Sherwin is Science Editor.
Cite this article: Sherwin, F. 2008. Book Review: The Genesis Factor. Acts & Facts. 37 (5): 19.
