Christian Book Notes

Werner, Dr. Carl.  Evolution: The Grand Experiment Volume 1.  Green Forest: New Leaf Press, 2007.  262 pp.  $29.99.  Purchase at Amazon for $21.89 or less.

Introduction

Dr. Carl Warner, a biology major at the time, was challenged by a fellow student his sophomore year in college to prove evolution as true.  this book is the fruit of his labors (I bet you can’t figure out where he lands on the issue of evolution).  You can read more about him and the book as well as find valuable resources for teaching this in the classroom at the website, The Grand Experiment.

Summary

Far from being just a text book, The Grand Experiment is a companion to a DVD series.  There are full color pictures on just about every single page that keeps the reader interested in what is being discussed.  There is scientific evidence offered that shows many of the incredible (sometime fantastic) claims evolutionists are known to make.  Keep in mind that this book was written by an evolutionary biologist who was challenged to prove evolution.

Chapter one introduces the two views of the beginning of life.  After this objective chapter, Dr. Werner lays it out on the line with chapters entitled “Darwin’s False Start” and “Darwin’s False Mechanism.”  He next moves into a chapter detailing the concept of Natural Selection and Chance Mutations.  An interesting chapter on the similarities that exist between animals and whether or not they “prove” evolution is found in chapter five.

Chapter six looks at the fossil record at an overview level with chapters seven through sixteen taking a much more in depth look at the various fossil “findings” and claims throughout history as opposed to what exactly the scientific data really shows.  The formation of life is detailed in Chapter seventeen, eighteen, and nineteen with chapter twenty providing a succinct conclusion to the book.

Review

It is important to remember that this book is the fruit The book is well written other than the obvious bias that evolution is false.  I make mention of that bias because Dr. Werner began what ultimately was this book with the bias that evolution is true.  As you read his writings, you get the feeling that he was angry that he had been betrayed by many he trusted.  However horrible that betrayal was to him, I believe he is more passionate about making the scientific truth available to others rather than having an ax to grind. I believe the apparent bias now becomes more important given the previous biases he once held.

Unfortunately, a topic like evolution or creation is one of those hot-button topics that is dang near impossible to check the emotions at the door.  Truth be told, I struggle with this as well since there is so much riding on one’s understanding of the origins of life.  Thus, the importance of this book.  Dr. Werner cites numerous sources most of which are sympathetic to evolutionary science.

Recommendation

If you are a homeschooling parent, buy this book.  If your child is in public or private school and you want to better equip them for the inevitable discussion of evolution, then you must buy this book.  While I have not seen the accompanying DVD series, I can only assume that its quality will match (if not exceed) that of this book.  I would venture to guess that this book is written with the junior high school through high school student in mind.  There is an accompanying teacher’s manual as well allowing for this series to be incorporated into your student’s curriculum.  I highly recommend that it is.