A debut book offers a faithful exploration of the Creation story in light of the scientific age.
Harmon delivers one of the most thorough works on the question of biblical Creation in recent times. The author acknowledges the inherent conflict for modern Christians between traditional readings of Genesis and scientific proofs for the Big Bang and evolution. Confronted with the question of how to reconcile these views, Harmon, aided by others in a study group, began a lengthy process of scrutinizing the original Hebrew of the Creation stories in Genesis. Their analysis discovered that “there is considerable evidence to suggest that biblical creation occurred over an indefinite period of time.” Harmon provides a step-by-step approach in reaching this conclusion. He begins by examining the prevailing theories that dominate thought in the church on this subject and then surveys its past misunderstandings of science (flat Earth, geocentrism, etc.): “History shows that over the centuries the church has had a rather dismal record of dealing with scientific discovery.” Harmon then moves to the heart of his research, an in-depth look at the language found in Genesis 1 and 2. What he ascertains is that traditional readings of the Hebrew focus on definitive days instead of indefinite days and continuing processes. A detailed study of each day of Creation as described in the Bible lends meaningful weight to Harmon’s eventual findings. Though he is far from alone in trying to harmonize science and faith (for example, there’s Jeremy Campbell’s The Many Faces of God and Andrew Parker’s The Genesis Enigma), what he has done here is a unique achievement. Harmon contributes one of the most balanced, well-researched, and intellectually honest volumes on the subject. Without compromising his faith in a creating God, or in a divinely inspired text, he nevertheless takes scientific evidence just as seriously and systematically arrives at a genuine answer to how both sources can be reconciled. His work can be respected and accepted by proponents on both sides of the argument—a rarity indeed. An exceptional addition to the science/faith genre.
Pub Date: March 18, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-5127-2664-0
Page Count: 220
Publisher: Westbow Press
Review Posted Online: May 27, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2016
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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