“What is Creation theory?” “Can I believe in a worldwide flood?” What about the dinosaurs?” “Can a Christian be a good scientist?” These are some of the twenty chapter headings of this book, written by nineteen Adventist creation scientists and one educator. All the contributors believe, on the basis of Scripture, that God created a perfect habitat for humanity, but that sin entered this world and that “the entire creation has suffered the consequences” (p. 9).

In the chapter “Are the Bible and Science in Conflict?” David Ekkens explains that conflict between the Bible and science is generally based on: “(1) differing philosophical understandings of the role of God in nature; (2) the difficulty of interpreting the history of the world scientifically; (3) the inability of science to explain in scientific terms what God did miraculously; and (4) the brevity and incompleteness of the biblical information about the history of nature” (p. 44). Some issues may be resolved as science makes new discoveries; others will have to wait for eternity.

Timothy Standish in “What is the Evidence for a Creator?” believes that even in a fallen creation there is still abundant evidence for a wise creator. He focuses on the evidence for design and the inadequacy of chance. “The phenomenon of interdependence, which pervades nature, is compelling,” he says (p. 58). He illustrates this with the interdependence of stars and planets in the universe, with the law of gravity, and with the human body’s metabolism. “To the person willing to see design, it is everywhere; the person unwilling to see design grasps at the most reasonable-sounding alternative explanation” (p. 63).

“If I understand you correctly,” said the student after the Professor had explained the Big Bang theory of the universe, “first there was nothing and then it exploded” (p. 78). This short anecdote introduces the chapter on the meaning and implications of the Big Bang Theory by Mart de Groot. While the theory is a main stay of evolution, de Groot points out that there are a number of problems with this theory that have never been resolved satisfactorily.

The origin of life is addressed by George Javor. Since Louis Pasteur put an end to the concept of spontaneous generation of life, alternative possibilities have been considered, among them the idea that life came to this earth from elsewhere in the universe. Others believe that “life on earth probably originated in a primordial ocean where the atmosphere did not contain oxygen” (p. 105). While chemical experimentation has made significant progress since 1950 (DNA, cloning etc.), Javor says that “after more than fifty years of valiant struggle in the laboratory, the entire concept of chemical evolution is on the verge of extinction” (p. 108).

Earl Aagaard discusses the moral implications of Darwinism. Since life on earth is the result of chance, humankind “is the result of a purposeless and natural process that did not have him in mind” (p. 199). Hence Darwinian ethics is “moral individualism,” leading to such legalized practices as euthanasia and abortion because some human lives are judged to be less valuable than others.

The last chapter appropriately deals with the question “How can I live without having all the answers?” Gary Burdick provides four suggestions: (1) recognize that every discipline has its own unanswered questions; (2) investigate the ramifications for each discipline of accepting the “truth” of the other discipline; (3) keep the discussion going; (4) recognize what is most important. He concludes by quoting 1 Corinthians 13:12 “For now we [scientists and theologians included] see through a glass darkly” (p. 222).

Other chapters deal with the interpretation of the first chapters of Genesis, radiometric dating, the fossil record, plate tectonics, etc. Understanding Creation appears at an opportune time when the church is challenged by theologians and scientists who openly advocate theistic evolution. The book provides answers to many questions that Adventists who are interested in the interface between biblical faith and science are asking.

As is often the case with books written by a number of people some chapters are better than others and not everyone will be happy with the answers given. Nevertheless, students, professionals, and particularly ministers who are frequently confronted with the arguments for evolution will find this volume a valuable and helpful resource. The design and layout of the book is well done, but a subject index would have enhanced the usefulness of this volume.