April 2003
volume 15 (1)

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Articles

Homo Divinus: The ape that bears God's image

Graeme Finlay
Pages: 17-27

Abstract

Some Christians believe that to allow room for God they must disallow room for evolution. However, aspects of the evolutionary paradigm have been established conclusively, and can be adduced to demonstrate the complementarity that exists between scientific and theological views of the world. Randomly formed, unique genetic markers shared by similar species establish that these species are descendents of a common ancestor in which the unique markers arose. Three features that demonstrate the common ancestry of humans and other higher primates are discussed. The chromosome set of one species can be rearranged into those of other species by cutting and pasting chromosomes, reflecting familiar genetic processes. The presence of unique non-functional gene relics (pseudogenes), and of unique packets of genetic information known as retrotransposons (both of which we share with other primate species) represent genetic markers which can have arisen only once, in a common ancestor. This compelling genetic evidence must inform our understanding of what it means for God to create, of the place of chance in the creative work of God, and of the nature of humanity. It illustrates the way in which God works, and demonstrates his grace as seen in creation and redemption.

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Balfour v. Huxley on Evolutionary Naturalism: A 21st century Perspective

John Greene
Pages: 41-51

Abstract

This essay begins by setting forth the conflicting prophecies, in 1895, of Arthur James Balfour and Thomas Henry Huxley concerning the probable course of Western culture in the twentieth century if Huxley's `scientific naturalism' were to prevail over Balfour's theistic conception of the relations between science and religion. The essay then examines some leading developments in the physical, biological, and social sciences and in philosophy and theology since 1900 to determine which of these prophecies, if either, proved to be truly prophetic. The author concludes that Balfour was the better prophet.

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Editorial: Geography and the Science-Faith Debate

Denis Alexander
Pages: 2-2

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A Christian Basis for Science

Roger Trigg
Pages: 3-15

Abstract

Why is science to be trusted? Many now challenge it. Modern science grew out of a belief in the orderliness of the physical world, which could be relied upon because a rational Creator had made it. Empiricists swept aside the theistic assumptions that made science possible, and they have been succeeded by a postmodernism which challenges the idea of reason and of an objective world. Postmodernism cannot escape the charge of relativism, and it removes all possibility of providing an intellectual basis for science. Yet science needs a metaphysical grounding if it is to be defensible. It can find this in the notion of an ordered Creation and a Godgiven rationality.

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Book reviews

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The Darwin Wars: The Scientific Battle for the Soul of Man

Andrew Brown (John M. Drake)
Pages: 65-66


Creation Through Wisdom: Theology and the New Biology

Celia E. Deane-Drummond (Ron Elsdon)
Pages: 66-67


Truth Decay: Defending Christianity against the Challenges of Postmodernism

Douglas Groothius (John Taylor)
Pages: 67-68


The Genetic Inferno: Inside the Seven Deadly Sins

John Medina (John A. Bryant)
Pages: 68-70


Real Science: What it is, and what it means

John Ziman (Lawrence Osborn)
Pages: 70-71


God, Science & Humility

R.L. Hermann (ed.) (Dr K.N.P. Mickleson)
Pages: 71-72


Michael Faraday: Physics and Faith

Prof. C.A. Russell (Michael Walker)
Pages: 73-73


Engineering the Human Germline

Gregory Stock and John Campbell (eds) (Dr Gareth Jones)
Pages: 74-74


Faith, Science and Understanding

John Polkinghorne (Revd. Evan Cockshaw)
Pages: 75-75


Sparks of Life: Darwinism and the Victorian Debate over Spontaneous Generation

James E. Strick (David Burbridge)
Pages: 75-77


Our Cosmic Future: Humanity's Fate in the Universe

Nikos Prantzos (John Jefferson Davis)
Pages: 77-79


Trials of the Monkey - An Accidental Memoir

Matthew Chapman (Paul Wraight)
Pages: 79-79


The Cosmic Dance: Science Discovers the Mysterious Harmony of the Universe

Giuseppe Del Re (Arthur Jones)
Pages: 80-81


When Science Meets Religion: Enemies, Strangers or Partners?

Ian Barbour (Andrew Fox)
Pages: 81-81


The Mind of the Universe: Understanding Science and Religion

Mario Artigas (Philip Bligh)
Pages: 82-83


Religion in Mind

Jensine Andresen (ed.) (Peter McCarthy)
Pages: 83-84


How God Looks If You Don't Start in Church: A Technologist's View

Michael Ranken (Alan Jiggins)
Pages: 84-85


Genetic Turning Points: The ethics of human genetic intervention

James C. Peterson (Dr K.N.P Mickleson)
Pages: 86-87


Perspectives on Prayer

Fraser Watts (Diana Briggs)
Pages: 87-88


Mathematics in a Postmodern Age: A Christian Perspective

Russell W. Howell W. James Bradley (eds.) (Colin Reeves)
Pages: 88-90


Nature, Design and Science: The Status of Design in Natural Science

Del Ratzsch (Steve Bishop)
Pages: 90-91


Darwin's God: Evolution and the problem of evil

Cornelius G. Hunter (Tom Hartman)
Pages: 91-93


Annie's Box

Randal Keynes (Michael Roberts)
Pages: 93-94


The Genetic Gods: Evolution and Belief in Human Affairs

John C. Avise (Caroline Berry)
Pages: 95-96