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God & Evolution Science Meets Faith
$19.95
Item Code
163252
EAN/UPC
9780819831132
Publisher
Pauline Books & Media US
Meet the "match made in heaven" between religion and evolutionary science, seen from a Catholic viewpoint.
In recent years, the creationism versus evolution debate has exploded. Especially in today's science-dominated society, modern points of conflict such as fertility treatments and stem cell research only serve to intensify the debate. The result is a world of seeming oppositions: faith vs. reason, soul vs. body, metaphysical vs. biological, cosmic design vs. natural selection. The list could go on. We are left wondering, "How do I reconcile these seeming oppositions, without sacrificing either faith or science?"
The answer to that question is contained within these pages that challenge this "black and white" attitude. Educated Catholics, college students, teachers, parents, parish study groups, and those individuals conflicted by tensions between science and faith will find this book a helpful resource in both discerning the causes of the current debate and understanding how to reconcile them.
Through a religious, philosophical, and biological approach, Dr. Verschuuren, a practicing Catholic and a scientist, reveals that science and religion answer different dimensions to the same fundamental question, "Where do we come from?" This perspective allows for a compatible and desirable coexistence-one that preserves, and in fact intensifies, God's splendor in the face of science.
Readers are invited to find the balance along the continuum between "narrow-minded scientists" and "fundamentalist believers." Dr. Verschuuren accessibly walks readers through: the Church's position on faith and reason; the merits and limitations to theological and scientific approaches for understanding our existence; and the dominating ideologies of creationism, evolutionism, and intelligent design theory. A fitting conclusion harmoniously brings together creation and evolution as "very good neighbors."
Format:
Paperback
Pages:
208
Dimensions(Inches):
6.00 x 9.25
Dr. Gerard M. Verschuuren is a human geneticist who also received a doctorate in the philosophy of science. He studied and worked at universities in Europe and the United States. Recently, he has been teaching scientists how to use computer programs for data analysis and data storage. He has written numerous books, articles, and biology textbooks. A scientist and a practicing Catholic, he has a passion to write about the relationship between science and religion seen from a Catholic viewpoint.
"Scientific knowledge on the cosmic and on the biological evolution has become highly strengthened in recent decades. Evolutionary progress results from quite slow dynamic processes that reveal natural laws for permanent creation. Verschuuren's book can be expected to foster a harmonious integration of science facts together with religious beliefs into our orientational knowledge."
Professor Werner Arber, Nobel Laureate in Medicine 1978, President of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences
Professor Werner Arber, Nobel Laureate in Medicine 1978, President of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences
"Gerard M. Verschuuren has done as all a favor by giving us a clear, faithful, and lucid survey of the Catholic position on evolution, avoiding all foolish extremes, and showing that real science and real Catholic faith not only having nothing to fear from each other, but are vital to illuminating one another."
Mark P. Shea, apologetics speaker; Senior Content Writer for www.catholicexchange.com; author of "Connecting the Dots" column in the National Catholic Register
"This is a well-written work that discusses the position of the Catholic Church with regard to the theory of evolution. The scientific explanations are exceptionally clear. Dr. Verschuuren makes fine use of modern sources and has produced a book that is to be praised and extensively read."
The Most Rev. John B. McCormack, Bishop of the Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire
"God and Evolution is a thoughtful, well argued, and easy to read presentation of the conversation between science and faith. As Gerard Verschuuren argues, science and religion, or evolution and creation, are two windows that see the world from different perspectives which are not contradictory but complementary. Dr. Verschuuren documents the religious perspective with pertinent citations from Scripture, theologians, and philosophers. As an expert biologist, he convincingly makes the case for science."
Francisco J. Ayala, Donald Bren Professor of Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, California; recipient of the 2010 Templeton Prize; President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
"A solid guide for those who could be confused by hastily written presentations in the media about the complex question of evolution versus creation."
Rev. Marcel Chappin, S.J., Professor of Theology, Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome
"Whether the reader agrees or disagrees with the controversial thesis of this book, it is clearly and strongly argued and it is a delightful and enlightening read. I like the book very much."
Peter Kreeft, Professor of Philosophy, Boston College, Massachusetts
"An enlightening and delightful tour through the issues of faith and science that continue to swirl around Darwin's great idea. Verschuuren's ease with science, philosophy, and theology will surely help to defuse the tiresome rhetoric of God versus science that is so common today."
Kenneth R. Miller, Professor of Biology, Brown University, Rhode Island; 2008 recipient of American Association for the Advancement of Science Award for Public Understanding of Science and Technology
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