For the Christian Biology teacher it is very difficult to choose a textbook for his classes for the simple reason that no textbook has been available which presents the scientific data from a Christian perspective. It appears that in the past the best one could do was to pick the least dogmatically evolutionistic textbook, and glean the “objective” facts from its pages. Now, for the first time in Our American history, there is a real breakthrough (or Biology in the form of a textbook written by the Creation Research Society, in 1970, under the title Biology: A Search for Order in Complexity. The book was written as a high school text for biological studies, with the explicit aim of presenting the factual material in a Biblical, creationist framework, as an alternative to the evolutionary approach of other textbooks.
The title of the book captures quite accurately the attitude of the writers who, in contrast with the usual attempt at bringing order into Biology by superimposing the concept of evolution on each topic, recognize the world of living things as creatures of God, and seek to discover the order which God created in the extremely complex world of living organisms. As a Biologist I know that this is certain y no easy task to fulfill, and the authors and editors of the book deserve to be commended for making this publication available to the Christian community.
Right from the beginning, it is made clear that the study of origins of living things is, strictly speaking, not a matter of scientific verification, and as such lies outside the realm of science. The actual phenomena of Biology can usually be agreed on, but their interpretation depends to a very large extent on the perspective and basic commitment of the investigator. That “special creation provides a more reasonable and satisfying philosophy of origins than evolution” is a point well worth stressing, and should be more readily recognized by the Christian community at large.
The material of the book is divided into ten units, each dealing with a major sector of the domain of Biology. Unit 1 deals with the basic approach to science and thus concerns itself with the topics of science, the scientist, scientific methods and the limitations of science, as well as the application of biological principles to the life situations of modern society. The first chapter gives a good perspective to the entire book, and shows clear, fresh insights. The authors are aware of the shortcomings of the past, but also realize the limitations of the scientist of today, and the challenge of dealing with the problems of tomorrow. Although the definition of 1ife” needs improvement and clarification, the emphasis on the fact that life is more than the sum of the physical and chemical properties of matter is a real advancement over the usual distracting, mechanistic presuppositions of most modern textbooks.
Unit 2 deals with the chemical perspectives in Biology, and lays the foundation for an understanding of molecular Biology. It gives good insight into the composition of matter and of the structural organization of compounds. It also shows an appreciation for the tremendous complexity and inconceivable numbers and sizes of atoms and molecules. A simple but clear picture is painted of the nature and structure of biologically important compounds such as, e.g., sucrose and adenosine triphosphate.
The continuity of life is the topic of unit 3, in which the properties of protoplasm are demonstrated, and the more striking basic principles and processes of living cells arc explored. The understanding of the origin of living organisms is treated in the light of a historical perspective of the concept of spontaneous generation. Both classical genetics and molecular genetics are presented in well-balanced proportion, with the use of good illustrations, up-to-date materials, and current issues. The major topics of the field are well covered. Embryology is dealt with rather briefly, hut covers the main stages of development and ties in with some of the more important contemporary issues. The authors would have done well to say something about human or mammalian development, or at least how it relates to the starfish, frog and chick development with which the chapter deals.
Unit 4 consists of a short chapter on the classification of organisms, dealing with the history and systematics of classification as well as some of its limitations.
In Unit 5 we find a survey of the better known small plants and animals, divided into chapters dealing with the fungi; viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms; algae; and protozoans. Tn each category some of the representatives of the group and their outstanding characteristics are listed, as well as the importance of certain groups or individuals for everyday life.
The following unit gives a survey of the most important or the multi-cellular invertebrate phyla in a fairly long chapter, in which each group receives adequate treatment, followed by a short chapter on chordate animals, which are briefly placed in perspective. The section on amphibians is surprisingly poor, in contrast with the rest of the unit.
Chapters 16 and 17 make up Unit 7, and are concerned with the Biology of man. Apparently these chapters were written by two different authors. In my opinion, chapter 16, dealing with the form and motion of the human body, is by far the weakest part of the whole book. A number of inaccuracies, wrong labels, inconsistencies, coupled with poor style and incorrect drawings and diagrams make this chapter quite unacceptable, and do much to mar this otherwise well-done publication.
In contrast with the foregoing, the chapter on the maintenance of of the human body is very good and needs only a few minor adjustments. In view of the fact that some systems of the body are dealt with very briefly, it would seem advisable to shorten the animal behavior section considerably.
The different groups of plants, and their structure and function, as well as their relation to our economy and living conditions are covered in the eighth unit.
Unit 9 deals with theories of Biological change. Chapter 21 is entitled “Weaknesses of Geologic Evidence,” and raises some valid questions about the basic presuppositions of the uniformitarian position, and cites good examples of contemporary conditions which have a bearing on the problem. Furthermore, it gives a positive alternative position. In Chapter 22, evidences from similarities are considered. The approach the author takes to the problem is correct, in my estimation, but the section on developmental similarities needs extensive revision, because of internal inconsistencies and contradictions, poor organization and minor inaccuracies.
The chapter on early man briefly sketches the problems we face when trying to reconstruct the early history of man from paleontological givens.
Chapter 24 is called “Problems for Evolutionists,” in which the matters of a mechanism for evolution, the origin of life on mechanistic grounds, lack of transitions between groups of organisms, and the uniqueness of man are pointed out. The statement on the uniqueness of man should be refined or enlarged, but this may not be easily feasible because this is a high school text. In the last chapter of this unit, limited variation is contrasted with the concept of unlimited change. Genetic variation due to mutation, genetic drift, polyploidy, and natural selection are examined and placed in a proper perspective. Near the end, the author makes the point that “creationism and evolution (not science) are incompatible,” which is a point well made.
The last unit, on ecology and conservation, deals with the interrelationships of living things, the balance of nature, biogeography, and applied ecology. Many of the basic ecologic principles are elucidated and man’s responsibilities in the light of the modern environmental crisis are emphasized.
An appendix gives a summary classification and description of the kingdoms of Protista, Plantae and Animalia. The index at the end of the book is rather short and should be expanded. The table of contents is quite extensive, covering 10 pages.
The book, which contains 548 pages of text, is edited by Dr. John N. Moore, Professor of Natural Science at Michigan State University and Harold S. Slusher, Professor of Geophysics and Astronomy at the University of Texas at El Paso.
The textbook Committee of the Creation Research Society set itself to a gigantic task when it decided to publish a textbook for Biology written from a Christian perspective. Now that the first edition is available, can we say that the goal has been reached? Has the objective been achieved? Do we really have a Biology textbook which we can use in our Christian schools, without having to apologize for its content? Docs it really present the material factually and from a Biblical, Christian point of view? The answer to all these questions should be a confident Yes.
I do not mean to imply that the book is perfect, by any means. But this effort to produce a textbook with a perspective so different from any of those presently available must be judged to be a real success, in spite of some of the shortcomings which are bound to appear when so great a task is first attempted.
I recommend that all Christian Biology teachers adopt this textbook for their classes, that they work with it, discuss the problems among each other, and that they communicate their evaluations, their positive criticisms, and their suggestions for improvement to the textbook committee, so that, through concerted effort on the part of all Christians, the second edition of this book may be a still greater help in our classroom, and a better testimony to the world of the hope that is within us, through Christ our Lord.
Aaldert Mennega is chairman and associate professor of the biology department at Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa.
The title of the book captures quite accurately the attitude of the writers who, in contrast with the usual attempt at bringing order into Biology by superimposing the concept of evolution on each topic, recognize the world of living things as creatures of God, and seek to discover the order which God created in the extremely complex world of living organisms. As a Biologist I know that this is certain y no easy task to fulfill, and the authors and editors of the book deserve to be commended for making this publication available to the Christian community.
Right from the beginning, it is made clear that the study of origins of living things is, strictly speaking, not a matter of scientific verification, and as such lies outside the realm of science. The actual phenomena of Biology can usually be agreed on, but their interpretation depends to a very large extent on the perspective and basic commitment of the investigator. That “special creation provides a more reasonable and satisfying philosophy of origins than evolution” is a point well worth stressing, and should be more readily recognized by the Christian community at large.
The material of the book is divided into ten units, each dealing with a major sector of the domain of Biology. Unit 1 deals with the basic approach to science and thus concerns itself with the topics of science, the scientist, scientific methods and the limitations of science, as well as the application of biological principles to the life situations of modern society. The first chapter gives a good perspective to the entire book, and shows clear, fresh insights. The authors are aware of the shortcomings of the past, but also realize the limitations of the scientist of today, and the challenge of dealing with the problems of tomorrow. Although the definition of 1ife” needs improvement and clarification, the emphasis on the fact that life is more than the sum of the physical and chemical properties of matter is a real advancement over the usual distracting, mechanistic presuppositions of most modern textbooks.
Unit 2 deals with the chemical perspectives in Biology, and lays the foundation for an understanding of molecular Biology. It gives good insight into the composition of matter and of the structural organization of compounds. It also shows an appreciation for the tremendous complexity and inconceivable numbers and sizes of atoms and molecules. A simple but clear picture is painted of the nature and structure of biologically important compounds such as, e.g., sucrose and adenosine triphosphate.
The continuity of life is the topic of unit 3, in which the properties of protoplasm are demonstrated, and the more striking basic principles and processes of living cells arc explored. The understanding of the origin of living organisms is treated in the light of a historical perspective of the concept of spontaneous generation. Both classical genetics and molecular genetics are presented in well-balanced proportion, with the use of good illustrations, up-to-date materials, and current issues. The major topics of the field are well covered. Embryology is dealt with rather briefly, hut covers the main stages of development and ties in with some of the more important contemporary issues. The authors would have done well to say something about human or mammalian development, or at least how it relates to the starfish, frog and chick development with which the chapter deals.
Unit 4 consists of a short chapter on the classification of organisms, dealing with the history and systematics of classification as well as some of its limitations.
In Unit 5 we find a survey of the better known small plants and animals, divided into chapters dealing with the fungi; viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms; algae; and protozoans. Tn each category some of the representatives of the group and their outstanding characteristics are listed, as well as the importance of certain groups or individuals for everyday life.
The following unit gives a survey of the most important or the multi-cellular invertebrate phyla in a fairly long chapter, in which each group receives adequate treatment, followed by a short chapter on chordate animals, which are briefly placed in perspective. The section on amphibians is surprisingly poor, in contrast with the rest of the unit.
Chapters 16 and 17 make up Unit 7, and are concerned with the Biology of man. Apparently these chapters were written by two different authors. In my opinion, chapter 16, dealing with the form and motion of the human body, is by far the weakest part of the whole book. A number of inaccuracies, wrong labels, inconsistencies, coupled with poor style and incorrect drawings and diagrams make this chapter quite unacceptable, and do much to mar this otherwise well-done publication.
In contrast with the foregoing, the chapter on the maintenance of of the human body is very good and needs only a few minor adjustments. In view of the fact that some systems of the body are dealt with very briefly, it would seem advisable to shorten the animal behavior section considerably.
The different groups of plants, and their structure and function, as well as their relation to our economy and living conditions are covered in the eighth unit.
Unit 9 deals with theories of Biological change. Chapter 21 is entitled “Weaknesses of Geologic Evidence,” and raises some valid questions about the basic presuppositions of the uniformitarian position, and cites good examples of contemporary conditions which have a bearing on the problem. Furthermore, it gives a positive alternative position. In Chapter 22, evidences from similarities are considered. The approach the author takes to the problem is correct, in my estimation, but the section on developmental similarities needs extensive revision, because of internal inconsistencies and contradictions, poor organization and minor inaccuracies.
The chapter on early man briefly sketches the problems we face when trying to reconstruct the early history of man from paleontological givens.
Chapter 24 is called “Problems for Evolutionists,” in which the matters of a mechanism for evolution, the origin of life on mechanistic grounds, lack of transitions between groups of organisms, and the uniqueness of man are pointed out. The statement on the uniqueness of man should be refined or enlarged, but this may not be easily feasible because this is a high school text. In the last chapter of this unit, limited variation is contrasted with the concept of unlimited change. Genetic variation due to mutation, genetic drift, polyploidy, and natural selection are examined and placed in a proper perspective. Near the end, the author makes the point that “creationism and evolution (not science) are incompatible,” which is a point well made.
The last unit, on ecology and conservation, deals with the interrelationships of living things, the balance of nature, biogeography, and applied ecology. Many of the basic ecologic principles are elucidated and man’s responsibilities in the light of the modern environmental crisis are emphasized.
An appendix gives a summary classification and description of the kingdoms of Protista, Plantae and Animalia. The index at the end of the book is rather short and should be expanded. The table of contents is quite extensive, covering 10 pages.
The book, which contains 548 pages of text, is edited by Dr. John N. Moore, Professor of Natural Science at Michigan State University and Harold S. Slusher, Professor of Geophysics and Astronomy at the University of Texas at El Paso.
The textbook Committee of the Creation Research Society set itself to a gigantic task when it decided to publish a textbook for Biology written from a Christian perspective. Now that the first edition is available, can we say that the goal has been reached? Has the objective been achieved? Do we really have a Biology textbook which we can use in our Christian schools, without having to apologize for its content? Docs it really present the material factually and from a Biblical, Christian point of view? The answer to all these questions should be a confident Yes.
I do not mean to imply that the book is perfect, by any means. But this effort to produce a textbook with a perspective so different from any of those presently available must be judged to be a real success, in spite of some of the shortcomings which are bound to appear when so great a task is first attempted.
I recommend that all Christian Biology teachers adopt this textbook for their classes, that they work with it, discuss the problems among each other, and that they communicate their evaluations, their positive criticisms, and their suggestions for improvement to the textbook committee, so that, through concerted effort on the part of all Christians, the second edition of this book may be a still greater help in our classroom, and a better testimony to the world of the hope that is within us, through Christ our Lord.
Aaldert Mennega is chairman and associate professor of the biology department at Dordt College, Sioux Center, Iowa.