Ratzsch earned the Ph.D. in philosophy at the University of Massachusetts. He is professor of philosophy at
Calvin College, and he is author of The Philosophy of Science (published by IVP in the Contours of Christian Philosophy
series) and several other books. Much of Ratzsch's work over the last seventeen years at Calvin College has sought
to relate science and religion (and more recently creation and evolution) in a way that is philosophically informed,
scientifically defensible and theologically meaningful. Although Ratzsch is optimistic that design theory can avoid
past mistakes in the creation-evolution controversy, he stresses that fundamental clarifying work remains to be
done in this area.
Summary
Creation versus evolution. The debate is growing louder and hotter--whether in lecture halls or in between the
pages of bestselling books. But neither side seems to be winning. Why?
In The Battle of Beginnings Del Ratzsch examines the history of the debate and critiques the entrenched
positions that he argues merely impede progress toward the truth. Dissatisfied with both creationist fallacies
and materialist misconstruals, he seeks to lay the groundwork for more fruitful dialogue.
In considerable detail Ratzsch looks at the history and development of Darwin's theory and common creationist misunderstandings
of evolution. He then moves on to examine the history and development of creationist theory and pervasive evolutionist
misunderstandings of it. He also discusses the nature of science and common creationist and evolutionist abuses
as a prelude to showing why both sides have remained critical of theistic evolution.
Above all, Ratzsch argues that until philosophical confusion, logical missteps and various other snarls have been
untangled, little real progress can be made in sorting out competing theories of life and its origin. With this
book he challenges and equips all of us to think more clearly.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
1997 Christianity Today Book Award Winner!
argues that both sides of the creation-evolution debate have become entrenched
examines the history of the debate
describes the theory of evolution and common misunderstandings of it
describes the creationist position and common misunderstandings of it
discusses the nature of science, its limitations and the abuses it has suffered from both sides of the debate
shows why both evolutionists and creationists are skeptical of theistic evolution, which attempts to bridge
the differences between the two sides
helps readers think more clearly about the issues at the heart of the creation-evolution controversy
Table of Contents
Preface
1. Introduction
2. Darwin: The Historical Context
3. Darwin's Theory: A Brief Introduction
4. Darwin's Theory: Popular Creationist Misunderstandings
5. Twentieth-Century Creationism: The Historical Context
6. Creationist Theory: A Brief Introduction
7. Creationist Theory: Popular Evolutionist Misunderstandings
8. Philosophy of Science: Twentieth-Century Background
9. The Nature of Science: A Contemporary Perspective
10. The Nature of Science: Popular Creationist Mistakes
11. The Nature of Science: Popular Anticreationist Mistakes
12. Theistic Evolution: Catching It from Both Sides
13. Conclusion
