2009 is the bicentenary of Charles Darwin's birth, and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his epoch-making Origin of Species. Christians (particularly evangelicals) have debated the extent and mechanisms of evolution - and some have rejected neo-Darwinism entirely. The relationship between the scientific understanding of human origins and the biblical story of human origins and the Fall raises numerous questions. How does the Christian doctrine of humanity relate to the biologist's account of human evolution? If we accept the Darwinian picture, how do we understand the Fall and sin, 'good' and 'evil'? What about the problem of evil and suffering? David Wilkinson begins this stimulating volume by setting the doctrine of creation in the context of worship of the Creator. R. J. Berry gives a historical survey, from Darwin's own struggle to relate his science to his faith up to the continuing attempt in the present day to wrestle with the theological implications of evolution. Darrel Falk examines the theological challenges that arose for Darwin himself. Richard Hess carefully examines the early chapters of Genesis. T. A. Noble clarifies the doctrine of original sin and offers some fresh thinking on the doctrine of the Fall. A. N. S. Lane takes a close look at Irenaeus's view of the Fall and original sin. Henri Blocher responds to attempts at theodicy which rationalize evil by denying the reality of the fall. Richard Mortimer engages constructively with Blocher's previous writings. In their concluding summary, the editors affirm that there is no conflict between Holy Scripture and modern science, and acknowledge that our quest for deeper understanding is ongoing.

This is a book by people who have had to make decisions which affect the environment in which we all live, decisions which sometimes affect the quality of life of millions. It is not an academic disquisition on how to approach decision-making. Most of the chapters are written by scientists who have had to take action or make recommendations on environmental matters in situations where the data are incomplete or choices hedged by factors beyond scientific resolution; the result is that they have had to resolve dilemmas about the proper way forward in the matter. My brief to the authors was to describe issues with which they had been personally concerned, rather than simply select from the vast range of envir- mental problems 'out there'. The only exception to this was Andrew Brennan (Chapter 1), who is a professional philosopher; I asked him to say something about the processes and errors indulged by environmental decision-makers. There is some overlap between chapters, but this is not extensive. I have made no attempt to eliminate it, because the aim has been to present personal points of view, not a systematic account of environmental problems. Similarly, there are important topics which are not covered. Indeed, a critic would complain that a book on environmental dilemmas which does not deal directly with the crucial divide between development and conservation is almost wholly irrelevant; from one point of view, it could be condemned as fiddling while Rome burns.

The debate surrounding creation and evolution divides Christians, particularly evangelicals. It has been a stumbling block for young Christians and a point of contention for the new Atheists. Professor R. J. Berry assembles a wide range of distinguished contributors, all convinced, committed and orthodox Christian believers, each of whom has undertaken a conceptual journey, based on sound science and careful theology, from a creationist position to one in which God's creation and the processes of evolution are properly and credibly integrated. Christians and Evolution is a luminous volume that offers a pathway for doubters, sceptics and conservative Christians to embrace the overall scientific consensus of the evolutionary approach, while holding solidly and without reservation to the doctrines of God's creation and God's omnipotence. This text is a must-read for anyone interested in the creation v evolution debate.

This is a book by people who have had to make decisions which affect the environment in which we all live, decisions which sometimes affect the quality of life of millions. It is not an academic disquisition on how to approach decision-making. Most of the chapters are written by scientists who have had to take action or make recommendations on environmental matters in situations where the data are incomplete or choices hedged by factors beyond scientific resolution; the result is that they have had to resolve dilemmas about the proper way forward in the matter. My brief to the authors was to describe issues with which they had been personally concerned, rather than simply select from the vast range of envir- mental problems 'out there'. The only exception to this was Andrew Brennan (Chapter 1), who is a professional philosopher; I asked him to say something about the processes and errors indulged by environmental decision-makers. There is some overlap between chapters, but this is not extensive. I have made no attempt to eliminate it, because the aim has been to present personal points of view, not a systematic account of environmental problems. Similarly, there are important topics which are not covered. Indeed, a critic would complain that a book on environmental dilemmas which does not deal directly with the crucial divide between development and conservation is almost wholly irrelevant; from one point of view, it could be condemned as fiddling while Rome burns.

Twenty of the world's leading scientists explain how their science enhances their faith and their faith undergirds their science. Atheistic campaigners continue to claim that science and faith are incompatible. The contributors to this book show the utter falseness of this claim. They come from a range of Christian backgrounds and all are orthodox believers, but significantly, they are all also distinguished scientists, from a variety of disciplines. Each of them gives their own account of how their science and faith intersect and interact in their personal life and thought. The contributors include: - Francis Collins, Human Genome Scientist - R.S (Bob) White, Professor of Geophysics, University of Cambridge - Alister McGrath, Professor of Science and Religion, Oxford True Scientists, True Faith combines selected essays from two preceding volumes, Real Science, Real Faith and Real Scientists, Real Faith, with new contributions from another five eminent scientists.

Our attitudes to our environment are widely and often acrimoniously discussed, commonly misunderstood, and will shape our future. We cannot assume that we behave as newly minted beings in a pristine garden nor as pre-programmed automata incapable of rational responsibility. Professor Berry has studied nature-nurture interactions for many years, and also been involved with many national and international decision making bodies which have influenced our environmental attitudes. He is therefore well-placed to describe what has moulded our present attitudes towards the environment. This book presents data and concepts from a range of disciplines - genetic, anthropological, social, historical and theological - to help us understand how we have responded in the past and how this influences our future. Beginning with a historical review and moving forwards to current conditions, readers will reach the end of this volume more capable and better prepared to make decisions which affect our communities and posterity.

Our attitudes to our environment are widely and often acrimoniously discussed, commonly misunderstood, and will shape our future. We cannot assume that we behave as newly minted beings in a pristine garden nor as pre-programmed automata incapable of rational responsibility. Professor Berry has studied nature-nurture interactions for many years, and also been involved with many national and international decision making bodies which have influenced our environmental attitudes. He is therefore well-placed to describe what has moulded our present attitudes towards the environment. This book presents data and concepts from a range of disciplines - genetic, anthropological, social, historical and theological - to help us understand how we have responded in the past and how this influences our future. Beginning with a historical review and moving forwards to current conditions, readers will reach the end of this volume more capable and better prepared to make decisions which affect our communities and posterity.

Genetics and ecology ought to be complementary disciplines at the population level. This conviction underpins this integrative volume, which brings together geneticists and ecologists to confront the implications of the others' discipline for their own work. The book is divided into three sections: first 'Genes in Ecology', the influence of population genetics on our view of ecology; then 'Modules in Ecology', the use of molecular methods to investigate adaptive and ecological processes; finally 'Ecology in Genetics', the integration of ecological principles into genetics. Most chapters have two authors; a geneticist and an ecologist each bringing their own insights to the topics considered, and illustrating the importance of one discipline for the other. The book also includes protocols for relevant molecular and genetic techniques, including DNA purification, polymerase chain reaction, DNA fingerprinting, sequencing and restriction fragment length polymorphism investigation.

Berry describes why so many Christians have difficulty believing in the theory of evolution. (Christian Living)

A 2003 Templeton Foundation Book of Distinction "God intends . . . our care of the creation to reflect our love for the Creator," writes John Stott in the foreword to this book. For the theologians and scientists who have contributed to this book, the care of creation is both crucial to human survival and a supreme test of the reality of Christian faith. Their concern reflects not just the selfish interest of the developed North. Nor is it merely a minority enthusiasm, peculiar to bird-watchers and tree-huggers. Rather, it stems from God's creation commands, from Christ's reconciling work, and from what should be a communion of worship between the human and natural worlds. There is now a belated and increasingly evident humility abroad, which recognizes that scientific and political solutions alone are inadequate. The Care of Creation starts from the Evangelical Declaration on the Care of Creation of 1994, which has been endorsed by several hundred church leaders throughout the world. This book is a stimulating and provocative international commentary by leading theologians and environmental practitioners. Contributors include: Richard Bauckham, R. J. Berry, Calvin B. DeWitt, Susan Drake, Timothy Dudley-Smith, Ron Elsdon, John Guillebaud, Peter Harris, John T. Houghton, Alister E. McGrath, I. Howard Marshall, Jurgen Moltmann, Michael S. Northcott, Oliver M. T. O'Donovan, Ghillean T. Prance, Stephen Rand, Ronald J. Sider, Howard J. Van Till, Lynn White, Loren Wilkinson and Richard T. Wright.

R. J. Berry writes as a professional biologist and as a Christian believer. He contends that the interplay of science and faith requires continual reexamination in the light of scientific developments, with the consequent need to review religious assumptions. To quote from his Preface: "Where science and faith meet, they must be congruent; if they are not, both the science and the religion ought to be examined. Religion cannot drive the content of science, nor can science properly determine the nature of religion." R. J. Berry's treatment differs from traditional work in science and religion in that he intentionally and explicitly extends his exploration of the implications of religious faith for contemporary science to environmental conservation, or 'Creation care'. Professor Berry's expertise in this area is considerable - as an ecologist who has long been involved in developing environmental ethics both locally and internationally. He argues that the contribution of religious belief to environmental science is highly important, not only in theoretical terms but also in practice. This book does not assume extensive, specialised background knowledge. It will be of immense interest to anyone concerned with environmental problems, scientists and religious believers exploring contemporary applications of religious faith