Book Review: Darwin On Trial

Darwin On Trial was written by Phillip E. Johnson in 1993. From what I can gather, this is the book that started a phenomenon. Within the pages of Darwin On Trail, we find the genesis of the modern Intelligent Design movement. This is a book written by a Christian, but with very little to say about Christianity and a great deal to say about science and evolution. Johnson does not pretend to be a scientist. He is lawyer that specializes in the nature and structure of arguments, and this is the field in which he attempts to remain throughout the book, dissecting the arguments and logic of biologists and paleontologists.

I think that Johnson does make some good points throughout the whole of the book, though past the midpoint the focus shifts from scientific theories towards legal matters and education systems. This book is at its best when confronting traditional evolutionary theory with challenging questions about the fossil record and assumptions made concerning classification and evolution. This book is at its worst when Johnson portrays the scientific community in a negative manner and links scientific theory with philosophical speculation.

Whenever the matter of common ancestry comes to the front, Johnson sounds like a broken record, his common response being that relationship between organisms does not imply common ancestry, and that evolutionists are biased in their interpretation of the data because they assume from the beginning that evolution is a valid theory. Johnson uses this line of reasoning to address everything from lack of transitional forms in the fossil record to the development of theories such as punctuated equilibrium and neutral theory. On one hand Johnson makes some good points. If our observations do not confirm our hypothesis, then should we not begin to question the validity of the theory which our hypothesis is based upon? Johnson says that instead biologists and paleontologists simply modify the theory of evolution to account for their observations, and therefore the theory can never be falsified, as it has the potential to always explain every observation.

However, I think that Johnson is neglecting the vast amount of evidence that we do have in support of evolution when he follows this line of argument. If every observation we made required a modification of the theory of natural selection, then there would be a problem. But this is not the case, and evolution has a great deal of predictive power as a scientific theory. Therefore, biologists and paleontologist can assume the validity of natural selection and evolution when they interpret their observations.

I have no doubt that Johnson is an excellent lawyer. Like a good prosecuting attorney, Johnson presents the reader with a collection of evidence and demands the conviction of scientists and evolution. However, the courtroom is not the place for this discussion. Instead, scientific research should determine the validity of evolution. Johnson gathers together statements from various scientists, his witnesses, and various aspects of evolutionary theory, his exhibits, and asks that the reader, his jury, reach a guilty verdict. But scientific research is carried out in a manner completely unlike the courtroom setting: instead of witnesses there are theories, instead of exhibits there are experiments. Hypotheses, experiments, observations and conclusions are formed, carried out, and evaluated in the context of the greater body of scientific literature, which is comprised of thousands of scientific papers and various books written by thousands of scientists over the last couple centuries. The validity of a theory is not determined by the conclusion of a few individuals, but the consensus of the entire community. It is in this rigorous, academic environment that evolution must make its defense.

Book Review: The Language of God

In his book “The Language Of God,” Francis Collins addresses the question: “In this modern era... is there still the possibility of a richly satisfying harmony between the scientific and spiritual worldviews?” If you are unfamiliar with Francis Collins, then allow me to enlighten you. Francis Collins was the director of the Human Genome Project, a thirteen year long project that involved thousands of scientists and lab technicians. This great endeavor culminated in the mapping of the entire genetic sequence of humans. Francis Collins mentions his involvement with the Human Genome Project throughout the book, but the project is not the focus of his writing. Instead, Collins hopes to enlighten his readers about the theory of evolution, its place in our understanding of life, and how it relates to our faith in God.

“The Language Of God” is divided into three main sections. The first section takes on an autobiographical feel as Collins describes his upbringing and early perspectives on religion. The second section focuses on the origins of the universe and life. Also included is a scientific explanation about DNA and genetics that is very accessible to the general reader. In the third section, Collins proceeds to outline the different perspectives about evolution and creation. The book ends with encouragements for Christians and atheists to recognize both the capabilities and limitations of science, as well as the place of faith in our lives.

I picked up this book expecting a detailed explanation of how genetic evidence indicates that the theory of evolution is a valid explanation of the diversity of life that exists today. Collins certainly delivers in that respect, and in ways that are very accessible to someone without a doctorate in genetics. However, there is more than scientific jargon bound between these pages. Reflections on his own faith journey are a valuable insight into how the reader can begin to incorporate these concepts about genetics, evolution, and the origins of the universe into his own understanding of scientific theory and spiritual belief. Collins reveals the shortcomings of both atheism and Intelligent Design and eloquently provides the reader with a third option that compromises neither the theory of evolution nor a belief in God.

I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the evolution/creation debate, regardless of your current position or religious attitude. Collins speaks to both the ardent atheist and the devout believer. There are words on these pages for both the mind and the heart, a pair too often in conflict, which Collins challenges the reader to reconcile in harmony.