Review by Choice Review
The second revised edition (1st ed., CH, Feb'07, 44-3251) of this masterful work by McCalla (Mount Saint Vincent Univ., Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada) further develops a historical account of debates between creationists and proponents of evolution. Central to the debates is the tension between modern science and religion, between objective history and history grounded in scripture. The central problem in recent attempts to accommodate scripture to modern science is how to interpret biblical texts rather than questions about evolutionary fact and theory. McCalla reveals the essential duplicity of scientific creationism and proponents of intelligent design in purporting to revise the very conception of historical and scientific inquiry to promote scriptural doctrine. Opponents of creationism see the Bible as portraying myths of origins rather than historical reality. McCalla argues his case forcefully, but the criticism is never strident in tone. He suggests that attempts to find a rational compromise between religious commitment to scriptural tradition and scientific views of nature fail to recognize the underlying threat of "reactionary biblicism" to the values of a liberal-democratic society. This fine work should interest anyone concerned with the historical and contemporary relations of science and religion. Includes a good index and wide-ranging bibliography. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through researchers/faculty; general readers. H. C. Byerly emeritus, University of Arizona
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
