Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 The Modern Creation Story Chapter 3 The Triumph of Evolution? Chapter 4 Scientific Creationism: The Biblical Dimension Chapter 5 Scientific Creationism: The Scientific Dimension Chapter 6 Scientific Creationism: The Social Dimension Chapter 7 The Council of Despair: Popular Science versus Traditional Religion Chapter 8 Via Media Stances and the Complexity Paradigm: Historical Considerations Chapter 9 The Muddle in the Middle: Via Media Positions on Origins Chapter 10 Intelligent Design: A New Approach to the Origins Debate? Chapter 11 The Reception of Intelligent Design Chapter 12 Conclusion: The High Cost of Clarity Chapter 13 A Concluding Unscientific Postscript Chapter 14 Appendix: A Brief History of Design Arguments

About the Author

Karl W. Giberson is professor of physics at Eastern Nazarene College. Donald A. Yerxa is professor of history at Eastern Nazarene College.

Reviews

The single most comprehensive examination of the contemporary debate between religion and science about the origins of life and of the universe. Highly recommended.
*CHOICE*

All too often, writings on creation and evolution have been marred by special pleading, ignorance, or a lack of civility. Giberson (a scientist) and Yerxa (a historian) have collaborated to produce the most accessible, accurate, and even-handed introduction to the subject that I have read in a long time.
*Ronald L. Numbers, author of The Creationists and Darwinism Comes to America*

This book is the most comprehensive analytical survey of the various positions with respect to the evolution-creation issue known to me. It is lucidly written, well balanced, sociologically informed, and humanely aimed at promoting empathetic understanding of the clashing world views of a deeply divided American public.
*John C. Greene, professor of English, University of Louisiana, Lafayette*

An excellent survey of modern religious and anti-religious debates on the origins of the universe. It can be highly commended as providing a balanced, readable and comprehensive account of the debate and its leading proponents.
*Keith Ward*

Giberson and Yerxa do an excellent job of reporting on the ongoing debate, and they are admirably fair to all parties. The conversation (or the shouting match) is over origins is not likely to disappear in the near future, and anyone interested in the relation between science and society cannot afford to miss this book. It is not only the best-written and most perceptive of the current accounts available, it would also make an ideal textbook for a course on science and religion or a course in intellectual history.
*Archives Internationales D'histoire Des Sciences*

Yerxa and Giberson are to be commended on their superb and highly readable accounts of modern American debates over creation. An essential resource for anyone wanting to understand what is at stake, and how the various options shape up.
*Alister McGrath, professor of Historical Theology, Oxford University*

A refreshing book that transcends the stereotypes and caricatures so common to the controversy over biological origins. If you really want to understand America's search for a creation story, read Giberson and Yerxa.
*William A. Dembski, author of No Free Lunch: Why Specified Complexity Cannot Be Purchased without Intelligence*

A simply invaluable primer on the subject that should be made compulsory reading for all who have ever taught on science and religion. I can think of no better place to start into the debate about origins—creationism or evolution—than with this book.
*Research News*

Careful and balanced discussion of the various modes of thought concerning creation.
*Reports Of The National Center For Science Education*

Species of Origins provides Christian students with a portal into the origins debate that swirls about them in college and church discussion groups. Issues are presented from a perspective that evangelical Protestants can appreciate. By not taking a stand in the end, the book leaves students free to adopt their own reconciliation of science with religion in the light of greater understanding of the alternatives.
*Books and Culture*

Karl Giberson and Donald Yerxa provide a thorough and balanced history of creation/evolution debate in America. Anyone interested in understanding the history and current status of the creation/evolution debate in America will find Species of Origins an invaluable addition to their library.
*Singing News*

Provides a sensible overview of the debate.
*WORLD*

In an engaging and accessible manner Giberson and Yerxa illuminate the standard positions and prominent figures in the debates surrounding evolution and creationism….Though the path forward may be muddied, understanding how we got to this position is invaluable and this book is an asset to this endeavor.
*History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences*