Persuaded by the Evidence: True Stories of Faith, Science, & the Power of a Creator
by Doug Sharp & Dr. Jerry Bergman,
Compilation Editors
(Master Books, 2008, 288 pages)
A theme throughout Scripture is that of an appeal to the mind (Romans 12:2), to reason together (Isaiah 1:18), to learn (Philippians 3:16), and to study (2 Timothy 2:15; Acts 17:11). Paul tells us that these things are written that "ye may know" (e.g., 2 Corinthians 2:4; see also 1 John 5:13).
In light of the secular worldview that pervades schools, society, and even many churches, it is refreshing to hear or read how creationists (both with and without advanced degrees) have come to the knowledge of the truth. They have done so through investigation, research, personal experiences, reading, and study of the physical and life sciences. There are but two ways to interpret the origins of the complexity we see around us--creation or evolution. Clearly, nature shouts "creation."
In Persuaded by the Evidence, Doug Sharp and Jerry Bergman have compiled an impressive collection of 38 testimonies by creationists from various fields of scientific endeavor. These personal experiences are as unique as those who tell their stories. For example, Sharp relates how the lack of success in "creating" life in the laboratory, plus the witness of a faithful friend, brought him to the Savior.
Some of the featured individuals came to Christ from a secular background, while others came from liberal churches that espoused theistic evolution. Others were raised in a Christian home but drifted into secular teaching, only to return to the Truth (John 14:6) through friends, family, and/or scientific investigation.
Notable entries are by such scientists as John Sanford, Andrew Snelling, Walt Brown, Richard Lumsden, A. E. Wilder-Smith, Gary Parker, Raymond Damadian, David DeWitt, and, of course, Henry Morris (the founder of the Institute for Creation Research).
Scott Hanson and Roger Sigler's testimonies struck a chord with me as they related various experiences that paralleled my own. The chapters by Jeffrey Stueber, Wayne Spencer, Jyoti Chakravartty, and Roger Sanders (who was influenced by Bill Jack, Gary Parker, and Ken Ham) are fascinating.
The last chapter is an absorbing, special biography of Mortimer Adler (1902-2001), longtime Chairman of the Board of Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. In 1987, Time magazine called this prolific writer the "last great Aristotelian."1
In the book of Acts (chapter 17), the Apostle Paul saw the secular worldview of Stoics, Epicureans, and atheists as a stumbling block to not only their knowledge of Christ, but of the very nature of God as the Creator of the heavens and the earth. He took them back to Genesis to show them who the Creator is and what He did for them on Calvary. In reading Persuaded by the Evidence, one can see the critical importance of the doctrine of creation, which provides not just the foundation for our understanding of the world around us, but also the very foundation of our faith.
References
- Bowen, E. The Last Great Aristotelian. Time, May 4, 1987.
* Mr. Sherwin is Senior Science Lecturer.
Cite this article: Sherwin, F. 2008. Book Review: Persuaded by the Evidence. Acts & Facts. 37 (9): 19.
