Creation Rediscovered: Evolution & the Importance of the Origins Debate

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Summary: Is Evolution Compatible With Scripture?
Review: "Creation Rediscovered" is a most impressive, extensively-documented defense of young-Earth creationism, combined with a theological/philosophical analysis designed to demonstrate forcefully how evolution is inconsistent with authentic revelation and to point out the immensely negative effects of evolution upon society. I have great sympathy for what its author seeks to accomplish in terms of defending true religion and protecting society from the dangers of atheistic naturalism.

In 1989, I devoted a sabbatical leave from Niagara University to investigation of many of the philosophical issues arising from the interface of evolutionary theory and religious revelation, especially with respect to the historicity of Adam and Eve as depicted in Genesis. For more than ten years, I examined these questions while working on a manuscript dealing with such issues as the biological species concept vs. the natural philosophical species concept, the philosophical possibility of evolution, the impact of ape-language studies on human uniqueness, the question of extraterrestrial life, the relation of paleoanthropological finds to human origins as depicted in Genesis, and many other topics. During that time, I read an earlier edition of "Creation Rediscovered" and a number of other scientific creationist works. For some time I judged that young-Earth creationism was sound science and that evolution was completely untenable.

Still, the more I read the scientific literature, the more I began to see equally impressive counterpoints to creationist arguments. Moreover, I came to realize that some form of descent with modification was not necessarily opposed to sound Scriptural interpretation. God's existence can be metaphysically proven as can the existence of a spiritual human soul. Naturalistic evolutionary theory is untenable because God does exist and can act directly upon His creation as He wishes. But that need not mean that some form of evolutionary process is not employed by God in the creative process. My manuscript was finally published as "Origin of the Human Species" (Editions Rodopi: 2001) and again in a second edition (Sapientia Press: 2003). My book shows how evolutionary theory can be compatible with authentic reading of Genesis, including affirming the reality of Adam and Eve as our first parents. It was endorsed by the late highly respected Catholic theologian John A. Hardon, S.J., and adheres to the Scriptural judgments of the 1909 Catholic Biblical Commission, thereby showing its consistency with traditional Christian teachings about human origins.

"Creation Rediscovered" represents well the scientific creationist viewpoint, and I would urge that it be read widely. Still, my own research convinces me that the science beneath young-Earth creationism can be challenged forcefully by conventional science. Moreover, we need recall that science itself has definite epistemological limitations which render tenuous its most speculative conclusions. I do not wish to condemn Gerard Keane's findings, since I sympathize with his evident desire to defend traditional Christian teaching and ward off the evils that have befallen humanity in the guise of naturalistic evolutionary doctrines. Still, my own research convinces me that evolutionary theory - provided it is not in the form of atheistic naturalism - can be consistent with traditional beliefs about human origins, even down to the details of Adam and Eve as found in the Book of Genesis. Authentic revelation and traditional Christian philosophy have nothing to fear from sound science.

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Summary: Evolution: the greatest myth of our time
Review: Mr. Keane has explored numerous aspects of the Origins debate and has delved into some of the most important questions regarding the contoversey. While oriented toward Catholics and any other Christian believers in particular, this marvelous book is sound and pack-filled with captivating scientific evidence refuting the so-called theory of evolution while at the same time shedding light on scientific findings that give support for the Biblical account. Philoshopy and theoglogy are not discounted as invalid fields of knowledge; history and science show that materialism and naturalism are the belief systems that must be reconsidered. A fun and excellent read. A must read for any Catholic and a definite read for any true scientist who is not afraid of what nature may or may not tell him- it tells the truth; man may not.

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Summary: A reader searching for the right book!
Review: This book is an excellent book!! Gerard Keane covers every aspect and argument out there. He is very honest and I feel his book allows you the reader to make your own decisions about the Origins debate. It is a must read. I couldn't put it down. I can't say enough good things about it!