Book Giveaway - Creator and Creation

Creator and Creation, 2nd edition by Mary Daly
2005, Ye Hedge School, 117 pages, softcover, Catholic

We have two copies of this book to give away today!

This readable volume is a great resource on issues of creation and evolution in light of Church teaching. It is significantly expanded from the first edition, with nearly 50% more pages, some of which are devoted to a possible historical candidate for the flood of Noah. I really appreciated the depth that Mrs. Daly brings to this topic in viewing it from many angles, all the while using our God-given reason in the light of His revealed Truth as evidenced in scripture, the Catechism, and other Church documents. She manages to avoid both of the usual extremes of biblical literalism and scientific absolutism (evolutionism).

This quote from the book explains its value very well:

Far too many discussions of creationism are scientifically too naive to help our children coordinate their education in the Faith with their education in other feidls which also approach truth, and if our children are confused about the relationship between science and faith, they may lose their faith just because they become convinced that the planets or the stars are old. This is such a simple matter; it should not be an issue that threatens faith.

The four classes of issues the book addresses are: doctrinal (Church teaching), scriptural, scientific, and philosophical. The section on doctrinal issues covers what the Church has officially taught on this subject, revelation, and the unity of Truth. Scriptural issues include the meaning of the first Genesis creation account and the story of Noah. The portion on scientific issues provides the evidence for an old universe and an old earth, as well as two sections I found especially informative: "Famous Battles: Christianity wins," and "Replies to Creationists." Philosophical issues addressed include epistemology, the nature of physical science, evolution-ism, and the question of authority in the church. Finally, the book includes an annotated bibliography and the text of Pope John Paul II's message on evolution to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

Mrs. Daly addresses her subject with wit and humor, lightening and enlivening a topic which sometimes threatens to turn heavy and dull. Even more, she invites the reader to apply reason rather than emotion to the subject. While I don't agree with everything she says, I think this is an excellent resource; highly recommended.

Donated by Ye Hedge School

Reviewed by Suchi Myjak

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