Religion and science have long been seen as incompatible; it’s the view that Robert Asher grew up with during his deeply Presbyterian childhood in Western New York. But since then, through years of studying early mammals and exploring fossil records, he found that no other theory comes close to Darwin’s as an explanation for the world’s incredible biodiversity.
So how can he maintain his belief in God, when the ongoing culture wars between Darwinists and fundamentalists suggest that the two sides can never come together? In Evolution and Belief, Asher offers an up-to-date primer of the current state of evolutionary theory to demonstrate how the evidence in favor of Darwinian evolution is remarkably abundant. But in outlining the scope of Darwin’s idea, he shows how evolution concerns the cause of biodiversity, rather than the agency behind it.
In this month’s book club, journey through time in our slideshow of key moments in the fossil record, and watch videos of the evolution-belief debates online. You can also hear from Robert in an excerpt from the book.
Share your thoughts with other book club readers! Join the discussion on Facebook, or chime in on Twitter using the hashtag #cambridgeideas.
SPECIAL SALE! As a special offer for book club members, get 30% off this month's book pick by using the code FOSSILS. You'll also get the discount on several related titles below, for further reading.
Features book listing
There are 6 titles for this feature
Sort by:
These titles are sorted by Title (ascending)
Evolution
- Hardback (ISBN-13: 9780521874120)
- Publication date: June 2008
- Subject: Darwin
- In stock
- $32.00 (A)
Evolution and Belief
- Hardback (ISBN-13: 9780521193832)
- Publication date: March 2012
- Subject: Evolutionary biology
Asher draws on his experiences as a paleontologist and a religious believer, arguing that science does not contradict religious belief.
- In stock
- $24.99 (G)
Faith and Money
- Paperback (ISBN-13: 9780521721103)
- Publication date: September 2011
- Subject: Sociology: general interest
Wealth can have extraordinary advantages. High levels of wealth can enhance educational attainment, create occupational opportunities, and provide a buffer against financial emergencies. Although the benefits of wealth are significant, they are not enjoyed uniformly throughout the United States. In the United States, because religion is an important part of cultural orientation, religious beliefs should affect material well-being. This book explores the way religious orientations and beliefs affect Americans' incomes, savings, and net worth.
- In stock
- $27.99 (Z)
Food and Faith
- Paperback (ISBN-13: 9780521146241)
- Publication date: May 2011
- Subject: Theology
This book provides a comprehensive theological framework for assessing eating's significance, employing a Trinitarian theological lens to evaluate food production and consumption practices as they are being worked out in today's industrial food systems. Food and Faith demonstrates that eating is of profound economic, moral, and theological significance.
- In stock
- $24.99 (Z)
Science and Spirituality
- Hardback (ISBN-13: 9780521755948)
- Publication date: March 2010
- Subject: Philosophy of science
In Science and Spirituality: Making Room for Faith in the Age of Science, Michael Ruse offers a new analysis of the often troubled relationship between science and religion. Arguing against both extremes – in one corner, the New Atheists; in the other, the Creationists and their offspring the Intelligent Designers – he asserts that although science is the highest level of human inquiry, there is nevertheless room for religious faith. Scientists should be proud of their achievements but modest about their scope. Christians should be confident of their mission but respectful of the successes of science.
- In stock
- $33.00 (Z)
The Living Cosmos
- Paperback (ISBN-13: 9780521173841)
- Publication date: June 2011
- Subject: Extrasolar planets and astrobiology
A fascinating insight into our place in the Universe, ideal for anyone wanting to know more about astrobiology.
- In stock
- $24.99 (G)