Evolution is one of those issues that once it’s brought up in a discussion whether online or offline one is bound to spend hours discussing and debating. While some believe that evolution is an indisputable fact many scientists are not only questioning its legitimacy but also whether evolution can even be supported. In his helpful new book Evolution Impossible 12 Reasons Why Evolution Cannot Explain the Origin of Life on Earth Dr. John F. Ashton explores how fossils are evidence of extinction, not evolution, why mutations never produce new genetic information, how geological data undermines secular timelines, and why living and new classes of organisms don’t form by chance. Taking the evidence refuting evolution to a new level by serious in depth examination, this book will help Christians to not only understand the issue but help them to develop a biblical worldview.
When I attended a community college in Seattle, Washington several of my teachers taught evolution as fact. Since I’m not really into science (never have been) I’ve always wondered if anyone holding to evolution has written a scientific paper explaining and defending the evidence for evolution. The author notes that while those holding to evolution claim it is a fact “’when we examine these statements about evolution more closely, we find that they are simply assertions made without citing proven evidence, or where evidence is cited it does not actually prove the claim. For example, it is asserted that life arose so many million years ago. But I have found no reputable scientific paper explaining a proven mechanism for how a living cell could arise from nonliving molecules—a process called abiogenesis” (21).
In our own day it seems fashionable to not only question the legitimacy of any belief, but then to reject a belief because it doesn’t align with what the person thinks about a given issue. Just yesterday I was having a conversation with someone and they told me, “You’re entitled to your belief, and so am I.” While it’s true that everyone is entitled to believe what they want; what this statement misses is the fact that what we believe has consequences. At the end of the day while we are all “entitled” to believe what we want, we will all still be held accountable for what we believe which means we are not absolutely free to believe however we wish.
I’ve never understood why those who believe in evolution seek to do damage to the Bible (by not taking what it says seriously), but then want to be taken seriously by Christians who believe in the truthfulness of Scripture. To me, people who come to the Bible to “prove” their position without submitting to the Word of God are foolish and dishonest, especially when most of the people who do this should know better since they are academics and know that serious academic research is about setting aside preconceptions in order to go where the evidence lies.
Evolution Impossible is an important book in the creation-evolution debate that I believe will help both sides to examine where the evidence lies. The determining factor in the origins discussion/debate will always be determined by whether one takes Genesis 1-11 literally or whether they explain it away as myth. When one considers Genesis 1-11 for what it says it becomes readily apparent that God created, sustains, and upholds the universe by the Word of His power. I recommend this challenging, accessible and well-written book because it is one I believe will educate both sides on the real issues at stake in this debate.
Title: Evolution Impossible
Author: Dr. John F. Ashton
Publisher: Master Books (2012)
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Master Books book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
