THE PRISM AND THE RAINBOW

THE PRISM AND THE RAINBOW
A Christian Explains Why Evolution Is Not a Threat
By Joel W. Martin
Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2010
ISBN 13: 978-0-8018-9478-7

Here’s a great little book, helpful, that is easy to read. I read it in 2 hours.

The bulk of Martin’s arguments are against creationism and intelligent design as valid hypothesis deserving of being taught in school. While the author made every attempt to be gracious and to qualify his arguments, out of necessity he did sometimes paint with a rather broad brush. However, Martin is also sharply critical of many noted scientists who have insisted there is no God. Some may even perceive that he is harsher on them than he is on creationists.

Martin outlines exactly what science is, with definitions for Fact, Hypothesis, Law, Rule, & Theory. In particular, Martin (who is both a Presbyterian Elder and Biologist) explores the meaning of both fact and theory: A fact is an object or event ‘”having real, demonstrable existence” while theory is “the entire body of inter-locking and well-supported explanatory statements about a given subject.” By these explanations, Martin explains, an apple that falls from a tree is a fact, while gravity itself is a theory.

Hypothesis, “a suggested explanation for something” with the further restriction that it must be testable, is differentiated form theory, which is the body of knowledge about a subject and “does not imply doubt,” as commonly supposed.

Martin admits that ambiguity that is attached to many of these terms- for instance, the word theory is applied to many underlying mechanisms that are still under study.

Therefore Martin argues that evolution is not just another theory, and that creationism and intelligent design lack sufficient supporting evidence to be theories, nor do they qualify as hypothesis because they are not testable.

Yet Martin is a man of faith. Martin argues that science is meant to answer questions that begin with how, when, where and what but cannot answer questions that begin with why. Other authors- notably Karen Armstrong- have made the same argument, but Martin’s wording is easier to grasp AND more believable, because he shares his faith when doing so: “The light of science and the light of faith are meant to be illuminating, not blinding. And like other sources of light, the two will compliment, and not negate, one another. No finding of science will ever lessen your capacity or your need for worship.” (p. 100)

The book includes a fine appendix, many chapter notes, a good glossary and a fine list for further reading. It is a great introduction to the subject.

George R. Pasley
November 11, 2010
Ketchikan, AK