Janet Kellogg Ray Knihy

A scientific look at creationism from a former creationist   A significant number of Americans, especially evangelical Christians, believe Earth and humankind were created in their present form sometime in the last 10,000 years or so—the rationale being that this is (presumably) the story told in the book of Genesis. Within that group, any threatening scientific evidence that suggests otherwise is rejected or, when possible, retrofitted into a creationist worldview.  But can this uncomfortable blend of biblical literalism and pseudoscience hold up under scrutiny? Is it tenable to believe that the Grand Canyon was formed not millions of years ago by gradual erosion but merely  thousands  of years ago by the Great Flood? Were there really baby dinosaurs with Noah on his ark?  Janet Kellogg Ray, a science educator who grew up a creationist, doesn’t want other Christians to have to do the exhausting mental gymnastics she did earlier in her life. Working through the findings of a range of fields including geology, paleontology, and biology, she shows how a literal interpretation of the book of Genesis simply doesn’t mesh with what we know to be reality. But as someone who remains a committed Christian, Ray also shows how an acceptance of the theory of evolution is not necessarily an acceptance of atheism, and how God can still be responsible for having created the world, even if it wasn’t in a single, momentary, miraculous event.

The book delves into the complexities of the relationship between evangelical Christianity and science, highlighting the conflicts that arise and offering insights on how to harmonize these seemingly opposing viewpoints. Through thoughtful analysis, the author aims to bridge the gap between faith and scientific understanding, providing a framework for readers to navigate these discussions with clarity and openness.

It's time to address the elephant in the ark. In Baby Dinosaurs on the Ark? The Bible and Modern Science and the Trouble of Making It All Fit, Janet Kellogg Ray reached out to Christians who experience cognitive dissonance between their creationist commitments and modern science. With this new study guide, she returns to her argument with fresh perspective and an eye toward practical instruction. Ray approaches her topic with empathy for her readers while maintaining scientific rigor. This discussion guide is the perfect companion for students and nonexpert readers of her book, as it includes notes, discussion questions, and lists of external resources to supplement the original. Expanded treatments of each chapter's topics encourage thinking with and beyond the concepts introduced in the main text.