Cabal Theodore J - Controversy of the Ages: Why Christians Should Not Divide over the Age of the Earth

The time is long past when we have needed a very careful, thoroughly documented analysis and response to the claims of young earth creationists. But with this book, I am delighted to say that that time has come. Its same thoughtful handling of evolutionary creationism makes Controversy of the Ages a critical read for evangelicals wending their way through the confusion. I am very enthusiastic about the scholarship, careful treatment, and irenic tone of this book and highly recommend it.

J. P. MORELAND, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy,
Talbot School of Theology

In addition to a well-informed history of evangelical moves for relating Genesis to geology and then to Darwinism, the authors have given us much more. They have provided trenchant evaluation of the argumentative strategiestheological, scientific, and philosophical. They show that of the various groups known to us todaythe young earth creationists, the (non-Darwinian) old earth creationists, and the evolutionary creationistsnone can be exempted from critique, and none deserves the place of exclusive privilege. This book deserves a wide readership, for it is informative, fair, and incisive. I rejoice that God spared Dr. Cabal from a terminal cancer to help write this!

C. JOHN COLLINS, Professor of Old Testament,
Covenant Theological Seminary

When people ask for a good book to read about the age of the earth, I have a new favorite to recommend: Controversy of the Ages. With remarkable clarity, this book provides historical and theological context to the young-earth/old-earth controversy. But Cabal and Rasor move beyond mere description and prescribe the way to move forwardthe Galileo approach. This is an important book, and it needs to be read by pastors, college and seminary students, and all who care about science and faith issues.

KENNETH KEATHLEY, Senior Professor of Theology, Southeastern Baptist
Theological Seminary; coauthor of 40 Questions about Creation and Evolution

Controversy of the Ages is a welcomed addition to the issues swirling around the creation-evolution debate. The book is encyclopedic in scope, and the footnotes alone are a treasure trove of information. I appreciated the argument of the book; I appreciated even more the spirit of the book. I will be recommending this work for a long time.

DANIEL L. Akin, President, Professor of Preaching and Theology,
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

If I had the power to require every Christian parent, pastor, and professor to read two books on creation and evolutionideally alongside their mature children, parishioners, and studentsit would be 40 Questions about Creation and Evolution (by Kenneth Keathley and Mark Rooker) along with the book you are now holding in your hands, Controversy of the Ages. Neither book intends to answer all of the questions definitively, but together they are like maps for Christians in the complex and confusing intersection of the Bible and science. We cannot bury our head in the sand, or outsource study of these issues to others. Cabal and Rasor help us sort through the issues and the options, modeling for us how to use proportion and perspective in our rhetoric and strategies of disagreement within the body of Christ. We live in perplexing days, but clear and clarifying books like this are a tremendous gift to the church. If the arguments and tone of this book are taken to heart, we will all be sharper, wiser, and kinder. I pray it is widely read.

JUSTIN TAYLOR, author, managing editor of the ESV Study Bible,
blogger at The Gospel Coalition

Controversy of the Ages provides a concise and carefully researched history of the tensions between science and theology through the years. While offering a helpful overview of matters related to Copernicus, Galileo, and Darwin, among others, the book focuses on questions related to the age of the earth. With an informed understanding of young earth and old earth theories, as well as BioLogos and Intelligent Design proposals, Cabal and Rasor provide insightful analysis of these various perspectives based on an unapologetic commitment to the truthfulness of Scripture. As indicated by the subtitle, pastors, church leaders, and students will find an exemplary model of how to evaluate differing approaches to this important subject, doing so with conviction, kindness, and conciliatory civility. It is a privilege to recommend this rewarding volume.

DAVID S. DOCKERY, President, Trinity International University

Cabal and Rasor have provided an extraordinarily lucid and winsome guide to traversing the creation vs. evolution, and old-earth vs. young earth debates of our day. The authors endeavor to be fair, honest, and forthright in their description of the various views, and they practice what they preach, that is, they present a charitable approach to assessing the issues and positions involved in the complex web of these current debates. Readers will find this book enlightening, engaging, and greatly informative. But even more importantly, they will see a model for dealing with controversial issues in a way that honors Christ, seeks to know and uphold the truth, and shows charity toward others with whom we might differ. Im deeply grateful for the wisdom this book puts forth and encourage all interested in these issues to consider carefully its weighty arguments and timely admonitions.

BRUCE A. WARE, T. Rupert and Lucille Coleman Professor of Christian
Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

At a time when Christianity is increasingly viewed with skepticism if not outright scorn, the people of God need to turn down the dial on needless intramural bickering. What I love about Controversy of the Ages is how Cabal and Rasor intelligently and winsomely put this thorny issue into historical perspective. Going back to the days of Copernicus, Galileo, and Darwin, the authors carefully explain how Christians with differing positions have wrestled with how to harmonize their understanding of what the Bible teaches with the discoveries of astronomers, geologists, and biologists (and vice versa). The Bibles inerrancy ought not to be confused with the fallibility of our interpretations. This extremely well-researched book is an excellent orientation to the topic for Christians of all ages, particularly pastors, theology students, and anyone who is interested in the physical sciences.

ALEX CHEDIAK, Professor of Physics and Engineering,
California Baptist University; author of Keep Your Faith

In some circles young earth creationism is identified as orthodoxy, as if such a perspective is the only way a faithful Christian could interpret the early chapters of Genesis. Cabal and Rasor demonstrate conclusively that such a position reflects the dogmatism of its proponents and faces many significant objections. Here is a fair-minded and wise reflection on the age of the earth. I think pastors, students, and laypersons will learn much from this wise, mature, and reasoned approach.

THOMAS R. SCHREINER, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of
New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Cabal and Rasor have thoughtfully and comprehensively outlined the complex history, theology, scientific foundations and philosophies surrounding the age of the earth controversy. While clearly stating their positions, they masterfully suggest a paradigm for a theological triage system that could encourage fellow Christians to discover the importance of unity rather than division. They humbly warn the reader not to miss the significance that old earth and young earth believers must be cautious of the encroaching beliefs of evolution in general and specifically theistic evolution throughout the culture as well as in the church. Whether you agree with their conclusions or not, everyone interested in this topic should appreciate the depth of their presentation and their attempts in calling for dialogue and for better understanding even in our differences.