Re: [asa] Re: [asa] Review of “Adam's Ancestors” by David Livingstone

I have the book and have read parts of it. It is very well done. It is not
a theological treatiese and doesn't offer a position on any of the issues it
raises. Rather, it's a historical study of how Christians at different
times have considered the question of "pre-Adamites." One surprising aspect
of this is that it is not a new issue -- there was some early wrestling with
the problem of people living in the "antipodes" (unexplored parts of the
world from the perspective of late Roman and medieval writers). Another
surprising aspect is how the notion of "pre-Adamites has often been used to
justify racism, slavery, etc. -- those not thought to have descended from
Adam were often thought to be sub-human.

On John Walley's point -- Steve Martin mentioned this, but CT and in
particular its daughter publication Books & Culture have indeed been very
progressive here. Check out the endorsements on Daniel Harrell's new book
"Nature's Witness" and you'll notice one from Andy Crouch; read Andy
Crouch's excellent new book "Culture Making" and in particular his short
excursus on the creation stories; and connect that to Crouch's role
as Executive Director of CT's "The Christian Vision Project" (
http://www.culture-making.com/about/andy_crouch). Also, check out the
endorsements on Denis Alexander's new book, "Creation or Evolution: Do We
Have to Choose" -- including J.I. Packer and Wheaton professor Dean Arnold.
Among the intelligentisia, this issue has already turned, I think.

BTW, I heartily recommend Denis Alexander's book. He deals with the thorny
theological questions many of us worry about in I think a straightforward
and healthy way.

David W. Opderbeck
Associate Professor of Law
Seton Hall University Law School
Gibbons Institute of Law, Science & Technology

On Sun, Nov 9, 2008 at 7:55 PM, John Walley <john_walley@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Steve,
>
> Thanks for mentioning this. That link didn't work for me but I did find it
> at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/bc/2008/006/4.39.html .
>
> I agree that is surprisingly progressive for CT and something the church
> needs to start grappling with. I fear it will split the church though
> instead. It is a theological bridge too far.
>
> Thanks
>
> John
>
>
> --- On Sun, 11/9/08, Steve Martin <steven.dale.martin@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > From: Steve Martin <steven.dale.martin@gmail.com>
> > Subject: [asa] Review of "Adam's Ancestors" by David Livingstone
> > To: "AmericanScientificAffiliation" <asa@calvin.edu>
> > Date: Sunday, November 9, 2008, 5:32 PM
> > Personally, I find the historical development of science /
> > philosophy of
> > science / interaction of theology and science as
> > interesting (or maybe even
> > more interesting) than the topics themselves. David
> > Livingstone's
> > "Darwin's Forgotten Defenders" has been
> > mentioned at various times on this
> > list & IMHO it should be required reading for anyone
> > studying the
> > interaction of Darwin's theory and orthodox Christian
> > Faith. So, I'm really
> > looking forward to his new book "Adam's
> > Ancestors". Has anyone here read
> > it yet? Any comments?
> >
> > Christianity Today has a review of the book here
> > <http://www.christianitytoday.com/bc/2008/006/4.39.html%20>(HT
> > Geoff Bagley
> > from the CIS list). Interestingly, it is reviewed by
> > Michael Ruse, a well
> > known atheist – but one who doesn't participate in
> > the aggressive rancor of
> > the New Atheists . Pretty progressive of CT I think.
> >
> > --
> > Steve Martin (CSCA)
>
>
>
>
>
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Received on Mon Nov 10 10:51:59 2008