Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 2-054 (Book Review)

—————————————————————— THE ESSENCE OF DARWINISM by Kirstin Birkett (Matthias Media, 2001) ——————————————————————

reviewed by Rod Benson (originally for Mosaic Journal)

Like her earlier overviews of feminism, psychology and church history in Matthias Media’s Modern Beliefs Series, Kirstin Birkett’s latest offering, The Essence of Darwinism, warrants thoughtful reading.

Birkett first explores Darwinian evolutionary theory from Charles Darwin to the present day. Following this is a summary of debates among contemporary evolutionary biologists/theorists regarding the essence of evolution (especially Richard Dawkins, Niles Eldredge and Stephen Jay Gould).

Third is an illuminating contextual section on Darwinism and religion, focusing on Charles Darwin’s family heritage, his social and intellectual environment, and responses by church leaders to his writings. Birkett also examines the influence of Darwinism on twentieth century religion and especially Christian faith. This is an important section, describing the depth of hostility felt by major evolutionary theorists toward religion in general and Christianity in particular.

In part four, Birkett discusses issues of fact, values and human nature: “Are we truly people with ideas that matter and lives that mean something?” she asks. “Or are we just apes, with delusions of grandeur?”

An epilogue defends biblical literalism, although the author’s approach is more theologically sophisticated than that of groups like Answers in Genesis. As for the intriguing matter of Sydney Anglicans and theistic evolution, Birkett neither advocates nor rejects it as a sustainable option. Her position may be summed up in her words on page 139: “There is much that is persuasive about some aspects of evolutionary theory. But there is also much that is unconvincing and contradictory.”

The idea of evolution is arguably central to the modernist worldview that continues to permeate our lives. And for many evangelical Christians, evolution is an explosive issue. It generates battles in education; it ignites intellectual and spiritual pride; it divides congregations and threatens pastoral careers; it can become the litmus test for theological orthodoxy. Pastors and other church leaders do well to understand at least a little of its historic background and contemporary expressions.

This book by an Australian author provides a useful primer for the non-technical reader, and a welcome addition to the avalanche of non-Christian publications on this issue.

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