BRIEF ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY PERTAINING TO RELIGION AND SCIENCE AS IT RELATES TO DEBATES ABOUT INTELLIGENT DESIGN AND EVOLUTION

By Warren M. Eshbach

The following is a basic bibliography with brief annotations regarding sources and resources for those engaged in the issue of Intelligent Design. Intelligent Design is an argument, some would say a new version of the creationism debate, about the origins of creation that opposes evolutionary theory taught in biology curricula. Intelligent Design is based on assumptions that there are elements of the creation that are too complex to explain through the conventional theory of evolution.  Dr. Eshbach became involved in the debates in the Dover Township School District controversy in York County, Pennsylvania, providing theological insight in a variety of media.  

Barbour, Ian G.  When Science Meets Religion.  New York, NY: Harper/Collins, 2000.  ISBN 0-06-060381-X.
     This is an excellent primer on the relationship of science and religion for our day.  It has scientific and
     theological integrity, and is a good resource for understanding some of the current dialogue and
     controversy surrounding evolution and intelligent design.

Behe, Michael J.  Darwin’s Black Box.  New York, NY:  Simon and Schuster, 1996. ISBN 0-684-83493-6.
     This is the signature book regarding “intelligent design.”  Behe argues that the “irreducible
     complexity” of biochemical systems shows that they cannot be the product of gradual evolution.

Ferngren, Gary B.  Science and Religion.  Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins, 2002.  ISBN 0-8018-7038-0.       Noted historians of science and religion trace the relationship between these two disciplines in Western thought. The book deals with contemporary issues of science such as environmentalism, gender studies and postmodernism which enter into the current debate between religion and science.

Forrest, Barbara and Gross, Paul R.  Creationism’s Trojan Horse:  The Wedge  of Intelligent Design.  New
     York, NY :  Oxford University Press, 2004.  ISBN 0-19-515742-7.  This book presents the agenda of
     “Intelligent Design” as seen through the eyes of a professor of philosophy (Forrest) and a general
     physiologist (Gross).  If you want to know where the ID theory began and its proponents design for  
     this country and western thought, read this!  You will not be the same when finished!

Gilkey, Langdon.  Creationism on Trial.  Minneapolis, MN:  Winston Press, 1985.  ISBN 0-86683-780-9. 
      An exciting account of University of Chicago theologian, Langdon Gilkey, and his role in the 1987
      Creationism trial at Little Rock, Arkansas. 

Peters, Ted and Hewlett, Martinez. Evolution from Creation to New Creation. Nashville, TN:  Abingdon
     Press, 2003.  ISBN 0-687-02374-2.  A theologically and scientifically adept book that explains many
     scientific theories and develops a perspective on revelation and the role of evolution from Creation to
     New Creation. 

Ruse, Michael.  Can a Darwinian Be A Christian?  New York, NY:  Cambridge University Press, 2001.  ISBN
     0-521-63716-3.  A serious examination of Darwinism and Christianity, this book offers some fresh
     approaches on the subject that offers a balanced, win-win solution.  A most helpful book. 

Shanks, Niall.  God, the Devil, and Darwin.  New York, NY:  Oxford University Press, 2004.  ISBN 0-19-
     516199-8.  Provides a critique of the “intelligent design” (ID) theory and concludes that ID is
     creationism in new clothing.  The author shows how ID arguments lack cohesion and do not match
     evolutionary explanations.

Towne, Margaret Gray. Honest to Genesis.  Baltimore, MD:  Publish America, 2003.  ISBN 1-59286-497-X.
     Gives a biblical and scientific rebuttal to creationism.  The author is both a theologian and biologist
     which gives her credibility in the current debate.