Discovering God and His Creation: Evolution as Part of God's Plan

By Carl R. Turner M.D

Is there evidence for the existence of God? Is evolution true and if so, is evolution compatible with Christianity? These questions face not only students each year but also our modern society as a whole. The answers to these questions are important because they will determine our understanding of nature and our relationship with God.

Dr. Turner in his book, Discovering God and His Creation, focuses on these two questions. He tells of his lifelong journey in the worlds of faith, science and evolution and what he has discovered as he searched for answers. He outlines the overwhelming evidence for both the existence of God and evolution and explains how nature cannot be understood without evolution. He reveals that the solution to the faith and science dilemma lies in a deeper understanding of the Christian belief that God is a father.

Dr. Turner's journey began with the influence of a father and, after completion of graduate studies in evolutionary biology and medical school, ended with his realization that evolution is more compatible with Christianity than any other explanation for nature. The reasons behind Dr. Turner's conclusion are enlightening and will provide a long sought for answer to the standoff between faith and science.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Oct 13, 2008
• ISBN: 9780595611362

Carl R. Turner M.D

Dr. Turner has been a practicing pediatrician in a small town for over twenty-five years. He obtained a master's degree in biology with an emphasis in evolution before going to medical school. He and his wife Diane enjoy church work, outdoor nature study and visiting their three children and their spouses and their six grandchildren.

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Copyright © 2008 by Carl R Turner, M.D.

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The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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ISBN: 978-0-595-49522-1 (pbk)

ISBN: 978-0-595-61136-2 (ebk)

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1   A Father’s Lesson

2   Freshman Biology

3   God, Nature, and Paradigms

4   The Existence of God

5   The Nature of Nature

6   Evolution Misconceptions

7   God the Father

8   God and Chance

9   Miracles

10 Evolution and the Catholic Church

11 The God of Creation

Notes

To Mom and Dad, and to Diane, my

wife and lifelong companion

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK all my many teachers in science and medicine and all those whose example and teachings helped me in my spiritual journey. I would also like to thank my good friend Dr. Don Killebrew for his interest and helpful discussions throughout all these years. Most of all, I would like to thank my wife, Diane, for her love and support as we travel our journeys together.

INTRODUCTION

THE TELLING OF A JOURNEY, like a story or parable, often helps illuminate and clarify the issues in our lives. This is in part my journey, but it is also the journey of modern man as he questions the existence of God and the nature of nature. It is a journey that explores the relationship between the different views of nature and the images of God that are the results of these views. Each year, as students enter college, they face questions concerning belief in God, the truth of evolution, the role of chance in creation, and the existence of miracles in a scientific age. Those who seek answers to these questions embark on a journey of their own into the worlds of faith and science.

My journey, without me realizing it, began in childhood as my father taught me about his world. In college, I became convinced that the natural world was understandable and logical. However, my college experience led me away from my childhood faith into the world of science and atheism. While the world of science was green and fertile, the world of atheism was barren and dry, forcing me to look again at the evidence for the existence of God. To my surprise, there was evidence for God, and this set me on a journey in search of the god of the creation I had discovered.

This book is a summary of that journey and what I discovered. It is a journey that I hope may be of some help to you as you undertake your own journey.

1

A FATHER’S LESSON

THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSONS OUR fathers teach us often come to us in subtle ways and remain unrecognized and unappreciated for many years. This was how it was with my father. I remember when he bought me my first car. It was over twelve years old, and the used-car-lot sign read $50. My dad smiled briefly and said, Okay.