PERSPECTIVES on Science and Christian Faith JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SCIENTIFIC AFFILIATION In This Issue … Surveying the Relationship between Views of Scripture and Attitudes toward Science The Overlooked Science of Genealogical Ancestry “Fallen” and “Broken” Reinterpreted in the Light of Evolution Theory The Nuts and Bolts of Creation “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.” Psalm 111:10 VOLUME 70, NUMBER 1 MARCH 2018 (US ISSN 0892-2675) (CPM #40927506) Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith Manuscript Guidelines © 2018 by the American Scientifi c Affi liation The pages of Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith (PSCF) are open Editor-in-Chief to original, unpublished contributions that interact with science and Christian J C. P (Roanoke College and faith in a manner consistent with scientifi c and theological integrity. A brief Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine) description of standards for publication in PSCF can be found in the lead 221 College Lane editorial of the December 2013 issue. This is available at www.asa3.org under Salem, VA 24153 publications PSCF index. Published papers do not refl ect any offi cial [email protected] position of the American Scientifi c Affi liation. 1. Submit all manuscripts to: James C. Peterson, Editor, Roanoke College, 221 College Lane, Salem, VA 24153. E-mail: [email protected]. Book Reviews Submissions are typically acknowledged within 10 days of their receipt. P F (Providence 2. Authors must submit an electronic copy of the manuscript formatted Theological Seminary), Editor in Word as an email attachment. Typically 2–3 anonymous reviewers 10 College Crescent critique each manuscript considered for publication. Otterburne, MB R0A 1G0 [email protected] 3. Use endnotes for all references. Each note must have a unique number. Follow The Chicago Manual of Style (16th ed., sections 14.1 to 14.317). Subject Area Editors 4. While fi gures and diagrams may be embedded within the Word text fi le A L (Calvin College) of the manuscript, authors are required to also send them as individual 1726 Knollcrest Circle SE electronic fi les (JPEG or PDF format). Figure captions should be provided Grand Rapids, MI 49546 as a list at the end of the manuscript text. [email protected] ARTICLES are major treatments of a particular subject relating science to a S S T (Northwestern College) Christian position. Such papers should be at least 2,000 words but not more 101 7th St SW than 8,000 words in length, excluding endnotes. An abstract of 50–150 Orange City, IA 51041 words is required and should be in both the text of the email submission and [email protected] at the beginning of the attached essay. Publication for such papers normally takes 9–12 months from the time of acceptance. D C. S (Calvin College) 3201 Burton St SE COMMUNICATIONS are brief treatments of a wide range of subjects of Grand Rapids, MI 49546 interest to PSCF readers. Communications must not be longer than 2700 [email protected] words, excluding endnotes. Communications are normally published 6–9 months from the time of acceptance. Editorial Board R B, Wheaton College BOOK REVIEWS serve both to alert readers to new books that appear D B, Gordon College signifi cant and to engage these books in critical interaction. When a subject E B. D, Messiah College area editor selects a book for review, the book is then off ered to a scholar O G, Harvard-Smithsonian Center with the best match in expertise. ASA/CSCA members who would like to be for Astrophysics considered as potential reviewers are welcome to express interest to the book S G. H, North Carolina State University review coordinating editor for inclusion in the reviewer database. Publishers R D. I, American Scientifi c Affi liation may also contact the book review coordinating editor if they are not sure D. G J, University of Otago which subject area reviewer would best consider a particular book. R K, Princeton University • Patrick Franklin ([email protected]): book review editor; subject D A. L, Massachusetts areas: ethics, philosophy, and theology. Institute of Technology T L III, Westmont College • Arie Leegwater ([email protected]): cosmology, history of science, K MF, The King’s University mathematics, and physical sciences. K B. M, Kansas State University • Sara Sybesma Tolsma ([email protected]): biology, environment, A G. P, Luther Seminary genetics, and origins. R P, Massachusetts Institute of • Derek Schuurman ([email protected]): computers, engineer- Technology ing, and technology. A S, Bethel University R S, Calvin College The viewpoints expressed in the books reviewed, and in the reviews J A. T, Trinity Western University themselves, are those of the authors and reviewers respectively, and do not D A. V, Harvey Mudd College of refl ect an offi cial position of the ASA. The Claremont Colleges D L. W, Eastern University LETTERS to the Editor concerning PSCF content may be published unless marked not for publication. Letters submitted for publication must not be longer than 700 words and will be subject to editorial review. Letters are Managing Editor to be submitted as electronic copies. Letters accepted for publication will be L B (American Scientifi c Affi liation) published within 6 months. 218 Boston Street, Suite 208 Topsfi eld, MA 01983 ADVERTISING is accepted in PSCF, subject to editorial approval. Please [email protected] address inquiries for rates or further information to the Managing Editor. The ASA cannot take responsibility for any orders placed with advertisers Manuscript Editor in PSCF and does not imply endorsement by carrying the ad. E M AUTHORIZATION TO PHOTOCOPY MATERIAL for internal, personal, or Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith educational classroom use, or the internal or personal use of specifi c clients, (USPS 28-3740, ISSN 0892-2675) is published is granted by ASA, ISSN: 0892-2675, provided that the appropriate fee is quarterly by American Scientifi c Affi liation, 218 Boston paid directly to Copyright Clearance Center (CCC), 222 Rosewood Drive, Street Suite 208, Topsfi eld, MA 01983. Periodicals Danvers, MA 01923 USA for conventional use, or check CCC online at the postage paid at Topsfi eld, MA, and additional mailing following address: www.copyright.com/. No registration with CCC is needed: offi ce. POSTMASTER: Send address changes simply identify the article being copied, the number of copies, and the journal to: Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, title (Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith). For those who wish to 218 Boston Street Suite 208, Topsfi eld, MA 01983. request permission for other kinds of copying or reprinting, kindly write to the Managing Editor. Editorial Interpreting What We See through the Sciences, Scripture, and PSCF James C. Peterson hong Ho Yu, William Whitney, and their Is the opening of Genesis to be read more like the team open this issue with a survey of the Revelation of John, or the Gospel of John, or yet some C relationship between scientifi c and biblical other genre of its own? literacy. Seeking truth requires listening carefully to the data in both the sciences and in scripture. Each Swamidass, a computational biologist, and the three one requires thoughtful interpretation to understand geneticists who peer reviewed his essay (alongside what is really there. For example, physics and bio- peer review from other relevant disciplines) are all convinced that the genetic evidence is clear that no chemistry are both sciences, yet they offer distinct one couple is the origin of all human DNA. One foci and kinds of description to approach different couple was not, together, the fi rst to have human aspects of one reality. anatomy. The genetic evidence from multiple con- There are different foci and kinds of description in curring angles is that human beings anatomically the Bible as well, to express aspects of one revelation. came from incremental changes over time in a popu- The disciple John writes about the life of Jesus, telling lation. They also agree that most of the people alive what he saw and heard and touched (1 John 1:1–3). 10,000 years ago had children who had children who This is the genre of history. John also reports Jesus had children, until now the earliest ancestors are using metaphors, such as he (Jesus) is the vine, genealogically linked to most of the people who are alive today. and his disciples are the branches (John 15:5). That instruction is about their relationship, not gardening. Each human being today has so many ancestors that When Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be born we are all genealogical descendants of particular again (John 3), Nicodemus is fl ummoxed that he is people in the past. Among them there might even be too big to re-enter his mother’s womb. Jesus tells some particular couples. Swamidass argues, in his Nicodemus not to take him so literally. He is using article, that God could have called a particular couple what Nicodemus knows about physical birth to tell in that population of anatomical human beings to him something about the spirit, of a new start in life. be ancestors to everybody alive today. Despite the John also writes the book of Revelation that tells of genetic dispersal and dead ends of various lines of what is to come, in apocalyptic visions of a beast heredity, the people of this generation could all be with ten horns and seven heads (13:1) and the ocean genealogically related to such a couple. Descendants turned to blood (16:3). alive today would likely not carry any specifi c genes from that couple, but there could be a genealogi- We see then that one apostle uses different types cal connection of relationships, parent to child to of writing within the library that we call the Bible.