Issues - Intelligent
Design
The Intelligent Design (ID) movement is challenging the Darwinian theory of
evolution. The movement is based on analysing the scientific principles of
design in living organisms such as the cell and the amazing design of the planet
and universe. In addition, it analyses the flaws in the evolution theory.
The ID movement, and the research of biochemist
Michael Behe, maintains there is ‘irreducible complexity’ of design in a single cell that could
not have evolved by small random mutations. The Intelligent Design movement avoids
the theological questions of who the ‘designer’ might be, thus
engaging people from a range of philosophical perspectives, whether Biblical creationists
of varying kinds as well as people without a particular
religious viewpoint.
The first book to
question the principles of evolution in a major way was Michael Denton’s book
Evolution: A theory in crisis in 1985. This was
followed by Michael Behe’s book Darwin’s Black Box
which introduced the
principle of the ‘irreducible complexity’ in the cell. Mathematician William
Dembski has recently added more data to the scientific evidence.
Professor Tom
Woodward, who recently toured Australia, did his PhD studies on the ‘rhetoric
of science’ and is considered the ‘historian’ of the Intelligent Design movement.
He has an excellent grasp of the major players and developments in the ID
movement.
Nearly 200 people attended Professor Tom Woodward’s lecture in
Glen Waverley on 6 August that was hosted by Salt Shakers. He gave 37 other
presentations (lectures, church services and 10 Christian schools) over a three
week period - I think he and his wife were looking forward to a rest!
The
audience was captivated by Tom’s knowledge, his clarity and by the sheer
complexity of God’s creation.
Darwin said “If it could be demonstrated that
any complex organ existed, which could not possibly have been formed by
numerous, successive, slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break
down.”
The Intelligent Design movement is contributing a great deal to the
debate about origins and leading many to conclude that there is now evidence to
show that Darwin’s own challenge has indeed been met.
BOOKS AND
LINKS
Professor Tom
Woodward’s books
Tom Woodward’s latest book is
Darwin Strikes Back.
He documents the latest ID developments, counter-attacks by evolutionists and ID
responses.
This book is very clear, easy to read and gives an excellent
overview of the ID movement, its critics and the
subsequent responses from the advocates of ID.
Read a
summary and review on his website. Click here.
Available
from Salt Shakers - $16 plus $5 p&p.
His previous book is Doubts about Darwin.
Click
here for
details.
Available at Koorong
in Australia.
Professor Tom Woodward’s
website
<www.apologetics.org >
Animation of activity in a
cell
During his lectures Tom showed an animation of
the ‘Inner Life of the Cell’ which is posted on the Harvard website. (3 minute
preview to download or watch a longer version which has a commentary.)
At <http://multimedia.mcb.harvard.edu>
DVDs
Two excellent DVDs that
present the evidence for Intelligent Design are ‘Unlocking the Mystery
of Life’ and ‘The Privileged Planet’.
Available
from Salt Shakers: $22 each plus $3 p&p each.
Other websites on Intelligent
Design:
Design
Inference
William Dembski's website.
The Discovery
Institute
The Institute's Centre for Science
and Culture is a think tank in Seattle and co-ordinates research on ID.
Phillip E
Johnson
Author of 'Darwin on trial'. Author: Jenny Stokes | Modified: 11 August 2007 |
