We live in a day in which the word of science is granted superior authority to the Word of God.
Byl begins this book by giving the reader a historical overview of how our culture appreciates the teachings of science more than the Word of God. The denial that Scripture in any way spoke authoritatively to the origin of the world paved the way for deism and atheism. If God is removed from creating and sustaining the universe, fallen man, created in God's image, will look to a theory of origins.
Byl examines a number of cosmology theories that have arisen over the years. He explains the basic content of these theories and their failure to provide satisfactory answers regarding questions of origins, the existence of sin, and the future. Even when its proponents work a god into a theory, such a god is limited and thus nonexistent beyond being a vain attempt to satisfy the proponents' consciousness or wish for God's existence.
Having shown the inadequacy of theories rooted in the "big bang" origin, Byl goes to Scripture. Organizing his discussion under a number of appropriate headings, he explains the character of God the Creator and the doctrine of creation and time. He writes with the belief that the physical universe was created approximately six thousand years ago. His discussion includes why he believes Scripture teaches a young earth.
He speaks to a wide variety of topics including the theory of extra terrestrial life, whether or not the universe is open or closed, and geocentrinity.
He reminds his readers that Scripture supersedes science in matters to which Scripture speaks. Only in Scripture can man find the eyewitness account of the origin of the universe as well as basic knowledge regarding life after death.
The final chapter provides a summary of the book's contents and resulting conclusions regarding the limitation of human knowledge and the supremacy of God's Word that all Christians need to consistently heed and implement in the formation of their worldview.
Byl is Professor of Mathematics and Head of the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Trinity Western University in Langley British Columbia, Canada. He is well qualified to speak to this subject.
One does not have to be a scientist to read this volume. In fact, non-scientists would do well to study these chapters. Many to whom we minister wrestle with the authority and place of Scripture in the midst of a culture that emphasizes scientific authority. The author provides encouragement to the reader in that knowledgeably writing as a scientist, he writes with Scripture undergirding his thought process. In so doing, he does not downplay science but places the subject in proper perspective.
The text is augmented with a number of illustrations as well as a helpful bibliography.
- Byron Snapp
Byron Snapp is a graduate of King College (B.A.) and Reformed Theological Seminary (M.Div.). He was Associate Pastor at Calvary Reformed Presbyterian Church, Hampton, Virginia, from 1994 until his retirement in December 2014. He is a native of Marion, Virginia. He has had pastorates in Leakesville, Mississippi, and Gaffney, South Carolina. He served as Assistant Pastor in Cedar Bluff, Virginia prior to his ministry at Calvary Reformed. He has served as editor of the Presbyterian Witness and was a contributor to A Comprehensive Faith and Election Day Sermons. He is currently a member of Westminster Presbytery in the PCA. He and his wife Janey have 3 children and several grandchildren.