Dr Andrew Parker, 41, is a biologist at Oxford University. His latest book, The Genesis Enigma: Why The Bible Is Scientifically Accurate, claims the story of Genesis matches the history of the universe so accurately it could only have been written with divine intervention.
Dr Andrew Parker: The Bible got everything right
Have you proved the existence of God?
I don’t think I’ve proved the existence of God. I’ve proved there is space in the universe where God might exist.
It would be quite a scoop.
Well, yes. But if I find evidence there isn’t a God then as a scientist that would satisfy me too.
Isn’t this another example of religion masquerading as science?
Absolutely not. I devoted most of my early career to science and leaned toward being an atheist. That’s changed during the writing of this book, which revealed surprising parallels between Genesis and the scientific history of the universe. Not only is the sequence of events in Genesis scientifically correct but some of the events themselves are really quite precise, which would have been impossible for a human to know at that time. You have to conclude that either the author made extremely lucky guesses or something strange was going on: divine inspiration.
That’s a massive leap, isn’t it?
To say there’s something mysterious going on is probably not too great a leap. What I reveal is something beyond human intelligence, beyond testing with scientific equipment.
In Genesis, God creates the earth in six days, makes man out of dust and there’s no mention of the Big Bang. If it was written with God’s help, why is so much wrong?
It’s the authors adding their artistic interpretation, shoehorning the facts into the type of story people would be able to understand.
You say the second ‘Let there be light…’ refers to the evolution of the eye but you edited out the rest of the line, which clearly refers to the Sun, Moon and stars. There’s no mention in Genesis of the evolution of the eye.
Um, OK. I’ll probably have a look at this in more detail again. The first page of the Bible doesn’t spell out the eye but it doesn’t spell out any of the science in detail.
Your argument seems full of holes.
I would say it’s the best guess with the best fit.
Is there any real evidence, or just speculation?
If you want to say it’s 100 per cent evidence for God, no. With this book, there might be indirect evidence – it’s the strongest evidence for the existence of God I’ve come across. I’m not sure how you would describe it.
Flawed.
Well, that’s an opinion and that’s something I’m interested in. I’m not trying to fool anyone. I’m just trying to get to the bottom of this.
Are science and religion irreconcilable?
The atheist movement argues that with science there’s no more room for religion. So you either have faith in religion with no rational backing whatsoever or you follow science – and science dictates there’s no room for God, which isn’t true. There are things beyond our realm we can’t solve with science.
You say creationism is harmful to both religion and science. Why?
Creationism is totally unfounded. It is as dangerous as fundamentalism in other religions.
Creationists say evolution and the Big Bang are just theories. What do you think?
The problem with calling them theories is that anything can be called a theory. It doesn’t suggest the probability of it being right. On probability, you have creationism at something like 0.0001 per cent and evolution at 99.9999 per cent so it’s not fair to put them in the same category.
You criticise atheism because you think it’s disturbing to believe there’s no God or heaven. Just because those things might be comforting doesn’t make them true, does it?
No. But what I’m saying is that if the evidence doesn’t necessarily point one way or another, perhaps we’re better off with religion.
Tags: Christianity, Science & Medical
August 4th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Where did Andrew Parker obtain his doctorate – and, maybe, how? He is described as a fellow of Green Templeton College, Oxford – what and where is that?
His new book will doubtless sell quite well in Christian and other theistic circles. As a biology graduate (admittedly my degree, from the University of Bristol, is pretty dusty now having been obtained in the early 60s) I am far from convinced by most of Dr Parker’s replies to some rather shrewd questions.
But let the debate continue.
August 5th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Dear John,
Green Templeton College Oxford is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford, UK. Green college was a graduate college specialising in the life sciences, and recently merged with Templeton College (specialising in management etc) to make the newest college at Oxford University, Green-Templeton College.
There are two Andrew Parkers working at Oxford University, this complicates matters if one attempts to find their research or credentials. Nevertheless, Dr Andrew Parker (the one we are talking about!) previously wrote the book “In the Blink of an Eye”, which was well received. A brief wikipedia search would suggest his doctorate was obtained from a university in Australia.
I have to say that I don’t agree with him (and I feel his answers are unsatisfactory), but that is no excuse to start making ad hominem attacks on his character or credentials. After all, in a real debate his work should stand alone (his credentials constituting only an appeal from authority).
August 27th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
I am a student of Bible Prophecy, studying the books of Daniel and Revelation and its so refreshing to hear an eminent Scientist declaring the Word of God to be accurate and may I add authentic.
Ulrich Zwingle one of the Reformers during the 16 Century says:
“The Scriptures come from God, not from man”. Even that God who enlightens will give thee to understand that the speech comes from God. The Word of God………..cannot fail. It is bright, it teaches itself, discloses itself, it illumines the soul with all salvation and grace, comforts it in God, humbles it, so that it loses and even forfeits itself. and embraces God.” The truth of these words Zwingle himself had proved. Speaking of his experience at this time, he afterward wrote: “When I began to give myself wholly up to the Holy Scriptures, philosophy and theology (scholastic) would always keep suggesting quarrels to me. At last I came to this, that I thought, ‘Thou must let all that lie, and learn the meaning of God purely out of His own simple Word.’ Then I began to ask God for His light, and the Scriptures began to be much easier to me.” (Great Controversy E G White pg 192).
The other Reformers like John Huss from the University of Prague, Martin Luther from Germany, Louis de Berquin ranked amongst the highest nobility of France, Prince William of Orange from Holland, Hans Tausen from Denmark, William Tyndale from England. John Knox from Scotland (the man who feared no one) and faced the Queen of Scotland, the woman who had murdered countless of Christians. John and Charles Wesley, William Miller from America and lastly John Wycliffe (a professor of Theology at Oxford) called the ‘Morning Star’ of the Reformation. All these wonderful almost forgotten heroes (as what made England so great at one time is not taught in the schools anymore!)
I bring out this point that all these men who started the Reformation brought people out of the darkness that permeated the world during the 538 to 1798 period. This brought about the Great Awakening and a flood light of inventions both in the medical, arts, industry and educational fields. How was this done?
I leave you with this word from E G White a lady who had only a fourth grade education and wrote 66 books and is renowned for her works by Rabbis, Popes and Protestants. “The study of the Bible will ennoble every thought, feeling, and aspiration as no other study can. It gives stability of purpose, patience, courage, and fortitude; it refines the character, and sanctifies the soul. An earnest reverent study of the Scriptures bringing the mind of the student in direct contact with the infinite mind – would give to the world men of stronger and more active intellect, as well as of nobler principle, than has ever resulted from the ablest training that human philosophy affords. “The entrance of Thy words,” says the psalmist, “giveth light; it giveth understanding.” Psalm 119:130.
I agree with Dr Andrew Parker about the account of Genesis being ‘divinely inspired’ but it is not only this book but the whole Bible.
The only safe course for Dr Parker would be ‘to cherish the light which he had already received from God, hold fast to His promises, and continue to search the Scriptures, and patiently wait and watch to receive further light’.
May God indeed Bless him as he persues the only course for eternal hope…………