The Battle for the Beginning

by John F. MacArthur Jr.

Book Overview

The battle lines have been drawn. Is the enemy winning? "Thanks to the theory of evolution," writes best-selling author John MacArthur, "naturalism is now the dominant religion of modern society. Less... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0849916259
• ISBN13: 9780849916250
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

John MacArthur is my favorite author!

I've read 6 of John MacArthur's books. Every book was a very worthwhile and Biblical read. To be a geneticist you must believe in evolution, from deep inside I saw how unscientific it really is. Spent 3 years as a geneticist, became a chemist then physician. I've found "weak science" professions are pro-evolution, "strong-science" professions are significantly less pro-evolution. Isaac Asimov was an instructor at a medical school as a chemist. He was a friend so I know how he thought. The Medical profession is weak-science, (hard to believe?). Of my 300 MD friends only 2 have a chemistry degree, so doctor's trust drug sales reps. Dr Isaac Asimov was the Best Explainer of Science Ever. He wrote "Words in Genesis", "The Old Testament according to Asimov", "The new Testament according to Asimov" and two others I haven't read. He wrote 300 books. Asimov was very much like John MacArthur - Brilliant and very humble. Read anybook by Isaac Asimov and any book by John MacArthur you will not be disappointed.

Accurately conveys Moses' original contextual intent

Only Moses' original intent settles how long the first of weekdays went.Excellent resource. Get extra copies and share with friends. Allows Scripture to decide over secular scientific theorizing.

Excellent Book from Dr. MacArthur

John MacArthur is a man who does his homework. In this book, Dr. MacArthur takes on the tough questions concerning Genesis 1-11 in this age of science. While many evangelicals follow the leads of prominent Christians who affirm the Bible as the Word of God but reject a literal, six-day creation, John MacArthur continues to believe and preach the literalness of God's Word. And he does it by not only looking at science through Scripture but takes on the critics of literal Creationist.If you are looking for clear, consise answers to Genesis 1-11 and a biblical alternative to the Hugh Ross' of the evangelical church then look no further than this book. It will challenge you and yet encourage you to trust that God's Word is true and everything else (including science) must bow its knee to its sole authority. A great book!

A Literal Approach

John MacArthur wrote Battle For The Beginning primarily to address the world's origins from a Biblical viewpoint. The book is aimed at a Christian audience and is not so much a defense of creationism as it is a defense of a literal six-day creation. This is not a book that primarily focuses on convincing unbelieving evolutionists of creationism, but rather it focuses on convincing Christians who believe that in some form of evolution (such as old-earth creationism or the Gap Theory) that the only valid reading of Genesis one and two is a literal reading. MacArthur bases much of the book on the view that Evolution is itself a religion that is completely opposed to Christianity. Creationism and Evolution, therefore, can never be mixed. We must believe in either one or the other. After giving many reasons why Evolutionism is antithetical to God and His design, the book spends a chapter on each of the days of creation. In each chapter the author shows why anything other than a literal six-day creation is impossible. In so doing he gives many wonderful examples of the wonders and marvels of creation. Much of the book is focused on refuting the arguments of Hugh Ross, the most prominent of the theistic evolutionists. I would highly recommend this book to any believer that is struggling with the conflict between creationism and evolutionism. MacArthur's ability to accurately draw teaching from scripture and using God's word as the ultimate teaching tool makes this one of the best books I have read on the subject.

MacArthur applies his exegetical expertise to Genesis

As would be expected from such an outstanding Bible teacher as MacArthur, he presents much fresh thought into a controversial topic. He correctly notes the futility of naturalism, with its pseudo-intellectual backing of Darwinism and in turn ITS pseudo-intellectual backing of the old-Earth dogmas of Lyell and Hutton. He also shows conclusively that EVERYWHERE else in the Bible the first chapters of Genesis are cited, they are treated as straightforward history.As always, MacArthur has a knack for getting to the heart of the issue. He points out that all those who want to add evolution/billions of years have adopted a hermeneutic that does violence to Scripture. He explains very clearly why the infallible and perspicuous Scriptures must always take presence over so-called science, which as often pointed out really means the naturalistic *interpretations* of data. It's very clear that he understands the old-earthers like Hugh Ross only too well.His account of the Fall is most instructive. He compares the knowledge of good and evil by God and the First Couple with the knowledge of cancer of the oncologist and the knowledge of experience of an unfortunate sufferer.One can often tell the merits of a book by seeing who's attacking it. For instance, a representative of an Australian theistic evolutionary organization clearly denies Biblical inerrancy. And the organization's head even thinks that Jesus made mistakes! Another critic recommends a book by the Christadelphian Alan Hayward, while yet another recommends the non-Christian Schroeder.

God's Infallible Word Revealed Through Creation

This is one of John's most outstanding books. I had to re-read many chapters because of its detail and complexity. The book is precise and challenges, yet satisfies the intellect. As one who has always believed in a young earth designed solely by a master designer, I was moved many times to tears when reminded of the intricacy of our universe and all its living creatures. The book brought me to my knees on several occasions to give thanks and recognition to our Creator for providing us with "unquestionable" proof of His existence and soverignty. John's examples of God's infallible creation, from the smallest insect to intelligent man is awesome and brilliantly researched. I believe this book is imperative to equip Christians against an increasing attack by those mocking and discrediting the Genesis account of creation. I have referred it to other Christians and believe it should be required reading in Christian schools for science studies.John continues to provide his readers and listeners with the ammunition we need to stand strong in our Christian faith and not give an inch to modern-day so-called Christians who find it easier to not be in conflict. I cannot express enough the impact this book has had on the way I look at the universe, which I have sometimes taken for granted.