In 1991 Fernando De Angelis published this book in Italian and then it has been translated into Portughese, Spanish and in 1995 in English.
Considering this book still relevant and helpful today on this matter, I have decided to make it available on my site. You can download the PDF file by clicking HERE.
We leave below the index and the first pages of the book.
FOREWARD . . . . . . . . . .. 6
PREFACE . . . . . . . . . . .. 7
THANKS FOR THE ENGLISH EDITION . . . . . .. 8
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . .. 10
A. The criteria adopted . . . . . . . . .. 10
B. Evolution: A problem that needs defining . . . . . .. 11
C. Spontaneous Generation: The old way of saying abiogenesis-evolution . .. 13
CHAPTER 2. THE HISTORY OF SPONTANEOUS GENERATION
UP UNTIL PASTEUR . . . . . . . . .. 14
A. Spontaneous generation before Redi . . . . . . .. 14
B. Francesco Redi: The first big blow to the concept of spontaneous generation . .. 15
C. The Bible: A book against Obscurantism . . . . . . .. 15
D. The birth and function of scientific and historical fixed creationism . . .. 18
E. Spallanzani: An incomplete victory . . . . . . .. 21
F. Pasteur: The apparent death of spontaneous generation . . . . .. 23
CHAPTER 3. SCIENCE AND METAPHYSICS . . . . .. 28
A. How science works . . . . . . . . .. 28
B. Science: between objectivity and subjectivity . . . . . .. 28
C. Criteria for determining the reliability of a scientific assertion . . . .. 31
a) The facts: Maximum reliability . . . . . . .. 31
b) Agreements between scientists . . . . . . .. 31
c) The relationship between theory and the data on which it is based . .. 31
d) The connection between scientific theory and religious,
philosophical and political concepts . . . . . .. 32
e) Falsificability in science . . . . . . . .. 33
D. Scientific knowledge and philosophical-theological knowledge . . .. 34
E. The possibility of experimentation in science and in speculative knowledge
compared . . . . . . . . . .. 34
F. Non-specialists and science . . . . . . . .. 35
a) Non-specialists should not be despised . . . . . .. 35
b) The danger of sacerdotalism in science . . . . . .. 36
CHAPTER 4. THE PROBLEM OF THE ORIGIN OF LIFE . . . .. 39
A. The most widespread opinion . . . . . . . .. 39
B. The primitive atmosphere . . . . . . . . .. 40
C. The complexity of the cell and its component parts . . . . .. 41
a) The cell: its unimaginable complexity . . . . . .. 41
b) The complexity of proteins . . . . . . . .. 42
c) The complexity of DNA . . . . . . . .. 42
D. Electric discharges as the constructors of molecules . . . .. 43
E. Beware of the deceptiveness of statistics . . . . . . .. 44
F. From amino acids to proteins: More difficult statistics . . . . .. 46
G. From proteins to cells: An awesome step . . . . . . .. 47
CHAPTER 5. FREE REFLECTIONS ON ABIOGENESIS . . . .. 49
A. Abiogenesis: More metaphysical than scientific . . . . . .. 49
B. What is at stake ? . . . . . . . . . .. 50
C. Abiogenesis and evolution: A single concept . . . . . .. 51
APPENDICES AND FOOTNOTES . . . . . . .. 52
FOREWARD
I had already struggled through my evolutionary high school biology course in 1964 when I came in contact with a book that dealt with the creation-evolution debate from a biblical and scientific perspective. It had not been difficult to deny the theory of evolution because I knew that it went against the Scriptures, but my defence of creationism left a lot to be desired.
Since those mid-sixties, the Christian school movement and various creationist societies have worked hard in the production of many great texts dealing with the theme of creationism as well as exposing godless evolutionary theories. One might ask if there is room on the shelf for another book of this nature. I believe there is!
After first reading this treatise in Italian, its contents enthused me so much that I encouraged Prof. Fernando De Angelis, my esteemed brother in Christ, to consider having it translated into English. This was indeed a switch since up to this point we had always been involved in the translation of English texts into Italian. So why go to all the work of having an Italian book on the creation-evolution theme translated and printed in English when we already have so many? In my opinion, this book, in its European approach to history and its clear and historic presentation of creationism’s influence on the development of science and medicine, has filled a void left by other books written on the subject.
Some of the historical facts that are reported in the book could be offensive to people with an ecumenical mind-set but a thorough knowledge of history is one of the best defences against falling back into the same errors of the past. Truth will triumph. For the record, no Italians were offended by the historical facts that were presented.
It is my prayer that as this book is read. God’s people will be encouraged in their testimony of the truth and the spread of the Gospel “once and for all delivered to the saints”. This Gospel is not complete without a clear and unadulterated approach to the book of Genesis. In the words of our Lord. “Had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?” (John 5: 46-47).
Yours for Christ in Italy,
Rev. Frederick L. Whitman
Baptist Mid-Missions
PREFACE
Evolution and the origin of life. These are two closely connected subjects which all of us need to address.
In Italian schools the standard teaching on origins and the development of life is what is known as abiogenesis, or spontaneous generation. Darwinism is almost universally accepted as an undisputed and indisputable scientific fact. However, the more closely abiogenesis and evolution are examined, the more clearly does it emerge that they are nothing more than hypotheses which are upheld more for cultural than for scientific reasons.
In this book, Fernando De Angelis faces the problem of origins head on. Using concise and simple logic, he shows rationally and scientifically just how easily hypotheses can become accepted as scientific truths, even when they are built on very shaky foundations.
It is my sincere hope that this book will be widely read, by believers and unbelievers alike. The former will see that it is by no means a scientific obligation to believe in evolution, and that will strengthen their faith; the latter will be able to examine the subjects under consideration in greater depth, and in so doing they will discover the fragility of the theory of evolution as an explanation for the origin of life.
To close, let me borrow a quotation that is used later on in this book. That great scientist, Pasteur, who lived in the last century, affirmed as follows: «The greatest disorder of the mind is to believe in the existence of what we want to see». In its treatment of the origin of life, this book will help the reader to distinguish between the reality of the facts and the fantasies that have been built around them.
Paolo Veneziani
(respected Italian Evangelical leader)
THANKS FOR THE ENGLISH EDITION
I grew up believing that in Italy there were no other churches besides catholic ones. Instead, at 22 years of age, in 1968, in Perugia, as I was passing by an evangelical church meeting place, I discovered that this was not the case. When I entered that church for the first time, an Englishman, Peter Hedley, moved over on the pew to make room for me and teach me how to use the hymnbook. He couldn’t speak Italian yet so we couldn’t speak to one another, but his kindness impressed me.
At the end of the service, that for me had been a totally new experience, I asked for an explanation from the two elders of the church, Angelo Zolfaroli and Franco Ciuchi. Since they were busy, and seeing that I was a student, they introduced me to the “specialist” for students: Fred Terino, an American missionary of Italian origin. All three, however, opened wide the doors of their homes and I, who had need of humanitarian as well as spiritual help, took great advantage.
When I was invited to take the Bible seriously, I immediately objected because Darwin had demonstrated that it was not a wise thing to do. Fred, however, was evidently very well prepared from the various studies done by American creationists. He made me see that really, it was Darwin who shouldn’t be taken too seriously. From that very moment, it seemed to me that the contrast between the two philosophies was irreconcilable. Soon Fred organized a conference with another American missionary, Thomas Heinze. I had read his Italian book against evolution while it was still just in mimeographed form. I remember that one of his statements, while at the dinner table, challenged me to look into the extra-scientific motivations behind the Darwinian theory.
Since I teach natural science to students between 14 and 19 years of age, I was forced to study evolution more and more but I did not feel sufficiently prepared to write a book on the subject. The encouragement of Ronald Diprose, a missionary from New Zeland, and now an Italian citizen, was a determining factor in the writing of this book. Ronald expressed faith in me and exhorted me to begin to write down my thoughts.
There was an urgency to write a book like this here in Italy because the concordist theory (which tries to reconcile the Bible and evolution) was not being challenged or opposed by any group and had already penetrated the thoughts of many who are considered fundamentalists. Sensing that the battle was too great for my single and weak efforts, I desired to enlist the help of others in the founding of an association that would carry on the battle in contrasting the world’s culture (evolution among other philosophies). After having attended a conference by John C. Whitcomb in Italy in 1987, I found that my desires coincided with those of Frederick L. Whitman, an American missionary who had been here in Italy for many years. At this point we began to pray together and plan for an organized defence of biblical creationism in Italy. It is not by chance that, after all these years, Frederick has taken the responsibility to print this book.
At the beginning, when the association took its first baby steps, Dr. John Meyer, of American Institute for Creation Research (ICR, El Cajon, CA) offered to come to Italy. His time in Italy was very important and, besides the technical help, showed us a great example of seriousness and prudence in contrasting the distorted ideas that were circulating regarding the creationist movement across the ocean. We went to university professors as well as uneducated believers and John was always at ease.
The first edition of this book was printed in Italian by another American missionary, Bill Gust, and his wife Harriet, who had founded the printing house “Casa Biblica”. Due to the counsel of their son Billy, who had grown up in Italy, and his appreciation for this manuscript (that a couple of evangelical editors had already read with disinterest and discarded) the decision was made to print this book.
It had been Leigh Pennington who introduced me to Bill. When he left Italy he left me with a great sense of loss, especially because of my conviction that his work among the churches throughout Italy was very useful. My sadness was partially alleviated by the fact that he, in returning to America, made the first translation and has encouraged the printing of this edition.
Englishman Michael Steedman, contacted and encouraged by my friend Paolo Veneziani, worked hard to review the first manuscript of translation, suggesting several valuable changes.
This book, therefore, can be seen as a “coming home” of thoughts that left from America and to America are returning, after having been applied to the Italian culture and adapted to its specific culture. The Latin context forces us to give attention, not only to the scientific problems, but also to the historical and cultural ones. I am pleased that this English edition can, in part, reach people of the French and Portuguese languages who have problems similar to those of the Italians. (A translation has been started in the Spanish language as well.)
I have dedicated this book to my wife. A very small token of appreciation toward the one who paid a tremendous price for remaining at my side in a life full of turbulence and battles not always won.
Behind the faces of those who were of help to me, I often saw, with clearness, the hand of God; present even when it was hidden from view. To Him, who 16 years ago extended to me the call of a particular responsibility in His work, I express my deepest gratitude. God’s service, for me, has been like a rose: there have been plenty of flowers, but there have also been lots of thorns. Among the flowers, this English translation is one of the prettiest (especially for the time at which it has bloomed). Of the thorns, how could I complain with the One who bore them for me on the cross? My joy is in the fact that He is risen, lifting up with him those who have become one with Him (Romans 6:5).
Cortona (Arezzo, Italy), May 30, 1995
Fernando De Angelis
1. INTRODUCTION
A. CRITERIA ADOPTED
The contents of this book have been taken from teaching notes prepared for students and colleagues in high schools. The book has two basic aims:
1) to present as much as possible of the contents in language which will be easily understood;
2) to search for as much common ground as possible between the author (a biblical creationist) and his readership (who are presumed to be sympathetic towards Darwinism to a greater or lesser degree like most Italians).
There are a few places in the book where the first aim has not been fully achieved and where a specialized knowledge would be necessary. However, even those who lack such knowledge are unlikely to lose the thread of the argument, because the more difficult subjects are either preceded or followed by a simpler synthesis.
In order to achieve our second aim we have made extensive use of quotations. We have taken these not from evolutionists that we find easy to accommodate, but mainly from those who are most highly esteemed and qualified in their own fields (F. Crick, P. Omodeo, F. Dyson, J. Rostand, A. Hallam, G. Montalenti). The reader will thus be able to see for himself that certain statements we make are not derived from our own anti-Darwinian preconceptions but from an objective evaluation of the problems.
This book adopts an anti-evolutionist stance, but we have wanted to fight fairly. We are convinced – and this conviction has been strengthened by a number of readers of the teaching notes – that even in these difficult and often bitter disputes, it is possible to shake hands like gentlemen at the end. This is not because each side has compromised a little, but because both have respected the rules of the game and have fought against ideas rather than against individuals. They have recognized that no-one can claim superiority over another, because the defects we see in the next man are a reflection of those that we ourselves have, or easily could have.
If we were writing for a scientific journal we would abstain completely from non-scientific aspects of the subject. As it is, we are addressing ordinary readers who are being bombarded with information of various kinds and of varied reliability. They need to be provided with counter-information which deals with both the strictly scientific and the non-scientific aspects while not confusing the two.
Evolutionism is often presented as the definitive scientific answer which supersedes all other kinds of answer. However, Evolutionism as a whole lies on the outer fringes of science and it is open to debate whether and to what extent it is science at all. That is why we have felt it necessary to dedicate an entire chapter to pointing out what we understand by science and what role we wish to assign to it. We are convinced that the text of the Bible is still true today in every part. However, we are equally convinced that when we hold a dialogue with someone who does not share that conviction we must reason on the basis of a common language, a language that is not derived from the particular beliefs of either party. In this way, even those whose presuppositions differ from our own will be able to continue reading without being disturbed by one-sided arguments.
The notes have been grouped together at the end of the book. In order to spare the reader the inconvenience of having to refer to them frequently, we have chosen to restrict ourselves almost exclusively those of a bibliographical nature. This means that unless the reader has a specific interest he can avoid consulting them altogether.
