If Truth Be Known

If Truth Be Known

Christians have responded to the theory of evolution in a multitude of ways. Some saw conflict between the scriptures and the theory. Others tried to make peace (“concordism”), either by inserting a long time period between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 (the so-called gap theory), or by suggesting that the days of creation were very long or that there were long periods of time between them (the day-age theory). These opinions held sway from the time of Darwin until well into the twentieth century; in fact, these theories still have their adherents today.

Amid the prominence of concordism, Henry Morris emphasized a different view: scientific creationism. Morris was an influential author who saw conflict between evolution theory and the scriptures. In several widely-read books, he defended the view that the earth was created about six thousand years ago, and that the Noahic flood covered the entire earth. As Ronald Number describes in his influential book, The Creationists, Morris was influenced in his views by Seventh-Day Adventists Ellen G. White and George McCready Price.

The outcome of the work of the energetic Morris was the formation of the Creation Research Society in 1963. Morris also published many books, two of which were especially influential: The Genesis Flood, which caused quite a stir when it appeared in 1961, and Scientific Creationism, which first appeared in 1974 and went through many printings. Both are still available in Bible bookstores and online. Morris and his group also started the Institute for Creation Research in 1972. They contend that scientific creationism deserves equal time, can be defended by scientific proof, and should be taught in public schools along with the standard account of origins (“equal time”). Scientific Creationism is available in two versions, one for the general Christian reader and one for public schools (the latter having no reference to God, the Creator).

In the book under review, If Truth Be Known, Clarence Menninga takes aim at the (“so-called” he would say) scientific evidence for scientific creationism. He states that proponents of a very young earth and a universal Genesis flood are free to believe what they wish, and Menninga will not criticize them for it; however, they should not think that scientific observations support their views. Menninga was hired as the first faculty member in the new geology department at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He would soon be joined by Davis A. Young, another author who has published about the relationships between religion and science. Some CEJ readers will remember that Menninga and Young, along with Howard J. Van Till were coauthors of Science Held Hostage. It’s clear that If Truth Be Known stands in the same tradition.

Menninga begins his book with a short discussion of the role of science. He observes that we live in an ordered world, and science can give us insight into that order. Much has been written about the nature of science, and how it grows, and I’m sure that many people of creationist bent would like to remind him that one’s viewpoint greatly influences how one interprets scientific observations. However, Menninga does not deal with that. In his introduction about science, Menninga reminds his readers that it is part of good science to cite accurately. One may not change a citation so that the original meaning is obscured, and one may not lift a quote out of its context in a way that makes the meaning different from what the author intended. This warning becomes relevant as Menninga deals with a number of topics in the creationist literature.

In the main body of the book, Menninga evaluates scientific claims by creationists about natural phenomena or paleontological finds, often as they are presented in Scientific Creationism, but also in other publications. He does not directly posit his own views in each case; rather he demonstrates that statements favoring a young earth or a universal flood are based on misunderstandings or faulty science. As he does so, his own position becomes clear: The earth is very old and Noah’s flood did not cause all the phenomena that creationists suggest it did.

Chapter 2, for example, discusses the literature concerning a Siberian hairy mammoth found in 1900. Two creationist authors stated that the digestive tract of the mammoth contained undigested or partially digested subtropical vegetation; all this in an attempt to prove that the climate in Siberia before the flood was much different than it is now. Drawing on a wealth of Russian reports on post-mortem examinations of the beast, Menninga makes it clear that the animal’s stomach contained vegetation that is very similar to the vegetation of the area in which the mammal was found. Similarly, creationist assertions—that the flesh of the animal was red and fresh, perhaps even edible, indicating a sudden catastrophic event—were proven to be false. Russian scientists reported on the putrefaction and stench of the decaying muscle and other soft tissues.

It is not my intent to review every chapter of the book (there are twenty-eight, plus six appendices). Menninga examines creationist claims about a host of topics: confusion about the scientific name and the authenticity of Tyrannosaurus rex; the support that a whale, found “standing on its tail” in diatomaceous earth, gives to a recent creation; and that the petrified forest in Yellowstone National Park also speaks of a young earth. These and many other examples are re-examined and found wanting as proofs of a recent creation and a universal flood. Radiometric dating by various methods, of fossils and geological layers, receive much attention in the book. The creationist press has taken pains to discount the various radiometric methods since they point to great ages of fossils and geological layers. Dating methods are clearly a topic with which Menninga is well acquainted. Supported by several appendices, chapters 16 to 25 contend that radiometric dating is reliable and consistent, and that creationist claims to the contrary are based on some rather dubious science.

In the last three chapters, Menninga wraps up his case. He praises the creation movement when it responds to specific critiques and changes its viewpoint on a specific topic, but he regrets that later editions of some books, notably Scientific Creationism, do not incorporate these changes. He states that many puzzles remain for science to solve, but that does not detract from the legitimacy of the enterprise. In the last chapter, Menninga again reflects on the capabilities and nature of science; here, too, some comments about how scientific theorizing is influenced by viewpoints and philosophies would have been welcome. Nevertheless, it is clear to this reviewer that Menninga’s comments pose some unanswerable questions for creationism. He suggests that he is in good company, citing John Calvin and Augustine, who say that we should always be open to the findings of scientists. Menninga concludes that the earth is very old, and explores what that means for scientists, theologians, and “pew sitters.” He summarizes: “How many claims of scientific support for the view that the earth is a recent creation must be shown to be mistaken or grossly misleading before we say: ‘Enough! There is no scientific support for that viewpoint.’”

While Menninga has written a convincing account, the book is not without some weaknesses. It is a self-published book, and it shows in places: the font used, the fact that the book starts with a “forward,” as well as its colloquial style here and there, show that a professional editorial hand would have been welcome. Also, it becomes clear that the book was completed some years ago; most of the references—which are detailed and well-done by the way—are now somewhat dated. Furthermore, citing earlier books on similar subjects, such Daniel Wonderly’s God’s Time-Records in Ancient Sediments and Davis Young’s Christianity and the Age of the Earth, would show that Menninga stands in a respected and venerable tradition, whether one agrees with his viewpoint or not.

It is clear, to me at least, that Menninga’s case is based on solid evidence. Schools that have books such as The Genesis Flood and Scientific Creationism on their library shelves—they are often donated, I find—should place a copy of If Truth Be Known beside them. In some communities, supporters of scientific creationism have moved on to the greener pastures of intelligent design theory, also a movement that has drawn its share of criticism. Whether this shade of green is any better and will stand up to close examination is an interesting question. But that is a suitable topic for another review!

Works Cited

  • Morris, Henry M. Scientific Creationism. Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 1974.
  • Morris, Henry M. and John C. Whitcomb. The Genesis Flood. Philadelphia: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1961.
  • Van Till, Howard J., Davis A Young, and Clarence Menninga. Science Held Hostage: What’s Wrong with Creation Science AND Evolutionism. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988.
  • Numbers, Ronald L. The Creationists: From Scientific Creationism to Intelligent Design (Expanded Edition). Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2006.
  • Wonderly, Daniel E. God’s Time Records in Ancient Sediments: Evidences of Long Time Spans in Earth’s History. Flint, MI: Crystal Press, 1977.
  • Young, Davis A. Christianity and the Age of the Earth. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1982.