Already a decade in print, this excellent book is written by a respected and well-qualified author who successfully combines scientific knowledge with both biblical understanding and a deep faith in the God of both science and scripture. As such he can take you into a main area of controversy and leave you satisfied that the Bible is neither unscientific nor lacks credibility in the modern world.

A scientist’s view of Genesis

Seven Days That Divide The World is specifically aimed at someone who wants to know what a scientist says about certain statements in the Bible, namely those in Genesis which modern science seems to refute and the modern world delights to ridicule. By specifically tackling the seven days of Genesis, Lennox enters into a key debate to rescue the profound revelation contained within the opening of the Bible and set this truth within a framework that is both sensible and logical for those who believe that science also contributes towards an understanding of this world without undermining the fundamentals of “in the beginning God. . .”

The book is divided into five chapters and also contains five appendices which deal with several issues that, although important, are placed at the end of the study “so that the reader can engage with the main biblical material without many digressions” (p.14).

The opening chapter ... explains how a literalistic (as opposed to literal) reading of scripture can be counterproductive.

Genesis days

The opening chapter discusses the idea of controversy and how to handle it by examining “the challenge which the scientific theory that the earth was moving in space posed to generally accepted biblical interpretation in the sixteenth-century” (p.13). This is an excellent introduction, short and to the point, which tackles the ‘Galileo controversy’ as well as explaining how a literalistic (as opposed to literal) reading of scripture can be counterproductive.

The second chapter considers some principles of biblical interpretation before moving on to the heart of the book (Chapter 3) which examines the Genesis days. Chapter 4 looks at the biblical account of the origin of human beings and related issues, while the final chapter draws on the New Testament in order to “learn what aspects of the Genesis 1 creation narrative are emphasised there, and why they are relevant for us today” (p14).

The appendices cover a wide range of issues from the background of Genesis in terms of culture and literature, through the convergence of Genesis and science over the fact that space-time had a beginning, to the question of whether there is conflict between Genesis 1 and Genesis 2. There is also a consideration of the cosmic temple view of Genesis 1 and the idea of theistic evolution and the so-called God-of-the-gaps argument.

A perfect guide

This splendid book is short enough to be read in one sitting without getting bogged down in details but also detailed enough to be read again for further thought and benefit. Lennox explains that his work does not pretend to be exhaustive in its scope but has been written in response to frequent requests over the years to produce a book of this kind. As such he has prioritised those issues about which he has been most often questioned.

Seven Days That Divide The World is a perfect ‘starter’ but will also satisfy those who have studied these issues before and feel the need for further clarification and insights.

Lennox is the perfect guide to help us delve into such complex matters. Seven Days That Divide The World is a perfect ‘starter’ but will also satisfy those who have studied these issues before and feel the need for further clarification and insights.

The book is in a handy pocket size which makes it pleasant to handle, and is relatively cheap for a hardback of this kind. There are some useful notes at the end of each chapter, and a helpful index. Highly commended.

Seven Days That Divide The World (192pp) is published by Zondervan and is available from Eden Christian Books for £8.55 (+ p&p) (or £6.99 on kindle).