Young Earth v. old Earth--the debate has continued for more than a century now. One of the key questions on which it hinges is this: Did physical death occur in nature before Adam sinned? Many Christians have been taught that to defend the character of God and the truth of the Gospel they must say it did notóin which case the whole record of nature is called into question.

Using sources as diverse as the bombardier beetle and St. Augustine, Mark Whorton, a Christian apologist and genuine rocket scientist, challenges that assumption. He makes a biblical case for a "very good" creation in which plant and animal death serves life by helping prepare the planet for humanity’s benefit.

Major topics include:

• the eternal purpose of creation
• a day in the life of Adam
• suffering and the plan of God
• animal death in a very good world
• the uncompromised truths of creation

Level: Graduate

1 Paperback (published 2005), 13 oz.