The various authors of this book have done us all a tremendous service in their patient and clear exposition of geological thinking about the Grand Canyon (a magnificent place in its own right!). They are all clear that the “conflict” we’ve all heard about is not between “the Bible” and “Science,” but rather between interpretations of the Bible and the sciences. Those of us who study and respect the Bible will appreciate this calm laying out of the sciences, and of their discovery of the processes that appear to have been at work. These are God’s processes after all! I urge everyone to read this, believer or not — you will enjoy it.
Professor of Old Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary
This book on the Grand Canyon clearly lays out the complex history of the formation of this wonder of the natural world over many millions of years. This volume is irenic in spirit, scientifically informed, and biblically sound. I find this work by well-qualified, faith-filled scientists convincing—a book desperately needed in a day when critics consider the Scriptures and science to be in serious conflict and various well-meaning Christians fail to fully account for the available geological evidence.
Professor and Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics, Palm Beach Atlantic University
Monument to an Ancient Earth is a richly illustrated, superbly organized, and exceptionally readable overview of the Grand Canyon and the many geologic processes that, in combination, have resulted in the myriad of features formed over Deep Time that are exposed in and around the canyon. Although this contribution by Carol Hill and Gregg Davidson and colleagues presents, in Part 1, an expertly detailed synthesis of what those who adhere to the doctrine of flood geology have used to support their predetermined answer to natural processes, the goal of the authors is certainly not to reconcile flood geology with science. Parts 2, 3, and 4 of Monument to an Ancient Earth offer a meaty, accurate, and sufficiently detailed overview of Earth processes. Anyone who reads this part of Monument to an Ancient Earth will understand how the scientific method has been used, repeatedly, to provide us with a growing understanding of natural processes and will conclude that the concept of Deep Time is inescapable. In Part 5, Chapter 20 provides an overview of the scientific evidence for the formation of all of the features of the Grand Canyon and compares this evidence with the doctrine of flood geology. The authors carefully, professionally, and convincingly show that flood geology is simply not science. They pose the question, “Does it really matter?”, and end with what we unquestionably should all agree with, “Truth always matters” and, as Nadine Gordimer wrote, “Truth isn’t always beauty, but the hunger for it is”! I congratulate Carol Hill and Gregg Davidson and their colleagues for producing a contribution that richly celebrates the long and fascinating natural history of Earth.
Emeritus Professor, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of New Mexico Professor and Department Head, Department of Geosciences, University of Texas at Dallas Past President, Geological Society of America; Editor in Chief, Tectonics
Can Bible-believing Christians also believe that the earth is billions of years old and that the Grand Canyon could not have been formed by Noah’s Flood? Yes, insist the eleven authors of this fascinating book. On page after page, professional geologists explain that “flood geology” omits essential facts and fails to explain massive amounts of evidence in the Grand Canon itself. This important book must be carefully considered by everyone involved in the debate about the age of the earth.
Research Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies, Phoenix Seminary
I think it is terrific. It serves 3 purposes: (1) It is a comprehensive primer on geology as we know and practice it. I enjoyed the reviews of how we think and work, it reviewed many subjects for me, and I learned some new things that I should have known. (2) It is a fabulous defender of the geology that we know in the Grand Canyon and Grand Staircase. (3) It can be applied to case studies worldwide. Everyone on Earth should be aware of what this book contains as a science text, as well as a rationale for employing scientific methods to a basic understanding of anything natural.
Professor Emeritus, Colorado School of Mines, Veteran of more than 50 trips down the canyon
Authored by professional geologists and a biologist with a wide range of expertise, The Grand Canyon, Monument to an Ancient Earth is an astounding achievement. Rightly disturbed by widely held claims that Noah’s (alleged global) flood was responsible for the geology of the Grand Canyon area, the authors, most of whom are Christians, have systematically contrasted the claims of so-called “flood geologists” with the actual details of Grand Canyon geology. In doing so, they have utterly demolished the flood hypothesis with an avalanche of geologic evidence sufficient to fill a canyon! Readers are introduced to an abundance of fundamental principles of geology. The “Canyon’s eleven” show how these principles are applied to the interpretation of the geological processes that produced the rocks and the canyon. The authors conclude with a concise overview of the geologic history of the Grand Canyon area. The text is lucid, lively, aimed at the geologic layperson, and supported by a wealth of excellent diagrams and stunning color photographs. This fabulous, informative, eminently readable book about one of Earth’s most breathtaking wonders is a pleasure to read and is itself a fitting monument to Grand Canyon.
Professor of Geology, Emeritus, Calvin College
