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The Case for a Creator: A Journalist Investigates Scientific Evidence that Points Towards God (2004) is a book by Christian apologist and former journalist Lee Strobel supporting the controversial notion of Intelligent Design. In the book, Strobel conducts a series of investigative interviews of Christian scholars, all of whom are ID proponents, who attempt to refute naturalistic accounts of the origin of universe and the development of life.

Contents

Essentially, each body chapter consists of an interview with the expert(s) relevant to a particular field that claims to support the existence of a creator. The experts interviewed in the chapters and their topic(s) of discussion are as follows:

• Jonathan Wells presents a case against Darwinian evolution;
• Stephen C. Meyer discusses the relationship between science and religion, as well as the origin of life, arguing against the likelihood of abiogenesis without the assistance of a creator;
• William Lane Craig discusses the Big Bang and argues for a creator as first cause, invoking the Kalam cosmological argument;
• Robin Collins discusses the anthropic principle and argues that the universe must be designed by a creator;
• Guillermo Gonzalez & Jay Richards present a case that the Rare Earth hypothesis supports Intelligent Design;
• Michael Behe discusses irreducible complexity in biology as evidence for a creator; and,
• J.P. Moreland examines the supposed existence of consciousness separate from the brain, including near-death experiences, as evidence for a creator.

Criticisms

Although Strobel positions himself as a skeptic who would ensure a balanced perspective on the issue, no scientists who oppose Intelligent Design were interviewed in the book. However, he does quote from eminent scientists who do not believe in Intelligent Design, such as Stephen Jay Gould.

Critics also point out that, although the book purports to investigate scientific evidence for a creator, of the experts interviewed, only Wells, Gonzalez, and Behe possess graduate degrees in a scientific field. The remainder have graduate qualifications in theology and philosophy. All of the experts interviewed are or have been in some way affiliated with the Discovery Institute, a conservative Christian think tank based in Seattle, Washington, the main Intelligent Design hub.

The book was made into a documentary film published by Ilustra Media, a company owned by the Discovery Institute. The DVD featured numerous extras, which all supported the idea of Intellegent Design, as opposed to evolution.

Some critics also point out that the book assumes the Christian God, though the arguments presented equally hold true for any monotheistic, omnipotent, and omniscient deity concept, hence the title "The Case for a Creator."

Also by Lee Strobel

• The Case for Christ
• The Case for Faith

References and Notes

1. "Q. Has the Discovery Institute been a leader in the intelligent design movement? A. Yes, the Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture. Q. And are almost all of the individuals who are involved with the intelligent design movement associated with the Discovery Institute? A. All of the leaders are, yes." Barbara Forrest, 2005, testifying in the Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District trial. Kitzmiller Dove Testimony, Barbara Forrest

External links

• The Case for a Creator Official Website
• Lee Strobel's official website
• Another Case Not Made: A Critique of Lee Strobel's The Case for a Creator (2005) By Paul Doland

• 2004 books
• Intelligent design books