In the Beginning
A Catholic Scientist Explains How God Made Earth Our Home

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Summary

The taste of fresh berries, the quiet cadence of waves lapping a lakeshore, the song of an owl in the night, the glory of a sunset: so many details manifest the reality that Earth is not merely the place where we are, but that it is truly our home, and is meant to be our home.
Most modern scientists dismiss this notion as romantic nonsense, arguing instead that Earth, and, indeed, the entire universe, is actually a cosmic accident, the mystifying result of billions of years of random events.
Here in this work of basic science written for nonspecialists, scientist Gerard Verschuuren confronts those men and women on their own territory, force for force, atom for atom, cell for cell, and even planet for planet.
With clear, well-documented explanations, he shows that the latest findings of modern cosmology, physics, chemistry, geology, and other sciences tell a remarkably different story. Instead of the vaunted "randomness" of our immense universe, scientists have recently discovered indisputable patterns in the structures of matter and energy. Over the eons, these distinctive patterns drove the universe inexorably toward formation of the Earth as what we experience it to be: our secure, exceptional, and singularly welcoming home.


Table of Contents

BEFORE WE GET STARTED	
	1.THE TIMESCALES	
		The Book of Scripture	
		The Book of Nature
	2.DATING TECHNIQUES
		The Universe
		The Earth
WHERE SCIENCE AND RELIGION MEET
	3.CREATION OR THE BIG BANG?
		The Big Bang
		What Is Creation?
		Creation And Big Bang
		Who Is the Creator?
	4.WHAT COMES WITH CREATION?
		Physical Laws of Nature
		Physical Constants
		Anthropic Coincidences
		The Anthropic Principle
		Does Science Have the Last Word?
	5.THE EVOLUTION OF THE UNIVERSE
		The Milky Way Galaxy
		Our Solar System
		Seeming Chaos
		Randomness And Providence
	6.HOW THE EARTH DEVELOPED
		Planet Earth
		The Continents
		The Earth-Moon System
		The Role of Chance in God’s Plan
	7.THE EVOLUTION OF LIFE
		The Dawn of Life
		What Propelled Life?
		What Threatened Life?
		Mass Extinctions	
		Ice Ages
		The Dawn of Humanity
	8.WERE WE MEANT TO BE HERE?
		Science May Not Have an Answer
		The Cosmic Design
		At the Mercy of Natural Selection?
A FINAL WORD
	Is God at the Mercy of His Cosmic Design?
	A Purpose-Driven World
	Is Planet Earth Unique?


"One of the great masters of making exactly these points clear to everyone is Gerard Verschuuren....
A fascinating scientific review of the latest findings of the physical sciences."

Dr. Jeff Mirus, on Catholic Culture, November 1, 2019


"Gerard Verschuuren's new book is an enlightening read for non-scientists interested in the relationship between faith and reason."

Derya M. Little, in The Catholic World Report, October 29, 2019


"A fascinating book....
In this 175 page book, he brings together the best of science ("always a work in progress"),
with the wisdom of philosophy ancient and new,
the faith of Christian believers, and the Catholic doctrine in particular."

Fr. Ron Gary, on Capital Journal, October 18, 2019


"Despite the weightiness of its subject, it is rather easy to read.
The author has done us a great service and has provided us with a more coherent explanation
of the beginning and the purpose of the universe than have the less coherent but trendy popularizers.
I recommend it without reservation."

Donald DeMarco, in National Catholic Register, December 14, 2019


Review of the book by Laura Hensley on epicPew

Click here to read the review


Podcast of interview with Eric Sammons, Crisis Magazine (February 15, 2024)

Click here to watch the podcast


TV Interview with Doug Keck on EWTN Bookmark (August 19, 2020)

Click here to watch the video


Radio Interview on the Dan Cheeley Show (October 26, 2019)


Radio Interview on
Jon Leonetti in the Morning (10/18/2019)


Radio Interview on
The Miracle Hunter with Michael O'Neil (10/20/2019)


Radio Interview on
The Kyle Heimann Show (11/5/2019)

Click here to listen to the interview of Kyle Heimann


Dr. Cynthia Toolin-Wilson interviews Dr. Gerard Verschuuren on this book (8/12/2020)

Click here to listen to the interview


"It is important to note that Verschuuren... is comfortable in both the worlds of science and theology.
In fact, his abilities and achievements as a philosopher of science underscore the value of this book."

John P. Slattery, in The Catholic Sun, April 3, 2020


"There's just too much for me to tell you about in a book review, but I hope that I've piqued your interest,
especially if you are like me and often get intimidated by science vs. theology debates."

Rey Flores, in The Wanderer Weekly, 8th July, 2020


Video: Does science leave room for religion?

Video: The Galileo myth