Book Review: The Selfless Gene by Charles Foster

• Why are there two apparently conflicting accounts of creation in the book of Genesis?
• Do evolutionists really believe that man came from ooze?
• Did the fall of man or natural selection cause all the suffering we see in the natural world?
• Where do dinosaurs and cavemen fit into the story?
• Is there a middle ground between the neo-Darwinists and the young earth creationists?

I don’t know about you, but these are things that cross my mind. Charles Foster's book, The Selfless Gene, seeks to answer these questions and explores the idea that evolutionary theory and Christianity are not mutually exclusive worldviews. Foster respectively analyzes this often dicey subject through the lens of both science and religion and convincingly asserts that the two can in fact be reconciled.

I have to tell you that I really enjoyed this book although, I was a little weary at the onsite. In a review of the book, respected scientist, Simon Conway Morris, stated "If you are a creationist it is most unlikely you'll be one by the time you finish reading this thought-provoking book. But anyone who is, like myself, a Darwinian is equally at risk." I, like perhaps some of you, tend to get a little uncomfortable when someone starts challenging things I believe in. But, I would encourage anyone to read Foster's thorough review of the subject.

Admittedly, the first few chapters are heavy on the science side. The reading got a little tedious at times, even for a molecular biologist that is at least somewhat familiar with evolutionary theory. However, this comprehensive analysis is completely necessary for the comparisons and contrasts presented in the rest of the book. I liken it to having to eat your brussels sprouts before getting to enjoy the dessert of the last half of the book. And let me tell you, that last half was well worth the wait. There, Foster took an in-depth analysis of the creation stories presented in Genesis. I've read those accounts many times before, but his take on them was like a breath of fresh air. Additionally, I enjoyed how Foster peppered the entire book with other aspects of Christianity (like Hebrew culture, prophesy, and environmentalism) that I wasn't expecting to encounter. All in all, I found this book very well written and somewhat reassuring to this Christ-following scientist.

Missing My Muchness

A couple weeks ago, I finally watched Alice In Wonderland. I have to say that I liked it. One scene in particular really stuck with me. A little background for those of you that haven't seen the movie (all 2 of you), in this scene Alice tries to tell the Mad Hatter that she can't be the one to slay the Jabberwocky because she just doesn't slay.

I keep thinking about muchness. I think I've lost a lot of my muchness. I'm safe. I'm predictable. I'm good at damage control. I like being comfortable. But, I'm missing out on a part of life that I was wired for. Like Alice, there are things that I'm designed to do, but I talk myself out of. I need to get back some of my muchness. How about you? How's your muchness?

Gungor

Last night, our friend Barbara, Harper, and I went to see Gungor. It was awesome. I've seen a lot of good bands, but until last night, I've never wanted to actually be in the band.

Gungor, I'm available. Call me.

I like several things about this band. First, the instrumentation is cool. Last night, in addition to guitars, bass, and piano, they had a string trio, a melodica, and a banjo. The texture they create is just plain cool.

Secondly, their lyrics are great. I love songs that can articulate feelings that you didn't even know you were feeling. You can listen to a couple of their songs below.

Vacation Withdraw

I would rather be here right now - my favorite beachfront restaurant with my favorite family.

The Boxer

Rob trains at a boxing gym. Some film students from Vanderbilt stopped by the gym the other day to get some footage for a project they were working on. It turned out pretty good, although I may be biased because there are so many clips of Rob.

Vacation Pics

Here are some of my favorite pictures from this week. Later today, we'll be heading back to Nashville. Until then, we'll be hanging out at the pool.

Harper is a good supervisor.

She's also brave when it comes to holding crabs!

Building sand castles

Headed into the water with dad

Inspecting grandma's flowers

Airboat Adventure

Yesterday, Rob and I took an airboat ride through the Everglades of Central Florida. It was awesome! I've been vacationing in Florida all of my life, but yesterday, I saw a side of Florida I'd never seen before.

We knew we were in for an adventure when this guy and 4 of his friends greeted us at the boat doc.

We saw so many gators, we lost count.

We also saw 2 bald eagles. Neither Rob, nor I were fast enough on the draw to get a picture that did them justice. But let me tell you, the founding fathers got that one right. Those creatures were impressive.

We also saw lots of turtles including this one. She was sitting on a nest of eggs and covered herself in sand.

All in all, the airboat ride was super fun. I highly recommend it! Ecotourism rocks!

Water Bug

This is the best child flotation device ever.

Alligators Everywhere!

Today we visited the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. I've been going there for at least 20 years. It was cool to be able to take Harper.

The gators were out in full force.

So were the birds.

Harper wrangled the gators like an old pro.

Ecotourism is pretty awesome.

Florida, We've Missed You

It's our first full day in Florida and we're having lots of fun. We went to the beach first thing this morning and practiced our sand castle building skills.

Then, we spotted some dolphins. There were several pods right off shore. Some even swam up to where Rob was swimming. I caught it on tape. Rob is the guy on the right. You can see the dolphin surface right in front of him.

After a quick bite to eat, we swam some more in Pap and Grandma's pool.

Then, Rob gave Harper her first fishing lesson.

Today was a good start to our vacation. Stay tuned for our next adventure... The St. Augustine Alligator Farm.

Summer Has Officially Begun

I love our YMCA. It's awesome. One of the best parts about it is the outdoor pool, or maybe water park would be a better description. They have 3 separate outside swimming areas plus an indoor pool. When I checked the outside temperature at 7:30 this morning and it was already 82 degrees, I knew swimming was in our immediate future.

Here's a pic of the little kid swimming area. I took it during one of the swim breaks the lifeguards make everyone take. When people are in the pool, all of the structures you see are some kind of fountain. It's pretty fun.

I think she had a pretty good time too.

Making Progress

Did you know that this kid has worn big girl underwear to school for the past 3 days with no accidents?

You Get The Gist

Harper loves to sing. She pretty much sings all day long. I've taught her the words to about 10 different songs. If I sing with her, she can sing the words perfectly. If she sings by herself, she'll sing the general idea of the song, but the lyrics don't always make it out in one piece. Case in point: Here is her version of Jesus Loves Me. I'll translate it below for those of you who don't speak toddler.



"Jesus loves me, oh so fun. Oh so fun, oh so fun..." I think she might be on to something there.

Harper and Harrison

These kids could do their own E*TRADE commercial. Don't ya think?

He Said She Said

Five years ago today, I married the man of my dreams. And five years later, I still like him. Go figure.

This morning, I was thinking about how we met. It was 10 years ago and we were in college. We inadvertently sat next to each other in music theory 101. I remember noticing him because he was pretty cute. He says that he noticed me because he asked me to play in a string quartet with him and I said no.

circa 2004

circa 2007

All these years later, I still think he's pretty cute and he still likes it when I give him a hard time.

circa 2008

Before and After

This is what our tiger lilies looked like right before we went to Cincinnati.

This is what they looked like when we got home.

We actually had these planted in our back yard in Cincinnati. Rob dug them up and brought them with us when we moved 2 years ago. They're not helping the curb appeal at the house we're trying to sell, but I'm glad we have them with us.

Pool Party

One of the things that I really regret about not living in Cincinnati anymore is that Harper doesn't get to grow up with my friends' kids. Harrison, Lincoln, Ava, and Finn are pretty awesome kids and I feel like Harper is missing out by not getting to hang out with them.

I think this video is pretty funny. It shows what real love looks like between cousins, two cute (and rather ginormous) babies, and Harper being oblivious to everything that's going on around her. I love these kids. All of them.

Photo Shoot

As is tradition when we go back to Cincinnati, Harper had a photo shoot with our awesome friend, Andrea. It was great! Andrea and Harper both did a fantastic job. See for yourself. And then check out Andrea's photography blog. If you need some pictures taken, she's the girl for the job!

These were taken at Fernbank Park.

And these were taken on the side of the road. Seriously. We saw this patch of daisies on the side of the road, pulled into the nearest driveway, jumped out, got the shots, and jumped back in the car.

Andrea rocks! We got so many great pictures that day. Harper is growing up so fast that I am truly grateful to have these images to remember this time in our lives. Thanks again, my friend.