You may have several questions about this book: Why was it written? How is it organized, and why? For whom is it intended? Where is the creation-evolution issue headed?
This study began unexpectedly in June 1970. I was a Christian, an evolutionist, and a new professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy. I heard surprising, almost unbelievable, claims on the radio that some had seen Noah’s Ark at the 14,000-foot level of Mount Ararat in eastern Turkey. If a gigantic boat had ever been at that elevation, a colossal flood must have occurred. However, the biblical flood was always hard for me to imagine. After all, where could so much water come from? Where did it all go? Every attempt I had heard to answer the first question was shallow at best. Few, if any, ever tried to answer the second.
For two years, I pondered these issues, reading everything available about claimed sightings of Noah’s Ark and talking with many “Ark hunters.” Almost daily I gazed up at 14,000-foot Rocky Mountain peaks and tried to imagine, at one of their summits, an object large enough to fill a football stadium. The case for the Ark’s existence grew stronger with each question answered.
But with those answers came a problem. If that much water sloshed over the Earth for a year, a vast amount of mud and sediments would have buried and fossilized plants and animals and would explain the fossil record, especially fossils of sea life on the world’s highest mountains. The fossil record was supposedly the best evidence for evolution, a theory I had passively accepted. If a global flood produced most fossils, where was the evidence for evolution? The more I struggled with this question, the more amazed I became at the lack of evidence supporting evolution and the abundant evidence supporting a global flood and a literal creation. By 1972, I had become a creationist.
As I began to talk with friends and colleagues about what I was learning, invitations to speak arose. Speaking publicly on the subject also forced me to organize my thoughts, so the first edition of this book began to “evolve.”
In 1978, my wife and I decided the subject was so broad and important that I should pursue it full time, and, therefore, retire from a demanding, interesting, and successful military career at the first opportunity. That occurred in 1980. Since then, I have kept busy with study, writing, debates, speaking engagements, and research (particularly development of the hydroplate theory, which explains the flood and answers so many questions that scientists have had for centuries.) This book lays out those answers. It has been exciting to see how greater awareness of creation and the flood profoundly affects so many people. You may experience this yourself.
Initially, those attending the full-day In the Beginning Seminar received a small booklet summarizing the seminar content and answering many frequently asked questions. The first three editions of this book served that purpose. Later, outside requests for the book grew to the point that it had to be greatly expanded for those who had not attended the seminars. However, the book’s basic organization still follows the seminar format—an ideal format for learning this subject.
Part I of this book begins with a summary of the scientific evidence dealing with origins. That evidence falls into nine areas: three in the life sciences, three in the astronomical and physical sciences, and three in the Earth sciences. Figure 1 on page viii shows this organization. Part II contains the most popular of those nine areas, as demonstrated in 200 full-day seminars and by letters, emails, and phone calls we receive daily. Scientists, in particular, are struck by the number and diversity of problems the hydroplate theory easily solves. Part III contains 46 questions most frequently asked during question-and-answer sessions at seminars and in media interviews—questions not already answered in Parts I and II.
This format and a comprehensive index, beginning on page 630, allow readers to find topics of interest quickly and see the broad scope of this subject. Parts I, II, and III, which are quite different, may be read independently and in any order. Skip any parts that you find difficult. Readers are often amazed at the endnotes, which include revealing and surprising quotations (admissions)—usually from evolutionists.
The intended reader is anyone interested in the subject of origins—from high school students with little scientific background to people with multiple Ph.D.s in science. Parents have even paraphrased topics for their children at mealtime or bedtime.
Here is an offer for students, parents, and educators who read the entire book. Rather than place you in the awkward position of debating with science teachers or professors who are evolutionists, let me suggest an interesting alternative. As you read this book, identify questions to ask educators. If they object to any scientific information or conclusion in the book, I will be happy to discuss it with them by telephone, provided you are part of our three-way conversation. With their permission, you may record our conversation for the entire class. If nothing else, this will sharpen everyone’s critical thinking skills, put more information “on the table,” and move us a little closer to the truth.
Where is the creation-evolution controversy headed? I believe the battle will be won—not in courts, legislatures, boards of education, or church councils—but by grass-roots science education. Yes, today evolutionists generally control higher education, science journals, and the media, but the scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports creation and a global flood. (If you find someone who disagrees, please refer them to the preceding paragraph, and the debate offers on pages 586– 587. Challenge them—then watch what happens. You will probably hear pitiful excuses.) Throughout the history of science, controversies have raged. Perhaps none have had the profound social consequences—and, therefore, the interest and emotion—of this origins debate. In the end, the side with the scientific evidence has always prevailed. The Galileo episode is one example.
Our task, then, is to educate the public, especially students. Individuals who are aware of this evidence will inevitably bring pressure and embarrassment on entrenched interests, starting in the classroom. This is already happening. How can more be done? Many pictures in this book could be fascinating subjects for a grade-school child’s classroom report. High school students could go further by reading and analyzing articles and reports related to such pictures. College students could extend this by interviewing and critiquing scientists specializing in the subject. Adults will enjoy explaining these and hundreds of other points of evidence to friends. (Many conduct courses and give lectures using this book.) As more people learn, more will want to learn. Increasingly, the public will ask—or tell—educators, publishers, museums, and the media to educate themselves and stop perpetuating misinformation and poor science.
Although many people helped with this book and offered constructive suggestions, three should be acknowledged. Brad Anderson’s creativity and unparalleled expertise with computers and book design are on every page. Jon Schoenfield and Peggy Brown skillfully and meticulously checked and frequently improved all parts of the text. My family’s support has been invaluable. To them and many others who helped, I am immensely grateful. The mistakes, of course, are mine alone.
I hope that In the Beginning: Compelling Evidence for Creation and the Flood will help you, the reader, as you grasp the power and horror of the flood, the amazing complexity and design of the Creation, and explore all the events “in the beginning.”
Walt Brown
You may reproduce any portion of the book for teaching or classroom use. For all other uses, simply reference this book as your source. To publish figures, contact the owners listed in the Picture Credits beginning on page 628 for permission.
The entire book is free on the internet at: www.creationscience.com and is frequently updated.
Those wishing to purchase the hardbound version of this book should contact the publisher,
missionimperative.org
Those who have read the entire book and have questions about what Dr. Brown has written may call 602-956-6880 on Fridays, between 3:00 and 5:00 P.M. (Phoenix, Arizona time). However, those who are teaching from this book and have related questions or disagreements may call anytime.
Teachers may arrange—at no cost—for students who have read this book to question Dr. Brown by phone. Before the course begins, teachers should contact us, describe their class, and arrange for a mutually agreeable time to call near the end of the course. At the arranged hour, have a speakerphone in the classroom so all students can participate.