Improbable Planet: How Earth Became Humanity's Home - by Hugh Ross

About the book:

Are we really just the result of innumerable coincidences?
Or is there a more reasonable explanation?

Most of us remember the basics from science classes about how Earth came to be the only known planet that sustains complex life. But what most people don't know is that the more thoroughly researchers investigate the history of our planet, the more astonishing the story of our existence becomes.

The number and complexity of the astronomical, geological, chemical, and biological features recognized as essential to human existence have expanded explosively within the past decade. An understanding of what is required to make possible a large human population and advanced civilizations has raised profound questions about life, our purpose, and our destiny.

This fascinating book helps nonscientists understand the countless miracles that undergird the exquisitely fine-tuned planet we call home--as if Someone had us in mind all along.

My review:

I have to confess, I had a hard time getting through this book.  Parts of it were very interesting, but I got bogged down in all of the science lingo.  Hugh Ross believes that the world is billions of years old, but explains in detail how improbable it is that Earth could have just happened with all of the complicated things that needed to come together to allow and sustain life and especially advanced life.  I have to agree after reading about all of the processes that impact us and how if anything was just a little bit off, Earth wouldn't be able to sustain life.  It would be too hot or too cold or too little oxygen, etc., etc., etc.   He names a lot of studies and experiments that have been done to try to figure out how the Earth and other planets became the way they are. However, I don't really believe that the world is billions of years old, though admittedly I haven't done a lot of research into the young Earth, old Earth debate, so I had a bit of a hard time with his timelines.  I just don't really understand what would be the point of God creating the world, then having evolution slowly change things over time when He could just create it the way He wants it right away.  However, I do agree that God created the world and it's awe-inspiring to see how many things have affected the history of Earth and affect us right now.  We are truly living in a blessed age as far as our environment is concerned.  I also really liked his last chapter about why we're here.  Life does have meaning and purpose.  We're to seek and find God and encourage others to do the same.  If you like science and reading about how the world possibly came to be, you might want to check this out.

I received this book free from Baker Books.

The Author

1. 

   Hugh Ross

   Hugh Ross (PhD, University of Toronto) is founder and president of international and interdenominational Reasons To Believe ( www.reasons.org). He is the author of many books, including The Creator and the Cosmos, More Than a Theory, and Why...
   

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