The last part of 2005 has been one of intense controversy about what should be taught—and not taught—in public school science classrooms, particularly regarding evolution. From my experience as a public school science teacher on the secondary and elementary levels, as a trainer of science teachers in college courses, and as a science textbook writer (Science: Understanding Your Environment [Silver Burdett, late 70’s and early 80’s]), I have been saddened by what seems to be an almost total lack of understanding about the conceptual framework of Intelligent Design. I sense a “lack of doing homework” about the real issues by many “authorities” who are speaking out. For example, does the Darwinian paradigm, set forth nearly 100 years ago, in an age nearly ignorant of cellular behavior, support all we now know about molecular biology? ID says No.

When I was learning science I was taught to ask questions—without fear. When I taught science, we continually asked hard ones: “What are the data? What do they say—and not say? Or, what may we infer from them? What is still open to question, to think about, and what needs more work?” Religion was not an issue. Certainly not the issue, or one for a science classroom.

To help others understand what may seem a radically different paradigm, or, as some say, a more honest way to think, here is a brief list of books written by solid, qualified people who have embraced what they call Intelligent Design. I’ll include a few comments.

This list, of course, is incomplete, and I can make mistakes. Any reactions, additions, suggestions about ideas are welcome. The usual “snickercrit” (attacking the messenger and ignoring the message) adds nothing to our understanding.

May I emphasize (for those new to ID concepts) that creators of the Intelligent Design paradigm are NOT “young earth” creationists. They have no problem with the Big Bang and “millions and billions” of years as suggested by current research. The issue is Darwinism.

1. Doubts About Darwin (Baker [ISBN 0-8010-6443-0], 2003) by Thomas Woodward. Based upon Woodward’s Ph.D. dissertation at U. of South Florida. Traces—in perhaps more detail than you want—the history of the Intelligent Design movement. An interesting aside here on “ethos, pathos, and logos” and on “narrative and anti- narrative” on how to discuss and argue either“evolution” and Intelligent Design as well as other issues. You may, or may not, want to start here.

2. Evolution: A Theory in Crisis (Adler & Adler [ISBN 0-917561-05-8], 1986) by Michael Denton. A British-educated biochemist and medical doctor from Australia. The person who awakened UCLA law professor Philip Johnson to the issue. Outlines basic flaws in Darwinian theory. A key foundational book.

3. Darwin on Trial (Downer’s Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1993) by Phillip Johnson, UCLA professor of law. “Popularly” written (as was, incidentally, much of Darwin’s The Origin of Species). Johnson has written several other books, booklets, and papers but this one is key.

4. Darwin’s Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge (NY: Free Press, 1996) by Michael J. Behe. A molecular biologist at Lehigh University who introduces the notion of “irreducible complexity.” The notion of Intelligent Design introduced and developed. While popularly written, there are “boxed-in” technical discussions for researchers.

5. Intelligent Design (Downer’s Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 1999) by William Dembski. With a Ph.D. in mathematics from Univ. of Chicago and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Univ. of Illinois in Chicago, Dembski describes and advocates ID, as well as showing how it is a bridge between science and theology. Dembski has written several other titles, but this one is foundational.

6. Icons of Evolution: Science or Myth?: Why Much of What We Teach About Evolution Is Wrong (Washington, DC: Regnery Publishing [ISBN 0-89526-276-2], 2000)by Jonathan Wells. A biochemist with Ph.D.’s from both Berkeley and Yale, Wells declares, and illustrates how ten examples of “classic” observations from “scientific research” that support Darwinism are dishonest and fraudulent.

7. The Mystery of Life’s Origin: Reassessing Current Theories (NY: Philosophical Library [ISBN 0-9642104-0-1], 1984) by Charles Thaxton (Ph.D. chemistry, Iowa State, post-doc at Harvard), Walter Bradley, and Roger Olsen. A powerful critique of Darwinism, published at about the same time as Denton’s book (see #2 above), but didn’t get as much exposure (according to Woodward—see #1, above) or have as much impact.

8. Darwinism: Science or Philosophy? (Richardson, TX: Foundation for Thought and Ethics [ISBN 0-9642104-0-1], 1994) Proceedings of a symposium held at Southern Methodist Univ. Mar. 26-26, 1992 edited by Jon Buell and Virginia Hearn. An important debate where noted evolutionists and advocates of Intelligent Design presented papers and responded to the papers of opponents. Main issue addressed: Is evolution science or philosophy? A fascinating discussion with minimal ad hominem confrontation.

There are, of course, many other titles on ID written for various markets, including those with mainly religious interests. But the books cited here, I feel, are solid sources for those who care about and know something about science. And they are concerned about the claims many in science are making today.