Marvin Olasky of World Magazine has a very helpful survey of recent literature challenging Darwinism and offering alternatives, including a variety of books from authors arguing for intelligent design — most recently Doug Axe’s Undeniable. “Axe,” he summarizes, “shows how Darwinists who want us to suppress our intuition avoid looking at the gaping hole in their theory.”

Olasky does a great job in presenting a comprehensive picture of the books that are out there. He also includes creationist works in his omnibus review, none of which I’ve read so I leave it to others to judge their merits.

He offers two additional notes as well that I found illuminating. Regarding the evolution debate and how it is distorted by Darwin advocates:

On one side sits a science Goliath, using evidence for proven evolution (animals getting bigger or changing color) to sell the unproven doctrine of macroevolution (one kind of animal turning into another). On the other side roam Davids skeptical about such claims. Prestigious groups like the American Association for the Advancement of Science attack them for exposing what the AAAS dubs “so-called ‘flaws’ in the theory of evolution or ‘disagreements’ within the scientific community.”

The debate seems even more uneven this summer, as the scientific establishment turns up the heat. One example: Fueled by $9 million from the Templeton Foundation, the AAAS this summer is inviting seminary professors to “faculty enrichment retreats” at historic seaside inns and mountain lodges. For example, from July 18 to 21 “evangelical/conservative Protestant” professors will have “positive dialogue” on evolution at the Timberline Lodge in Oregon, where they can enjoy “deluxe accommodations. … Ranger-led walk on Mt. Hood (easy trail). Guided stargazing and astronomy tour. Stellar dining…. Hot tub….”

Well, July 18-21 is just days away, isn’t it. The historic Timberline Lodge looks great (pictured above; it’s one of those wonderful old WPA projects). It’s just down the road in the gorgeous Mount Hood National Forest. I would like to think seminary faculty members cannot have their views swayed by such blandishments, even the “Stellar dining” and “Hot tub.” But note the insult from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The AAAS evidently thinks those religious scholars can be bought off with luxuries. Otherwise why offer them? That is scandalous, quite honestly.

Olasky goes on:

Meanwhile, judging from press coverage, the only significant response from “evolution deniers” is a 510-foot-long replica of Noah’s Ark to be unveiled in Williamstown, Ky., on July 7. The popular Wonkette website earlier this year complained about this product of a purportedly “meth-addled creationist lame brain … literal interpretation of the Noah’s Ark Bible.” Americans would never know from the press generally that a great intellectual ferment among creationists and intelligent design proponents is under way, one that is producing many challenging books.

Yes. At least as far as ID goes, evolutionary apologists carefully conceal the “great intellectual ferment” from view.

Stuff like the Ark Park is the perfect dodge for Darwinists who want to avoid a real debate about substantive issues of science and faith. Indeed, this month, Dr. Axe’s book is out, as you know, which is in part a shot across the bow directed at “Science Guy” Bill Nye. Both Mr. Nye and Dr. Axe have written books called Undeniable — borrowing the title was a witty move of authorial appropriation on Axe’s part. Axe, as you know already, presents a serious yet accessible argument that our near universal intuition about Darwinism — that it can’t explain biological innovations, while intelligence can — has scientific merit.

And as Axe’s book was headed to the marketplace of ideas, what do you think Bill Nye was doing? Do I have to tell you? Can’t you guess? Yes, accompanied by much hoopla and trailed by a video camera crew for an upcoming documentary, he was visiting the Ark Park.

I’m on Twitter. Follow me @d_klinghoffer.

Photo: Timberline Lodge, by U.S. National Archives and Records Administration [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.