March, 2011
Several years ago, we quoted the senior editor of a well-known publishing house remarking to a group of his peers (as reported in Publisher's Weekly), "I don't have an intelligent design book. I need to get one on our list for this coming year." The tone of his remark fit that of the group's overall conversation. It was a tone reflecting respect for sales trends, not for the topic of intelligent design. That was then. Here's now: quantum progress in respect for the topic.
The Publication of The Nature of Nature
With a list of contributors that reads like a "Who's Who" in science, a major work centering on the ID debate was released this month. Constituting what is sure to become a classic — even historic — discussion on science and faith for decades to come, the contributions of the scientists and scholars participating in the Nature of Nature Conference have been organized into a remarkable volume by our Academic Editor, Bill Dembski, and by Bruce Gordon. It was released this month by our strategic publishing partner, ISI (Intercollegiate Studies Institute) under the title, The Nature of Nature. This stunning 985-page book captures the titanic clash of worldviews among those who have thought most deeply about the nature of science and of the universe itself.
The Nature of Nature is based on an expansive conference of the same name that took place at Baylor University in 2000, and as one report put it, "drew a cast of top scholars and scientists from around the world." Before an audience of 350 attendees, the 65 participants, who represented a broad spectrum of viewpoints and included two Nobel Laureates, weighed in on the most fundamental question in natural science, "Was the natural world created, or is it self-existing?"
A preview copy of the book arrived in our office this week — and it is beautiful! As Drs. Dembski and Gordon write in their Introduction,
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A central issue in this interplay between presuppositions and conclusions, one made all the more pressing by recent scientific advances, is whether the universe is self-existent, self-sufficient, and self-organizing, or whether instead it is grounded in a reality that transcends space, time, matter, and energy. More pointedly, does our universe find its ultimate explanatory principle in matter or mind?. . . While the editors of this volume stand on one side of this divide, the essays in this volume advance a rational and balanced discussion of these questions. | |
Watch Amazon.com for reviews. We'll be featuring detailed info about its release next month.
Do the Math
Our own intelligent design books, The Design of Life and How to Be an Intellectually Fulfilled Atheist (Or Not), authored jointly by Bill Dembski and Jonathan Wells, are selling in the top 3 brick and mortar book retail giants, Barnes & Noble, Borders, and Books-A-Million, and on Amazon.com. But if you've been reading the business news this past year, you've noticed that Barnes & Noble has been losing market share and Border's has filed for Chapter 11. Our Culture is in the midst of what could prove to be a seismic shift to e-books. FTE has therefore been expanding to include e-books as quickly as possible.
In conjunction with ISI, we've made arrangements to publish our first digital book, How to Be an Intellectually Fulfilled Atheist (Or Not) on Amazon's Kindle. This agreement provides for readers to access How to Be on Kindle as well as on other handheld devices — iPhones, Droids, and perhaps Blackberries.
We have also begun talks with NOVOink.com, a Christian digital book distributor in Colorado, (brought to our attention by a friend of FTE who serves on the NOVOink Board). This distributor partners with an online newsstand program boasting a list of over eight million registered buyers who use their reader and have access to NOVOink's books. Their interactive technology allows readers to highlight, zoom, add notes, and clip and share excerpts with friends on over 200 social media sites. They are very interested in distributing our books, so we have just shipped samples of three titles for their review.
Still another distributor is inquiring about non-exclusive digital rights for two of our titles that they have been handling for years.
Beyond the Digital Divide
In addition to the excitement of seeing our ID books cross "the Digital Divide," the strong performance of our powerful history book, Never Before in History: America's Inspired Birth is gaining momentum. NBIH has always been our most sought-out publication, but now, more than ever, there is swelling enthusiasm for learning about the content, meaning, and significance of America's Founding documents, particularly the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. You may recall from previous newsletters that last year, the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) held hearings on the State's standards for social studies curriculum. The majority of the Board was convinced that the current standards seriously neglected the history of America's Founding and of the Judeo-Christian principles that shaped the Founding and the Founders. We followed the hearings closely and were encouraged when the Board passed revised and significantly improved standards. But when it comes time to review, debate, and adopt textbooks to meet the new standards, the battle will be rejoined, and you can bet the secular left will be loaded for bear.
A recent survey published in USA Today indicates that less than one-third of Americans between ages 18 and 29 report having read the Bible — ever. In other words, two-thirds of this demographic have never even opened a Bible! With statistics like this, the mission of FTE is more critical than ever: to help young people regain freedom of inquiry (meaningful access), especially in the life-directing matters of worldview, morality, and conscience.
How grateful we are for your support. You enable us to continue to make inroads not only in countering our society's historical amnesia but also in countering the Darwinian worldview that dominates our culture and educational system. This is work of incalculable importance to the future of our children and to the kingdom of God. And it's a work far too big for us . . . too big for us, that is, without you and the Lord!
Thank you for the privilege you have extended to us, the privilege of partnering with you. We are extremely grateful.
Because He lives,
Jon Buell
President
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