Random Designer: Created from Chaos to Connect with the Creator

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{{cquote|What Colling is doing is simply cherry-picking aspects of evolutionary theory and ascribing those points to the good intentions of his God. |||<ref>[http://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/guest-post-the-genetics-of-christian-redemption/  The genetics of Christian redemption]</ref>}}

'''''Random Designer: Created from Chaos to Connect with the Creator''''' is a controversial [[theistic evolution]] book written in 2004 by Richard G. Colling, an American Christian microbiologist.

==Overview==

The book presents a new idea of using the concept of randomness to unite both [[evolution]] with a designer. Colling has written that the [[universe]] and all naturalistic processes were designed to look random by a designer who he identifies as the Christian [[God]]. The main thesis of the book is that the random designer uses randomness in nature to accomplish his purposes. Colling does not believe the [[Bible]] should be read as a scientific book and opposes those who read the Bible literally. His model accepts [[common descent]] and [[evolution]] and opposes [[creationism]].<ref>[http://www.randomdesigner.com/ARandomUniverse.pdf A Random Universe by Richard G. Colling]</ref><ref>[http://sunandshield.blogspot.co.uk/2006/11/random-designer.html Review of Random Designer]</ref> Colling proclaims he has presented a new vision of God’s design a model which is fully compatible with modern science and evolution.<ref>[http://randomdesigner.com/?page_id=9 Random Designer Book]</ref><ref>[http://cliff-martin.blogspot.co.uk/2008/03/book-review-random-designer.html Book Review Random Designer]</ref> Unlike some other [[theistic evolution]] writers Colling does not dispute anything at all in science.

==Reception==

Colling and his book were banned from Olivet Nazarene University, the [[Christian]] university where he had taught for twenty-seven years, because of writing the book. His book has also been banned from other Christian schools in America, which only demonstrates [[War on Science|just how ''terrifying'' science is to fundamentalists]]. Joseph H. Lechnera, a professor of Chemistry, gave the book a positive review and said that Colling does not dispute any science, but just adds that a random designer is doing it.<ref>[http://www.asa3.org/ASA/topics/Book%20Reviews2005-/9-08.html Review by Joseph H. Lechner, Professor of Chemistry]</ref>

==Criticism==
How does one differentiate between a random designer and no designer? Colling admits he cannot prove that God exists.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so-fWo3jExQ Richard Colling - Random Designer: Created From Chaos, To Connect With the Creator - Part 7] </ref> Colling is also accused of cherry picking what suits his concept of a loving creator.
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==See also==
*[[Can You Believe in God and Evolution?: A Guide for the Perplexed]]
*[[Finding Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution]]

==References==
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[[Category:Christianity]]
[[Category:Religious books]]
[[Category:Theistic evolution]]

Categories: Christianity, Religious books, Theistic evolution