Dawn Creation Project Publications
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Dawn:
A Proton’s Tale of All that Came to Be

Gijsbert van den Brink

IVP

This is an adventure that began almost fourteen billion years ago, one that so often threatened to fail. It’s truly a miracle I’m still here. Despite everything, I wouldn’t have wanted to miss one second of it. And the best is yet to come.

With the help of an extraordinary narrator, you’re invited to discover the wonder and drama of the history of the cosmos. In this story we follow the journey of one proton who comes into existence at the beginning of creation and makes it all the way through history to today. By becoming a part of atoms and molecules that turn up at some of the universe’s most important moments, our friend Proton witnesses emerging galaxies, the origin of life, its evolution into a wild diversity of life forms, the first human beings, the birth and life of Jesus, the beginnings of the Christian church, all the way up to the present day. Through it all, the mysterious, seemingly unbelievable plans of the Creator continue to unfold. . . .

Combining its authors’ mind-bending scientific knowledge, storytelling skills, and insights from theology, Dawn provides a fresh look at the fundamentals of cosmology, evolutionary biology, and the good news of God in one overarching adventure—in the form of a gripping story. Readers who love both science and Scripture will discover an engaging, thought-provoking tale that reminds us we each have a big place in God’s plan of creation—even if we’re very, very small.

BioLogos Books on Science and Christianity invite us to see the harmony between the sciences and biblical faith on issues including cosmology, biology, paleontology, evolution, human origins, the environment, and more.

BUY
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Gijsbert van den Brink

Gijsbert van den Brink (PhD Utrecht University) holds a University Research Chair in Theology and Science at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He is the author of multiple books, including Christian Dogmatics: An Introduction (Eerdmans, 2017), and Reformed Theology and Evolutionary Theory (Eerdmans, 2020). Gijsbert was a Resident Fellow at the Henry Center during the Creation Project.

Endorsements

In this wonderfully creative and imaginative account, a proton tells the story of both science and faith from beginning to end. This new and refreshing perspective keeps the reader engaged from start to finish—the story of the universe in a style we encounter for the very first time. A gripping read and recommended for readers of any age.

Denis Alexander, Emeritus Director of the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, Cambridge University

This is a fantastic book, one that I would have liked to have written myself. Great that it is here now. Highly recommended!

Heino Falcke, Professor of Astrophysics, Radboud University, the Netherlands

I have always dreamed of traversing the entire universe. But the authors of this fascinating book go a step further—they traverse the entirety of time, all 13.7 billion years of it! From a perspective firmly grounded in love for the Creator and respect for his creatures, they have given us an imaginative tour de force.

Matthew Levering, James N. Jr. and Mary D. Perry Chair of Theology, Mundelein Seminary

This is a remarkable book combining good science, rich and childlike imagination, and deeply grounded creational theology. The story of the universe told by a proton! Who comes up with that? It's great for children, and adults won't be able to resist it!

W. Ross Hastings, Sangwoo Youtong Chee Professor of Theology, Regent College

Dawn is a unique and engaging book arising from a conversation between scientists, philosophers, and theologians... they found a grand story to tell. Starting from the Big Bang, a few protons are our guides, proverbial flies on a wall. Both a work of fiction and nonfiction, this story is a fresh invitation to the great and grand story of who we are and who is God."

S. Joshua Swamidass, Associate Professor of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine, Washington University, St Louis

Book Reviews

In many ways, admirably so. The merging of science and biblical witness is skillfully accomplished, respecting the integrity of each source of knowledge. To readers of this journal, the idea of a Creator patiently guiding the evolution of the universe and of life over billions of years in order to generate Earth and its humanity, followed by the increasingly intimate involvement of that Creator in redeeming humanity, is familiar. To many others, this idea will be revelatory... Dawn succeeds, in the end, as creative nonfdion-the memoir of a proton. Along the way, it retells the old, old story in an imaginative way. The authors have created one of the most accessible books on science and Christianity to come out in recent years. Even young adults will be able to enjoy it.

David Owen De Haan

Professor of Chemistry, University of San Diego

Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith 75, no 1 (2023): 61-62.

Gijsbert van den Brink on Sapientia

Reformed Theology and Evolutionary Theory:
A Rejoinder

Gijsbert van den Brink

November 4, 2020

Just for Christians? Why Theology Is More than High-Level Catechesis

Gijsbert van den Brink

May 28, 2020

Bearing the Marks of Our Mortality

Gijsbert van den Brink

June 5, 2018