Table Of Content© 2016 by Reasons to Believe
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“In Improbable Planet, Ross holds readers’ hands, leading them in a readable yet gently technical
format through a compelling layer-upon-layer argument for the distinctiveness of the planet on which
we live and of the preparation for inimitable life on Earth. The text is replete with references from
primary scientific articles in some of the most well-respected journals, underscoring the highest
academic rigor taken in substantiating the factual claims. Only the shamefully flippant could dismiss
this book as being a faith-filled presentation rather than the scholarly work it represents.”
James M. Tour, T. T. and W. F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, Rice University; R&D magazine’s 2013 Scientist of the Year
“This book, Improbable Planet, brings forth from the reader a triumphant shout of thanksgiving to a
God who is the Author of our creation. In the process, Hugh Ross brilliantly silences those who
would claim that this Earth, this solar system, this galaxy, and this universe are nothing but a mere
accident. Improbable Planet is technical yet poetic; thoroughly scientific yet faith-inspiring. I
commend it to anyone who seriously contemplates the wonder of this planet we call Earth.”
Pat Robertson, founder/chairman, The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc.
“Hugh Ross takes us on a riveting tour of the scientific story, from the beginning of the cosmos to
present humankind. He shows, from the perspective of cosmology, planetary science, geology,
ecology, and biology, how that story pushes us toward the conclusion that purpose has driven the
whole story, with the different pieces intertwined and each supporting the production of an ideal
habitat for human beings right here and right now. But that isn’t the final goal of the story: rather, we
were brought here to live eternally with our Maker. Not only will this commend Christian faith to
scientifically minded inquirers, but it will also strengthen the confidence of believers that we inhabit
and participate in a meaningful and purposeful story.”
C. John “Jack” Collins, professor of Old Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary
“Improbable Planet provides sound biblical and scientific support for a Creator. With thorough
notations and research, Dr. Hugh Ross takes us on a journey through time and space to bring us firmly
back to our own planet, formed by one Creator. For those who need a scientific explanation of our
universe and the life-forms within it, you will be satisfied. For those who already believe that God’s
divine hand created the world and all life within, you will be validated. Hugh Ross writes to stretch
our intellect and to strengthen our faith. Improbable Planet does the improbable—demonstrates that
the language of science does not threaten but instead augments the prose of evangelism.”
Ed Young, senior pastor, Second Baptist Church, Houston, TX
“Hugh Ross is a gift. He belongs to that rarefied and exceedingly small group of people who combine
brilliance of mind, an originality of thought that rivals the most creative thinkers, and an encyclopedic
knowledge of both the Bible and science. Improbable Planet is the latest expression of these traits.
You do not need to know either science or the Bible to understand the book, but the more you know
about either, the more impressive you will find the achievement. Anyone would immensely benefit
from reading Improbable Planet.”
Dennis Prager, nationally syndicated radio talk show host and columnist, New York Times bestselling author, and founder of
PragerUniversity.com
“When topics like intelligent design and fine-tuning are being explained, Hugh Ross is one of the
beloved and most widely read scientific authors. Adding to Ross’s reputation, this book will not
disappoint readers. Whether the topic is the mass of the universe, the Milky Way Galaxy, the failures
of abiogenesis, or the Cambrian explosion, much of this text reads like the explanations behind the
gorgeous photos of space that we often witness. I predict a wide audience!”
Gary R. Habermas, Distinguished Research Professor of Apologetics and Philosophy, Liberty University
“Dr. Ross has done it again! With his typical clarity, insight, and precision, Ross shows how recent
scientific findings undermine naturalism while simultaneously providing evidence that there is a plan,
purpose, and design in the universe. Whether you are a skeptic or a believer, you will be challenged
and equipped immensely by reading Improbable Planet. I highly recommend it.”
Sean McDowell, PhD, professor, Biola University; bestselling author of over 15 books, including A New Kind of Apologist
“In Improbable Planet, Hugh Ross presents the most detailed analysis yet of the Goldilocks ‘just
right’ circumstances that make Earth home to all of its inhabitants. The book builds an enthralling tale
of the conditions that allow and promote life to exist and thrive here.”
Gerald B. Cleaver, professor and head, Early Universe Cosmology and Strings Division, Baylor University
“Improbable Planet is a remarkably researched and detailed account of the geological, chemical, and
biological history of Earth. Readers will encounter a fascinating and informative book, even apart
from any theological or philosophical implications. An unimaginable series of finely timed and tuned
events were required in order for the primordial Earth to develop into a planet capable of supporting
higher life forms and allowing an advanced civilization to thrive. The improbability of our planet
becoming the paradise that it is provides strong evidence that there is a divine plan and providential
design behind it all and that humans and our planetary home have a deep significance in the universe.”
Michael G. Strauss, David Ross Boyd Professor, University of Oklahoma
“As one who has spoken to millions of despairing atheists in Russia and Ukraine, I am persuaded that
the case for the Creator as proposed by Ross is well nigh irrefutable. Hugh’s observation that we find
ourselves in a collection of 200 billion stars, in a universe of some 200 billion galaxies, in just the
right place, at just the right time, and with just the right view, makes one think that perhaps Someone
designed it all. Here is a fact-filled book that will stir the debate about origins while intellectually
challenging popular atheistic concepts.”
John Carter, president, The Carter Report, Moorpark, CA
“Hugh Ross’s proven scientific credentials and his enduring commitment to biblical Christianity
qualify him to speak authoritatively in the often raucous encounter between science and theology. The
quality of Hugh Ross’s work in Improbable Planet is characterized in his stated efforts to respond to
Carl Sagan’s assertion that ‘the cosmos is all there is or ever was or ever will be.’ Using scientific
evidence, Ross skillfully validates the biblical affirmation that this universe serves as a launching
pad for the new creation to come. He powerfully reveals the deep biblical foundations that undergird
his extensive scientific explanations, offering a model of thoroughness that should characterize
biblical Christianity’s interface with science.”
Byron D. Klaus, former president, Assemblies of God Theological Seminary
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Endorsement Page
Acknowledgments
1. Why Ask “Why”?
2. The Way the World Is
3. Essential Construction Materials
4. The Right Neighborhood
5. Site Preparations
6. Not Quite Ready
7. Ready for the Foundation
8. Construction Begins below Ground
9. Up to Ground Level
10. Air-Conditioning
11. Invisible Progress
12. Heating and Ventilation
13. The Structure Rises
14. Finishing Touches
15. Ready for Occupancy
16. Why We’re Here
Appendix A: Why Not Life on a Moon?
Appendix B: Are We Alone in the Universe?
Notes
Index
About the Author
Back Ads
Back Cover
Acknowledgments
During the five years I spent reviewing the literature and organizing my thoughts for this book, my
Sunday morning Paradoxes class became my sounding board. The class members’ questions,
challenges, and critiques played a significant role in shaping the content. So thanks to everyone who
patiently and persistently participated in those interactions.
The next person to help me organize my thoughts, arrange them into chapters, and put them into
words was my partner in life and ministry, Kathy. As usual, she protected my writing time,
encouraged me to keep going, and then took the lead in editing the manuscript. She faced the nearly
impossible job of balancing my demand for scientific accuracy with the readers’ desire for
accessibility. Thanks, Kathy, for never giving up on this task—or on me.
After this initial work, five more editors who are part of my team at Reasons to Believe stepped up
to help. Special thanks to Joe Aguirre, Sandra Dimas, Linda Kloth, Maureen Moser, and Amanda
Warner for checking and rechecking all the citations and quotations in the book, helping me work in
the revisions and additions suggested by early reviewers, performing detailed copyedits, and
preparing the index. The many hours you invested made an enormous difference in the quality of this
work. I cannot thank you enough.
As these editors continued their labor, a stellar group of scholars including and in addition to my
colleagues at RTB took time to review the science and offer their recommendations. I’m especially
grateful to astronomer Kyle Cudworth, biochemist Russ Carlson, and geologists Ken Wolgemuth and
Steve Keyes. Your many helpful suggestions and revisions improved the book’s content without
exceeding reasonable limitations on word count.
Others who deserve special mention and appreciation include my assistant, Diana Carrée, and the
members of RTB’s advancement and ministry care teams. Your support, encouragement, and extra
effort allowed Kathy and me to focus intensely for weeks on writing and editing. Time and again your
service goes far beyond the call of duty. I’m blessed to work with men and women who share my
passion for providing new reasons to believe in Jesus Christ, our Creator and Savior.
Finally, let me go back to where this writing project began—in conversations with my agent, Steve
Laube, and Baker Publishing Group’s executive editor Bob Hosack. What started as a discussion of
the fossil record grew much deeper and wider as we went along. Thank you for allowing me to
expand the scope of the project I had initially proposed. Your enthusiasm has been, and remains,
invaluable.
1
Why Ask “Why”?
A few years ago I wrote a book called Why the Universe Is the Way It Is to show what the
characteristics of the universe—its age, mass, dimensions, physical laws, and other physical features
—tell us about humanity’s ultimate purpose and destiny.[1] I wrote it also as an appeal to those who
reject the Creator on the basis that they, as mere humans, can conceive of a better universe than ours
to reconsider their claim in light of new discoveries. My aim in that book was to demonstrate how
our seemingly “imperfect” universe fits perfectly with what I describe as a two-creation model of
reality. Rather than upholding Carl Sagan’s assertion that “the cosmos is all that is or ever was or
ever will be,”[2] evidence supports the biblical assertion that this universe serves as a launchpad for
the new creation to come—a reality more perfect than any of us can think of or imagine, one that
fulfills all our greatest hopes and deepest longings.
In many respects the book in your hands is a sequel to that book—a necessary sequel, given
popular notions about Earth as a not-so-special, often hostile, and, in a worst-case scenario, possibly
replaceable home for humanity. Of all the things in life we tend to take for granted, our terrestrial
residence and its resources might be one of the biggest. We don’t seem to be amazed and astonished
by Earth’s beauty and treasures, its capacity to support more than 7 billion people and even more
billions of other creatures.
Most people I meet, including scientists, acknowledge that Earth has undergone some changes since
it first coalesced from the disk of gas and dust surrounding our star, the Sun, but few can even imagine
how radically different it is today. Many suggest that Earth’s life-sustaining features are just “amazing
coincidences” that somehow fell into place in a way that suits human needs and, at the same time,
determines what life-forms exist.
Evidence and logic compel me to challenge such a notion. Ongoing research tells us that Earth has
been shaped not only by an intricately orchestrated interplay of physical forces and conditions, but
also by its vast abundance and diversity of life-forms. By means that no depth and breadth of
scientific research can explain, life arose early in Earth’s history under anything but the benign
conditions it would seem to require and somehow persisted through multiple mass extinction events,
always appearing or reappearing at just-right times and in just-right forms to meet the needs and
demands of the revised environment.
The more thoroughly researchers investigate the history of our planet, the more astonishing the
story of our existence becomes. The number and complexity of the astronomical, geological,
chemical, and biological features recognized as essential to human existence have expanded
explosively within the past decade. The importance of this new information cannot be overstated. An
understanding of what is required to make possible a large human population and advanced
civilization has raised profound questions about life, especially about our purpose and destiny. In
other words, discovering at this level of detail why the history of Earth looks the way it does impacts
all discussion of why you and I are here. Are we simply the result of a colossal matrix of
innumerable, narrow coincidences, against all odds, or is there a more reasonable explanation? And
