2007: Norfolk writer and church leader
Martin Down was guest speaker at the lunch organised by the Norwich chapter of the
Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship at the
Maid’s Head Hotel, Norwich on
Thursday, November 15, 2007.
London-born Martin was well-known in the region as founder chairman of the Living Water Festival held at the Norfolk Showground. During 40 years of ministry, he was formerly vicar of Ashill. He and his wife, Doreen, live in Swaffham.
His life-long interest in science and the origins of life prompted him to write the new apologetic for creation, entitled Deluded by Darwinism?, published by David C Cook. His book, for the lay reader, is among a number of new titles that refute the runaway best-seller, The God Delusion, by the British biologist, Richard Dawkins, Professor for the Public Understanding of Science at the University of Oxford. Dawkins’ book has sold more than a million copies.
Martin believes his book is timely as it invites “the ordinary layman and younger reader” to reconsider the powerful evidence of “intelligent design” in creation of the universe, the earth and its species. Despite Dawkins’ skepticism, “there are plenty of other scientists who accept this view of intelligent design.” Martin was working on his book long before Dawkins’ best-seller appeared – “I’m writing for the non-specialist,” he adds.
Martin’s talk is one of a regular series of monthly lunch events held at the Maid’s head Hotel on Tombland in the centre of the city. The lunches (from 1-2pm) are aimed largely at people who work in the city and are designed to fit in a standard lunch hour with a half-hour meal followed by the 30-minute talk.
