Karl,

We certainly have waded into some deep waters here, Karl, but I do believe our postings have enabled each of us to more fully understand our respective positions.

First, I want to clarify one thing in case there might be a misunderstanding: I love science. In fact, AiG employs a number of scientists (and works with others), all of which obtained their doctorates from secular institutions. Across the hall from me, for example, is Dr. David Menton, who earned a PhD in biology from an Ivy League school (Brown University).

As we both know, the etymology of the word "science" has the basic meaning of "knowledge." Today, when the word "science" is used, we are usually referring to observational science--such as the example you gave concerning medical science.
Science is a wonderful tool that God has given us. But because science is imperfect, and changing, and because different scientists disagree on what the evidence really means, science cannot serve as an ultimate, infallible standard. It can certainly be a secondary standard by which certain types of claims are evaluated. But science is not the limit of possibility, and thus is not in a position to judge the Bible upon which it depends.

Dear Ken:

I am enjoying our exchange very much and appreciate the civility of our conversation, which is on an often hostile topic that generates ad hominem attacks. I believe we are successfully exploring representative positions rather than simply having a contest to see who can out-argue the other.

Let me start with your most interesting question: You ask me how I can be "absolutely certain" when I say "I don't believe we have absolute certainty anywhere...." I think I am obligated to say here that I am not "absolutely certain" about this! What I would say, rather, is that there is no evidence that humans have access to any absolute sources of truth. And absolute truth is such an extraordinary and even dangerous claim that we should have some compelling motivation before we assume we have it in our grasp.

Dear Karl,

Thank you for your kind comments.

First, you have enabled me to better understand where "you are coming from" and see more clearly how you view the creation/evolution issue. That background is so important for the both of us so we don't (even unwittingly) talk past each other.

As I see it from your most recent posting, there are four major topics I need to address:

1. Philosophical issues
2. Ultimate authority
3. Biblical interpretation
4. Evidences

As best as I can in the short space we have agreed to for these postings, I will attempt to deal with all four.

Dear Ken:

Thanks for a most civil and constructive response. Your post is in marked contrast to the atheist PZ Myers' venomous response on his blog to my suggestion on Salon that evolution and belief in God were compatible. I would say that the atheists are much more uncomfortable with this discussion than the religious believers!

While we certainly grew up on opposite sides of the planet, our childhood faith experiences were very similar. Perhaps that is a basis for a mutual understanding over the course of this debate. While I disagree with you in places, I certainly understand exactly where you are coming from.

In my own Christian journey, I have become convinced that we must take God's revelation in nature seriously. In fact, I think that we cannot understand the Bible unless we do. Let me provide some historical examples that illustrate what I mean:

Dear Karl,

I too am glad that we can have an opportunity to dialogue about this issue at a personal level. I do agree that this topic is an urgent and essential one--but the fundamental reason why I say this is because I believe it is a vital foundational issue that relates to biblical authority itself, as I hope to explain as we continue in this exchange.

Dear Ken, I'm glad you've agreed to this exchange. This topic is perennial, but I imagine you share my view that it's also urgent and essential. With that in mind, I'll dive right in--first, to make some general observations on...

Karl Giberson is the director of the Forum on Faith and Science at Gordon College and the former editor of the magazine Science and Spirit. His most recent book is Saving Darwin: How to Be a Christian and Believe...

Ken Ham is the president and CEO of Answers in Genesis and the Creation Museum, which has hosted nearly half a million visiitors in its first year. He is the author of several books, including The Lie: Evolution and...