Ken Ham: October 2008 Archives

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 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 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.

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 Dinosaurs of Eden, a children's book. Ken hosts the daily radio program, "Answers ... with Ken Ham," heard on more than 900 stations in America (and dozens more overseas) and is one of the editors and contributing authors for AiG's Answers magazine, with over 60,000 worldwide subscribers). The high-tech Creation Museum, located near the Cincinnati Airport, was Ken's brainchild.