I commemorate surpassing 2300 YouTube subscribers by sharing insights into the channel's purpose, future projects, and new website. Content will blend science with philosophical and theological explorations, critique Young-Age-Creationism, and address big existential questions. My mission is to engage seekers, skeptics, and believers in meaningful dialogue about science and faith.
Ken Ham, CEO of Answers in Genesis, often uses poodles to illustrate his "speciation kinds" concept, rooted in his biblical creationist worldview. He recently referred to domestic dogs as "degenerate mutants," attributing their diversity to post-creation mutations. Ham ties these discussions to theological implications, emphasizing the loss of original genetic information.
In a recent "Ham Bytes" episode, Ken Ham criticizes Christian leaders who reconcile faith with science, particularly regarding the age of the Earth and evolution. He accuses them of prioritizing human approval over divine truth. However, the issue is more complex, as respected figures demonstrate rigorous faith and intellectual pursuit. The Bible's clarity on creation is debated, and interpreting Genesis as a modern scientific account may impose contemporary expectations. Respectful dialogue and unity among Christians are encouraged in the pursuit of truth.
The video "Flood Geology Failures: Fossilized Caves" explores the discovery of fossilized caves and critiquing creationist claims about fossilized reptile skin. The speaker questions the creationist perspective on fossil preservation and points to the specific fossil assemblage found in an Oklahoma cave system, challenging flood geology narratives. The video emphasizes the geological and paleontological evidence contradicting young Earth creationism, highlighting the complexities of fossil preservation and cave formation.
Jim Stump’s book, "The Sacred Chain", explores the intertwining of science and faith, delving into the reconciliation of evolutionary biology and religious belief. Through personal stories and scientific insights, Stump challenges readers to question their beliefs and encourages dialogue between theological and scientific perspectives. His journey showcases the complexity of faith and the human quest for understanding.
Here I expand on my participation in an open-mic session on the "Standing for Truth" YouTube channel, focusing on the preservation of fossil footprints in the geological record. The author engaged in respectful dialogue with creationist guests, challenging the young Earth creationist narrative by presenting evidence of footprints preserved in diverse conditions, contrary to the belief that such occurrences require catastrophic events like a global flood. The discussion highlighted the clash between literal biblical interpretation and scientific evidence of an ancient Earth.
In episode 63 of "This Week in Creationism," I discuss recent developments within the young Earth creationist community and scientific challenges to their narratives. Major topics include the interaction between Ken Ham and Gavin Orland, climate skepticism at Answers in Genesis, and contradictory evidence regarding the dinosaur-bird connection. I critique the organization’s selective use of data and misinformation, emphasizing the importance of engaging with scientific evidence.
The video explores the possibility of Adam and Eve having tails, challenging the views of creationists like Ken Ham. It delves into the genetic and morphological aspects of tail development, highlighting a study in the journal 'Nature" that suggests a genetic mutation responsible for the absence of tails in humans and great apes. The content encourages a dialogue on the interpretation of creation narratives and the integration of scientific understanding with theological beliefs.
I react to "The Ark and the Darkness," a film blending scientific evidence with biblical interpretations. The documentary, promoting a young Earth creationist viewpoint, emphasizes Noah's flood and end-times prophecy, lacking nuance and scientific engagement. Despite catering to believers, it misses an opportunity for open reflection and falls short of critical analysis.
Many of my Facebook and Twitter (X) friends, those that follow my blog (Naturalis Historia) and subscribe to my YouTube channel (Dr. Joel Duff) may not be aware that I am a PK (preacher’s kid). I know how difficult a pastor’s life can be. It’s an emotionally demanding job with high expectations, where everything said... Continue Reading →
Should professors at universities actively participate in generating and testing ideas, or should they content themselves with being teachers of established knowledge? Many higher educational institutions, including the one employing me, grapple with the ongoing challenge of balancing the encouragement of knowledge creation and the dissemination of existing knowledge. To phrase it differently, am I... Continue Reading →
Reflecting on common grace and intellectual exploration, I found the book "God and the Cosmos: Divine Activity in Space, Time and History" by Harry Lee Poe and Jimmy H. Davis to be a helpful read. The authors set the tone for their exploration by invoking a quote from the 16th century theologian John Calvin, a... Continue Reading →
Creation chronometry was a much debated topic in the late 1600s and early 1700s among Christians with virtually no opinion expressed being of the same kind that that could be described as a literalist view held today. I often wonder what would have happened had the Westminster Confession of Faith been written after this debate rather than before it given how the landscape of the discussion changed in the 40 years after the Assembly of the Westminster Divines met.
Billions of footprints are preserved in the rock record. While bones get all the attention, fossil footprints, a type of ichnofossils outnumber bones. How can we make sense of this observation? Surely, preserving a bone must be far more likely than preserving a footprint? I have written about how paleontologists use information from footprints and bones... Continue Reading →
We all recognize that LeBron James has a unique set of skills. He, you and I are all unique in some way if you think about the millions of variants in our genomes. But how was LeBron James made? How did he come to be the way he is? We find several biblical authors attributing... Continue Reading →
Naturalis Historia 