How long would it take for falling dust to accumulate into a mound 2 1/2 miles tall? Answers in Genesis has commented (Wind, not water, may have built the Martian Mount Sharp) over the weekend on the same research article that I referenced in my post last week (NH Notes: Did Wind and Dust Create a... Continue Reading →
Human Fossil Footprints: Exploring the Fringes of Creationism
A friend of mine recently gave me a book that he had found at a local library book sale knowing that I have an interest in creationist' writings. The book, Evolution and Human Fossil Footprints, was written by an Aaron Judkins. I assumed the focus of the book would be on the Paluxy “man” tracks in... Continue Reading →
DNA from a Fossil Canine Skull: Confirmation of an Ancient Domesticated Dog
Where did domesticated dogs come from? That dogs are wolves has been known for some time but which wolves and when did domestication occur has been a more difficult question to answer. Thousands of dog breeds and wolves have been genotyped to explore this question and that evidence suggests four and possibly more, separate wolf... Continue Reading →
Of Kinds and Common Ancestors: Comparing Mitochondrial Genomes of Mammals
A few days ago I shared some thoughts about the significance of genetic differences that are observed between humans and primates (How Similar is Similar, Part I). I said that it was important that genetic similarity numbers that are frequently used to make a case for genetic uniqueness need to be assessed in the context of... Continue Reading →
How Similar is Similar? Baramins, Species, and the Identification of Common Ancestors
A recent paper published by the Answers Research Journal, the research publication of Answers in Genesis, reported a comparison of human and chimpanzee genomes and found that they have, on average, a DNA similarity of only 70%. This is a very striking number since the usual numbers you hear thrown about as representing the similarity... Continue Reading →
Weekend Potpourri: Salt Chronometer Update, Ken Ham Blog, and Gen X Creationists
It has been a while since I've been able write. There has been quite a bit of news the last two weeks and I thought I would briefly comment on a few items that are relevant to my most recent posts: The Salt Chronometer Since I published my series on the salty seas (Part I,... Continue Reading →
A Simple Experiment Misinterpreted: Properties of Liquid vs Frozen Water
I'm taking a bit of a tangent from my usual subject material to have a bit of fun with some material that I recently found as part of this thing called the blogosphere. Ok, maybe not all fun since I'm not sure if this post will make you laugh or cry or maybe both. My... Continue Reading →
The State of Creation Science as Measured by Scholarly Publishing
In two prior posts (Creation Science Organizations: Past, Present and Future and The Next Generation of Creation Scientists) I have raised questions about the viability of the creation science movement as measured by the conversion of new scientists to the movement. Of course there have been many converts to belief in a young earth or at... Continue Reading →
The Next Generation of Creation Scientists?
I have to believe that when Henry Morris formed ICR he envisioned hundreds of scientists today actively applying the creation model to the historical sciences not just mouthing support for it. That former obviously hasn't happened despite the proliferation of creation science organizations with their significant financial resources and publishing capacity Creationists list hundreds of PhD scientists who are creation scientists but this is not the same as saying there are hundreds of creation scientists doing creation science.
Creation Science Organizations: Past, Present and Future
Over the years I have maintained an eye on the ever-changing organizational structure of several creation science ministries. The growth and in some cases retraction of some organizations is not unlike what happens to many non-profit or other para-church organizations. The growth of para-church organizations is frequently caused by one of two main drivers: a dynamic personality... Continue Reading →
The Salty Sea Part III: Are the Oceans Getting Saltier Over Time?
This is part of series of posts on the Sea Salt Chronometer. Other posts in this series are: The Salty Sea and the Age of the Earth: Confirmation Bias The Salty Sea Part II: A Young Earth Salt Chronometer? The Salty Sea Part III: Are the Oceans Getting Saltier Over Time? The Salty sea Part... Continue Reading →
The Salty Sea and the Age of the Earth, Part I – Confirmation Bias
According to young earth creationists, there isn't enough salt in the oceans if the earth is old. Recent references to this argument have spurred me to look a little closer at how it is being used today. What I find is that it appears to have only a purely rhetorical use as the actual data about the ocean'salinity suggests that the amount of salt in the sea is a useless tool for indicating the earth is old or young.
Psalm 104 – Evidence of Post-Flood Plate Tectonics?
For some time I had been planning to write about the use of Psalm 104 in creationists circles as evidence for a physical description for tectonic events following a world-wide flood. Specifically, versus six through nine of Psalm 104 have been suggested to be not a reflection on creation, as is the traditional reading, but... Continue Reading →
Reflections on the PCA GA and the Age of the Earth Seminar
The PCA (Presbyterian Church of America) General Assembly includes a number of seminars on a wide variety of topics each year. This year one talk received considerable attention prior to the meeting because of the subject matter and the presenter. I made the 6 hour drive to Louisville, KY to hear the talk as... Continue Reading →
Bring Out Your Dust: The YEC Moon Dust Argument
Not enough moon dust! It's the argument for a young earth that just won't die even though many YEC leaders have said it should. I was prompted to think about moon dust two days ago, after a 15 year break, when a colleague of mine stopped by my office and told me that she had... Continue Reading →