Does it Matter if Evolution is True?

The most common statement I hear when people start discussing evolution is something like this: "It doesn't matter - if God used evolution to create the Earth, that's fine. If he didn't that's fine too. It doesn't make a difference to my faith."

Does it not matter either way? For this week's assignment we will look at one reason it may matter a lot.

1. Listen (click on "listen" at the top of the article):
http://www.npr.org/2011/08/09/138957812/evangelicals-question-the-existence-of-adam-and-eve

2. Watch:
https://youtu.be/BA_46qTBag0

What about their claim that the genome is absolute proof that Adam and Eve did not exist? Is it true? Well, once again, it depends on your assumptions as you look at the evidence.

3. Watch: https://youtu.be/oRJE6mQ3PY0
(For a more detailed account of Dr. Carter's research, see this article: http://creation.com/historical-adam-biologos#endRef1

4. Please comment below with your thoughts!

P.S. Thanks to everyone who was able to make it to the geology hike! It was really fascinating. I wrote some of my experience here, but it's kind of personal so maybe don't read it if you don't know me because you'll likely misunderstand my intent in sharing my  thoughts :-) Happy learning!

What Does the Fossil Record Tell Us?

All right everyone, we get to go on a hike this Saturday to examine the geological evidence of a creator. Vince Newmeyer is coming with us and guiding us through the science there. Unfortunately, we probably won't be able to film it for those of you who cannot make it because he will be sharing information that has not yet been published - but isn't it cool that we'll get to hear some awesome research from a scientist who has been studying this canyon for 8 years?! What an opportunity!

If you have been doing our study group, but have not commented, please comment on the assignments so that I know you are participating and I can get you an invite to our hike. You need to have done this assignment and last 3 assignments to be ready for this field trip.

At A Glance:

1. Learn:
Video 1: Watch from 20:15 through the end (7 minutes)
Video 2: Watch from beginning to 11:00 (11 minutes)
Video 3: Watch it all (9 minutes)

2. Understand:
Review past 3 assignments and comment on the comment section if you haven't already

3. Teach:
Comment below with questions, thoughts or insights. I hope you will come with lots of questions for Vince during our hike. It might help to look at some arguments that refute some of the things we've been learning about so he can help clarify any confusion. 

Total: 27 minutes

 Assignments:
I heard from some of you that you enjoyed the videos about geologic columns. I really like watching Ian Juby, he is entertaining, intelligent, and informative. We will be hearing from him in these first 2 videos. I hope you enjoy the 3rd super cheesy video as well. It may be silly, but they teach some important points in an entertaining way.

Video 1 (from 20:15-end):



Video 2 (from beginning to 11:00):



Video 3 (all of it):

Geologic Columns - What do they tell us?

At a Glance (see videos below):

1: Watch 4 video clips:
Watch 5 minutes of video 1 
Watch 11 minutes of video 2
Watch 11 minutes of video 3
Watch 12 minutes of video 4
 Total: 39 minutes

2. Further Study anything that was interesting to you from the videos (see ideas below)

3. Comment below with questions, thoughts or insights

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This week's assignments - Geologic Columns:

I hope you found the findings of soft tissue and Carbon-14 in dinosaur bones interesting.  Like some of you said, it doesn't hurt to examine our assumptions once in a while. I found it interesting that no one thought to question the age of the bones since the age is so ingrained into our beliefs.

Why is it ingrained? Several reasons. The geologic time scale is one of them. Here is what most of us have learned about Geologic Time. See if you can pick out the assumptions before reading on.

Watch from 1:15-6:25
Video 1


We'll talk about glaciers and fossils later, but for now, let's focus on the geologic column. The video sites the principle of superposition, which, as you will see below, has been falsified.
One assumption they make is that the same thing that is causing weathering now is what caused weathering always.

But if there was something that happened to the earth in the past that is not occurring right now (such as a world-wide flood). Then that assumption would be wrong. Things that presumably take millions of years to form could form very, very quickly if the earth was flooded with water at one point. Is there evidence of a world wide flood?

The more I read and watch, the more I find that the evidence is overwhelming. Here is a snippet:

Watch from 16:07 - 27:25
Video 2:

Watch from 0:50-11:30
Video 3: 


Watch from 2:30-14:47:
Video 4:


2. Further Study Ideas:
Grand Canyon
Tapeats Sandstone
Shinumo Quartzite in Green Shale
Austin Chalk, Dr. Erik Ager - cretaceous seas
Mount Everest Fossil Clams
Lyell

3. Comment below with questions, thoughts or insights.