Kent Hovind Debate vs Theistic Evolutionist John D. Callahan

Genesis: History or Myth? was the topic when well-known creationist Dr. Kent Hovind (Creation Science Evangelism), with over 90 debates to his credit, took on theistic evolutionist John D. Callahan, president of Faith & Reason Ministries. Callahan accepted Hovind's evolution offer in an open letter: $250,000 Evolution Challenge Accepted! Dr. Hovind responded to this letter during his radio show 8-26-04, and he also comments on biology and astronomy issues, politics, ministry, and other personalities in evolution and creationism (see link 1 or link 2, 5.34 Meg, 44:29 minutes).

The Debate took place at Faith Baptist Church and Schools, 7644 Farralone Avenue, Canoga Park, CA 91304, on Sunday December 5, 2004 from 3:30 to 5p. The staffs of both Faith Baptist and Creation Science Evangelism were very helpful and pleasant, specifically Dr. Roland Rasmussen, Sr. (pastor), Tim Rasmussen (co-pastor), Roland Rasmussen, Jr. (cameras), Charlie Misseijer (moderator), Gil Machado (Fox News, cameras), Brent Henman (self, cameras), Arthur K. (sound), Jeff Schroeder (CSE), Jonathan Sampson (CSE), "DJ" (CSE), Kent Andrew (CSE), and of course, Dr. Kent Hovind (CSE).

In a series of card questions from the audience, Hovind took the position that the Bible is inerrant and scientifically accurate, contrary to view of public education and the scientific establishment. Callahan contended that the Bible should be viewed as an historic work and weighed against accepted science (the Big Bang and Darwinian biological evolution). Both Hovind and Callahan argued from a scientific and philosophical perspective.

Hovind stated that star formation has not been observed and violates the known laws of physics. Callahan countered that star formation is possible and has been observed with space-based infrared and optical telescopes. Further, Callahan pointed out that it takes at least 1 million years for a star to explode (supernova, see The Most Massive Stars). Although both Hovind and Callahan recognized the vastness of the universe, Hovind denied the possibility of aliens and Callahan said they probably exist.

Hovind discredited the fossil record and radiometric dating, in contrast to Callahan's emphasis on their great importance. Both Hovind and Callahan agreed that dogs have descended from wolves over the last several thousand years. However, Hovind asserted that a dog is still a dog. Callahan, on the other hand, maintained that the great variety of dogs (species and breeds) follows biological evolution. Callahan also alleged that the races of man is an example of microevolution, while Hovind believes the races are most likely explained Biblically via the story of the Tower of Babel.

Hovind said symbiotic relationships refute evolution. (How could things possibly evolve together?!) Callahan mentioned that tusk-less elephants are evolving because hunters do not shoot them (no ivory). In other words there is a symbiotic, evolutionary relationship between man and elephants (and dogs and HIV, etc.). Hovind also supported the idea that the 2nd law of thermodynamics prevents evolution. Callahan said it is a law of physics that does not prevent evolution or increases in complexity, but Callahan also stated entropy will increase and life will die, as stars burn out.

Hovind said Hitler used evolution to justify his actions. Callahan replied that Hitler is not evolution just as the Inquisition is not Christianity and that Hitler's misuse of evolution doesn't mean evolution is false. Hovind made the analogy of the scientific establishment with the USSR. Callahan retorted that this is by no means the USSR and the scientific validity of evolution has been consistently upheld by the courts (with rare exceptions).

Hovind and Callahan affirmed the roles of God, His goodness, Jesus as Lord and Savior, Satan, and man. There was a strong disagreement as to whether Jesus took the Creation Story literally (see What Jesus Said About the Creation Story and the Flood). Hovind declared that God would not use the evil process of evolution (suffering and death of animals and man) to create the world. Callahan acknowledged such suffering but asserted that the perversion of the universe was caused by the fall of Satan and his angels before the Big Bang, 13.7 billion years ago (see Chaos).