Evolution: Science or Religion? Dr. Terry Mortenson on Origins

http://cvtn.org | Dr. Mortenson shows how evolution is a worldview, based on religious faith and is not science.

Dr. Terry Mortenson

Systematic Theology, History of Geology
Lecturer/Researcher, AiG (USA)

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Biography

Like most people, Dr. Mortenson grew up in an education system that taught evolution as fact. During his first year at the University of Minnesota (where he majored in math) and shortly after becoming a Christian, he began to see the fallacy of the idea of millions of years of evolution.
With a PhD in history of geology from the Coventry University in England and an MDiv from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago, Dr. Mortenson has lectured on the creation-evolution controversy in 22 countries since the late 1970s.* He has spoken in homes, churches, schools (primary, middle and secondary), secular universities, Bible colleges and seminaries. Several of his popular lectures have been produced as DVDs and as TV programs. He has also participated in seven formal debates with PhD evolutionary scientists in secular venues in four countries.
He is the author of numerous magazine and journal articles and several book chapters. The revised version of his PhD thesis was published as The Great Turning Point: the Church's Catastrophic Mistake on Geology—Before Darwin (Master Books, 2004). With a deep burden for seminary professors and students, he co-edited and contributed two chapters to the scholarly 14-author book, Coming to Grips with Genesis: Biblical Authority and the Age of the Earth (Master Books, 2008).
He is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society, has presented six creation-related papers at ETS annual meetings, and spear-headed the formation of the "Creation" study group sessions at the ETS annual meeting beginning in 2008. He has also helped to lead six by-invitation-only seven-day rafts trips down the Colorado River through Grand Canyon for seminary and Bible College professors and other key Christian leaders.
He and his wife, Margie, have been happily married since 1976 and have five daughters and three sons.

Born

• 1953 in Minnesota, USA

Converted to Christ

• April 1972, first year in the university

Family

• Married Margie in 1976, together they have five daughters and three sons

Education

• 1975, BA in math, Univ. of Minnesota, USA
• 1992, MDiv in systematic theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Illinois, USA
• 1996, PhD in history of geology, Coventry University, UK

Selected Publications and DVD Lectures

Books

• 7 Reasons Why We Should Not Accept Millions of Years
• Answers Academy - The Rocks Cry Out: The Earth Is Young!
• Coming to Grips with Genesis
• The Great Turning Point: The Church's Catastrophic Mistake on Geology—Before Darwin
• Millions of Years: Where Did the Idea Come From?
• Millions of Years & the Downfall of the Christian West
• Noah's Flood: Washing Away Millions of Years
• The Origin of Old-Earth Geology and Christian Compromise (Parts 1 & 2)
• Origin of the Species: Was Darwin Right?

Professional Society Papers

• Boundaries on Creation and Noah’s Flood: Early 19^th Century British Scriptural Geologists, paper given at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society in Colorado Springs, CO, on Nov. 14, 2001, and posted on Zondervan's website: http://www.zondervanchurchsource.com/convention/parallel.htm#DB.

Articles

• Philosophical Naturalism and the Age of the Earth: Are They Related?
• Systematic Theology Texts and the Age of the Earth
• Christian Theodicy in Light of Genesis and Modern Science
• Genesis According to Evolution
• Evolution vs. Creation: The Order of Events Matters!
• Why Shouldn't Christians Accept Millions of Years?
• Why Don't Many Christian Leaders and Scholars Believe Genesis?

*Some evolutionists have questioned Dr. Mortenson's academic training, especially the validity of his PhD. Please see Dr. Mortenson's blog post "Regarding My Academic Training" for his response. Back

Can We Trust the Bible? Creation Today with guest Tim Chaffey of the Ark Encounter Project

Are All Religions Bad? – Season 3 Episode 26

Today’s show features special guest Tim Chaffey who answers some top questions concerning the Ark Encounter Project. Eric Hovind and Ben Schettler trudge through today’s “political correctness” and answer the tough questions, “Are all religions bad?” and “How do you communicate to Atheists and affirm the truth of the God’s Word?” Watch what happens when Eric and Ben experiment with fire!

Featured Resources

• 
  Don't Miss the Boat Package
• 
  God's Glory Message DVD
• 
  Men of Science, Men of God eBook

Microbiologist Loses Faith In Evolution (Dr. Rick Oliver)

Rick Oliver explains his background as a micro-biologist and evolutionist and how he eventually came to Christ.

Rick Oliver has a B.S. in Biology from the University of California, Fullerton and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Biology from the University of California, Irvine. He is a member of the American Federation of Herpetoculturalists, the California Science Teachers Association, and the New York Academy of Science. He is now the Founder/CEO of Confound the Wise Ministries.

Read Dr. Oliver's blog at ConfoundTheWise.org.

J. Richard Oliver, Ph.D. CEO and Founder, Confound The Wise Ministries

Dr. Richard “Rick” Oliver is currently the CEO and founder of Confound the Wise Ministries based in Tonto Basin Arizona. Confound the Wise Ministries is a unique Creation based Ministry dedicated to spreading the unerring Word of God through science education. In June, 2008 Dr. Oliver stepped down from his full time position as superintendent of the Mount Hermon Outdoor Science School which he founded. 

Dr. Oliver served in this position for over 15 years at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center located in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains in California.He designed and developed a science curriculum based on the California state science framework for middle school students (grades 5-8). The Creation centered experiential learning based curriculum not only allowed students to become more knowledgeable about their environment, but developed an appreciation, respect and responsibility for it as well.

Dr. Oliver earned his undergraduate degree in science at the California State University in Fullerton California. He later was granted his M.S. in life science with a minor in geology and went on to earn a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology with an emphasis in herpetology from the University of California. Dr. Oliver has participated in numerous scientific research projects over the course of his academic career including working with the Veterans Administration Hospital on extensive research on rattlesnake venom, major research projects involving both biology and geology at the Grand Canyon in Arizona and at the volcano at Mount Saint Helens in Washington State as well as several Dinosaur research projects in Wyoming and Montana.

Dr. Oliver became a Christian in 1987 and began lecturing on science regarding the origin of life from a Creationist point of view. As a gifted communicator affectionately known as “Ranger Rick” by both his colleagues and students his enthusiasm and knowledge of both biology and geology make him a popular speaker throughout the country. 

Dr. Oliver is an adjunct faculty member a several colleges, both secular and Christian and has been invited to speak at churches and schools both in the United States and overseas.Dr. Oliver’s professional organizations include:

• California Science Teachers Association
• American Federation of Herpetoculturalists
• California Academy of Sciences
• New York Academy of Science
• Board of Directors, U.C. Santa Cruz, Longs’ Marine Laboratory
• Military Officers Association

Origin of Life - Mike Riddle

In this presentation Mike discusses why the origin of life is a major problem for people holding to a belief in evolution. By showing that there is no scientific evidence for how life could start by naturalistic processes it must ultimately be accepted by faith. Mike also talks about the fact that the teaching of evolution has replaced the teaching of good science in classrooms. Mike finishes by reading from Scripture (Romans 1:19-20) to show that God has given all the evidence for believing in a Creator God and no one has an excuse for not believing.

Training Christians to Teach & Defend Biblical Truth
Learn more about Creation Training Initiative at http://www.CreationTraining.org

The Relationship Between Faith and Science - Creation Magazine LIVE!

Description

What is the nature of the relationship between faith and science? Can the apparent separation between science and faith ever be eliminated? Many scientists are convinced that evolution happened, does that mean it did? Join the discussion.

The Creation Magazine LIVE! TV program is a ministry of Creation Ministries International. With offices in seven countries and more PhD scientists than any Christian organization this program features cutting edge science that supports the Bible delivered in a non-technical, visually-rich, discussion-based format.

Related Articles

• It's not science
• Argument: Evolution is true science, not 'just a theory'
• Does science need evolution?

Evidence vs. Faith | Creation Today Season 3, Episode 8

Evidence vs. Faith Season 3 Episode 8

Evidence or faith? Upon which are your beliefs and your witness based? Paul and Eric discuss what people say, and what the Bible says, about these two terms. Gain understanding of real evidence and real faith to boldly and effectively witness to others!

Featured Resources

• 
  God's Glory! a journey of discovery
• 
  Paul Taylor's Don't Miss the Boat
• 
  Taylor Talks

Tracing Genesis Through Ancient Culture - Paul James-Griffiths

Tracing Genesis Through Ancient Culture

Paul James-Griffiths
Did religion evolve from primitive nature worship, to belief in many gods, to belief in a single creator God?

Paul James-Griffiths of Edinburgh Creation Group challenges this view as he examines ancient cultures and religions. He shows how the texts and customs of multiple ancient cultures converge on the major events recorded in the early chapters of Genesis. Paul then argues these religions that diverge in many other ways must have had a common root - Genesis.

Paul James-Griffiths

Paul James-Griffiths – Cultural Missionary

Paul James-Griffiths was born in Malaysia in 1962 and was converted to Christ out of paganism/New Age when he was 20. He qualified in Ancient History and Classical Studies at University and taught for three years before God called him into full-time mission work in 1988.

His first ministry was with London City Mission (1988-2004). He was a church based evangelist for three years, followed by seven years of running a mission centre in a London estate. After this he was appointed to the position of Chaplain to the West End Theatres and he worked with the casts and backstage crews of productions like Cats, Lion King, Phantom of the Opera and Joseph. At the same time he pioneered outreaches into New Age festivals and districts in Covent Garden and Camden Town.

In 2004 Paul moved to Scotland to work with Edinburgh City Mission. He has pioneered the Christian Heritage Centre next to the Royal Mile, the Celtic Tour, outreach teams to the University students, the Underbelly (the night-clubbers in the Cowgate) and the crowds at the pagan festivals of Beltane and Samhuinn. Seeing the need of engaging with the intellectuals of the city he has established the Edinburgh Creation Group, to provide evidence for the Bible from history and science as part of the outreach. Paul works together with Isolde to put on classical music concert outreaches, and also produces resources for evangelism.

Paul is married to Isolde and they have three grown-up children: Miriam, Samuel and Julia, and a pet rabbit called Prince. His favourite hobbies are enjoying beautiful walks, good food, fishing, music, history and genealogy.

Intro to Creation Science: What your University Professors Won't Tell You - Dr. Don Patton

What Is Creation Science Add to Cart (Religious or Scientific? Overview Of The Evidence) DVD - $12 US Each (Plus postage)

Dr. Don Patton - Creation Science is usually defined by the media as the Genesis account of creation - what is normally taught in the Sunday School classroom. The charge is continually repeated but it is not true. Creation science is scientific evidence, not religious dogma. Both creation and evolution have profound religious, philosophical implications, yet, both may be investigated scientifically. Chief Justice Rienquist and Justice Scalla pointed out that creation science involved the study of biology, paleontology, genetics, astronomy, astrophysics, probability analysis and biochemistry. They concluded that this discipline was the study "of scientific data supporting the theory that the physical universe and life within it appeared suddenly and have not changed substantially since appearing...Creation Science is a strictly scientific concept that...does not require the presentation of religious doctrine." Many have difficulty imagining scientific evidence for creation, perhaps because it is zealously censored from our classrooms. The truth is, there is a great deal of such evidence. Watch this video and see for yourself. Click here for Dr. Patton's DVDs sets on different topic within creation science. About Dr. Patton

The Descent of Darwin - Pastor Joe Boot - Creation Super Conference 2011

See Joe Boot's article on this topic on page 9 at http://www.ezrainstitute.ca/ezrainstitute_ca/bank/pageimages/jubilee_2010_spring.pdf or down below.

Summary
Darwin was a product of his time, nurturing, at best, a deistic conception of God and a naturalistic view of mechanical

laws operating on the world. Second, he presented what we might call an evolution theodicy, which distanced a Creator from natural evil. Darwin, consequently, accelerated a movement rather than starting one. God is simultaneously absolved and made irrelevant by being reduced to a cause of causes or first cause, remote, unknowable, a God who has not spoken nor revealed Himself.

This self-regulating universe operating in terms of impersonal laws in a chain of being was a revival of Gnosticism. God's work and His words are separate; the moral and the physical are completely independent -- alien to one another. Thus religion and "science" are to be kept separate: the evolutionary worldview deals with the problems of moral and natural evil by having God appear and disappear as required.

Go to the 10th page of the PDF below for Pastor Boot's article on this topic.

Debate Christian vs Atheist (Walter Martin vs Madalyn Murray O'Hair) - 1968

Part 1

1968 Radio Debate on the Long John Nebel Show.

Video produced by Creation Libery www.creationliberty.com.
Creation Liberty Youtube channel

Walter Martin (Christian) debates Madalyn Murray O'Hair (Atheist) on issues as the existence of God, historical person of Christ, and other general knowledge of religion.

Madalyn Murray O'Hair (April 13, 1919 – September 29, 1995) was an American atheist activist. She was the founder of the organization American Atheists and served as its president from 1963 to 1986. One of her sons, Jon Garth Murray, was the president of the organization from 1986 to 1995, while she remained de facto president during these nine years. She is best known for the Murray v. Curlett lawsuit, which led to a landmark Supreme Court ruling ending official Bible-reading in American public schools in 1963. This came one year after the Supreme Court prohibited officially sponsored prayer in schools in Engel v. Vitale. O'Hair later founded American Atheists and became so controversial that in 1964 Life magazine referred to her as "the most hated woman in America."^[1][2]

In 1995 she was kidnapped and murdered, along with her son Jon Murray and granddaughter Robin Murray O'Hair, by former American Atheist office manager David Roland Waters.

Part 2

Walter Martin Dr. Martin held four earned degrees and received his education at Stony Brook School and Shelton College. He completed his Master's degree at New York University, and his Ph.D. at California Coast University. He authored twelve books, six booklets, and scores of articles. His tracts have been translated into a number of languages and circulated in the millions of copies around the world. He was a recognized authority on religions having their origins in the United States and is widely accepted as the "father" of the modern Christian Counter-cult Movement. Dr. Martin was the Founder and President of the Christian Research Institute, author of the classic reference work, The Kingdom of the Cults, and the host of the nationally syndicated Bible Answer Man radio program.