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By David F. Dawes
"I AM a biblical creationist," said Donald Chittick, unapologetically.
As evolutionary theory continues to hold sway in the scientific establishment, Chittick - who has a PhD in physical chemistry, and once taught at the University of Puget Sound - holds steadfast to the view that the Bible is scientifically accurate.
The Oregon resident, along with his wife Donna, operates Creation Compass. He will be giving lectures at several B.C. churches in late September.
The crux of the matter, he told BCCN, is the gulf "between naturalistic philosophy and creationism." He politely agrees to disagree with views he considers compromises.
One of the more prominent approaches of recent years is the Intelligent Design (ID) movement. "Naturalists say it is a backdoor effort to introduce creationism,"said Chittick. However, he noted, ID "is an attempt to say there is design, without identifying the designer."Nevertheless, he said, "any approach to get discussion going is good."
He also expressed strong views on the concept that evolution was set in motion by God.
"Theistic evolutionists mix naturalism with supernaturalism. They have a god, but not the biblical God. Their basic assumption is that evolution is true. So their source of truth is naturalist philosophy."
He also takes issue with astrophysicist Hugh Ross of Reasons to Believe. While both agree that Darwinian evolution is a myth, Ross maintains the earth is billions of years old.
"I think you should stick with reality," said Chittick. "I think reality agrees with the biblical account."
While many rely on carbon dating to determine the age of the earth, Chittick responded: "Like all clocks, carbon dating is as accurate as it is calibrated." He said the orginator of the system, Nobel prize winner Willard Libby, contended that carbon dating "is fairly accurate back to the time of Christ. But 1,000 years before Christ, it could be as much as 500 years off."
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The age of the planet, however, is not the most crucial element of the debate, he said. "The issue is truth. We can base it on the creator's account of reality, or not. Christians have a choice. We either use the creator's Word, and standard rules for verbal communication, or we rely on man's opinion."
Chittick asserted that he is convinced the edifice of evolution will eventually crumble, like the Berlin Wall. "You can only patch it up so often."
One key to the dismantling of the evolutionary establishment, he said, is modern genetics - which, he said, strikes at the core concept of evolutionary theory. "Mutations are always a loss of information."Evolution, he said, requires "the generation of new information."
The affable chemist concluded by emphasizing the importance of cordial dialogue with evolutionists. "I've had an ongoing discussion with an atheist couple for two years. One night, the husband had me over for dinner, and asked me to pray." Where does his new friend now stand? "He's weakening."
Chittick will speak at four churches September 25 - 27, in Chilliwack, Richmond, Port Coquitlam and Surrey. For details, go to creationbc.org and creationcompass.com
September 2009
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