Brother, of course I'm interested in the truth.
Again, I assumed as much.
One of my favorite studies was the age of the earth, evolution, etc.
You and me both, brother. It is my second-favorite subject—mostly because it is so complex, complicated, and controversial. I am invigorated by conflict and drawn toward solving allegedly impossible conundrums. (I really did miss my calling as an attorney.) I told ChatGPT that I had reconciled the creation narrative of Genesis and a literal Adam and Eve with an evolutionary view of natural history, and it flat-out told me that was impossible. In less than an hour of discussion and on the basis of only two epiphanies, I had it convinced that it was in fact possible after all. I answered its every criticism until none was left. It resorted to telling me, “But this view will not find wide acceptance—by either theists or atheists,” and I am okay with that.
I have read a few books on this and watched a few good educational videos.
Again, you and me both. I was in the same place as you 10 years ago, learning from the likes of Hugh Ross and Stephen Meyer. I sincerely doubt you could cite something from either of them that doesn’t exist in my library—including
Darwin’s Doubt, which is sitting right there, dog-eared and full of Post-it Notes and highlights.
But enough to convince me that theistic evolution is a defeated foe.
As I hinted, I would love to know what convinced you. I have read Meyer and Ross extensively, so I am going to be very familiar with whatever you cite.
Question: Have you read Kenneth D. Keathley, J. B. Stump, and Joe Aguirre, eds.,
Old-Earth or Evolutionary Creation: Discussing Origins with Reasons to Believe and BioLogos (IVP Academic, 2017)? This is, like, one of the most important books in my library. Honestly, it really is. If the view represented by the likes of Ross and Meyer is scientifically and biblically solid, then this book should only strengthen that confidence. It places your position in direct conversation with the best evolutionary creationist scholarship available, without strawmen. For those who care about truth more than sectarian fidelity (like the two of us), this is required reading.
To your question, is there anything that I think destroys evolutionary creationism in that video? No, but I only said that video was a "little taste."
I know. But to what, if anything, should I have paid attention in that video, and what do you think needs addressing?
Now I know you're not a Darwinian evolutionist, but the evolutionist part has a lot in common.
I understand that, which is why I asked whether Meyer said anything in that video that you found especially persuasive or thought-provoking. I am genuinely interested in engaging the strongest version of his case. If his arguments had held up under scrutiny, I would still be an old-earth creationist who supports intelligent design.
If you haven't read his book, Darwin's Doubt, read it. I did, and it's a really good book.
I have read it, too. It’s right there on my shelf, next to his other books, like
Return of the God Hypothesis: Three Scientific Discoveries That Reveal the Mind Behind the Universe (HarperCollins, 2021).
