Towards
a Creationist Astronomy
Danny
R. Faulkner, Ph.D. and Don B. DeYoung, Ph.D.
It is noted
that very little discussion of stellar evolution has been conducted
from a creationist perspective. A brief summary of stellar structure
and evolution is given with a few of the observational evidences usually
presented. The question of how much fixity and change creationists should
allow in stars is raised. It is argued that the theory of stellar structure
appears to be founded on a good physical basis and that stellar evolution
is intimately related to stellar structure. Stellar evolution, the name
applied to the aging of stars, is a totally different case from biological
evolution. The need of a complete creationist astronomy model is emphasized.
Future discussion on these topics is encouraged.
Erosion
of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River
Part I--Review
of Antecedent River Hypothesis and the Postulation of Large Quantities
of Rapidly Flowing Water as the Primary Agent of Erosion
Emmet
L. Williams, Ph.D., John R. Meyer, Ph.D., and Glen W. Wolfrom, Ph.D.
One interpretation
of the erosion of the Grand Canyon is reviewed--the antecedent view
of the Colorado River cutting through the rising landscape. It is postulated
that rapidly flowing water laden with abrasive particles moving from
higher regions into lower areas was the main erosive agent in the formation
of the Grand Canyon and that this erosion occurred rapidly within recent
times.
Variation
and Fixity as Seen in Climatology
Ted Aufdemberge,
Ph.D.
The climate
involves many interlocking feedback mechanisms. Their complexity raises
questions about current forecasts of climate change. The case is presented
that built-in design limits any major climate change.
The Limits
to Variation
J. B.
Jones, Ph.D.
Variation
can be readily observed within species and can be shown to be involved
in speciation through mechanisms such as random change occurring in
the genome, and selection pressure acting on populations. However, there
is no evidence that "missing links" occur and punctuated equilibrium
theory, while providing an explanation for this, does not provide proof
that "evolution" has caused the changes required to create
new phyla.
The Limits
of Variation
G. Richard
Culp, D.O.
Variation is
a normal characteristic of living organisms, and the operation of the
laws of chance under natural conditions maintains the stability of these
respective kinds. It is necessary to prevent natural conditions in order
to produce and maintain new strains of livestock and vegetables, and
the new varietal characteristics would usually hinder survival in the
wild state. The effect of the gene pool is noted in variations in color,
including albinism and melanism. Unusual Australasian forms are discussed
in the light of the fossil record. Other variables include bird life
and isolation, and human disease resistance. The relationships of environment
to variation are discussed in reference to animal size, climate, elevation,
degrees latitude, high temperature, salinity, moisture, aridity, and
geographic distribution, along with the limits that can be endured by
living organisms.
Dinosaur
Update
Don B.
DeYoung, Ph.D. and John R. Meyer, Ph.D.
The authors
summarize a National Science Foundation-sponsored workshop on the Biology
of Dinosaurs, conducted by J. Michael Parrish, a leading paleontologist.
Current ideas and uncertainties about dinosaurs are discussed. Possible
creationist research areas are noted.
Thermodynamic
Analysis of a Condensing Vapor Canopy
Tracy
W. Walters, P.E.
A significant
problem confronting vapor canopy theorists is the energy load on the
atmosphere during the collapse of the canopy. Previous attempts to quantify
this energy load have indicated that atmospheric temperatures would
rise much too high to sustain life. However, up to this point the regulating
effect of the ocean during canopy collapse has not been addressed. This
investigation develops a more detailed energy balance than used in earlier
work and also includes a simplified model to account for ocean-atmosphere
coupling. Assuming that the entire energy load is released during the
40 days of the Flood, the simplified model predicts that the upper bound
for canopy precipitable water is two feet.