The
Case for the Calaveras Skull
Edward
C. Lain and Robert E. Gentet, M.S.,
The Calaveras Skull was
discovered in 1866 in gold-bearing gravel dated by conventional geology
as tens of millions of years older than man's supposed origin. It
initiated one of the greatest controversies over American fossil finds
of ancient man. All individuals connected with the original find believed
it to be genuine, including the famous nineteenth century geologist
J.D. Whitney who made it widely known. Later, a ferocious attack by
both evolutionists and some religionists branded the skull as merely
a trick played upon the unsuspecting finder (Mattison) and the geologist
examiner (Whitney). Close examination of the historical facts shows
the skull should be taken seriously as one of the most mysterious
and probably most significant human fossil finds on the North American
continent. The authors believe the Calaveras Skull and hundreds of
associated human artifacts have withstood the test of time and constitute
remarkable evidences of ancient Man existing in America before the
commencement of the Post-Flood Ice Age.
The
Capabilities of Science in the Formation of a Modern Worldview
Steve
W. Deckard, Ed.D
My purpose in this paper
is to review relevant literature regarding the use of science and
evolutionary theory as a basis for the development of a personal worldview.
The development of a useful, truth-providing worldview is an important
part of intellectual and spiritual growth. It is also important that
a person be able to discern the worldviews of others. It is asserted
that the formation of a modern worldview requires more than an understanding
of science and evolutionary theory. Because the formation of a worldview
deals with the question of truth, only a creationist based worldview
will prove fruitful. Science in and of itself is incapable of creating
a useful worldview because it is subjective in nature.
A
Mitochondrial DNA Analysis of the Testudine Apobaramin
D.
Ashley Robinson, B.S.,
Baraminology is a biosystematic
discipline for reclassifying organisms within the young-earth creation
model. The method is presently dependent on 15 theoretically-defined
membership criteria that are designed to reveal patterns of phylogenetic
discontinuity in nature. This survey examines the utility of the molecular
criterion for resolving phyletic divisions. As a case study, the non-trionychoidea
cryptodires (turtles with hard shells and retractable necks) have
been analyzed with a panel of nine mitochondrial genes. Sequence comparisons
with non-testudines supported a previous hypothesis that the turtles
were apobaraminic or phylogenetically distinct from other vertebrates.
Analyses within the testudines suggested the non-trionychoidea cryptodires
were composed of at least two monobaramins including the Cheloniidae
family and Gopherus genus.
Archaeological
and Geological Features at Falling Waters State Recreation Area, Florida:
A Young-Earth Flood Model Perspective
Brian
R. Rucker, Ph.D. and Carl R. Froede, Jr., B.S., P.G
The Florida Panhandle
provides numerous examples of solutional limestone features, also
referred to as karst. Archaeological evidence indicates that paleo-Indian
cultures used many of these sites as both water sources and communal
areas. One specific site, the Falling Waters State Recreation Area,
is a locale where paleo-Indians are suggested to have once hunted
mammoth. Additionally, this site provides a location where several
different types of karst features are observed. Uniformitarians suggest
that all of these karst features formed over the course of tens to
hundreds of thousands of years. In following the Young-Earth Flood
Model we would suggest that these features developed over the course
of a few thousand years. We would interpret these features as probably
originating at the close of the Flood with continued development extending
throughout the single Ice Age Timeframe. Wet weather conditions coupled
with changes in sea-level were the greatest factors in forming this
karstic terrain.
A
Biblical Christian Framework for Earth History Research:
Part III - Constraining Geologic Models
John
K. Reed, Ph.D., P.G. and Carl R. Froede, Jr., B.S., P.G
Previous parts of this
series have demonstrated the superiority of the biblical Christian
system to the naturalist-uniformitarian system in providing metaphysical
and epistemological frameworks for Earth history research. Following
a logical progression towards deriving geologic models, the next step
is the use of information from sources other than geology to constrain
and direct model formulation. To begin the process, special revelation
will be applied as a primary constraint. As the most reliable source
of historical information, the Bible provides both general and specific
constraints. General constraints include: Limited time; catastrophic
process; an event-oriented perspective; and the possibility of a more
complete geologic record than is recognized by uniformitarians. Specific
constraints include the outline of historical events presented in
the biblical text. Although many constraints from other disciplines
(e.g., history, archeology) could be explored, a rigorous examination
of these areas is beyond the scope of this paper.