7 pm – “What Should We Think About The Genealogical Adam and Eve?”
Author: Dr. Joshua Swamidass, Assoc Professor at Washington University
Response: Dr. Marcus Ross, Center for Creation Studies at Liberty University
Moderator: Dr. Richard Averbeck, OT Professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Dr. Marcus Ross holds a BS in Earth Science from the Penn State University and an MS in Vertebrate Paleontology from South Dakota School of Mines. His PhD in Environmental Science (Geoscience) is from the University of Rhode Island. Dr. Ross is the former Director of the Center for Creation Studies and Professor of Geology at Liberty University. He is the owner of Cornerstone Educational Supply.
Marcus Ross and I have written a join statement together that will precede our debate:
Good evening to you all, and welcome. During this dialog, we will think together about some new ideas about human origins. To be sure, we disagree and our disagreements matter. At the same time, our agreement with each other is more important than these differences.
First and foremost, we both believe that Jesus rose from the dead and trust him as our Lord. Therefore we are brothers in Christ before anything else.
Second, we both hold a high view of Scripture. We believe that God’s word is authoritative, powerful, and precious. Its revealed wisdom is our guiding light.
Third, we are both scientists. We love learning about the natural world and its history. We believe that God rewards our investigations of this world with a better understanding of, and deeper love for, its Creator.
So what are the goals for tonight? What is our shared purpose? Certainly we both desire to make a compelling case. But more than this, we seek to understand each other and our differences better. In doing so, we hope to demonstrate our respect for each other and model how Christians can enter difficult conversations with integrity, passion, and charity.
