Selva Sugunendran - Creation, Evolution & Science: A Collection of 30 Scientific Articles Answering Frequently Asked Questions During Debates on Creation Vs Evolution

Creation, Evolution & Science

A collection Of 30 Scientific Articles Answering Frequently Asked Questions During Debates on
Creation vs Evolution

(Previously included in the Original book titled
Creation vs Evolution- A Scientific View)

Selva Sugunendran

Copyright 2016 by Selva Sugunendran.

ISBN: Softcover 978-1-5144-9948-1

eBook 978-1-5144-9947-4

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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Rev. date: 05/31/2016

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Contents

28 - 30. Creation vs. Evolution:
What do they have in common?

This book is dedicated to my grandson Jason and my granddaughter Lisa as well as to all those seeking to find the seemingly elusive answers to the questions involving our very origins: Where do we come from? Who or what made us -- a supreme being, some cosmic event, or both? What should we believe in -- Creation or Evolution? Does it matter what we choose to believe?

The origins of life has been a popular topic of debate for decades, stirring division among groups of people regarding what to believe -- whether a higher entity created life (Creation) or a series of cosmic accidents (Evolution) led to life developing on Earth. Discussions often swerve from a friendly beginning and end up as an intense argument between two opposing minds, one that is rooting for religion and faith in God and one for science and faith in human intelligence.

In this book, I'll try to find the seemingly elusive answers to the questions involving our very origins, as raised by a number of people (especially young people) during Creation vs Evolution debates as well as during my research into this subject matter: Where do we come from? Who or what made us -- a supreme being, some cosmic event, or both? What should we believe in -- Creation or Evolution? Does it matter what we choose to believe?

In presenting the answers to the most often asked questions, I have attempted to look at both sides of the argument, creation and evolution, fairly and scientifically. I do not attempt to take sides or to draw conclusions prematurely, but to present arguments in the most reasonable and acceptable way. I also make certain to employ terms in their purest definition and stick to their proper application, making sure that I differentiate scientific facts from mere theories or dubious findings. If there are facts that support a specific standpoint, then I categorize them as such without finding fault. After all, a fact has indisputable significance, a piece of information or evidence that has profound reality and actuality and is free from dispute. Until specific information is categorically a fact, I assume it is but a theory, an opinion, or a belief that is subject to further debate and analysis.

I would like to thank all those who have encouraged and helped me to complete this book.

I also would like to acknowledge my close associates who have prodded and wheedled me (and often nagged me) into undertaking this huge responsibility of carrying out an 18 months research into this topic in order to produce a balanced and scientific view on this Creation vs Evolution debate.

I have not mentioned any names but you know who you are!

I have benefitted from the numerous books, articles and videos in the public domain. A list of the authors of such material are contained in the "Research and References" section at the end of the book. I acknowledge with gratitude the enormous value I derived in studying the works of these great men and women.

Finally, I would like to declare a special appreciation to my family - Kamini, Shaun, Florence Nishanthi, Jason and Lisa - for their enormous support and encouragement throughout my life.

It wasn't long ago that archaeologists said that the Bible was full of errors because of the lack of historic evidence that would support its claims. But a series of recent archaeological discoveries affirm the Bible's historical accuracy. It provided tangible evidence of the many people, places and events that were written in the Bible.

One of the most important excavation areas is Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls, monk's cemetery, and the ruins of a monastery pertaining to the Essenes---a sect of Second Temple Judaism---were found. A number of important findings were also discovered in the Holy Lands. On notable personalities

Pilate dedication stone

For anyone who questioned the existence of Pontius Pilate, the Pilate Dedication Stone provides rock-hard proof that he is not some fictional character in a book. This limestone block was discovered in June 1961 at the Roman amphitheater in Cesaria Maritima. It has an inscription that read "Tiberieum, (Pon)tius Pilatus, (Praef)ectus Iuda(eae)."

The Message Stele

Dating back to 846 BC, the Meesha Stele, popularly known as the Moabite Stone, not only provided an account of the revolt of the King of Moab, Meesha, against Israel, but also mentioned the names Yahweh and David of the United Monarchy. Steles are used to commemorate great accomplishments and victories.

The Tel Dan Steele

This stele dates back to between 900 and 850 BC and has the expression "House of David" inscribed on it. This flatly contradicts the belief that David never existed and affirms that there was indeed a United Monarchy under King David.

Caiphas Ossuary

In 1990, a burial cave was discovered in a section of the Peace Forest in Jerusalem. It contained 12 ossuaries, which are boxes built to hold the bones of the dead after they decomposed. One of these contains the bones of Caiphas, the High Priest who presided at the trial of Jesus.

On lost civilizations
Hitite capital city

As it was only mentioned in the Bible, the Hitite civilization was once considered imaginary. But in 1906, German archaeologist Winckler discovered in cuneiform a record of the entire history of Hitite's capital city. This discovery not only confirmed accounts in the Bible, but also led Hititology to become a major in many universities.

Canaan

In the archaeological site of Alalakh, an ancient city-state in the Amuq River valley of Turkey's Hatay Province, the Statue of Idrimi was found. Dating back to 1500 BC, it recorded the earliest reference to Canaan in cuneiform. On persons and practices in the New Testament

Titulus Venetus

The Titulus Venetus is an ancient inscription that provides some truth of the Book of Luke. It documents a regular enrollment of taxpayers (census) that was initiated many years prior to Jesus' birth. This is further backed up by an Egyptian papyrus from AD 104 that affirms the need for people to return to their homeland to comply with the census.

Johanan Ossuary

Johanan was a man crucified in 1 st century Palestine. The discovery of his ossuary confirms the fact that nails were driven through his ankles during his crucifixion, and is likely to be the case with Jesus' crucifixion. This effectively puts to rest the belief that ropes were used instead.

Archaeological finds in the Gospel of John

John 5:2 - There is a pool in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and is surrounded by five covered colonnades.

Archaeologists have already unearthed the five colonnades mentioned in the verse, along with other notable landmarks.

Despite these discoveries, however, archaeology can only do so much. After all, not everything in the Bible gives the impression that it left behind material evidence. If there ever was proof of some kind, no other written source can provide a confirmation, except for the Bible.