Creation vs. creation debate is tomorrow at Clayton State

Creation vs. creation

debate is tomorrow at Clayton State

In an event unlike the typical

"Creation vs. Evolution" debate, Clayton State's Baptist

Student Union invites the community to attend a free "Creation vs.

Creation" debate on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 7-9 p.m. in the Clayton

State Arts & Sciences theater.

Christians Dr. Greg Hampikian

(biologist) of Clayton State and Dr. Terry Mortenson (geologist) of "Answers

in Genesis" will debate the literal and figurative meanings of scripture

in Genesis chapters one and two.

The purpose of the debate is

to examine whether the first two chapters of Genesis literally describe

the beginning of life on earth. Hampikian will maintain the position that

the accounts at the beginning of Genesis are to be taken figuratively

- meaning, for example, that there was no talking serpent, that the

days of creation were not the usual 24-hour events, and that the forbidden

fruit is symbolic.

"Genesis gives us a timeless

explanation of God's relationship to his creation, and the relationship

of husband and wife. It is an explanation that worked before humans discovered

the scientific method, and one that works for children and old people,

philosophers and farmers," Hampikian says.

Mortenson will counter Hampikian's

argument with claims of the literality of the events described in Genesis

-meaning, there was a real fruit; the serpent is not a metaphor but

a true snake, and the days were like our own days.

Both speakers will present

their views for 20 minutes. Following the lectures, the debaters will

have 10 minutes to bring a rebuttal.

The speakers will give their

closing statements and the floor will be opened to questions and answers.

Hampikian, a Christian since

the 1970s, is a world-renowned forensic expert and an associate professor

of biology at Clayton State. He is also a cofounder of Clayton State's

Campus Christian Ministries (CCM), a non-denominational outreach of the

United Methodist Church. CCM's website states, "We believe that

the Christian faith benefits from the careful scrutiny of all those who

seek truth."

Also influential in the Clayton

State Theater, Hampikian has written two plays with religious connotations.

His most recent work, "Things Not Seen," focuses on the question

of faith in marriage. The story centers on a pastor and his wife who face

a relationship crisis, when only one of them experiences a miracle. The

play, whose title derives its origins from Hebrews 11:1, runs in the Clayton

State Theater from Dec. 4-6 and 11-13 at 8 p.m.

Admission is $8; $4 for seniors

citizens.

Mortenson, also a Christian

since the 1970s, is in charge of "Answers in Genesis," a Christian

apologetics ministry that equips the church to uphold the authority of

the Bible from the very first verse." He has debated creation related

matters since the 70s and has spoken in an array of places including the

United States, England, Russia, and most countries in Eastern Europe.

For more information on Mortenson, visit https://www.answersingenesis.org/

To learn more about the free

Nov. 20 debate, contact Hampikian at [email protected] or

Rhonda Boozer at [email protected] (Baptist Student Union).

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