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'Kurt Patrick Wise' is an American young earth creationist with a degree in paleontology from Harvard University where he studied under the supervision of the famous scientist Stephen Jay Gould. Beginning in August 2006, Wise currently teaches at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he leads the seminary's Center for Theology and Science. He replaced intelligent design creationist William Dembski. [1]

Contents

Controversy and criticism

On Christian colleges

Education

External links

References

Controversy and criticism

Wise has been called the "most honest" creationist by Richard Dawkins, as opposed to others who purposely deceive their audiences (according to Dawkins).^[1] Yet, he is criticized for his predetermined conclusions in that Wise wrote "if all the evidence in the universe turns against creationism, I would be the first to admit it, but I would still be a creationist because that is what the Word of God seems to indicate." Thereby, Wise openly admits that, no matter how much evidence proves evolution and disproves creationism, he would still be a creationist. Dawkins responded that "this leaves me, as a scientist, speechless. I cannot imagine what it must be like to have a mind capable of such doublethink." This is because "we have it on the authority of a man who may well be creationism’s most highly qualified and most intelligent scientist that no evidence, no matter how overwhelming, no matter how all-embracing, no matter how devastatingly convincing, can ever make any difference."^[1]
Dr. Wise has also been criticized by other Christians who are old Earth creationists, such as Answers In Creation.^[3]

On Christian colleges

In an article he wrote for Answers in Genesis, Wise expressed concern for the status of the young Earth belief at Christian colleges and universities where, by his own estimate, "probably more than 90%" of the professors do not believe in a young Earth. He knows of only five regionally accredited Christian colleges that offer young Earth oriented biology degrees and none that offer geology degrees with a young Earth emphasis. The organization cites with concern a survey of Wheaton College students which indicated that while 47% of incoming students believed in a young Earth (about the U.S. national average), only 27% did so at the time the survey was taken.^[4] Wise has said that "we need to train Southern Baptist pastors to equip young people to engage Darwinism from elementary school on. We also need to train Southern Baptists to recognize Darwinist thinking in ways that are subtle that they don't even recognize."

Education

★ Ph.D. Invertebrate Paleontology, Harvard University

★ M.A. Geology, Harvard University

★ B.A. Geology, University of Chicago

External links

★ "My favourite evidence for creation" from Answers in Genesis

★ "Fossil expert says ... think weird! Interview with Kurt Wise" from Answers in Genesis

★ "Sadly, an Honest Creationist" by Richard Dawkins

★ Kurt Wise on Global Warming

★ A Word to the Wise

★ Kurt Wise article at Evowiki

References

1. Richard Dawkins. "Sadly, an Honest Creationist." (2001)
2. Richard Dawkins. "Sadly, an Honest Creationist." (2001)
3. Greg Neyman. "AiG's Spin on a Triassic Mammal". March 8, 2006
4. Kurt Wise. "Creation crisis in Christian colleges". Jan. 31, 2006