Subject Areas:
Debates
Paper Debate with New Mexicans for Science & Reason (NMSR)
Paper debate with New Mexicans for Science and Reason (NMSR) concluded in May 2001. Topics were alternately proposed by CSFNM and NMSR. Two months were spent on each topic with a 1,000 word essay written by both organizations the first month and a 500 word rebuttal written by both organizations the second month. The essays were posted on respective websites and printed in respective newsletters . . .
Authors: CSFNM and NMSR members (June 2000 – May 2001)
Error / Reliability
Common Mistakes by Scientists & Engineers
Physics and Chemistry mathematical equations have limits. For example, Ohm’s Law applies to electrical resistance of a material with a linear function of electrical current and electrical voltage. However, at the very low and very high temperature range, the function is no longer linear due to intermolecular forces and atomic level interactions and other disassociation effects at high temperatures. To assume that an equation is valid over the range of minus infinity to plus infinity is a big mistake . . .
Author: Jim Hovis (May 10th, 2010)
Astronomy 101 Notes
In astronomy, explanations of observations are usually arrived at by using the scientific method. The scientific method and the tools of science are powerful tools of knowledge, but there are limits to its applicability (hypothesis-to-theory-to-Law) and certainty (probability of 100%). There is much confusion of what is “scientific” and what is “non-scientific” in the popular News Media today and undoubtedly you’ve heard testimonies of one science “expert” or group contradicting the testimony of another science “expert” or group. What is the truth? How do we know? . . .
Author: Compiled by Jim Hovis (March 2010)
“What’s Warranty and Guarantee got to do with Creation?”
. . . A warranty is a contract whereby a seller gives a buyer the promise that if the product sold fails, within some pre-determined time period, then the seller will either replace the product or fix it at no further cost to the buyer. A guarantee is a promise that the seller will fix or replace the product if it fails sometime in the future . . .
Author: Jim Hovis (May 2009)
Noah’s Flood
The Deluge Story in Stone – Book Review
It was interesting to read the opinions and ideas of geology and Biblical implications of the Noachian Flood. I was also surprised to read the author’s statement about the conditions of the Church and society as of 1931. Until 1830, more or less, men believed that a great flood produced the earth’s stratified condition and was accepted and taught as such by educated men. By 1931, this belief has been ignored and set aside by “modern” educators and is for the most part lost in the academia world . . .
Author: TBD, compiled by Jim Hovis (December 20th, 2009)
Philosophy
Dawkins and Purpose (prequel to “A Scientist, trained in Physics and . . .”)
Richard Dawkins, a rabid evolutionist, made the statement that “The Hypothesis of God offers no worthwhile explanation for anything”. Geologist Arthur Holmes also wrote this, “What a fearful meaningless tragedy the whole Universe appears to be”. The high suicide rate among young people seems to be tied into their ideas that life has no meaning and everything is without hope. So where did this negative and hopeless worldview come from? . . .
Author: Jim Hovis (June 12th, 2012)
“A Scientist, trained in Physics and Math, takes a look at our Universe”
On the basis of Observational Science, we can see that our Universe and everything that is in it is under a law of decay, degradation, loss of complexity and less useful energy available for work with the passage of time. We identify this observation with the Second Law of Thermodynamics or a Law of Decay. By the Laws of Logic, we can deduce from this law, and the observed operation of the Universe and everything that is in it, that eventually the Universe will end up cold, dark, and dead after a long period of time . . .
Author: Jim Hovis (June 12th, 2012)
Physics
Clocks and GPS
The Global Positioning System (GPS) consists of a network of 24 satellites in roughly 12-hour orbits, each carrying atomic clocks on board. The orbital radius of the satellites is about four Earth-radii (26,600 km). The orbits are nearly circular, with a typical eccentricity of less than 1%. Orbital inclination to the Earth’s equator is typically 55 degrees. The satellites have orbital speeds of about 3.9 km/s in a frame centered on the Earth and not rotating with respect to the distant stars . . .
Author: TBD, compiled by Jim Hovis (June 12th, 2012)
Measuring the Speed of Light
Measuring the speed of light is relatively easy here on earth by using a few very ingenious methods invented by some outstanding physicists. But, assuming that the speed of light is always a constant value (c) everywhere in the Universe is not justified nor has the velocity of light photons been verified everywhere. (I include all energy that is radiated in the electromagnetic spectrum- at any frequency) . . .
Author: Various, compiled by Jim Hovis (February 23rd, 2011)
The Fabric of Space: Two Models
Understanding what God said He did: When He created the Heavens and the earth and what He did on the 4th Day, when He stretched out the “expanse” or the “firmament” or the “fabric” of the “space-time-continuum” of outer space to the outer edge (or boundary), where water (Ocean) exists. To visualize this accomplishment, I will use some words as follows, which probably do not describe the physical reality, but are just analogies . . .
Author: Jim Hovis (February 19th, 2011)
“What is the origin of the Rainbow?”
Did the Creator change the physical ‘laws’ to create the diffraction of visible light? Certainly the Creator did something to initiate the Flood (Gen. 7: 11). It wouldn’t be beyond the possibility that God instituted the process of radioactive decay that started the Flood . . . Did God change the speed of light slightly as Barry Setterfield proposes, or was it instead something similar, but simpler?
Author: TBD, compiled by Jim Hovis (December 5th, 2010)
“The Physics of Genesis – An Analytical Book Review”
The topic of Jim Thompson’s book The Physics of Genesis is fascinating, subtle, and multifaceted. I entered into the read with great relish, hoping to find some new insight into the topic stated in the title. It probably deserves a reviewer who is a physicist on the order of Dr. Russell Humphreys or Dr. John Hartnett. However, since they are both busy right now (they really are—I know them both, and the projects they are currently involved in), I shall have to suffice . . .
Author: Kent Powderly (November 8th, 2009)
Time
“Biblical Chronology and Dating of the Early Bible”
Until a few years ago, I thought that if one accepted the idea that the early Genesis chronology is reliable, one would automatically arrive at a date of about 4000 BC for the creation of the world. It turns out that may not be quite true. In this chapter, we will look at several different methods of dating these early events. This chapter is an upgraded and expanded revision of an article that I wrote, published in Bible and Spade magazine . . .
Author: Curt Sewell (November 4th, 2013)
The following is an analysis of the changes and life spans of people after the Genesis Flood event. Included in the overall dating determinations are sections on the building of the Pyramids, nation and family expansions, besides the rationale for the dates assumed. The data contained herein are from various sources, both written and compiled by Jim Hovis, October, 2008/2013. The problems of dating and ascribing mathematics to the data are discussed herein. Note that there are variations of dates, and some duplication of information by different authors . . .
Author: Compiled by Jim Hovis (2013)
“From Creation to Crucifixion: Studies in Biblical Chronology”
It is commonly accepted that Noah counted 30 days per month during the Flood. The rain started on the 17th day of the 2nd month (Gen. 7:11). The Ark rested on the 17th day of the 7th month (Gen. 8:4). And the number of days between these dates is 150 (Gen. 7:24 and 8:3). This means that five months passed equaling 150 days. This is 30 days per month. The calendar with which Noah was familiar had 7-day weeks, 30-day months, and 360-day years. Remarkably, when these three parameters are graphed they reveal a natural sabbatical cycle, a calendar that repeats itself at the end of seven full years . . .
Author: Jeff Childs (April 3rd, 2010)
“Age of the earth: 101 Evidences for a young age of the earth and the universe“
There are many categories of evidence for the age of the earth and the cosmos that indicate they are much younger than is generally asserted today . . .
No scientific method can prove the age of the earth and the universe, and that includes the ones we have listed here. Although age indicators are called “clocks” they aren’t, because all ages result from calculations that necessarily involve making assumptions about the past . . .
Author: Dr. Don Batten with CMI (June 4th, 2009)
“Concepts of Time”
The definition of time varies depending on whether we are talking Biblical, perceived, common usage, or scientific. Time is a tricky thing to grasp even though we use it, measure it, and know what it signifies, but have no clue as to what it is in physical reality. To start with our analysis, it would do to list some descriptive words that we commonly use to describe time . . .
Author: Jim Hovis (April 2009)
Creation Science Fellowship of New Mexico 