Dr. Duff, thank you for your thought provoking article!
I have a comment and a question.
Comment: It seems assumed here that micro-evolution (observable natural selection) implies macro-evolution (e.g. water animals evolving into land animals, that is, biblical ‘kinds’ evolving into other kinds). I appreciate you pointing out how even YEC’s have to acknowledge the reality of at least the former - that is important.
Question: What does Genesis 6-9 actually mean? Was there a Noah? Was there an ark? And if not, at what point in the Bible do these stories transition from symbolic to actual? Jesus seemed to think Noah and his family were real people (see Matthew 24:37-38).
It seems to me that to limit your understanding of these passages to what you can understand scientifically may be antithetical to faith. In other words, just because you can’t explain how something happened doesn’t mean that it didn’t. At some point you have to come to grips with what the Scriptures actually say and take a stand on whether you believe it or not.
Mr. Duff, what do you believe about the truth of Genesis 6-9?
Thank you for your kind consideration.