Ken Ham and Question Begging

Begging the question is a logical fallacy when a circular argument is presented in which the conclusion is included in the premise.1 For example, imagine I said, "Wayne Gretzky is the greatest hockey player to ever lace up a pair of skates because no one has ever been better."  Do you see the problem?  I smuggled in the claim I am supposed to be demonstrating!  Unfortunately, I sometimes hear young earth creationist (YEC) Ken Ham do this very same thing when debating Christians who present a non-YEC interpretation of Genesis 1-11.  The above debate offers a perfect example of this. 

During the discussion, host Justin Brierley referred to Ham as a YEC.  Ham was quick to correct Brierley by saying that he doesn't like being called a YEC, but would rather be referred to as a Biblical Creationist; thus, smuggling in the assumption that his view is the biblical one and his opponent's (Jeff Zweerink) is not.  I find this disingenuous.  I have no doubt that Ham believes his view is the biblical one, but surely so does Zweerink, as both men made clear during the discussion that scripture is their ultimate authority. 

I think that when believers are debating secondary issues such as the age of the earth, they should do so with humility, keeping in mind that both they are their opponent are doing their best to understand the biblical text.  As it has been often said, "“In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity."  

Courage and Godspeed,

Chad

Footnote:
1. Taken from here.

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