For nearly 40 years, the Institute for Creation Research has conducted scientific research founded on two fundamental principles. The first is a bedrock belief that the biblical record is accurate and authoritative. The second is an unwavering commitment to research using sound science.

As our name implies, ICR's focus on research deals with origins, most aptly described in Genesis 1-11. The scientists working with ICR in its labs and on the field are men and women who are specially trained in the disciplines of geology, genetics, paleontology, astro/geophysics, astronomy, and other fields of science. Their work through the years has uncovered a multitude of evidence that supports the truth of the Genesis record, while at the same time confirming that the origins-by-accident story (a.k.a. evolution) cannot possibly be verified by sound scientific principles--and cannot be supported by the clear biblical text, either. If the Bible is revelation from an omnipotent and omniscient God, then the biblical text must fit with the empirical information gained from His creation.

The certainty of this evidence--from DNA studies, from sedimentary flood geology, from radioisotopic research, from forensic paleontological analysis, etc.--is unmistakable from our viewpoint (as even well-known evolutionists have admitted through the years).

Certainty is an important part of what ICR research is all about. Our objective is not to claim that science can "prove" our total understanding of origins, but rather to discover through scientific research the evidence that demonstrates the validity of specific issues related to man's origins and development upon earth. Can we be certain about these issues?

• Can man live life based on a certain foundation that will accurately guide him on earth?

• Do human beings exist with certain absolute distinctives from other creatures?

• Can it be shown with certainty that creative design exists everywhere in the world around us, thus eliminating random chance as the primary developmental process?

• Does the animal kingdom display certain observable and creative differences between kinds that are explainable only by design?

• Is there evidence here on earth that demonstrates the existence of a certain and personal Judge over all creation?

• Can people know for certain that this Judge and Creator exists and desires a relationship with them?

These questions and more can be investigated and to some degree answered, but not from laboratory study alone. And that's why ICR research is unique, combining sound scientific principles and methodology with clear biblical exegesis and textual integrity.

Through our staff scientists, ICR's National Creation Science Foundation, and researchers in a wide variety of fields--archaeology, astronomy, biology, geology, history, paleontology, and theology--ICR is exploring the answers to questions about mankind and the world around him. The goal? To discover, understand, and formulate an apologetic that supplies all of us with a measure of certainty about who we are and what our purpose is in the lifetime God has granted us. If God's people are to be equipped to give an "answer to every man" who is interested enough to ask about the "hope that is in [us]," then we must be "ready" to do so when the questions come (1 Peter 3:15).

The work that fulfills the Genesis mandate (Genesis 1:28) involves understanding and managing the world God created, and acknowledging Him as Creator, Judge, and King, while resting in the certain hope that He exists and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). With a reliance on God's authoritative Word and research based on sound science, ICR will continue to discover and defend the certainties of God’s creation.

* Dr. Morris is Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Creation Research.

Cite this article: Morris III, H. 2009. Discovering and Defending the Certainties of Creation. Acts & Facts. 38 (6): 8.