AND so the creation versus evolution debate rumbles on, much to my surprise (Letters, April 12), and generates rather more heat than light.

Is there an objective test in reality which will decide one way or the other? Yes, there is and, surprisingly, both sides agree on what that test is. Consider the following quotation:

"Evolution destroys utterly and finally the very reason Jesus' earthly life was supposedly made necessary.

Destroy Adam and Eve and the original sin and in the rubble you will find the sorry remains of the Son of God. If Jesus was not the redeemer who died for our sins and this is what evolution means, then Christianity is nothing" (Bozarth G.R, 'The Meaning of Evolution,' American Atheist, September 1978, p.30).

Now compare it with this: "If Christ did not rise your faith is futile and your sins have never been forgiven. Moreover, these who have died believing in Christ are utterly dead and gone. Truly, if our hope in Christ were limited to this life only we should, of all mankind, be the most to be pitied!" (St Paul, 1 Corinthians 15: 17-19).

Both sides agree that the crux of the matter is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.

The Bible makes it abundantly clear that the same Jesus who walked the earth 2000 years ago is the very Creator and sustainer of all that is.

Show that His life, death and resurrection are figments of the imagination and the evolutionists win the day. Conversely, show that He is alive and let loose in the world and the creationists (specifically, the Christians) have the victory. The test is as simple as that.

The Resurrection is an historical event which occurred at a certain time and in a certain location and is amenable to all the usual tools of historical investigation.

It is neither an opinion nor a matter of faith -- it either happened or it didn't.

The test is objective enough and, as we approach the commemoration of the event this coming weekend, one we must take seriously.

STUART HATCH, Shorrock Lane, Blackburn.