The Shape Of The Earth
The Encyclopedia Americana said: " The earliest known image that man had of the earth was that it was a flat, rigid platform at the center fo the universe.... The concept of a spherical earth was not widely accepted until the Renaissance." Some early navigators even feared that they might sail off the edge of the flat earth. But then the introduction of the compass and other advancements made possible longer ocean voyages. These "voyages of discovery," another encyclopedia explains, "showed that the world was round, not flat as most people had believed."
Yet, long before such voyages, about 2,700 years ago, the Bible said: "There is one who is dwelling above the circle of the earth." (Isaiah 40:22) The Hebrew word here translated "circle" can also mean "sphere," as various reference works note. Other Bible translations,therefore, say, "the globe of the earth " (Douay Version) and, "the round earth." - Moffatt.
Thus, the Bible was not influenced by the unscientific views prevalent at the time regarding the earth's support and its shape. The reason is simple: The author of the Bible is the author of the universe. He created the earth, so he should know what it hands on and what its shape is. Hence, when he inspired the Bible, he saw to it that no unscientific views were incorporated in it, however, much they may have been believed by others at the time.
Continued-Next time: The Composition Of Living Things
12.31.2004
12.27.2004
Scientific Accuracy
For example, while the Bible was not written as a science textbook, it is in harmony with true science when it deals with scientific matters. But other ancient books regarded as sacred contain scientific myths, inaccuracies and outright falsehoods. Note just four of the many examples of the Bible's scientific accuracy.
How the earth is held in space. In ancient times when the Bible was being written, there was much speculation about how the earth was held in space. Some believed that the earth was supported by four elephants standing on a big sea turtle. Aristotle, a Greek philosopher and scientist of the fourth century B.C.E., taught that the earth could never hang in empty space. Instead, he taught that the heavenly bodies were fixed to the surface of solid, transparent spheres,with each sphere nested within another sphere. Supposedly the earth was on the innermost sphere, and the outermost sphere held the stars.
Yet, rather than reflect the fanciful, unscientific views existing at the time of its writing, the Bible simply stated (in about the year 1473 B.C.E.): "[God is] hanging the earth upon nothing." (Job 26:7) In the original Hebrew, the word for "nothing" used here means "not any thing," and this is the only time it occurs in the Bible. The picture it presents of an earth surrounded by empty space is recognized by scholars as a remarkable vision for its time. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament says: "Job 26:7 strikingly pictures the then known world as suspended in space, thereby anticipating future scientific discovery."
The Bible's accurate statement predated Aristotle by over 1,100 years. Yet, Aristotle's views continued to be taught as fact for some 2,000 years after his death! Finally, in 1687 C.E., Sir Isaac Newton published his findings that the earth was held in space relation to other heavenly objects by mutual attraction, that is, gravity. But that was close to 3,200 years after the Bible had stated with elegant simplicity that the earth is hanging "upon nothing."
Yes, nearly 3,500 years ago, the Bible correctly noted that the earth has no visible support, a fact that is in harmony with the more recently understood laws of gravity and motion. " How Job knew the truth," said one scholar, 'is a question not easily solved by those who deny the inspiration of Holy Scripture."
Continued - Next time: The Shape Of The Earth
For example, while the Bible was not written as a science textbook, it is in harmony with true science when it deals with scientific matters. But other ancient books regarded as sacred contain scientific myths, inaccuracies and outright falsehoods. Note just four of the many examples of the Bible's scientific accuracy.
How the earth is held in space. In ancient times when the Bible was being written, there was much speculation about how the earth was held in space. Some believed that the earth was supported by four elephants standing on a big sea turtle. Aristotle, a Greek philosopher and scientist of the fourth century B.C.E., taught that the earth could never hang in empty space. Instead, he taught that the heavenly bodies were fixed to the surface of solid, transparent spheres,with each sphere nested within another sphere. Supposedly the earth was on the innermost sphere, and the outermost sphere held the stars.
Yet, rather than reflect the fanciful, unscientific views existing at the time of its writing, the Bible simply stated (in about the year 1473 B.C.E.): "[God is] hanging the earth upon nothing." (Job 26:7) In the original Hebrew, the word for "nothing" used here means "not any thing," and this is the only time it occurs in the Bible. The picture it presents of an earth surrounded by empty space is recognized by scholars as a remarkable vision for its time. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament says: "Job 26:7 strikingly pictures the then known world as suspended in space, thereby anticipating future scientific discovery."
The Bible's accurate statement predated Aristotle by over 1,100 years. Yet, Aristotle's views continued to be taught as fact for some 2,000 years after his death! Finally, in 1687 C.E., Sir Isaac Newton published his findings that the earth was held in space relation to other heavenly objects by mutual attraction, that is, gravity. But that was close to 3,200 years after the Bible had stated with elegant simplicity that the earth is hanging "upon nothing."
Yes, nearly 3,500 years ago, the Bible correctly noted that the earth has no visible support, a fact that is in harmony with the more recently understood laws of gravity and motion. " How Job knew the truth," said one scholar, 'is a question not easily solved by those who deny the inspiration of Holy Scripture."
Continued - Next time: The Shape Of The Earth
12.24.2004
A Unique Source Of Superior Wisdom
Is the Bible the record of that superior wisdom? Can it give us truthful answers to the important questions that have to do with the purpose of life?
Certainly the Bible is worthy of our examination. One reason is that it is the most unusual book ever assembled, very different from any other book. Consider the following facts.
Oldest, Most Widely Distributed Book
The Bible is the oldest book ever written, parts of it being composed some 3,500 years ago. It is many centuries older than any other book considered sacred. The first of the66 books that it contains was written about a thousand years before Buddha and Confucius and some two thousand years before Muhammad.
The history recorded in the Bible goes back to the beginning of the human family and explains how we came to be here on earth. It even takes us back to the time before humans were created, giving us facts about the formation of the earth.
Other religious books, and nonreligious one too, have only a few copies of their old manuscripts left in existence. About 13,000 handwritten copies of the Bible or parts of it exists in Hebrew and Greek, some of which date from close to the time of the original writing. These have survived even though the most concentrated onslaughts imaginable have been attempted against the Bible.
Also, the Bible is by far the most widely distributed book in history. About three billion Bibles or parts of it have been distributed in some two thousand languages. It is said that 98 percent of the human family have access to the Bible in their own language. No other book comes close to that circulation.
In addition, no other ancient book compares with the Bible in accuracy. Scientists, historians, archaeologists, geographers, language experts and others continually verify Bible accounts.
Conitinue-Next time: Scientific Accuracy
Is the Bible the record of that superior wisdom? Can it give us truthful answers to the important questions that have to do with the purpose of life?
Certainly the Bible is worthy of our examination. One reason is that it is the most unusual book ever assembled, very different from any other book. Consider the following facts.
Oldest, Most Widely Distributed Book
The Bible is the oldest book ever written, parts of it being composed some 3,500 years ago. It is many centuries older than any other book considered sacred. The first of the66 books that it contains was written about a thousand years before Buddha and Confucius and some two thousand years before Muhammad.
The history recorded in the Bible goes back to the beginning of the human family and explains how we came to be here on earth. It even takes us back to the time before humans were created, giving us facts about the formation of the earth.
Other religious books, and nonreligious one too, have only a few copies of their old manuscripts left in existence. About 13,000 handwritten copies of the Bible or parts of it exists in Hebrew and Greek, some of which date from close to the time of the original writing. These have survived even though the most concentrated onslaughts imaginable have been attempted against the Bible.
Also, the Bible is by far the most widely distributed book in history. About three billion Bibles or parts of it have been distributed in some two thousand languages. It is said that 98 percent of the human family have access to the Bible in their own language. No other book comes close to that circulation.
In addition, no other ancient book compares with the Bible in accuracy. Scientists, historians, archaeologists, geographers, language experts and others continually verify Bible accounts.
Conitinue-Next time: Scientific Accuracy
12.21.2004
This is an interesting story that lets you know that God is always watching over you.
Isn't it amazing how God works in our lives! One Saturday night, this pastor was working late, and decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10:00 pm, but his wife didn't answer the phone. The pastor let it ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn't answer, but decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a few minutes.
When he tried again she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn't answered before, and she said that it hadn't rung at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke and went on their merry way.
The following Monday, the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he had used that Saturday night. The man that he spoke with wanted to know why he's called on Saturday night. The pastor couldn't figure out what the man was talking about. Then the man said: " It rang and rang, but I didn't answer." The pastor remembered the mishap and apologized for disturbing him, explaining that he had intended to call his wife.
The man said: "That's ok. Let me tell you my story. You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did, I prayed, 'God if you're there, and you don't want me to do this, give me a sign now.'
At that point my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said: 'Almighty God." I was afraid to answer!" The reason why it showed on the man's caller ID that the call came from '' Almighty God" is because the church that the pastor attends is called Almighty God Tabernacle!
Isn't it amazing how God works in our lives! One Saturday night, this pastor was working late, and decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10:00 pm, but his wife didn't answer the phone. The pastor let it ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn't answer, but decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a few minutes.
When he tried again she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn't answered before, and she said that it hadn't rung at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke and went on their merry way.
The following Monday, the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he had used that Saturday night. The man that he spoke with wanted to know why he's called on Saturday night. The pastor couldn't figure out what the man was talking about. Then the man said: " It rang and rang, but I didn't answer." The pastor remembered the mishap and apologized for disturbing him, explaining that he had intended to call his wife.
The man said: "That's ok. Let me tell you my story. You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did, I prayed, 'God if you're there, and you don't want me to do this, give me a sign now.'
At that point my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said: 'Almighty God." I was afraid to answer!" The reason why it showed on the man's caller ID that the call came from '' Almighty God" is because the church that the pastor attends is called Almighty God Tabernacle!
12.16.2004
"Wonderfully Made"
In the Bible the palmist David acknowledged: "In a fear - inspiring way I am wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:14) Surely that is the truth, for the human brain and body were marvelously designed by the Supreme Designer.
For instance, your brain is far more complex than any computer. The New Encyclopedia Britannica notes: "Transmission of information within the nervous system is more complex than the largest telephone exchanges; problem solving by human brain exceeds by far the capacity of the most powerful computers."
Hundreds of millions of facts and mental images are stored in your brain, but it is not merely a storehouse of facts. With it you can learn how to whistle, bake bread, speak foreign languages, use a computer, or fly an airplane. You can imagine what a vacation would be like or how delicious a fruit will taste. You can analyze and make things. You can also plan, appreciate, love and relate your thoughts to the past, the present, and the future. Since we humans cannot design such a thing as the awesome human brain, then the one who designed it obviously has wisdom and ability far greater than that of any human.
Regarding the brain, scientist admit: "How these functions are carried out by this magnificiently patterned, orderly and fantastically complex piece of machinery is quite obscure... Human beings may never solve all the separate individual puzzles the brain presents." Scientific American and physics professor Raymo says: " If the truth be told, we still don't know much about how the human brain stores information, or how it is able to call up memories at will...There are as many as a hundred billion nerve cells in the human brain. Each cell is in communication, through a treelike array of synapses, with thousands of other cells. The possibilties of interconnecton are staggeringly intricate."
Your eyes are more precise and adaptable than any camera; in fact, they are fully automatic, self-focusing, color motion-picture cameras. Your ears can detect a variety of sounds and give you a sense of direction and balance. Your heart is a pump with capabilties that the best engineers have not been able to duplicate. Also magnificent are other body parts: your nose, tongue, and hands as well as your circulatory and digestive systems, to name a few.
Thus, an engineer who was hired to design and build a large computer reasoned: "If my computer required a designer, how much more so did that complex physio-chemical-biological machine which is my human body - which in turn is but an extremely minute part of the well-nigh infinite cosmos?"
Just as people hava purpose in mind when they make airplanes, computers, bicycles and other devices, so the Designer fo the brain and body of humans must have had a purpose in designing us. And this Designer has to have wisdom superior to that of humans, since none of us can duplicate his designs. It is logical, then, that he is the One who can tell us why he designed us, why he puts us on earth, and where we are going.
When we learn those things, then the wonderful brain and body God gave us can be used toward fulfilling our purpose in life. But where can we learn about his purposes? Where does he give us that information?
Continue- Next time: A Unique Source Of Superior Wisdom
In the Bible the palmist David acknowledged: "In a fear - inspiring way I am wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:14) Surely that is the truth, for the human brain and body were marvelously designed by the Supreme Designer.
For instance, your brain is far more complex than any computer. The New Encyclopedia Britannica notes: "Transmission of information within the nervous system is more complex than the largest telephone exchanges; problem solving by human brain exceeds by far the capacity of the most powerful computers."
Hundreds of millions of facts and mental images are stored in your brain, but it is not merely a storehouse of facts. With it you can learn how to whistle, bake bread, speak foreign languages, use a computer, or fly an airplane. You can imagine what a vacation would be like or how delicious a fruit will taste. You can analyze and make things. You can also plan, appreciate, love and relate your thoughts to the past, the present, and the future. Since we humans cannot design such a thing as the awesome human brain, then the one who designed it obviously has wisdom and ability far greater than that of any human.
Regarding the brain, scientist admit: "How these functions are carried out by this magnificiently patterned, orderly and fantastically complex piece of machinery is quite obscure... Human beings may never solve all the separate individual puzzles the brain presents." Scientific American and physics professor Raymo says: " If the truth be told, we still don't know much about how the human brain stores information, or how it is able to call up memories at will...There are as many as a hundred billion nerve cells in the human brain. Each cell is in communication, through a treelike array of synapses, with thousands of other cells. The possibilties of interconnecton are staggeringly intricate."
Your eyes are more precise and adaptable than any camera; in fact, they are fully automatic, self-focusing, color motion-picture cameras. Your ears can detect a variety of sounds and give you a sense of direction and balance. Your heart is a pump with capabilties that the best engineers have not been able to duplicate. Also magnificent are other body parts: your nose, tongue, and hands as well as your circulatory and digestive systems, to name a few.
Thus, an engineer who was hired to design and build a large computer reasoned: "If my computer required a designer, how much more so did that complex physio-chemical-biological machine which is my human body - which in turn is but an extremely minute part of the well-nigh infinite cosmos?"
Just as people hava purpose in mind when they make airplanes, computers, bicycles and other devices, so the Designer fo the brain and body of humans must have had a purpose in designing us. And this Designer has to have wisdom superior to that of humans, since none of us can duplicate his designs. It is logical, then, that he is the One who can tell us why he designed us, why he puts us on earth, and where we are going.
When we learn those things, then the wonderful brain and body God gave us can be used toward fulfilling our purpose in life. But where can we learn about his purposes? Where does he give us that information?
Continue- Next time: A Unique Source Of Superior Wisdom
12.10.2004
What The Bible Says
The Bible, mankind's oldest book, draws the same conclusion. For example, in the Bible book of Hebrews, written by the apostle Paul, we are told: "Of course, every house is constructed by someone, but he that constructed all things is God." (Hebrews 3:4) The last book of the Bible, written by the apostle John, also says: " You are worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of you will they existed and were created." Revelation 4:11.
The Bible shows that while God cannot be seen, the kind of God he is can be perceived by what he has made. It states: " [The Creator's]invisible attributes, that is to say his everlasting power and deity, have been visible, ever since the world began, to the eye of reason, in the things he has made." - Romans 1:20, The New English Bible.
So the Bible takes us from cause to effect. The effect - the awesome things made - is evidence of the intelligent, powerful Cause: God. Also,we can be grateful that he is invisible, since as the Creator of all the universe, he no doubt has power so enormous that humans of flesh and blood cannot expect to see him and survive. And that is just what the Bible says: "No man may see [God] and yet live." - Exodus 33:20.
The concept of a Great Designer, a Supreme Being - God - should be very important to us. If we were made by a Creator, then surely he must have had a reason, a purpose, in creating us. If we were created to have a purpose in life, then there is reason to hope that things will be better for us in the future. Otherwise, we just live and die without hope. So it is very important that we find out God's purpose for us. Then we can chose whether we want to live in harmony with it or not.
Also, the Bible states that the Creator is a loving God, who cares very much about us. The apostle Pete stated: "He cares for you." (1Peter 5:7; see also John 3:16 and 1John 4:8, 16). One way we can see how God cares is by considering the wonderful way he has made us, mentally and physically.
Continue- Next time: "Wonderfully Made"
The Bible, mankind's oldest book, draws the same conclusion. For example, in the Bible book of Hebrews, written by the apostle Paul, we are told: "Of course, every house is constructed by someone, but he that constructed all things is God." (Hebrews 3:4) The last book of the Bible, written by the apostle John, also says: " You are worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of you will they existed and were created." Revelation 4:11.
The Bible shows that while God cannot be seen, the kind of God he is can be perceived by what he has made. It states: " [The Creator's]invisible attributes, that is to say his everlasting power and deity, have been visible, ever since the world began, to the eye of reason, in the things he has made." - Romans 1:20, The New English Bible.
So the Bible takes us from cause to effect. The effect - the awesome things made - is evidence of the intelligent, powerful Cause: God. Also,we can be grateful that he is invisible, since as the Creator of all the universe, he no doubt has power so enormous that humans of flesh and blood cannot expect to see him and survive. And that is just what the Bible says: "No man may see [God] and yet live." - Exodus 33:20.
The concept of a Great Designer, a Supreme Being - God - should be very important to us. If we were made by a Creator, then surely he must have had a reason, a purpose, in creating us. If we were created to have a purpose in life, then there is reason to hope that things will be better for us in the future. Otherwise, we just live and die without hope. So it is very important that we find out God's purpose for us. Then we can chose whether we want to live in harmony with it or not.
Also, the Bible states that the Creator is a loving God, who cares very much about us. The apostle Pete stated: "He cares for you." (1Peter 5:7; see also John 3:16 and 1John 4:8, 16). One way we can see how God cares is by considering the wonderful way he has made us, mentally and physically.
Continue- Next time: "Wonderfully Made"
12.08.2004
Design Requires A Designer
The idea that nonliving material could come to life by chance, by some haphazard accident, is so remote as to be impossible. No, all the superbly designed living things on earth could not have come about by accident, since everything that is designed must have a designer. Do you know of any exceptions? There are none. And the more complicated the design, the more capable the designer has to be.
We may also illustrate the matter this way: When we see a painting, we accept it as evidence that a painter exists. When we read a book, we accept that an author exists. When we see a house, we accept that a builder exists. When we see a traffic light, we know that a law-making body exists. All those things were made with a purpose by those who made them. And while we may not understand everything about the people who designed them, we do not doubt that the people exist.
Similarly, the evidence of the existence of a Supreme Designer can be seen in the design, order, and complexity of living things on earth. They all bear the marks of a Supreme Intelligence. This also true fo the design order, and the complexity of the universe with its billions of galaxies, each containing billions of stars. And all the heavenly bodies are controlled by precise laws, such as those for motion, heat, light, sound, electromagnetism, and gravity. Can there be laws without a lawmaker? Rocket scientist Dr. Wernher Von Braun stated: "The natural laws of the universe are so precise that we have no difficulty building a spaceship to fly to the moon and can time the flight with the precision of a fraction of a second. These laws must have been set by somebody."
True, we cannot see the Supreme Designer and Lawgiver with our literal eyes. But do we deny the existence of such things as gravity, magnetism, electricity, or radio waves just because we cannot see them? No, we do not, for we can observe their effects. Then why should we deny the existence of a Supreme Designer and Lawgiver just because we cannot see him, when we can observe the results of his amazing handiwork?
Paul Davies, a professor of physics, concludes that man's existence is not a mere quirk of fate. He states: "We are truly meant to be here." And he says regarding the universe: " Through my scientific work, I have come to believe more and more strongly that the physical universe is put together with an ingenuity so astonishing that I cannot accept it merely as a brute fact. There must, it seems to me, be a deeper level of explanation."
Thus, the evidence tells us that the universe, the earth, and living things on the earth, could not have come about just by chance. They all give silent testimony to a highly intelligent, powerful Creator.
Continued-Next time: What The Bible Says
The idea that nonliving material could come to life by chance, by some haphazard accident, is so remote as to be impossible. No, all the superbly designed living things on earth could not have come about by accident, since everything that is designed must have a designer. Do you know of any exceptions? There are none. And the more complicated the design, the more capable the designer has to be.
We may also illustrate the matter this way: When we see a painting, we accept it as evidence that a painter exists. When we read a book, we accept that an author exists. When we see a house, we accept that a builder exists. When we see a traffic light, we know that a law-making body exists. All those things were made with a purpose by those who made them. And while we may not understand everything about the people who designed them, we do not doubt that the people exist.
Similarly, the evidence of the existence of a Supreme Designer can be seen in the design, order, and complexity of living things on earth. They all bear the marks of a Supreme Intelligence. This also true fo the design order, and the complexity of the universe with its billions of galaxies, each containing billions of stars. And all the heavenly bodies are controlled by precise laws, such as those for motion, heat, light, sound, electromagnetism, and gravity. Can there be laws without a lawmaker? Rocket scientist Dr. Wernher Von Braun stated: "The natural laws of the universe are so precise that we have no difficulty building a spaceship to fly to the moon and can time the flight with the precision of a fraction of a second. These laws must have been set by somebody."
True, we cannot see the Supreme Designer and Lawgiver with our literal eyes. But do we deny the existence of such things as gravity, magnetism, electricity, or radio waves just because we cannot see them? No, we do not, for we can observe their effects. Then why should we deny the existence of a Supreme Designer and Lawgiver just because we cannot see him, when we can observe the results of his amazing handiwork?
Paul Davies, a professor of physics, concludes that man's existence is not a mere quirk of fate. He states: "We are truly meant to be here." And he says regarding the universe: " Through my scientific work, I have come to believe more and more strongly that the physical universe is put together with an ingenuity so astonishing that I cannot accept it merely as a brute fact. There must, it seems to me, be a deeper level of explanation."
Thus, the evidence tells us that the universe, the earth, and living things on the earth, could not have come about just by chance. They all give silent testimony to a highly intelligent, powerful Creator.
Continued-Next time: What The Bible Says
12.03.2004
Did Life Originate By Chance?
The Encyclopedia Americana noted "the extraordinary degree of complexity and of organization in living creatures" and stated: " A close examination of flowers, insects or mammals shows an almost incredibly precise arrangement of parts." British astronomer Sir Bernard Loveli, referring to the chemical composition of living organisms, wrote: "The probability of....a chance occurrence leading to the formation of one of the smallest protein molecules is unimaginably small....It is effectively zero."
Similarly, astronomer Fred Hoyle said: "The entire structure of orthodox biology still holds that life arose at random. Yet, as biochemists discover more and more about the awesome complexity of life, it is apparent that the chances of it orginating by accident are so minute that they can be completely ruled out. Life cannot have arisen by chance."
Molecular biology, one of the more recent fields of science, is the study of living things at the level of genes, molecules, and atoms. Molecular biologist Michael Denton comments on what has been found: "The complexity of the simplest known type of cell is so great that it is impossible to accept that such an object could have been thrown together suddenly by some kind of freakish, vastly improbable, event." "But it is not just the complexity of living systems which is so often manifest in their design." "It is at a molecular level where...the genius of biological design and the perfection of the goals achieved are most pronounced."
Denton further states: "Everywhere we look, to whatever depth we look, we find an elegance and ingenuity of an absolutely transcending quality, which so mitigates against the idea of chance. Is it really credible that random processes could have constructed a reality, the smallest element of which - a functional protein or gene - is complex beyond our own creative capacities, a reality which is the very antithesis of chance, which excels in every sense anything produced by the intelligence of man?" He also states: "Between a living cell and the most highly ordered non-biological system, such as a crystal or a snowflake, there is a chasm as vast and absolute as it is possible to conceive." And a professor of physics, Chet Raymo, states: "I am dazzled....Every molecule seems miraculously contrived for its task."
Molecular biologist Denton concludes that "those wh still dogmatically advocate that all this new reality is the result of pure chance" are believing in a myth. In fact, he calls the Darwinian belief regarding living things arising by chance "the great cosmogenic myth of the twentieth century."
Continue-Next time: Design Requires A Designer
The Encyclopedia Americana noted "the extraordinary degree of complexity and of organization in living creatures" and stated: " A close examination of flowers, insects or mammals shows an almost incredibly precise arrangement of parts." British astronomer Sir Bernard Loveli, referring to the chemical composition of living organisms, wrote: "The probability of....a chance occurrence leading to the formation of one of the smallest protein molecules is unimaginably small....It is effectively zero."
Similarly, astronomer Fred Hoyle said: "The entire structure of orthodox biology still holds that life arose at random. Yet, as biochemists discover more and more about the awesome complexity of life, it is apparent that the chances of it orginating by accident are so minute that they can be completely ruled out. Life cannot have arisen by chance."
Molecular biology, one of the more recent fields of science, is the study of living things at the level of genes, molecules, and atoms. Molecular biologist Michael Denton comments on what has been found: "The complexity of the simplest known type of cell is so great that it is impossible to accept that such an object could have been thrown together suddenly by some kind of freakish, vastly improbable, event." "But it is not just the complexity of living systems which is so often manifest in their design." "It is at a molecular level where...the genius of biological design and the perfection of the goals achieved are most pronounced."
Denton further states: "Everywhere we look, to whatever depth we look, we find an elegance and ingenuity of an absolutely transcending quality, which so mitigates against the idea of chance. Is it really credible that random processes could have constructed a reality, the smallest element of which - a functional protein or gene - is complex beyond our own creative capacities, a reality which is the very antithesis of chance, which excels in every sense anything produced by the intelligence of man?" He also states: "Between a living cell and the most highly ordered non-biological system, such as a crystal or a snowflake, there is a chasm as vast and absolute as it is possible to conceive." And a professor of physics, Chet Raymo, states: "I am dazzled....Every molecule seems miraculously contrived for its task."
Molecular biologist Denton concludes that "those wh still dogmatically advocate that all this new reality is the result of pure chance" are believing in a myth. In fact, he calls the Darwinian belief regarding living things arising by chance "the great cosmogenic myth of the twentieth century."
Continue-Next time: Design Requires A Designer
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