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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
The debate between supporters of creation/intelligent design and evolution ebbs and flows, often turning mean-spirited. Many Christians are reluctant to respond because they feel they have nothing to add to the conversation but ‘The Bible says…’; which doesn’t sound very convincing when others are citing dates, figures and facts, however dubious some of them may be. (It being particularly difficult to cite scripture effectively when your opponent doesn’t believe in the Bible – there being no common ground to your “debate”.)
I am well aware of the deep passion and animosity this topic can incite among many, as it boils down to a question of accountability. If we as a species are accidents, a by-product of random molecular occurrences, then we really are free agents accountable to no one and nothing except when we agree to be in regards to our behavior. A lot is at stake; and any serious study of the issue reveals real problems – scientific ones – in the theory of evolution with a turning away from such notions among many scholars of the hard sciences.
We can be encouraged in this debate by their research and findings; which are readily available through various publications – it being our responsibility to care enough to seek them out and use them. I don’t believe this information supersedes what the Bible reveals to us but that it can be useful in re-enforcing its revelation (Genesis 1:1), giving us a point of reference in debating this topic with those who aren’t grounded in scripture (John 1:1-3); allowing us then to lead them to God’s word after arousing questions and curiosity concerning what they thought was sound scientific teaching (See Jeremiah 10:12). “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Romans 1:20
A hard science is one containing evidence that can be observed, replicated and depended on to be consistent to a high degree; leading to laws of physics, thermodynamics, chemistry and engineering. Soft science is grounded in evidence that is derived primarily from observation and conjecture, which is not always wrong yet undependable in a true scientific sense. Conjecture is often the start of many theories concerning life science but must move beyond that to be proved correct by experimentation and statistical study. Evolution is rife with unproven hypothesis, unobserved assumptions, unrealized propositions, unverified conjecture; a belief system grounded in the observances of geology, anthropology and paleontology. That being the case, why not be open to observing how, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the works of his hands.”? Psalm 19:1
This information can be extremely complex and space-consuming, so I will mention only a few critical problems leading many scientists, not necessarily to intelligent design but to question evolution none-the-less. As we acquire the ability to examine cells at the sub-atomic level, something Darwin and his associates could not do, their complexity amazes us. Chirality – the necessity of DNA nucleotides and amino acids, the building blocks of life, to perfectly match every time to sustain life and relay information purposefully is insurmountable. Gene sequencing – the precise order in DNA cell structure is crucial to information relay and cell development and impossible to achieve randomly. Mutations – almost all of which are harmful, would be necessary as a positive force on a vast scale in driving the evolution of complex new species from simple single-celled life forms. Irreducibly complex molecular systems, containing millions of interactive cells functioning in an intricate sequence – as a whole, all at once – it all works or none of it does, is a major stumbling block to the evolution of species bit by bit over eons of time. And the question of life itself. If you could collect, randomly, all the necessary microbiological ingredients for life in one place at the same time, what turned it on; sparking that first incident of recognizable life? (Some, believer it nor not, conjecture that lightning did.)
Charles Darwin predicted problems in his theory such as the lack of true transitional forms, of which there should be millions, that are still problematic today. British biologist Harrison Matthews notes in his intro. to the 1971 edition of Darwin’s Origin of The Species, “The fact of evolution is the back-bone of biology, and biology is thus in the peculiar position of a science founded on an unproved theory – is it then a science or a faith? Belief in the theory of evolution is thus exactly parallel to belief in special creation – both are concepts which believers know to be true but neither, up to the present, has been capable to prove.” Sir Ronald Fisher, an architect of neo-Darwinism never-the-less voices concern over the role random mutation is said to have in improving species, let alone in creating new ones from the old. Noted evolutionists John Maynard Smith and Eors Szathmary, in attempting to answer the question of first life, have gone so far as to suggest its introduction from space; either as pre-existing and delivered via meteorites or possibly by extra-terrestrials!
These difficulties and others compelled Stephen C. Meyer, with a PhD in the history and philosophy of science to declare, “While many outside of life-biology still invoke “chance” as a causal explanation for the origin of biological information, few serious researchers still do.”
This compelling information is described in detail, in an understandable manner, by men of educational distinction such as: Michael Behe, bio-chemical professor and molecular biologist, author of Darwin’s Black Box; Dr. Lee Spetner, PhD in physics, author of Not by Chance; Astrophysicist Dr. Hugh Ross, author of The Creator and The Cosmos; mathematician Dr. William Dembski, author of The Design Inference; Michael Denton, PhD in molecular biology, author of Evolution: A theory in Crisis; J.P. Moreland, author of The Creation Hypothesis: Scientific Evidence for Intelligent Design; Jonathan Wells, author of Icons of Evolution: Science or Myth: Why Much of What We Teach About Evolution Is Wrong; Duane T. Gish, PhD in biochemistry – Assist. Director of the Institute for Creation Research, author of Evolution, the Fossils Say No!; Henry M. Morris, PhD in hydrology and hydraulics with minors in geology and mathematics, Director of the Institute for Creation Research, San Diego, California, co-author of Science and Creation; Ralph Muncaster, engineer, a former atheist and evolutionist now convinced of intelligent design as a result of an in-depth study of the claims of evolution theory, author of Dismantling Evolution.
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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