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Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Parody on Global Warming

'Twas the night before Christmas
Through our nation and more,
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even Al Gore.

The snow although charming
from Seattle to Maine,
For sure global warming
Ain't here if I'm sane.

We hope it's none harming
No shivers and fright
Farewell global warming
And to all a good night.

-G.G. 12/24/08.

Monday, December 22, 2008

The Role of Faith

John W. writes:

“Now faith is ... [believing] the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible" (Hebrews 11:1-3).

Whether we look through a telescope or microscope, creation shouts the glory of her Designer and Creator!

Yet, It amazes us that unbelieving scientists can have "faith" in the mechanism of Darwinian evolution when that theory is so lacking in convincing evidence. For example, Michael Behe and others have pointed out that recent advances in microbiology prove "irreducible complexity" in the code of life, such as in the DNA molecule. Darwin might be excused for supposing that the cell is "simple," but that's not an option today. Non-atheistic scientists point out the obvious: Where did all the information come from at the genetic level? No naturalistic explanation is acceptable.

What all the scientific knowledge and technology in the world cannot produce (life from non-life) is supposed to have arisen without cause, design, or external intervention. Here is faith in a model of origins that suppresses the obvious general revelation of God.

"...because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools" (Romans 1:19-22).

This confirms that popular "belief" in evolution is not inductively shown from scientific data. but is based on philosophy and the determination to be "gods" who are free and self-determined.

May Christians confidently choose to welcome general and special revelation as described in Psalm 19: "The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge..."

As the writer of Hebrews declares, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:1-6).

Thursday, December 4, 2008

After its kind

A note from Margaret:

Thank you, Gorman, for mentioning "evolution" in connection with the museum at Drumheller. I have been thinking about evolution lately, too.

When Glen was in high school, he was taught the theory of evolution by a teacher who could made it sound very reasonable. One of the "proofs" had to do with "tigons" and "ligers." Lions and tigers can interbreed, was the argument, and that proves they have a common ancestor. Ergo - evolution is a fact.

But that's not the whole story. Biologists are well aware that MALE tigons and ligers are always sterile. Only the female is fertile; so they cannot interbreed. One evolutionist speaks ruefully of this "natural biological barrier against hybridization," because it effectively prevents "successful breeding." In other words, no matter how hard men try to manipulate the breeding of lions and tigers (which do not interbreed in nature), they cannot produce a new "kind" that can reproduce itself.

I find that exciting, because it fits so well the story of Genesis 1. All the kinds created by God were to reproduce according to their own kind; and that is something tigons and ligers cannot possibly do.

Humans, on the other hand, are all one "kind." In spite of the enormous diversity that exists between the races that have descended from Adam, there is no "natural barrier" to prevent interbreeding. In fact, the offspring of two different races usually exhibit the kind of "hybrid vitality" that biologists expect when the gene pool has been strengthened and lost genes restored. Humans - no doubt about it - have a common ancestor. They reproduce according to the "kind" that God created a few thousands years ago.

I believe the "natural biological barrier against hybridization" was put there by God. It ensures that the "kinds" God originally created will not be used to create another "kind." Tigons and ligers are evidence that the barrier works. They CANNOT reproduce according to their own kind, because lions and tigers do not have a common ancestor.

The laws that govern the physical universe are absolutely dependable. (That's why I sort of envy your place of residence near the path of the total solar eclipse that is forecast for 2017. I'd love to see that.)

But the biological laws that govern life are just as dependable, and I'm grateful to you for the reminder...

- Margaret Collier