Faith and Reason in an age of doubt “Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for...

Faith and ReasonFaith and Reasonin an age of doubtin an age of doubt

Faith and ReasonFaith and Reasonin an age of doubtin an age of doubt

““Always be ready to give a defense to Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” – 1 Peter 3:15hope that is in you” – 1 Peter 3:15

• The Argument from DesignThe Argument from Design

• Week 5, 7/29/2012Week 5, 7/29/2012• Gene Wright, [email protected] Wright, [email protected]

Faith and Reason in an age of doubtFaith and Reason in an age of doubtThe argument from DesignThe argument from Design


• This argument asserts the necessary This argument asserts the necessary existence of God from the design found in existence of God from the design found in nature. nature.

• Plato and Aristotle argued for the Plato and Aristotle argued for the existence of “God” because of the design existence of “God” because of the design they saw in nature. they saw in nature.

• One formulation of this argument was by a One formulation of this argument was by a man named William Paley in 1804. man named William Paley in 1804.



• ““In crossing a field, suppose I pitched my foot against a In crossing a field, suppose I pitched my foot against a stone, and were asked how the stone came to be there. I stone, and were asked how the stone came to be there. I might possibly answer, that, for anything I knew to the might possibly answer, that, for anything I knew to the contrary it had been there forever nor would it perhaps be contrary it had been there forever nor would it perhaps be very easy to show the absurdity of this answer. very easy to show the absurdity of this answer.

• But suppose I had found a watch upon the ground…But suppose I had found a watch upon the ground…



• ““For this reason, and for no other, that, when we come to For this reason, and for no other, that, when we come to inspect the watch, we perceive (what we could not discover inspect the watch, we perceive (what we could not discover in the stone) that its several parts are framed and put in the stone) that its several parts are framed and put together for a purpose. together for a purpose.

• They are so formed and adjusted as to produce motion, They are so formed and adjusted as to produce motion, and that motion so regulated as to point out the hour of the and that motion so regulated as to point out the hour of the day. If the different parts had been differently shaped from day. If the different parts had been differently shaped from what they are, of a different size from what they are, or what they are, of a different size from what they are, or placed after any other manner, or in any other order, than placed after any other manner, or in any other order, than that in which they are placed, either no motion at all would that in which they are placed, either no motion at all would have been carried on in the machine, or none which would have been carried on in the machine, or none which would have answered the use that is now served by it.”have answered the use that is now served by it.”



• ““This mechanism being observed and This mechanism being observed and understood produces an inevitable inference: understood produces an inevitable inference: that the watch must have had a maker; that that the watch must have had a maker; that there must have existed, at some time, and at there must have existed, at some time, and at some place or other, someone who formed it some place or other, someone who formed it for the purpose which we find. Someone who for the purpose which we find. Someone who comprehended its construction, and comprehended its construction, and designed its use.”designed its use.”

• There was a designer.There was a designer.



• This conclusion would not be weakened if we This conclusion would not be weakened if we had never actually seen a watch being made had never actually seen a watch being made nor knew how to make one. nor knew how to make one.

• For we recognize the remains of ancient art as For we recognize the remains of ancient art as the products of intelligent design without the products of intelligent design without having ever seen such things made, and we having ever seen such things made, and we know the products of modern manufacture are know the products of modern manufacture are the result of intelligence even though we may the result of intelligence even though we may have no inkling how they are produced. have no inkling how they are produced.



• Nor would our conclusion be invalidated if the Nor would our conclusion be invalidated if the watch sometimes went wrong. The purpose of watch sometimes went wrong. The purpose of the mechanism would be evident even if the the mechanism would be evident even if the machine did not function perfectly. machine did not function perfectly.

• Nor would the argument become uncertain if Nor would the argument become uncertain if we were to discover some parts in the we were to discover some parts in the mechanism that did not seem to have any mechanism that did not seem to have any purpose, for this would not negate the purpose, for this would not negate the purposeful design in the other parts.purposeful design in the other parts.



• Conclusions. Nor would anyone in his right mind think that the Conclusions. Nor would anyone in his right mind think that the existence of the watch was accounted for by the consideration that it existence of the watch was accounted for by the consideration that it was one out of many possible configurations of matter and that some was one out of many possible configurations of matter and that some possible configuration had to exist in the place where the watch was possible configuration had to exist in the place where the watch was found. found.

• Nor would it help to say that there exists in things a principle of order, Nor would it help to say that there exists in things a principle of order, which yielded the watch. For one never knows a watch to be so which yielded the watch. For one never knows a watch to be so formed, and the notion of such a principle of order that is not formed, and the notion of such a principle of order that is not intelligent seems to have little meaning. intelligent seems to have little meaning.

• Nor is it enough to say the watch was produced from another watch Nor is it enough to say the watch was produced from another watch before it and that one from yet a prior watch, and so forth to infinity. before it and that one from yet a prior watch, and so forth to infinity. For the design is still unaccounted for. For the design is still unaccounted for.

• Each machine in the infinite series evidences the same design, and it Each machine in the infinite series evidences the same design, and it is irrelevant whether one has ten, a thousand, or an infinite number of is irrelevant whether one has ten, a thousand, or an infinite number of such machines—a designer is still needed.such machines—a designer is still needed.



• Consider: What if you walked along a beach and found this?Consider: What if you walked along a beach and found this?

• If your friend were to say: If your friend were to say: “How interesting that in “How interesting that in the infinity of time and the infinity of time and space a chance space a chance arrangement of sand arrangement of sand grains would randomly grains would randomly form to appear like the form to appear like the Statue of Liberty!”Statue of Liberty!”

• No, you would look No, you would look around for the artist!around for the artist!

• And you would think And you would think your friend needed a rest.your friend needed a rest.



• Some disciplines of Science do this too. Consider:Some disciplines of Science do this too. Consider:• ArcheologyArcheology: Is that rock formation natural or due to : Is that rock formation natural or due to

intelligent design?intelligent design?• AnthropologyAnthropology: Do sharp, pointed rocks occur : Do sharp, pointed rocks occur

naturally or are they designed by intelligent naturally or are they designed by intelligent beings?beings?

• ForensicsForensics: Intelligent cause of death or natural : Intelligent cause of death or natural circumstances?circumstances?

• SETISETI: Are those radio signals natural or caused by : Are those radio signals natural or caused by intelligent beings?intelligent beings?



• Now the point of the analogy of the watch is this: Now the point of the analogy of the watch is this: just as we infer a watchmaker as the designer of just as we infer a watchmaker as the designer of the watch, so ought we to infer an intelligent the watch, so ought we to infer an intelligent designer of the universe. designer of the universe.

• For every indication of planning, every For every indication of planning, every manifestation of design, which existed in the watch, manifestation of design, which existed in the watch, exists in the works of nature. exists in the works of nature.

• Since there is evidence of design in the Universe, Since there is evidence of design in the Universe, there must be a designer. This divine “watchmaker” there must be a designer. This divine “watchmaker” is God.is God.

Faith and Reason in an age of doubtFaith and Reason in an age of doubtExamples of Design: The stomachExamples of Design: The stomach


• Why doesn't the stomach digest itself? Why doesn't the stomach digest itself? • Your stomach secretes a mixture of digestive juices that Your stomach secretes a mixture of digestive juices that

are so strong that they can dissolve zinc. The main are so strong that they can dissolve zinc. The main components of the digestive juices are pepsin and components of the digestive juices are pepsin and hydrochloric acid. hydrochloric acid.

• Pepsin, which is used to digest protein, is not very Pepsin, which is used to digest protein, is not very corrosive. corrosive.

• Hydrochloric acid, on the other hand, is an extremely Hydrochloric acid, on the other hand, is an extremely corrosive liquid. It will eat through skin or muscle or even corrosive liquid. It will eat through skin or muscle or even metal plates of zinc, magnesium, or aluminum. metal plates of zinc, magnesium, or aluminum.

• How can the stomach secrete an acid like this and not How can the stomach secrete an acid like this and not dissolve itself?dissolve itself?



• There are three separate systems that the stomach uses to protect There are three separate systems that the stomach uses to protect itself from the hydrochloric acid. itself from the hydrochloric acid.

• The first of these is the lining of the stomach called the gastric The first of these is the lining of the stomach called the gastric mucosa. This layer of cells is very dense and reproduces itself mucosa. This layer of cells is very dense and reproduces itself very rapidly. The cell reproduction is so fast that it can regenerate very rapidly. The cell reproduction is so fast that it can regenerate 500,000 cells a minute. The gastric mucosa can actually be totally 500,000 cells a minute. The gastric mucosa can actually be totally replaced in only three days. replaced in only three days.

• The second factor is that the cells of the gastric mucosa are made The second factor is that the cells of the gastric mucosa are made up in such a way that the cell walls are made up of lipids. Lipids up in such a way that the cell walls are made up of lipids. Lipids are fatty substances which ionic acids like hydrochloric acid have are fatty substances which ionic acids like hydrochloric acid have a hard time penetrating. a hard time penetrating.

• The third protective mechanism in the stomach is that the outer The third protective mechanism in the stomach is that the outer layer of cells are covered with a layer of carbohydrates which layer of cells are covered with a layer of carbohydrates which reduce the corrosive action of the acid on the stomach wall.reduce the corrosive action of the acid on the stomach wall.



• Because of this carefully designed structure, you and I can eat Because of this carefully designed structure, you and I can eat everything from jalapeno peppers to orange juice to vinegar to everything from jalapeno peppers to orange juice to vinegar to pickles and not have our stomach fall out. pickles and not have our stomach fall out.

• Explaining the origin of an organ like this on the basis of trial-Explaining the origin of an organ like this on the basis of trial-and-error chance seems to ignore the lethal factor of eating and-error chance seems to ignore the lethal factor of eating something we can't digest or having our stomach dump something we can't digest or having our stomach dump corrosive material into our body cavity. corrosive material into our body cavity.

• Is it not more realistic to realize that “I am fearfully and Is it not more realistic to realize that “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14) by an intelligent plan and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14) by an intelligent plan and design. design.

• A part of that plan has been a digestive system that is able to A part of that plan has been a digestive system that is able to absorb a great deal of abuse and yet still provide my body with absorb a great deal of abuse and yet still provide my body with the nutrients it needs to survive.the nutrients it needs to survive.

Faith and Reason in an age of doubtFaith and Reason in an age of doubtExamples of Design: HousefliesExamples of Design: Houseflies


• FliesFlies. A nuisance, but an expression of design. Probably all of . A nuisance, but an expression of design. Probably all of us have had our frustrations with the common housefly. us have had our frustrations with the common housefly.

• Flies seem to be able to get into our houses and irritate us no Flies seem to be able to get into our houses and irritate us no matter how hard we work at keeping them out. matter how hard we work at keeping them out.

• It is important to realize that flies provide an important It is important to realize that flies provide an important function in the processing of organic materials in nature. By function in the processing of organic materials in nature. By laying their eggs in decaying carcasses the flies speed up the laying their eggs in decaying carcasses the flies speed up the removal of dangerous material from that carcass. removal of dangerous material from that carcass.

• Sometimes the things built into nature to help preserve man Sometimes the things built into nature to help preserve man and to make nature pleasant can be irritations to man and and to make nature pleasant can be irritations to man and sometimes the things we do make their irritation even more sometimes the things we do make their irritation even more profound.profound.



• One interesting question is how do flies land on the ceiling. One interesting question is how do flies land on the ceiling. Recent studies have shown that when a fly approaches the Recent studies have shown that when a fly approaches the ceiling, they are flying so that their top is facing the ceiling. ceiling, they are flying so that their top is facing the ceiling. What they do is to bring their forelegs up above their heads and What they do is to bring their forelegs up above their heads and make contact with the ceiling with their forelegs. make contact with the ceiling with their forelegs.

• Once their front legs stick to the ceiling they then tuck their Once their front legs stick to the ceiling they then tuck their bodies and let their momentum roll them to a safe landing. bodies and let their momentum roll them to a safe landing.

• Basically, what is happening is that this versatile insect is Basically, what is happening is that this versatile insect is flipping in order to land on the ceiling. flipping in order to land on the ceiling.

• Like a lot of things in nature that may be irritations to man a Like a lot of things in nature that may be irritations to man a closer look reveals an incredibly well designed creature that, in closer look reveals an incredibly well designed creature that, in its proper role, serves a valuable function and is designed to its proper role, serves a valuable function and is designed to exist under a variety of conditions.exist under a variety of conditions.

Faith and Reason in an age of doubtFaith and Reason in an age of doubtExamples of Design: HoneyExamples of Design: Honey


• The Golden ElixirThe Golden Elixir. What would you guess would be the commercial . What would you guess would be the commercial value of a sweetener that is sweeter per gram than sugar and yet value of a sweetener that is sweeter per gram than sugar and yet has 25% fewer calories? has 25% fewer calories?

• This miracle substance is golden in color and is one of the most This miracle substance is golden in color and is one of the most common materials in the world—it is honey. common materials in the world—it is honey.

• In 1989, more than 211 million pounds of honey were produced in In 1989, more than 211 million pounds of honey were produced in the USA alone. In 2012, this had dropped to 189 million pounds.the USA alone. In 2012, this had dropped to 189 million pounds.

• The bees that produce this honey pollinate 90% of all agricultural The bees that produce this honey pollinate 90% of all agricultural crops, and 1/3 of the human diet is directly or indirectly benefited crops, and 1/3 of the human diet is directly or indirectly benefited by honeybee pollination. by honeybee pollination.

• With all of man's attempts to produce lower calorie, more efficient, With all of man's attempts to produce lower calorie, more efficient, more nutritious foods it is ironic that nature's oldest sweetener still more nutritious foods it is ironic that nature's oldest sweetener still ranks as one of the best if not the best. God has provided for us in ranks as one of the best if not the best. God has provided for us in some incredible ways.some incredible ways.

Faith and Reason in an age of doubtFaith and Reason in an age of doubtExamples of Design: Blood clottingExamples of Design: Blood clotting


• QuestionQuestion: Does your blood clot when you get a cut? Where did the first : Does your blood clot when you get a cut? Where did the first animal that could make its blood clot get that ability? The crystal clear animal that could make its blood clot get that ability? The crystal clear answer is; it had to have the right DNA. Processes like blood clotting only answer is; it had to have the right DNA. Processes like blood clotting only happen because DNA had the right code.happen because DNA had the right code.

• Darwinian evolution demands that the right mutations happened undirected Darwinian evolution demands that the right mutations happened undirected and by pure chance and one at a time.and by pure chance and one at a time.

• David Noonan (an evolutionist) wrote about the blood clotting process:David Noonan (an evolutionist) wrote about the blood clotting process:• ““It is a host defense system that evolved over millions of years. As the It is a host defense system that evolved over millions of years. As the

earliest living organisms evolved from single cells to more complex forms, earliest living organisms evolved from single cells to more complex forms, they developed circulatory systems to supply oxygen and other vital they developed circulatory systems to supply oxygen and other vital nutrients to their multicelled bodies. Without a clotting response to protect nutrients to their multicelled bodies. Without a clotting response to protect against injury, these circulatory systems would not have been able to against injury, these circulatory systems would not have been able to prevent fatal leaks: evolution as we know it would have been impossible; prevent fatal leaks: evolution as we know it would have been impossible; and only the simplest forms of life, such as algae and bacteria, would exist” and only the simplest forms of life, such as algae and bacteria, would exist” (D. Noonan, "The Perils of Hemophilia", in Blood-Bearer of Life and Death, (D. Noonan, "The Perils of Hemophilia", in Blood-Bearer of Life and Death, 1993).1993).



• Creationists say that God designed animals with the ability Creationists say that God designed animals with the ability to form effective blood clots. How does blood clot? to form effective blood clots. How does blood clot?

• When you get a cut your body tries to stop the loss of When you get a cut your body tries to stop the loss of blood in three ways. blood in three ways.

• First, the blood vessels around the cut contract, thus First, the blood vessels around the cut contract, thus decreasing the flow of blood. decreasing the flow of blood.

• At the same time platelets adhere to collagen fibers of the At the same time platelets adhere to collagen fibers of the damaged blood vessel's wall. This produces a temporary damaged blood vessel's wall. This produces a temporary plug of platelets. plug of platelets.

• Third, damaged cells and platelets activate a series of Third, damaged cells and platelets activate a series of chemical reactions that are known as the clotting cascade. chemical reactions that are known as the clotting cascade.



• The final goal of clotting is to produce intertwining threads of The final goal of clotting is to produce intertwining threads of fibrin. These threads strain the leaking blood until enough fibrin. These threads strain the leaking blood until enough platelets and red and white blood cells accumulate and plug the platelets and red and white blood cells accumulate and plug the leaking wound.leaking wound.

• Clotting enzymes are proteins called factors. In order to do Clotting enzymes are proteins called factors. In order to do anything, each enzyme must be turned on or activated. Enzymes anything, each enzyme must be turned on or activated. Enzymes are activated by another chemical removing the specific site on are activated by another chemical removing the specific site on the enzyme.the enzyme.

• A mouse trap that is set in comparison to one that is not set is a A mouse trap that is set in comparison to one that is not set is a good analogy of non-activated enzymes. A set mouse trap looks good analogy of non-activated enzymes. A set mouse trap looks an awful lot like one that is not set; but, on the other hand, it can an awful lot like one that is not set; but, on the other hand, it can do things the other can not. The same is true of activated do things the other can not. The same is true of activated enzymes. They can do things that non-activated enzymes can enzymes. They can do things that non-activated enzymes can not. not.

• The Blood Clotting CascadeThe Blood Clotting Cascade• 1. A cut occurs and Hageman Factor sticks to the surface of cells near the wound. Bound Hageman Factor reacts with another 1. A cut occurs and Hageman Factor sticks to the surface of cells near the wound. Bound Hageman Factor reacts with another

enzyme called HMK to produce Activated Hageman.enzyme called HMK to produce Activated Hageman.• 2. Pre Kallikrein reacts with Activated Hageman to produce Kallikrein.2. Pre Kallikrein reacts with Activated Hageman to produce Kallikrein.• 3. Hageman Factor also reacts with HMK and Kallikrein to form Activated Hageman3. Hageman Factor also reacts with HMK and Kallikrein to form Activated Hageman• 4. PTA reacts with Activated Hageman and HMK to produce Activated PTA4. PTA reacts with Activated Hageman and HMK to produce Activated PTA• 5. Christmas Factor reacts with Activated PTA and Convertin to produce Activated Christmas Factor5. Christmas Factor reacts with Activated PTA and Convertin to produce Activated Christmas Factor• 6. Antihemophilic Factor is activated by Thrombin to produce Activated Antihemophilic Factor.6. Antihemophilic Factor is activated by Thrombin to produce Activated Antihemophilic Factor.• 7. Stuart Factor reacts with Activated Christmas Factor and Activated Antihemophilic Factor to produce Activated Stuart Factor.7. Stuart Factor reacts with Activated Christmas Factor and Activated Antihemophilic Factor to produce Activated Stuart Factor.• 8. Proconvertin is activated by Activated Hageman Factor to produce Convertin.8. Proconvertin is activated by Activated Hageman Factor to produce Convertin.• 9. When a cut occurs, Tissue Factor (which is only found outside of cells) is brought in near the wound where it reacts with 9. When a cut occurs, Tissue Factor (which is only found outside of cells) is brought in near the wound where it reacts with

Convertin and Stuart Factor to produce Activated Stuart Factor. (Note that step 9 involves an extrinsic process whereas step 7 is Convertin and Stuart Factor to produce Activated Stuart Factor. (Note that step 9 involves an extrinsic process whereas step 7 is an intrinsic process.)an intrinsic process.)

• 10. Proaccelerin is activated by Thrombin to produce Accelerin.10. Proaccelerin is activated by Thrombin to produce Accelerin.• 11a. GLU-Prothrombin reacts with Prothrombin Enzyme and Vitamin K to produce GLA-Prothrombin. (Note that Prothrombin 11a. GLU-Prothrombin reacts with Prothrombin Enzyme and Vitamin K to produce GLA-Prothrombin. (Note that Prothrombin

cannot be activated in the GLU form so it must be formed into the GLA form. In this process ten amino acids must be changed cannot be activated in the GLU form so it must be formed into the GLA form. In this process ten amino acids must be changed from glutamate to gama carboxy glutamate.)from glutamate to gama carboxy glutamate.)

• 11b. GLS-Prothrombin is then able to bind to Calcium. This allows GLA-Prothrombin to stick to surfaces of cells. Only intact 11b. GLS-Prothrombin is then able to bind to Calcium. This allows GLA-Prothrombin to stick to surfaces of cells. Only intact modified Calcium-Prothrombin Complex can bind to the cell membrane and be cleaved by Activated Stuart and Accerlerin to modified Calcium-Prothrombin Complex can bind to the cell membrane and be cleaved by Activated Stuart and Accerlerin to produce Thrombin.produce Thrombin.

• 12. Prothrombin-Ca (bound to cell surface) is activated by Activated Stuart to produce Thrombin.12. Prothrombin-Ca (bound to cell surface) is activated by Activated Stuart to produce Thrombin.• 13.Prothrombin also reacts with Activated Stuart and Accelerin to produce Thrombin. (Step 13 is much faster than step 12.)13.Prothrombin also reacts with Activated Stuart and Accelerin to produce Thrombin. (Step 13 is much faster than step 12.)• 14. Fibrinogin is activated by Thrombin to produce Fibrin. Threads of Fibrin are the final clot. However, it would be more effective if 14. Fibrinogin is activated by Thrombin to produce Fibrin. Threads of Fibrin are the final clot. However, it would be more effective if

the Fibrin threads could form more cross links with each other.the Fibrin threads could form more cross links with each other.• 15. FSF (Fibrin Stabilizing Factor) is activated by Thrombin to form Activated FSF.15. FSF (Fibrin Stabilizing Factor) is activated by Thrombin to form Activated FSF.• 16. Fibrin reacts with Activated FSF making many more crossties with other Fibrin filaments forming a more effective clot. 16. Fibrin reacts with Activated FSF making many more crossties with other Fibrin filaments forming a more effective clot.



• CautionCaution• People sometimes see design in randomness. Examples?People sometimes see design in randomness. Examples?

Faith and Reason in an age of doubtFaith and Reason in an age of doubtThe argument from designThe argument from design

Faith and Reason in an age of doubtFaith and Reason in an age of doubtThe argument from designThe argument from design

• Formally…Formally…• 1) Design requires a designer.1) Design requires a designer.• 2) Design exists in the universe, on the earth and in 2) Design exists in the universe, on the earth and in

the human body.the human body.• 3) A Designer must exist.3) A Designer must exist.• Next week? Another view of the approach from Next week? Another view of the approach from

design. See you then!design. See you then!

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