Origins - God or Chance?

© 2010 by Fulcrum Ministries (www.FulcrumMinistries.org) 1

Developing Developing a Biblical a Biblical WorldviewWorldview

Class 6Class 6Origins: God or Chance?Origins: God or Chance?

ByByJames C. Wright, J.D.James C. Wright, J.D.

[email protected]@FulcrumMinistries.org


The Scientific MethodThe Scientific MethodThe scientific method is

based on inductive reasoning (hypothesis, experimentation, observation, reproducibility and conclusion)

Follow the evidence! It rejects deductive

reasoning from “a priori” first principles and assumptions

Sir Francis BaconSir Francis Bacon


The Fallacy of The Fallacy of Scientific Scientific

MaterialismMaterialism

Science can only know,Science can only know,and is limited to, the and is limited to, the material realm andmaterial realm andnatural cause and effect. natural cause and effect.

Some therefore mistakenly conclude that those Some therefore mistakenly conclude that those limits define all of reality – there is no God, limits define all of reality – there is no God, supernatural realm or miracles.supernatural realm or miracles.


Scientific MaterialismScientific Materialism Scientific materialism Scientific materialism

is not scientific! is not scientific!

It rejects the It rejects the inductive scientific inductive scientific method because it method because it is a deductive is a deductive philosophy that philosophy that defines reality based defines reality based on unproven on unproven a priori a priori assumptions (assumptions (e.g.e.g., there is no God and all reality is , there is no God and all reality is material).material).

It does the very thing it falsely accuses Christians of It does the very thing it falsely accuses Christians of doing – doing – a prioria priori deductive reasoning! deductive reasoning!


God is Not God is Not the Author the Author of of ConfusionConfusionSpecial revelation Special revelation (truth through Scripture) (truth through Scripture) and general revelation (truth through creation) and general revelation (truth through creation) ultimately should agree because the both arise ultimately should agree because the both arise from a God who is not author of confusion, and from a God who is not author of confusion, and because both reflect the consistent and orderly because both reflect the consistent and orderly nature of God. nature of God.

““For I am the Lord, I change not.” For I am the Lord, I change not.” Mal. 3:6Mal. 3:6


In the quest to know God and his creation, we In the quest to know God and his creation, we need Scriptural as well as scientific humility. need Scriptural as well as scientific humility.

We must discern between true science based on We must discern between true science based on the inductive method and scientific materialism, the inductive method and scientific materialism, which is an anti-scientific philosophy.which is an anti-scientific philosophy.

In humility, we need to be willing to re-evaluate In humility, we need to be willing to re-evaluate not only scientific dogma, but also theological not only scientific dogma, but also theological tradition on issues where Scripture is silent or tradition on issues where Scripture is silent or ambiguous.ambiguous.

Yet where Scripture – in context -- is clear and Yet where Scripture – in context -- is clear and unambiguous, we should take it literally and as unambiguous, we should take it literally and as authoritative. Have confidence that true science authoritative. Have confidence that true science eventually will catch up.eventually will catch up.

Scripture and ScienceScripture and Science


God or Chance?God or Chance?

If the Biblical account of creation in Genesis is If the Biblical account of creation in Genesis is not true, then we have no foundation for our not true, then we have no foundation for our faith or worldview.faith or worldview.

We have no God who speaks to us We have no God who speaks to us authoritatively through Scripture about what is authoritatively through Scripture about what is objectively true, good and real.objectively true, good and real.

The pivotal issue for a Biblical worldview is The pivotal issue for a Biblical worldview is Genesis and its account of origins: Genesis and its account of origins: • The origin of the universe, life, humanity and

ourselves.


Fundamental Choice . . .Fundamental Choice . . .

Scientific Materialism: Scientific Materialism: • No one plus nothing times blind chance equals

everything

Biblical Worldview: Biblical Worldview: • A transcendent, omnipotent God created all out of

nothing and therefore is sovereign over all.

What takes more faith? What takes more faith?

What is more scientific (What is more scientific (i.e.i.e., supported by the , supported by the evidence)? Scientific materialism or a God who evidence)? Scientific materialism or a God who created all?created all?


True Science is InductiveTrue Science is Inductive

The best evidence now indicates: The best evidence now indicates: • Darwinian evolution cannot account for the origins of

life, the origin of species or the origin of humanity;• Intelligent design permeates the universe; and• The universe arose from a transcendent first cause.

Unless you make a deductive, Unless you make a deductive, a prioria priori assumption that there is no God, an inductive assumption that there is no God, an inductive view of the evidence indicates that design view of the evidence indicates that design permeates all of nature.permeates all of nature.

The evidence leads to an Intelligent Designer The evidence leads to an Intelligent Designer (God) who created all.(God) who created all.

© 2010 by Fulcrum Ministries (www.FulcrumMinistries.org)) 10

Occam’s RazorOccam’s Razor

Occam’s razor is a fundamental principle of Occam’s razor is a fundamental principle of science, which states that you should always science, which states that you should always choose the simplest explanation of a choose the simplest explanation of a phenomenon (phenomenon (i.e.i.e., the one that requires the , the one that requires the fewest leaps of logic).fewest leaps of logic).

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Which conclusion, based on all the evidence, Which conclusion, based on all the evidence, best fits Occam’s razor?best fits Occam’s razor?

(No One + Nothing) x Blind Chance = Everything(No One + Nothing) x Blind Chance = Everything

oror

Intelligent Design = EverythingIntelligent Design = Everything


Creation and the CreatorCreation and the Creator

““The heavens declare the glory of God, the The heavens declare the glory of God, the stars proclaim the work of his hand.” (stars proclaim the work of his hand.” (Psalm Psalm 19:119:1))

““Through faith we understand that the worlds Through faith we understand that the worlds were formed by the word of God, so that were formed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” (which do appear.” (Heb. 11:3Heb. 11:3))

““He (Jesus) is before all things, and in Him all He (Jesus) is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (things hold together.” (Col. 1:17Col. 1:17))


God or Meaningless God or Meaningless Chance?Chance?

Without the Biblical account of creation, we Without the Biblical account of creation, we have no answer to the questions of have no answer to the questions of epistemology, ethics or metaphysics.epistemology, ethics or metaphysics.• We can have no certainty of what is objectively true,

because we are finite and there is no God who created all, transcends all and therefore knows all.

• We can have no certainty of what is objectively moral, because we are imperfect and there is no God who is sovereign and therefore defines morality by his very nature.

• We can have no certainty of what is objectively real, because we are subjective and there is no God who created all out of nothing and therefore authoritatively defines reality.


General RevelationGeneral Revelation

The unwillingness to recognize God through The unwillingness to recognize God through creation is a condition of the heart: We decide creation is a condition of the heart: We decide to “suppress the truth” and close our eyes to to “suppress the truth” and close our eyes to the evidence. (the evidence. (Rom. 1:18Rom. 1:18))

““[K]eep that which is committed to thy trust, [K]eep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called, which oppositions of science falsely so called, which some professing have erred concerning the some professing have erred concerning the faith.” (faith.” (I Tim. 6:20-21I Tim. 6:20-21))• This is the error of scientific materialism. It is an

unscientific attitude because it excludes the possibility of design in nature, despite overwhelming evidence, and therefore the possibility of an intelligent designer.


DarwinismDarwinism Microevolution Microevolution

• Darwin’s Origin of Species (1859) was a major scientific advance because it showed that species had innate variability that allowed them, through natural selection, to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Evidence supports this aspect of Darwinism.

Macroevolution Macroevolution • However, in the nearly 150 years since Darwinism

emerged, the evidence does not demonstrate that species evolve from other species.

““The usual procedure is to forget the difficulties, never The usual procedure is to forget the difficulties, never to talk about them, and to proceed as if the theory were to talk about them, and to proceed as if the theory were without fault.” Paul Feyerabend, without fault.” Paul Feyerabend, Against MethodAgainst Method (1978) (1978)


Evolution on Its Own Evolution on Its Own TermsTerms

““The numbers of intermediate The numbers of intermediate varieties, which have formerly varieties, which have formerly existed on the earth, [must] be existed on the earth, [must] be truly enormous. Why then is not truly enormous. Why then is not every geological formation and every geological formation and every stratum filled of such every stratum filled of such intermediate links? Geology intermediate links? Geology assuredly does not reveal any such assuredly does not reveal any such finely graded organic chain; and finely graded organic chain; and this, perhaps, is the most obvious this, perhaps, is the most obvious and gravest objection which can be and gravest objection which can be urged against my theory.”urged against my theory.” -- Charles Darwin, -- Charles Darwin, The Origin of SpeciesThe Origin of Species (1859)(1859)


Where’s the Evidence?Where’s the Evidence?

The fossil record, nearly 150 years later, not The fossil record, nearly 150 years later, not only has failed to resolve Darwin’s problem, only has failed to resolve Darwin’s problem, but now refutes macroevolution. but now refutes macroevolution.

There is no gradual change, but rather sudden There is no gradual change, but rather sudden appearances of new species, stability of appearances of new species, stability of species and massive extinctions.species and massive extinctions.

Species, in fact, suddenly appear fully formed Species, in fact, suddenly appear fully formed with very little subsequent change.with very little subsequent change.• "New discoveries show that life as we know it began

in an amazing biological frenzy that changed the planet almost overnight." Madeleine J. Nash, When Life Exploded (Time Magazine, Dec. 4, 1995)


The Cambrian ExplosionThe Cambrian Explosion

There is no evidence in the There is no evidence in the fossil record of any gradual fossil record of any gradual change between basic change between basic morphologies.morphologies.

The fossil record shows that The fossil record shows that 530 million years ago there 530 million years ago there was an explosion of life forms was an explosion of life forms without any precursors. without any precursors.

Nearly every animal and Nearly every animal and plant phylum suddenly plant phylum suddenly appeared without any appeared without any evidence in the fossil record evidence in the fossil record of any ancestors. of any ancestors.


Evolutionists are Evolutionists are Stumped . . .Stumped . . .

““Cambrian seas teemed with life preserved in an Cambrian seas teemed with life preserved in an abundant fossil record. But when geologists . . . abundant fossil record. But when geologists . . . studied rocks of earlier, Precambrian times, they studied rocks of earlier, Precambrian times, they found nothing organic – not a trace of anything found nothing organic – not a trace of anything potentially ancestral to the diverse assemblage potentially ancestral to the diverse assemblage of trilobites, mollusks, brachiopods, and other of trilobites, mollusks, brachiopods, and other creatures in Cambrian strata. This geologically creatures in Cambrian strata. This geologically abrupt transition from blankness to a rich fauna abrupt transition from blankness to a rich fauna including representatives of almost every including representatives of almost every modern phylum has been called, in well-chosen modern phylum has been called, in well-chosen metaphor, the ‘Cambrian explosion.’”metaphor, the ‘Cambrian explosion.’”-- Stephen Jay Gould, Ph.D. (one of the most famous -- Stephen Jay Gould, Ph.D. (one of the most famous evolutionary paleontologists of the 20evolutionary paleontologists of the 20thth century), century), A Short A Short Way to Big EndsWay to Big Ends, Natural History Magazine (Jan. 1986), Natural History Magazine (Jan. 1986)


The Evidence Refutes The Evidence Refutes DarwinismDarwinism

““Darwinism cannot Darwinism cannot explain the Cambrian explain the Cambrian explosion any more. We explosion any more. We need a new theory.”need a new theory.”

-- Jun-Yuan Chen, Ph.D. (one -- Jun-Yuan Chen, Ph.D. (one of the leading paleontologists of the leading paleontologists on the Cambrian period), as on the Cambrian period), as quoted in quoted in Of Canadian Of Canadian Oddballs and Chinese Oddballs and Chinese MonstersMonsters by Thomas E. by Thomas E. Woodward, Ph.D.Woodward, Ph.D.


Evolution on its Own TermsEvolution on its Own Terms

““If it could be demonstrated If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ that any complex organ existed which could not existed which could not possibly have been formed possibly have been formed by numerous, successive by numerous, successive slight modifications, my slight modifications, my theory would absolutely theory would absolutely break down.”break down.”

-- Charles Darwin, -- Charles Darwin, The Origin of The Origin of Species Species (1859)(1859)


Intelligent DesignIntelligent Design

After nearly 150 After nearly 150 years, the best years, the best evidence evidence demonstrates that demonstrates that even the simplest even the simplest organisms possess organisms possess “irreducibly “irreducibly complex” organs complex” organs and systems.and systems.


Irreducible ComplexityIrreducible Complexity

““A single system which A single system which is composed of several is composed of several well matched, well matched, interacting parts that interacting parts that contribute to the basic contribute to the basic function, and where function, and where the removal of any one the removal of any one of the parts causes the of the parts causes the system to effectively system to effectively cease functioning.” cease functioning.”

-- Michael J. Behe, Ph.D. -- Michael J. Behe, Ph.D. (Biochemist, Lehigh (Biochemist, Lehigh University)University)


Complexity in Simple Complexity in Simple OrganismsOrganisms

Example: Example:

Flagellum Flagellum in protozoain protozoa

Require Require around 50 around 50 proteinsproteins

The absence The absence of any one of of any one of the proteins renders the cell immobilethe proteins renders the cell immobile


So Where’s the Evidence?So Where’s the Evidence?

When Behe went to the When Behe went to the scientific literature, there scientific literature, there was was not a single study not a single study even even theorizing on how theorizing on how irreducibly complex organs irreducibly complex organs and systems could evolve and systems could evolve from “numerous, from “numerous, successive, slight successive, slight modifications” or by any modifications” or by any other means.other means.

Nor could he find any Nor could he find any evidence for such evolution evidence for such evolution in the fossil record.in the fossil record.


Not Possible by Not Possible by Chance . . .Chance . . .

““An irreducibly complex system An irreducibly complex system cannot be produced . . . by slight, cannot be produced . . . by slight, successive modifications of a successive modifications of a precursor system, because any precursor system, because any precursor to an irreducibly precursor to an irreducibly complex system that is missing a complex system that is missing a part is by definition part is by definition nonfunctional nonfunctional . . . Since natural selection can . . . Since natural selection can only choose systems that are only choose systems that are already working, then if a already working, then if a biological system cannot be biological system cannot be produced gradually it would have produced gradually it would have to arise as an integrated unit, in to arise as an integrated unit, in one fell swoop, for natural one fell swoop, for natural selection to have anything to act selection to have anything to act on.” -- Behe, on.” -- Behe, Darwin’s Black BoxDarwin’s Black Box


At Minimum, Need a First At Minimum, Need a First CauseCause

All organic life is built from proteins.All organic life is built from proteins. Without proteins, organic life is impossible.Without proteins, organic life is impossible. In the 1950s, scientists tried to duplicate the In the 1950s, scientists tried to duplicate the

“primordial soup” from which they thought life “primordial soup” from which they thought life emerged, but based on erroneous assumptions.emerged, but based on erroneous assumptions.

The best evidence today indicates the odds of The best evidence today indicates the odds of even a simple protein molecule being assembled even a simple protein molecule being assembled through chance alone, even in the presence of through chance alone, even in the presence of its constituent amino acids, is one in 10its constituent amino acids, is one in 104040..

To put that in perspective, the universe is only To put that in perspective, the universe is only an estimated 10an estimated 101818 seconds old (assuming 15 seconds old (assuming 15 billion years).billion years).


Follow the Evidence . . . Follow the Evidence . . . ““The wrath of God is being The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being been clearly seen, being understood from what has been understood from what has been made, so that men are without made, so that men are without excuse.” (excuse.” (Rom 1:18-20Rom 1:18-20))


God or Chance?God or Chance?

““I am not ashamed I am not ashamed to say that I believe to say that I believe in the first chapter in the first chapter of Genesis, but I of Genesis, but I should be ashamed should be ashamed to say that I believe to say that I believe in any form of in any form of evolution.” evolution.”

-- E.J. Young, -- E.J. Young, In the In the BeginningBeginning

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