Exploring our world, one coherent thought at a time.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Creation and Evolution, Basic Q&A
What is your opinion and/or belief on....
1. How did the universe and earth come into existence?
2. How long has it been since the beginning of time until now?
3. What is your opinion on Creation vs Evolution?
Here is the response I gave to these questions:
Above and beyond any science-based or religious-based views, one’s world view is the key. So here are some initial thoughts from my world view which can be gleaned from this What's the point? blog.
1. How did the universe and earth come into existence?
I believe that there is God, a Creator God. God created the world and everything that we can see and cannot see. He could have created it anyway He pleased. If He is God and so powerful to bring into existence all the matter and intricacies of the universe, from very big to very small, then He could have created it in one instant or over a process of 1000000000000000000000000000000+ years. It makes no difference. But time itself was part of the creation, so the word "instant" has no real meaning, no context. The latest discoveries in microbiology, for example, show the extreme mechanical complexity of DNA and other sub-cellular elements....these complex machines could have popped into existence, over time, by accident, but it is shown by today's science that this would be much harder than the space shuttle popping into existence.
Above and beyond any science-based or religious-based views, one’s world view is the key. So here are some initial thoughts from my world view which can be gleaned from this What's the point? blog.
1. How did the universe and earth come into existence?
I believe that there is God, a Creator God. God created the world and everything that we can see and cannot see. He could have created it anyway He pleased. If He is God and so powerful to bring into existence all the matter and intricacies of the universe, from very big to very small, then He could have created it in one instant or over a process of 1000000000000000000000000000000+ years. It makes no difference. But time itself was part of the creation, so the word "instant" has no real meaning, no context. The latest discoveries in microbiology, for example, show the extreme mechanical complexity of DNA and other sub-cellular elements....these complex machines could have popped into existence, over time, by accident, but it is shown by today's science that this would be much harder than the space shuttle popping into existence.
2. How long has it been since the beginning of time until now?
On the order of 14,000,000,000 years, some say. On the order of 10,000 years, some also say. I don't know and don't think it is most important. I think it is fair to say that nobody knows. First, let's frame our context here. I believe in Creator God and I also believe in His Word to us, the Bible. The Bible is not a science book. It is not an answer book to this type of scientific question. On the other hand, to answer a science question requires some elements of observation and repeatability. It is a question of time. But prior to the beginning there was no time. The question can therefore not be fully answered by science. There is scientific evidence, however. And these evidences exist for an "old" earth and for a "young" earth. Most of the evidence for "old" appears based upon theories with layers assumptions of billions of years (indirect). Most of the evidence for "young" is based upon more direct information. As a scientist, I think the "young" earth has better evidence. As a Bible believer, I believe the "young" earth reflects a more accurate representation of God's message, His nature, the basic observations of life, and the testimonies of the heart. Back to my first opinion about this question: I don't know and don't think it is most important. But while it may not be important, a default acceptance of billions of years can be very damaging to person accepting and trusting God's Word as objective truth. Again, I believe in God and make the rational choice to trust my Creator.
On the order of 14,000,000,000 years, some say. On the order of 10,000 years, some also say. I don't know and don't think it is most important. I think it is fair to say that nobody knows. First, let's frame our context here. I believe in Creator God and I also believe in His Word to us, the Bible. The Bible is not a science book. It is not an answer book to this type of scientific question. On the other hand, to answer a science question requires some elements of observation and repeatability. It is a question of time. But prior to the beginning there was no time. The question can therefore not be fully answered by science. There is scientific evidence, however. And these evidences exist for an "old" earth and for a "young" earth. Most of the evidence for "old" appears based upon theories with layers assumptions of billions of years (indirect). Most of the evidence for "young" is based upon more direct information. As a scientist, I think the "young" earth has better evidence. As a Bible believer, I believe the "young" earth reflects a more accurate representation of God's message, His nature, the basic observations of life, and the testimonies of the heart. Back to my first opinion about this question: I don't know and don't think it is most important. But while it may not be important, a default acceptance of billions of years can be very damaging to person accepting and trusting God's Word as objective truth. Again, I believe in God and make the rational choice to trust my Creator.
Note: see 11/21/2012 blog "old earth + young earth = stupid question" for more details. It is a stupid question indeed and is usually just a trap for one "side" or another. I am on neither side!
3. What is your opinion on Creation vs Evolution?
There is quite an irony here. Evolution is more closely aligned with religion and Creation is more closely aligned with science. Darwin's books, On the Origins of Species and The Descent of Man, were at their cores philosophy books. Darwin was troubled over Christian religion to start with and then had a tragic loss of his young daughter, and other deep problems. The science parts of Darwin's books do address micro-evolution, the small variations, but does absolutely nothing for macro-evolution, the coming about of life and subsequent presentations of plants and animals and all the rest of the world. (Dark-gray peppered moths become light-gray peppered moths, but do not become giraffes!) Evolution has played into the hands of sociopaths and monsters like Stalin and Hilter in the last 100 years. Evolution is now steeped into all media and as the default philosophy or even fact. Evolution is a theory, a weakly supported one that is getting weaker by the minute (hello modern science!) Creation is well-reflected by the world we see and carefully study.
Answers in Genesis website is full of resources including technical papers and writings from all kinds of top-level scientists, medical doctors, engineers, and others. It is a good starting point: http://www.answersingenesis.org/. I like AiG because their core is a redemptive message to all people.
For a rigorous scientific approach visit RTB (Reasons to Believe). Hugh Ross has developed the RTB Creation Model which is very detailed and presented with point by point comparisons with other theories. His main point is that there is a Creator God and we can trust in God’s Word, The Bible. He also promotes having sensible and patient dialog among all camps: young earth Christians, old earth Christians, athiests, etc. His books really helped me to get off the question of age as being the main point and focus on the creative power of God and the multitude of ways it can be discovered through good thinking and observation. http://www.reasons.org/about-us/hugh-ross-testimony
I think that everyone, at least deep inside, is keenly interested in these these questions. What do you think? I hope that through exploring these questions are asking “What is the answer?“ that people would ask and find out “Who is the answer?” The Lord God, Creator and Heavenly Father, it is He.
There is quite an irony here. Evolution is more closely aligned with religion and Creation is more closely aligned with science. Darwin's books, On the Origins of Species and The Descent of Man, were at their cores philosophy books. Darwin was troubled over Christian religion to start with and then had a tragic loss of his young daughter, and other deep problems. The science parts of Darwin's books do address micro-evolution, the small variations, but does absolutely nothing for macro-evolution, the coming about of life and subsequent presentations of plants and animals and all the rest of the world. (Dark-gray peppered moths become light-gray peppered moths, but do not become giraffes!) Evolution has played into the hands of sociopaths and monsters like Stalin and Hilter in the last 100 years. Evolution is now steeped into all media and as the default philosophy or even fact. Evolution is a theory, a weakly supported one that is getting weaker by the minute (hello modern science!) Creation is well-reflected by the world we see and carefully study.
Answers in Genesis website is full of resources including technical papers and writings from all kinds of top-level scientists, medical doctors, engineers, and others. It is a good starting point: http://www.answersingenesis.org/. I like AiG because their core is a redemptive message to all people.
For a rigorous scientific approach visit RTB (Reasons to Believe). Hugh Ross has developed the RTB Creation Model which is very detailed and presented with point by point comparisons with other theories. His main point is that there is a Creator God and we can trust in God’s Word, The Bible. He also promotes having sensible and patient dialog among all camps: young earth Christians, old earth Christians, athiests, etc. His books really helped me to get off the question of age as being the main point and focus on the creative power of God and the multitude of ways it can be discovered through good thinking and observation. http://www.reasons.org/about-us/hugh-ross-testimony
I think that everyone, at least deep inside, is keenly interested in these these questions. What do you think? I hope that through exploring these questions are asking “What is the answer?“ that people would ask and find out “Who is the answer?” The Lord God, Creator and Heavenly Father, it is He.
Energy and Power
Energy is hot and cold, but God is Power! Power is the rate of "energy going." That energy must have a source.
Although the evidences of energy, as in the ability to do work, etc., are all around us all the time, the concept of energy remains abstract to us.
For sure, we do know that energy is not nothing going in no particular direction. It is definitely something going in some very particular directions as described by the physical laws of the universe including, for example, the first and second laws of thermodynamics.
Although the evidences of energy, as in the ability to do work, etc., are all around us all the time, the concept of energy remains abstract to us.
For sure, we do know that energy is not nothing going in no particular direction. It is definitely something going in some very particular directions as described by the physical laws of the universe including, for example, the first and second laws of thermodynamics.
You Version is the best!
You Version is the best! Sign up and use it: all different versions (try the GWT, my favorite), bookmarks, notes, customized reading programs.
http://www.youversion.com/users/jamfez/notes
http://www.youversion.com/users/jamfez/notes
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Happy new year and all the Best Wishes to you!
Here are two new blogs, each with different kinds of stuff:
Here are two new blogs, each with different kinds of stuff:
1. Really? Does that make sense? http://kryowhat.blogspot.com/
2. Energy Evolution: Create the Future
http://kryofuture.blogspot.com/
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