ApologeticsApologetics

Part I - NaturalismPart I - Naturalism

Mature Creationism Mature Creationism

Mature Creationism

The creation account in Genesis isreferring to a literal 6 day period when allthings on earth were created--All were by extraordinary, not ordinary means

10,000 years

Critique-Mature Creationism Critique-Mature Creationism

The Days in Genesis 1 are literal 24-hour days, and The Days in Genesis 1 are literal 24-hour days, and happened only <10,000 years ago. The world flood happened only <10,000 years ago. The world flood created the impression of old age for the earth.created the impression of old age for the earth.

This is the dominant view in modern fundamentalist This is the dominant view in modern fundamentalist “creationism”“creationism”

A discredited and unfortunate theoryA discredited and unfortunate theory Methodology is wrongMethodology is wrong Unresponsive to falsifying data Unresponsive to falsifying data

Coral atolls, light from distant stars, slow forming Coral atolls, light from distant stars, slow forming sedimentsediment

Henry Morris. “Real creation necessarily involves Henry Morris. “Real creation necessarily involves creation of ‘apparent age.’”creation of ‘apparent age.’”

See critique of Creation Science Movement by See critique of Creation Science Movement by Robert Snow in Robert Snow in Portraits of CreationPortraits of Creation Van Til ed. Van Til ed. or- Hugh Ross, or- Hugh Ross, Creation and TimeCreation and Time, Navpress, Navpress

Critique-Mature Creationism Critique-Mature Creationism

Progressive Creationism is compatible with the Genesis Progressive Creationism is compatible with the Genesis account:account: The day-age theory: “Yom” means “day” or “age”The day-age theory: “Yom” means “day” or “age”

Gap theoryGap theoryGenesis 1 does not depict the original creation, but Genesis 1 does not depict the original creation, but

rather a re-creation rather a re-creation Genesis 1:2 may be translated “the earth Genesis 1:2 may be translated “the earth became became

formless and void…” (see NIV notes)formless and void…” (see NIV notes)Additionally, Isaiah says God’s creation was Additionally, Isaiah says God’s creation was not not

originally formless and void (using the same Hebrew originally formless and void (using the same Hebrew word word TOHUTOHU):):

Isaiah 45:18 For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (He is the Isaiah 45:18 For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not did not create it a waste placecreate it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited)… , but formed it to be inhabited)…

Progressive CreationismProgressive Creationism

Progressive CreationismProgressive Creationism

Progressive Creation

Creation is via a combination of God’s ordinary and extraordinary means of action (natural Law)

4.5 Billion Years

Dr. Grassi, President of the French Academy of Dr. Grassi, President of the French Academy of Science, Editor of a 30 volume series on Science, Editor of a 30 volume series on paleontologypaleontology

““There is There is almost a total absence of fossil almost a total absence of fossil evidenceevidence relative to the origin of the phyla. The relative to the origin of the phyla. The lack of direct evidence leads to the formation of lack of direct evidence leads to the formation of pure conjecturepure conjecture as to the genesis of phyla. We as to the genesis of phyla. We don’t even have a basis to determine the extent don’t even have a basis to determine the extent to which these opinions are correct.”to which these opinions are correct.”

Atheistic EvolutionAtheistic Evolution

"This regular absence of transitional forms... is "This regular absence of transitional forms... is an almost universal phenomenonan almost universal phenomenon, as has long , as has long been noted by paleontologists. It is true of been noted by paleontologists. It is true of almost all orders of all classes of animals, both almost all orders of all classes of animals, both vertebrate and invertebrate. . .and it is vertebrate and invertebrate. . .and it is apparently also true of analogous categories of apparently also true of analogous categories of plants.” plants.” George Gaylord Simpson- Prominent evolutionary George Gaylord Simpson- Prominent evolutionary paleontologists in Types of Evolution, cited in Gish, Evolution, The Fossils paleontologists in Types of Evolution, cited in Gish, Evolution, The Fossils Say ‘No’ p.168Say ‘No’ p.168

Atheistic EvolutionAtheistic Evolution

MammalsPrimates

FishAmphibians

Protozoans

BirdsReptiles

Mollusca

Green plants

Fungi

SegmentedWorms

UnsegmentedWorms

Insects

MammalsPrimates

FishAmphibians

Protozoans

BirdsReptiles

Mollusca

Green plants

Fungi

UnsegmentedWorms

Insects

Blue-greenAlgas

SegmentedWorms

Atheistic Evolution ProblemsAtheistic Evolution Problems

Unable to harmonize their views with the Unable to harmonize their views with the findings of modern science.findings of modern science.

Human Human significancesignificance is dependent on is dependent on special creation.special creation.Love, meaning, significance are all imaginary Love, meaning, significance are all imaginary

concepts – not scientific!concepts – not scientific!“Man must realize that a fundamental law of necessity reigns throughout the whole realm of Nature . . . there cannot be a separate law for mankind in a world in which planets and suns follow their orbits, where moons and planets trace their destined paths, where the strong are always the masters of the weak and where those subject to such laws must obey them or be destroyed…” MeinKampf,James Murphy trans., (London: Hurst and Blackett Ltd., 1939) p. 140

Progressive CreationProgressive Creation

Does harmonize with the findings of Does harmonize with the findings of modern science.modern science.

Humans are significant because God Humans are significant because God created us “in His image…” created us “in His image…”

Genesis uniquely accounts for the nature Genesis uniquely accounts for the nature of the human race.of the human race.

God has created us “in His image” so you God has created us “in His image” so you can come to know him personallycan come to know him personally

Why Does God Exist?Why Does God Exist?

The Teleological Argument:The Teleological Argument:DesignDesign implies a implies a DesignerDesigner..

“Purposeful development, as in nature or history, toward a final end.” - The American Heritage DictionaryThe American Heritage Dictionary

Why Does God Exist?Why Does God Exist?

The Teleological Argument:The Teleological Argument:DesignDesign implies a implies a DesignerDesigner..

Counter-Arguments:Counter-Arguments: It could be natural law, or just chance.It could be natural law, or just chance. ““Design” is an arbitrary term.Design” is an arbitrary term.

Not forscientists!

Why Does God Exist?Why Does God Exist?

The Teleological Argument:The Teleological Argument:DesignDesign implies a implies a DesignerDesigner..

Counter-Arguments:Counter-Arguments: It could be natural law, or just chance.It could be natural law, or just chance. ““Design” is an arbitrary term.Design” is an arbitrary term. W

hat about

THIS??!

Inorganic EvolutionInorganic Evolution

Inorganic to Organic Life:Inorganic to Organic Life:The Complication (NASA)The Complication (NASA)

20 of 24 Amino acids are 20 of 24 Amino acids are requiredrequired..145 145 DifferentDifferent Protein Molecules are Protein Molecules are

RequiredRequired to sustain life. to sustain life.A Single Protein Molecule is:A Single Protein Molecule is:

A A Precise arrangementPrecise arrangement of Amino Acids of Amino Acids ““The length of the average protein in the The length of the average protein in the

smallest known living cell is smallest known living cell is at least 400 at least 400 amino acid lengthsamino acid lengths containing more than containing more than 7,000 atoms7,000 atoms.” .” - James Coppage, “Evolution: - James Coppage, “Evolution: Possible or Impossible?” Zondervan, 1975Possible or Impossible?” Zondervan, 1975

An An InorganicInorganic Molecule: H Molecule: H2200

7,000 Atoms

400 Amino Acids

GroupedintoPeptides

Only one Amino Acid out of sequence: sicle cell anemia

Feasibility Study:Feasibility Study:Coppage’s AssumptionsCoppage’s Assumptions

Primitive atmosphere: “pre-biotic soup”Primitive atmosphere: “pre-biotic soup” All 20 necessary amino acids have already formedAll 20 necessary amino acids have already formed

In the correct proportions required.In the correct proportions required. All in the Left-Handed configuration.All in the Left-Handed configuration. Only 400 required (7,000 atoms).Only 400 required (7,000 atoms).

All the atoms in the earth’s atmosphere and crust are All the atoms in the earth’s atmosphere and crust are already converted into amino acids for use.already converted into amino acids for use.

Protected from ultra-violet lightProtected from ultra-violet light They They automaticallyautomatically assemble: assemble:

1 Substitution in the 400-link Chain Allowed1 Substitution in the 400-link Chain Allowed Rate of formation: 1/10^15 per second (normally 3-5 seconds)Rate of formation: 1/10^15 per second (normally 3-5 seconds) Immediately reassembleImmediately reassemble

Total Assemblies:Total Assemblies:

10^4110^41stst sets of amino acids sets of amino acids(earth’s crust & atmosphere atoms as amino acids)(earth’s crust & atmosphere atoms as amino acids)

100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

x 10^24x 10^24thth assemblies assemblies per setper set per yearper year10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00010,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

= 10^65= 10^65th th annual assemblies.annual assemblies.1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,

000,000,000,000,000,000000,000,000,000,000,000

x 5,000,000,000 Years (earth is 5 billion yrs old)x 5,000,000,000 Years (earth is 5 billion yrs old)

= 10^75= 10^75thth total assemblies (rounded total assemblies (rounded upup))10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,

000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

Chances for 10^75Chances for 10^75thth Assemblies AssembliesResulting in 1 Useful Protein?Resulting in 1 Useful Protein?

Only 1:10^240Only 1:10^240thth Combinations = Combinations = 1 usable protein.1 usable protein.

1:10^2361:10^236thth - allowing - allowing 1 out-of-sequence 1 out-of-sequence amino acids.amino acids.

BUT: There’s only BUT: There’s only 10^7510^75thth assemblies assemblies since the earth since the earth began!began! 0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Required Actual

ex

po

ne

nts

of

10

10^16110^161stst chancechance of 1 “hit” (10^236 of 1 “hit” (10^236thth ÷ 10^75 ÷ 10^75thth))

Chances for 10^75Chances for 10^75thth Assemblies AssembliesResulting in 1 Useful Protein?Resulting in 1 Useful Protein?

10^161st 10^161st chancechance of 1 “hit” of 1 “hit”1:1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,1:1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,

000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, 0,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, 000,000000,000

Ohio Lottery: 1:10,000,000Ohio Lottery: 1:10,000,000

How Much How Much TimeTime Required Requiredto Assemble 1 Useful Protein?to Assemble 1 Useful Protein?

10 ^ 17110 ^ 171stst Years Years(10^236(10^236thth combinations ÷ 10^75 combinations ÷ 10^75thth annual assemblies) annual assemblies)

10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 YEARS000,000,000 YEARS

How long is 10^171 Years?How long is 10^171 Years?

Consider an Consider an Amoeba.Amoeba.

It’s a s-l-o-o-w It’s a s-l-o-o-w Amoeba, Amoeba, travelling 1 inch travelling 1 inch per year.per year.

It carries just 1 It carries just 1 atom on its atom on its back...back...

How long is 10^171 Years?How long is 10^171 Years? Sliding along a string Sliding along a string the the

length of the universe length of the universe, , at 1 inch per year… at 1 inch per year…

Turning around, and Turning around, and carrying the atom back carrying the atom back again on that string...again on that string...

How much material How much material could this Amoeba could this Amoeba move in 10^171 move in 10^171 years?years?

How long is 10^171 Years?How long is 10^171 Years?

That slow Amoeba could That slow Amoeba could move 10^64 move 10^64 universesuniverses across that string and across that string and back.back. (An estimated 5 x 10^78 (An estimated 5 x 10^78

atoms in the universe…atoms in the universe… 15 billion light-years across =15 billion light-years across =

(2 x 10^28 years at 1 inch /yr)(2 x 10^28 years at 1 inch /yr) In 10^107 years he moves the In 10^107 years he moves the

mass of 1 universe.mass of 1 universe.

A A Living Living Single-CellSingle-Cell

Contains Contains ThousandsThousands of of proteinsproteins organized into organized into dozens of organelles.dozens of organelles.

True for True for everyevery living cell. living cell.Humans have Humans have billionsbillions of of

these cells.these cells.

The Probability forThe Probability forSpontaneous Inorganic->Organic Spontaneous Inorganic->Organic

Evolution:Evolution:

““If the probability of an event is infinitely slight, it is If the probability of an event is infinitely slight, it is equivalent to the practical impossibility of equivalent to the practical impossibility of happening within certain time limits.” happening within certain time limits.” Joseph Louis Comte LagrangeJoseph Louis Comte Lagrange

An An extremeextreme faith position: believing in the faith position: believing in the impossible.impossible.

“An honest man, armed with all the knowledge available to us now, could only state that in some sense, the origin of life appears at the moment to be almost a miracle, so many are the conditions which would have had to have been satisfied to get it going.” Francis Crick, Life Itself

Romans 1:19-21Romans 1:19-21

Romans 1:19-21 “that which is known about God Romans 1:19-21 “that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. [20] For since the creation of the world His them. [20] For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. that they are without excuse.

[21] For even though they knew God, they did not [21] For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”foolish heart was darkened.”