Tag Archives: fine tuning

CONVERGENCE of SCIENCE and FAITH

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At the convergence of science (the Book of Nature) and the Bible (the book of Scripture) we see two different kinds of communications. Style, level of detail, and origin of content for both sources is essentially and ultimately one and the same. Appreciating the convergence of these sources could take some study to fully appreciate and that is why topics under Science and Harmony are presented in each respective area within WindowView.org. 

This blog post could be diverse and lengthy, but instead read down the page to see a line of reasoning that illustrates key points from science evidence that supports the convergence of science and faith.

The following outlines how it is that science points back to one and the same author, a mind, creator of universe, Earth, and life:

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LINE OF REASONING

First, ask yourself: why am I here?

Second, why is there a here, instead of nothing at all?

Hebrew (biblical) Scripture indicates a beginning initiated by God. 

Science more recently affirms, a universe initiated from nothing. 

An event, call it creation, ex nihlo, that is Greek for something came from nothing, appears before us. 

We sit here in this room, it took an architect’s mind to design this place. 

That means use of mind to produce information and to design a plan.

Are we a result of something random, unguided, and by chance?

OR

Who designed us?

We have highly specified-complex information inside of us.

Where did that come from?

Science Example: Look at one enzyme (a complex protein molecule, made up of many amino acid molecules linked in a specific sequence) that has a specific function.

<p>Each enzyme has what is called an ‘active site’ that performs the enzyme’s function. Some enzymes are called Allosteric enzymes which typically have multiple active sites located on different protein subunits. 

An active site, for example, is produced by the genome: “Of the possible genes encoding protein chains 153 amino acids in length, only one in about a hundred trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion is expected to encode a chain that folds well enough to perform a biological function!” (Douglas Axe, 2016, “Undeniable — How Biology Confirms Intuition That Life is Designed.” Page 181)

In other words the chance of forming a functional active site is one chance in 10 raised to the 74th power. This site is just one part of the entire enzyme that also needs a particular three dimensional shape. So, put 74 zeros after a 1 and you can see the probability of the active site is essentially nothing. And remember, one expression is that our universe is made up of 10 to the 80th number of particles. Now that makes an interesting comparison!

Further, be mindful that our bodies require some 1300 types of enzymes, some with more than one active site. We also depend on a balance of multiple physiological (metabolic) systems (composed of enzyme functions), organs, and structure supporting life.  Imbalance leads to death.

The information represented by the genome (genetic information) has been demonstrated more and more to have purpose with little to no non-functional sequences. That is there is no junk DNA.

So, not only are proteins highly specified, but the genetic information required to make a protein is just as complex.

Ok, so does life just originate by itself?

Humans (many scientists) now realize that life cannot be created in a test tube. Chemicals required for life need a cell to be produced. The complexity of the chemistry of the cell includes examples of what is called causal circularity. This means all the components and all the chemicals must be present all at the same time, and cannot be derived on a partial basis in order to initiate life. 

The circularity is when the chemical being produced needs the same chemical in the production process. Think about that! Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

Origin of life … what about the origin of information making life?

There are numerous other facets to understanding design that points back to a mind as the source of our being.

Scripture simply indicates the Word from God is the source. Words are information and information comes from a mind. The Messiah is identified by Isaiah as “Immanuel,” that is “God with us.” When Yeshua (Messiah, Jesus) is identified by Yochanan (i.e., John) the identification is simple; the Messiah is the Word. The mind of Adonai comes through this incarnate being.

Again, in Scripture the first Hebrew word is ‘bereshit’ or ‘bereishith,’ meaning ‘beginning.’ And the following text describes events that follow to make for the universe, earth, and life.

What science does in recent time is to uncover multiple factors, evidence, and perspectives that indicate the universe, earth, and life are by design. Here is a listing of some categories of that support design and suggest a mind of Designer is responsible:

— The universe, Earth, and life all exhibit numerous examples of what is identified as ‘fine tuning.’ This evidence added together supports the concept of design—our existence is not by chance. Several hours would be needed to describe all facets of fine tuning.

— The genetic code in organisms is highly specified and exhibits a complexity in the way this information is decoded and multiple ways it is read in the process of supporting life functions.

— The only known source for (intelligible, functional) information is a mind. Human minds exceed all other species on Earth in the exhibit of composing music, mathematics, ability to investigate and research, create art forms, etc.

<p>— Irreducible Complexity is exhibited by life in various ways: information sequences, numerous molecular machines, bacterial flagellum, construction of the human eye, immune system, blood clotting pathway, and other examples that are appearing over time with new research findings. Bottom line is these are ‘all or none’ … there must be (all parts) present to function—with no stepwise derivation leading up to such entities.

— Sudden appearance of life: Eidiacarian Era lifeforms, Cambrian Era animals, Insects, Plants all come with supporting evidence for sudden appearance plus specified complexity with no antecedents.

— Developmental Circuitry: In simple terms we can use a electronic circuit board analogy to illustrate the hard wired process of human (and animal) life development. Each phase from fertilization to fetus is guided by a biological processor that directs birth of a being. Any impact that significantly deviates from the established biological circuitry leads to miscarriage.  No mutations assumed to lead to a new types of an organism are thus feasible.

— Cells are integrated complex factories: Compartmentation, Information housed and processed, chemical and energy production supported by molecular machines (e.g., ATP-synthase, ribosomes, enzymes), cell ultrastructure Darwin never knew, chemistry inside a cell is immensely efficient, faster, and necessary for physiological function (all must be present all at once to make life) and cannot be likewise reproduced in a laboratory.

— Human Being: looking at the numerous cells, tissues, organs, coordinated metabolism and physiology on a tissue to organ to whole body function reveals a balance of processes that support life. Not only is a medical perspective required to comprehend, but all systems reveal engineering and thus complex design.  Too often this is just something assumed, but this fails recognition that humans are a complex, specified, integration of systems that point back to the concept of intelligent design.

— Origin of life researchers are now faced with the reality that a primordial soup, a puddle on an open landscape of a primitive planet, various inputs like water, electric discharge, various atmospheric or aqueous chemicals all fail to support life by chance physical and material processes.

All of the above factors, evidence, and perspectives from Scripture and science both point to life and humanity as not by chance. 

And if not by chance, then by purpose and mind, which then presents the possibility life provides an opportunity, that opportunity is to address a question regarding the one whose mind created in the first place. 

Will you join the Creator in a relationship that leads to life beyond this life?

Director, WindowView.org

P.S. This blog post contains information that appears in the ‘Convergence Area’ of window view.org. The Science Area in the near future will be updated with a focus on the lineup of topics noted above.

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Designed Universe Reveals Need For Paradigm Shift

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A paradigm shift comes with evidence and changes the way we look at our world (and universe)!

Regarding design and our universe, the following is a bit of text from a bookseller web page:

“Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson once declared, “The universe is a deadly place. At every opportunity it is trying to kill us.” Tyson is not alone in his dark, doomsday perspective. Many have sought to warn of the weapons the universe might use to wipe out humanity.

“In Designed to the Core, astrophysicist Hugh Ross uses the newest astronomical research to not only inform but also inspire the reader with this conclusive truth: While one person sees a razor-sharp blade as a deadly weapon’ the other sees it as a life-saving scalpel.

“The motive of the one who wields that blade makes all the difference.”

Here the author Dr. Ross is actually referring to the author of the Universe itself. A paradigm shift in science and current thinking is a change based on scientific astronomy evidence. If design requires a mind and not simply any unguided process, then the author of he universe is also the author of the book of nature.

At WindowView we see multiple sources that reveal how a paradigm shift is needed not only in science, but theological thinking and in your everyday approach to understanding your existence, your life, and the ultimate reason you are alive … once you see unique perspectives, very detailed information, truth, and awake to he reality of who we all are and why we are here for a short lifetime, then the door to something truly eternal opens up. The shift with sound science takes us from an old and now out-of-date explanation to something incredibly eye opening and better way to see what science is revealing to us today!

To be clear, ‘Designed to the Core’ is a book full of specific info that describes the universe, galaxies, our Milky Way Galaxy, Earth, and all the way to the core … technical descriptions indeed, but unique factors that as you read the descriptions from research, exploration, and scientific discoveries all reveal how we live in an exceptional and incredibly suitable (even rare) location in the universe. In fact, so much else of the universe is not suitable for advanced life to exist, anyone who thinks life forms occupy numerous locations in the universe will see there are few options (i.e., opportunities and possibilities are so limited) outside of where we exist. You don’t need to be an astronomer or scientist to read, but the book is information rich and somewhat technical. Yet, this is well written and summaries, helpful graphics, and numerous references are clearly listed in the text.

This book and other recent titles, many of them noted in posts at this blog, all help in adding to the main reason for looking through the WindowView!

Director, WindowView.org

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Finishing A Must Read on Science and Theism

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As the Director of WindowView and one who has examined both Science and Theistic data, I wish to convey an impression from finishing my first time reading Dr. Stephen C. Meyer’s book: “The Return of the God Hypothesis.” I’ll reread this book and in the near future, some of what is in book will add to the evidence in the WindowView site. But the ‘window’ offers multiple viewing perspectives to add to an even bigger picture—like the wider aspect of a picture window that ultimately clarifies what is coming soon to our world (whether you agree or not the evidence we have leads the way—not the web site or writings there, but what the evidence brings to us all).

First, I understand that many may simply reject he book based on the title. That would be an egregious mistake of huge proportions—simply because this book relates to authors and perspectives that span a huge range of disciplines and thought—historic and well recognized philosophic, scientific, and theistic thinkers. So, look at the title and just move on. 

The text of the book is based on a growing base of evidence, not conjecture or mere interpretation. Over time, human appreciation for what science shows can in fact develop a stronger appreciation for what is theistic.

The content addresses issues in sequence and looks at what you might simply put as pros and then considers contrary thought. The review is meant to leave essentially no stone unturned. Views you presently hold, evidence you have or have never considered, and other areas are all brought to the surface.

The conclusion of the book even considers how we all grow in this life to ask those significant questions about being—why am I, how can I figure out the answer, is there more to my just thinking in this moment—and thus relates back to how specific and complex information along with a fine tuned universe and the incredible display of life on earth are a reflection of something truly significant—design or chance, Designer or coincidence—the evidence brings clarity. 

The book reviews the significance of design in nature, physics, mathematics, start of a universe that is our home and in turn the evidence for intelligent design. However, the concept of intelligent design keeps running into critiques pointing to the idea of design comes without defining the designer. To the contrary, you are the one to think and possibly it will come to you and the answer presents itself regardless of any preconceived notion you may start with. Then think further. We all were brought into this life. I don’t recall being given the choice—I was born, have grown, am thinking, exploring, and with all the theistic and scientific data an answer appears.

You might start with the question as to whether scientific and theistic information can actually and seamlessly fit together. Specifically, do scientific journal data and the biblical text truly mesh into one consistent and comprehensive overview of our being and purpose for life? A major portion of what Dr. Meyer writes actually helps to provide perspectives providing an answer. But it is up to you to ask questions, think, and explore—your life is an opportunity to do so!

To read the book you may want to put in an online order here.

Again, WindowView brings multiple perspectives in sight and in the end the result is very well a harmony with Science and Scripture.

Director, WindowView.org

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Book Review – First Look at Meyer’s Newest Writing

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For those persons who are skeptical of looking at a combination of perspectives that pull together data from science discoveries and possible theistic implications, then avoiding Dr. Meyer’s book “The Return of the God Hypothesis” might make sense. A word of caution, don’t let the book title throw you toward avoidance … the writing is science, philosophy, history, discoveries and much much more!

But … avoidance comes with missing an exceptional opportunity to experience a well written text. This book is addressing much of what science reveals in a way that gently explains certain technical perspectives … but more than that … the book lays out a story of science discoveries along time. The scientists deal with certain possible approaches to expanding our human understanding of the universe, the earth, life, and what explains our existence is really is the core of what this book does best.

Further, each explanation given in the book examines multiple sides of any evidence humanity has derived over time. Seeing what works and how information, data, and our understanding from our material existence of what may ultimately explain our conscious mindful understanding beyond the material existence is exactly why you will benefit from reading this book.

If you believe your life is simply a result of natural forces and chance … you need to read this book. If you believe theistic writings alone explain why you live, then you can expand your awareness of the specificity and complexity of nature that points to the source of your life. Simply put, so many people just haven’t really experienced such a well thought out set of considerations, data, and evidence as presented by Dr. Meyer. The book is easy to read and incredible in the ultimate implications as to who you really are! And that is worth knowing!

Click here to see the book for purchase or simply read the online reviews at the designated web page.

Director, WindowView.org

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Boundary to Science?

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What is your existence? What if you could sit in a class and just have a wide open discussion on science and see many avenues of thought open up … even leading to concepts you’d never really given much serious thought … AND then your thinking expands and the discussion is so amazing and engaging? Would you want to explore concepts that lead you to think of why or what is existence?

We strongly recommend a new book that tells a story about a college class and the classroom open ended teachings that expand the view and open to ideas and perspectives that do entertain existence in a freely open discussion!

CANCELED SCIENCE by Eric Hedin

From the book listing at Amazon:

Eric Hedin was enjoying a productive career as a physics professor at Ball State University when the letter from a militant atheist arrived and all hell broke loose. The conflict spilled first onto the pages of the local newspaper, and then into the national news. The atheist attack included threats from the Freedom from Religion Foundation, which targeted Hedin after learning his Boundaries of Science course exposed students to an evidence-based case for design and purpose in cosmology, physics, and biochemistry. Canceled Science tells the dramatic story of the atheist campaign to cancel Hedin’s course, reveals the evidence the atheists tried to bury, and explores discoveries that have revolutionized our understanding of the nature and origin of matter, space, and even time itself.

The book cover is below and you can order HERE on the internet.

Director, WindowView.org

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