Apologetics Part I - Naturalism

Mature Creationism The creation account in Genesis is referring to a literal 6 day period when all things on earth were created-- All were by extraordinary, not ordinary means 10,000 years

Critique-Mature Creationism The Days in Genesis 1 are literal 24-hour days, and happened only <10,000 years ago. The world flood created the impression of old age for the earth. The Days in Genesis 1 are literal 24-hour days, and happened only <10,000 years ago. The world flood created the impression of old age for the earth. This is the dominant view in modern fundamentalist “creationism” This is the dominant view in modern fundamentalist “creationism” A discredited and unfortunate theory A discredited and unfortunate theory Methodology is wrong Methodology is wrong Unresponsive to falsifying data Unresponsive to falsifying data

Coral atolls, light from distant stars, slow forming sediment Coral atolls, light from distant stars, slow forming sediment Henry Morris. “Real creation necessarily involves creation of ‘apparent age.’” Henry Morris. “Real creation necessarily involves creation of ‘apparent age.’” See critique of Creation Science Movement by Robert Snow in Portraits of Creation Van Til ed. or- Hugh Ross, Creation and Time, Navpress See critique of Creation Science Movement by Robert Snow in Portraits of Creation Van Til ed. or- Hugh Ross, Creation and Time, Navpress Critique-Mature Creationism

Progressive Creationism is compatible with the Genesis account: Progressive Creationism is compatible with the Genesis account: The day-age theory: “Yom” means “day” or “age” The day-age theory: “Yom” means “day” or “age” Gap theory Gap theory Genesis 1 does not depict the original creation, but rather a re-creation Genesis 1 does not depict the original creation, but rather a re-creation Genesis 1:2 may be translated “the earth became formless and void…” (see NIV notes) Genesis 1:2 may be translated “the earth became formless and void…” (see NIV notes) Additionally, Isaiah says God’s creation was not originally formless and void (using the same Hebrew word TOHU): Additionally, Isaiah says God’s creation was not originally formless and void (using the same Hebrew word TOHU): 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 did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited)… 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 did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited)… Progressive 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 Science, Editor of a 30 volume series on paleontology Dr. Grassi, President of the French Academy of Science, Editor of a 30 volume series on paleontology “There is almost a total absence of fossil evidence relative to the origin of the phyla. The lack of direct evidence leads to the formation of pure conjecture as to the genesis of phyla. We don’t even have a basis to determine the extent to which these opinions are correct.” “There is almost a total absence of fossil evidence relative to the origin of the phyla. The lack of direct evidence leads to the formation of pure conjecture as to the genesis of phyla. We don’t even have a basis to determine the extent to which these opinions are correct.” Atheistic Evolution

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

Mammals Primates Fish Amphibians Protozoans Birds Reptiles Mollusca Green plants Fungi Segmented Worms Unsegmented Worms Insects

Mammals Primates Fish Amphibians Protozoans Birds Reptiles Mollusca Green plants Fungi Unsegmented Worms Insects Blue-green Algas Segmented Worms

Atheistic Evolution Problems Unable to harmonize their views with the findings of modern science. Unable to harmonize their views with the findings of modern science. Human significance is dependent on special creation. Human significance is dependent on special creation. Love, meaning, significance are all imaginary concepts – not scientific! Love, meaning, significance are all imaginary 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 Creation Does harmonize with the findings of modern science. Does harmonize with the findings of modern science. Humans are significant because God created us “in His image…” Humans are significant because God created us “in His image…” Genesis uniquely accounts for the nature of the human race. Genesis uniquely accounts for the nature of the human race. God has created us “in His image” so you can come to know him personally God has created us “in His image” so you can come to know him personally

Why Does God Exist? The Teleological Argument: The Teleological Argument: Design implies a Designer. Design implies a Designer. The American Heritage Dictionary “Purposeful development, as in nature or history, toward a final end.” - The American Heritage Dictionary

Why Does God Exist? The Teleological Argument: The Teleological Argument: Design implies a Designer. Design implies a Designer. 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 for scientists!

Why Does God Exist? The Teleological Argument: The Teleological Argument: Design implies a Designer. Design implies a Designer. 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. What about THIS??!

Inorganic Evolution

Inorganic to Organic Life: The Complication (NASA) 20 of 24 Amino acids are required. 20 of 24 Amino acids are required. 145 Different Protein Molecules are Required to sustain life. 145 Different Protein Molecules are Required to sustain life. A Single Protein Molecule is: A Single Protein Molecule is: A Precise arrangement of Amino Acids A Precise arrangement of Amino Acids “The length of the average protein in the smallest known living cell is at least 400 amino acid lengths containing more than 7,000 atoms.” - James Coppage, “Evolution: Possible or Impossible?” Zondervan, 1975 “The length of the average protein in the smallest known living cell is at least 400 amino acid lengths containing more than 7,000 atoms.” - James Coppage, “Evolution: Possible or Impossible?” Zondervan, 1975

An Inorganic Molecule: H 2 0

7,000 Atoms 400 Amino Acids Grouped into Peptides

Only one Amino Acid out of sequence: sicle cell anemia

Feasibility Study: Coppage’s Assumptions Primitive atmosphere: “pre-biotic soup” Primitive atmosphere: “pre-biotic soup” All 20 necessary amino acids have already formed All 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 already converted into amino acids for use. All the atoms in the earth’s atmosphere and crust are already converted into amino acids for use. Protected from ultra-violet light Protected from ultra-violet light They automatically assemble: They automatically assemble: 1 Substitution in the 400-link Chain Allowed 1 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 reassemble Immediately reassemble

Total Assemblies: 10^41 st sets of amino acids (earth’s crust & atmosphere atoms as amino acids) 100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 x 10^24 th assemblies per set per year 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 = 10^65 th annual assemblies. 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000,000,000 x 5,000,000,000 Years (earth is 5 billion yrs old) = 10^75 th total assemblies (rounded up) 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

Chances for 10^75 th Assemblies Resulting in 1 Useful Protein? Only 1:10^240 th Combinations = 1 usable protein. Only 1:10^240 th Combinations = 1 usable protein. 1:10^236 th - allowing 1 out-of-sequence amino acids. 1:10^236 th - allowing 1 out-of-sequence amino acids. BUT: There’s only 10^75 th assemblies since the earth began! BUT: There’s only 10^75 th assemblies since the earth began! 10^161 st chance of 1 “hit” (10^236 th ÷ 10^75 th )

Chances for 10^75 th Assemblies Resulting in 1 Useful Protein? 10^161st chance of 1 “hit” 1:1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00 0,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,0 00,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00 0,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000, 000,000 Ohio Lottery: 1:10,000,000 Ohio Lottery: 1:10,000,000

How Much Time Required to Assemble 1 Useful Protein? 10 ^ 171 st Years 10 ^ 171 st Years (10^236 th combinations ÷ 10^75 th annual assemblies) 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 YEARS

How long is 10^171 Years? Consider an Amoeba. Consider an Amoeba. It’s a s-l-o-o-w Amoeba, travelling 1 inch per year. It’s a s-l-o-o-w Amoeba, travelling 1 inch per year. It carries just 1 atom on its back... It carries just 1 atom on its back...

How long is 10^171 Years? Sliding along a string the length of the universe, at 1 inch per year… Sliding along a string the length of the universe, at 1 inch per year… Turning around, and carrying the atom back again on that string... Turning around, and carrying the atom back again on that string... How much material could this Amoeba move in 10^171 years? How much material could this Amoeba move in 10^171 years?

How long is 10^171 Years? That slow Amoeba could move 10^64 universes across that string and back. (An estimated 5 x 10^78 atoms in the universe… 15 billion light-years across = (2 x 10^28 years at 1 inch /yr) In 10^107 years he moves the mass of 1 universe.

A Living Single-Cell Contains Thousands of proteins organized into dozens of organelles. Contains Thousands of proteins organized into dozens of organelles. True for every living cell. True for every living cell. Humans have billions of these cells. Humans have billions of these cells.

The Probability for Spontaneous Inorganic->Organic Evolution: “If the probability of an event is infinitely slight, it is equivalent to the practical impossibility of happening within certain time limits.” Joseph Louis Comte Lagrange An extreme faith position: believing in the impossible. An extreme faith position: believing in the 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 1:19-21 Romans 1:19-21 “that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. [20] For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. [21] For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”