Apologetics Part I - Naturalism

Apologetics Are… Effective Christianity Effective Christianity “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” 1 Peter 3:15 (NASB-U) “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” 1 Peter 3:15 (NASB-U) Persuasion Persuasion “Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men” - 2 Cor. 5:11 (NASB-U) “Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men” - 2 Cor. 5:11 (NASB-U) Preceeded by the message of Grace: Preceeded by the message of Grace: Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, [19] namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 2 Cor. 5:18-19 (NASB-U) Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, [19] namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 2 Cor. 5:18-19 (NASB-U)

Apologetics Are… Intimidating! Intimidating! Praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; [4] that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. - Col. 4:3-4 (NASB-U)

Defining Terms Naturalism “No God” Materialism, agnosticism, skepticism, atheism, etc.

Defining Terms Naturalism “No God” Materialism, agnosticism, skepticism, atheism, etc. Pantheism “One-ism” Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, New Age: Everything is spiritual…a force

Defining Terms Naturalism “No God” Materialism, agnosticism, skepticism, atheism, etc. Pantheism “One-ism” Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, New Age: Everything is spiritual…a force Theism Personal God Christianity, Judaism, Islam Created the World: important,but temporary

Defining Terms Naturalism “No God” Materialism, agnosticism, skepticism, atheism, etc. Pantheism “One-ism” Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, New Age: Everything is spiritual…a force Theism Personal God Christianity, Judaism, Islam Created the World: important,but temporary Animism Many spirits Folk religions, polytheism: a predominant religious view.

Defining Terms Man Naturalism “No God” Chance Collection of Molecules Pantheism “One-ism” Theism Personal God Animism Many spirits

Defining Terms Man Naturalism “No God” Chance Collection of Molecules Pantheism “One-ism” At one with the universe Goal:Nirvana Theism Personal God Animism Many spirits

Defining Terms Man Naturalism “No God” Chance Collection of Molecules Pantheism “One-ism” At one with the universe Goal:Nirvana Theism Personal God Animism Many spirits

Defining Terms ManNaturalism “No God” Chance Collection of Molecules Pantheism “One-ism” At one with the universe Goal:Nirvana Theism Personal God Animism Many spirits

Defining Terms Man Naturalism “No God” Chance Collection of Molecules Pantheism “One-ism” At one with the universe Goal:Nirvana Theism Personal God Personal, Eternal, Biological Animism Many spirits

Defining Terms ManNaturalism “No God” Chance Collection of Molecules Pantheism “One-ism” At one with the universe Goal:Nirvana Theism Personal God Personal, Eternal, Biological Animism Many spirits

Defining Terms Man Naturalism “No God” Chance Collection of Molecules Pantheism “One-ism” At one with the universe Goal:Nirvana Theism Personal God Personal, Eternal, Biological Animism Many spirits A Creature w/ “special” relationships

Defining Terms ManTruth Naturalism “No God” Chance Collection of Molecules Relies on empricism Senses+Logic Pantheism “One-ism” At one with the universe Goal:Nirvana Theism Personal God Personal, Eternal, Biological Animism Many spirits A Creature w/ “special” relationships

Defining Terms ManTruth Naturalism “No God” Chance Collection of Molecules Relies on empricism Senses+Logic Pantheism “One-ism” At one with the universe Goal:Nirvana Experience Unity w/ Universe Theism Personal God Personal, Eternal, Biological Animism Many spirits A Creature w/ “special” relationships

Defining Terms ManTruthNaturalism “No God” Chance Collection of Molecules Relies on empricism Senses+Logic Pantheism “One-ism” At one with the universe Goal:Nirvana Experience Unity w/ Universe Theism Personal God Personal, Eternal, Biological Animism Many spirits A Creature w/ “special” relationships

Defining Terms ManTruth Naturalism “No God” Chance Collection of Molecules Relies on empricism Senses+Logic Pantheism “One-ism” At one with the universe Goal:Nirvana Experience Unity w/ Universe Theism Personal God Personal, Eternal, Biological Revelation from God and science Animism Many spirits A Creature w/ “special” relationships

Defining Terms ManTruth Naturalism “No God” Chance Collection of Molecules Relies on empricism Senses+Logic Pantheism “One-ism” At one with the universe Goal:Nirvana Experience Unity w/ Universe Theism Personal God Personal, Eternal, Biological Revelation from God and science Animism Many spirits A Creature w/ “special” relationships Tradition & the Shaman

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.”