Evolution: a scientific view (Part 2)

(Continued from previous post)

Those who argue that the earth is billions of years old (instead of the approximately 6,000 years that the Bible teaches) would be interested to know that the earth's magnetic field is depleting at a steady rate. If the earth were indeed billions of years old the magnetic field would have been too strong to sustain life. And if it was not too strong at the time when life on earth supposedly began, by now it would have ceased to exist.

 

The final point I would like to make concerning evolution is this: It defies what has come to be known as the argument of Design, or Intelligent Design. If you were walking through the woods and you came upon a clearing in which was a neat pile of ashes still smoldering in a small circle, what would be the logical conclusion? Surely not that the wind blew several logs into a circular pile which the lightening then struck causing it to burst into flames. You would know that someone placed those logs together on that pile and lit them with a lighter or a match. That fire was intentional. Similarly, if you were walking down the street and you glanced down a saw a watch with its polished gold sectioned band and the tiny little screws holding it together and each perfectly crafted gear working together to produce the rhythmic tick-tock that keeps the proper time, you would know that there had been a designer. All the time and all the chance in the world could not have produced that perfectly crafted watch and then set it into motion.

 

As complicated and complex and intricate as that watch is, how much more intricate and complex are we as human beings. The deeper science delves into our cellular structure, the more complex our bodies prove to be.

 

I present to you that we were created with intention, with purpose and with great care by one Master Creator. You are not a cosmic accident. You are a person with an individual personality, intelligence, and a soul. When you view yourself in that way-as a person who was created with love-you begin to realize that that only logical response is to want to know more about the Creator who created you.

 

And that's why He gave us His Word. In it is not only the revelation of who He is, but also of who we are in Him. :)




So do your own research. Don’t simply take my word for it, but find it out for yourself. And may God bless your efforts and confirm to you what He says in His Word:

 

Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee…

 

Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

 

 

Evolution: A scientific view (Part 1)

Science defined (by Google) - The intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.

Through observation and experiment. In other words, in order for information to be scientifically knowable, it must be observable, measurable and repeatable.

Having established a fixed definition of science, let's subject the theories of Darwinian Evolution and the Big Bang as well as the general consensus of the scientific community that the earth is billions of years old to the very discipline from which these theories were born.

First, a disclaimer. From now on, when I use the term "evolution," I am referring to what is known as macroevolution. Macroevolution is the transformation of one species into another, or, transmutation. Microevolution on the other hand is the ability of a species to adapt to minor changes in the environment and is completely scientific (it has been observed, measured and repeated in numerous situations)

So, what is wrong with evolution?

Well, for starters, it's completely unscientific in that it has never been observed, much less repeated. No lower life form has ever changed into a higher life form. Anytime there has ever been a genetic mutation observed, it has always been a negative one, causing a defect or problem. Never has a mutation been beneficial.

Evolution violates the scientific law of Biogenesis. This law states that living things can come only from other living things. It cannot scientifically be argued that life came from some soupy, primordial substance in which there was previously no life.

The evolutionary formula states that Time + Chance = Everything; however, this formula makes no scientific sense because we know (from observation and repetition of results) that outside forces never enhance, they always degrade. Take, for example, an egg. If you crack it and leave it on the ground, it will never come back together or turn into a chicken or any other life form. It will rot and biodegrade. When a tornado goes through a junk yard it does not leave in its path a perfectly crafted airplane. It leaves behind even more destruction than before.

As I mentioned in my previous blog, symbiosis (organisms living together in codependent relationships) throws a wrench into the machine of evolution. In order for us to have flowers and bees, both would have had to evolve at exactly the same moment in history, in the exact same location. What are the odds of that happening? Of course, flowers and bees are just one example. There are numerous symbiotic organisms that we know (and probably many that we don't yet know).

Geneticists have discovered that human DNA is getting weaker and weaker as generations pass. According to the Darwinian notion of "survival of the fittest", this makes no sense. The weaker genes should be dying out and mutations should be making us stronger. Interestingly enough, this discovery supports the biblical account of creation. Adam and Eve were created in physical perfection. Through the fall of mankind and the entrance of sin into the world, sickness, disease and death also entered. Humanity began with long lives which became shorter and shorter. Food for thought...


(This post will be continued in the following blog)

Science Confirms the Bible

The title of this blog is no doubt a controversial subject in this modern day. I hope to show you just a few ways that this statement is indeed a true one.

 

First, we will look at some of the claims of the creation account.

 

Did you know that the Bible supports the existence of the supercontinent Pangea? Genesis 1:9 says “And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.”

 

In the Genesis account, the entire creation process took only six days. Because of this, animals and plants that are symbiotic would have been created within days of each other. The Evolutionary theory postulates that symbiotic (codependent) animals and plants would have had to evolve at exactly the same time in history. (For example, flowers and bees) A much more believable explanation would be that they were created within a single week.

 

Genesis 1:26 says “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let him have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”

 

The first part of that verse, “Let us make man in our image,” provides explanation for why man was created with an inherent sense of morality and justice as well as a desire for love and relationship—because he was created in the image of a just, loving God.

 

The second part, “and let him have dominion...” explains why humanity has superior intelligence over all animals. God created humanity to have dominion.

 

Genesis 2:6 says “But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.” Earlier, in chapter 1, Genesis talks about the firmament dividing the waters above from the waters beneath. Some Christian scientists have explained that the earth used to be under a thick layer of clouds, creating a greenhouse effect like the ozone layer, only much thicker. The “waters beneath”  would have made the earth completely saturated with moisture and would have shielded plants, animals and humans from harmful UV rays, which would have played a large part in allowing people to live longer lives.

 

Genesis 2:7 gives a more detailed account of the creation of man. “And the Lord formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” This verse is consistent with the fact that the human body is carbon based and decays after death.

 

In Genesis 3, after Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit, Eve blamed her sin on the serpent. God then cursed the serpent (snake) saying “…upon thy belly shalt thou go…” indicating that before the snake got around some other way. Science tells us that snakes used to have feet. Of course, evolutionists say that they evolved out of them but the Biblical record provides an answer for us that, in my opinion, is more believable. (We will talk a little more in depth about the faults and flaws of evolution in a later blog.)

 

Not only do these few highlights of the creation account in Genesis 1-3 support well-known scientific fact, but if read carefully, there is nothing in these chapters that denies or conflicts with well known scientific fact. These chapters do, however, directly conflict with the theory of Evolution.

 

How do we know which one is correct? In the next blog I will be discussing how Evolution cannot be considered fact when subjected to science.

Fulfilled Prophecy in Jesus' Life & Death

Last blog we dealt with Jesus' claims about himself. For this one we will be talking about what the rest of the Bible days about Him.

Josh McDowell points out in his book "The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict," that Jesus had three main credentials. They are: 1) The impact of His life through miracles and teachings, 2)Fullfilled prophecy in His life and 3) His resurrection.

First, let's talk about the prophecies of the Old Testament fullfilled in Jesus' life. 

The Old Testament, the first 75% of the Bible, was written over a period of a thousand years. It gives the history of God's creation of mankind and his promise to the nation of Israel. Throughout the Old Testament, there are nearly 300 references to the the Messiah- or the Anointed One-who would lead Israel. Every one of these prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. 

In this short video clip, Lee Strobel, a journalist who was converted from atheism to Christianity and has written many books on the subject, including "The Case for Christ" shows us the probability of Christ fulfilling not all, but only 48 of these prophecies.

http://www.wingclips.com/movie-clips/case-for-christ/fulfilling-prophecies

In case you didn't couldn't watch the video, the probability of Jesus fulfilling 8 major prophecies as determined by Professor Stoner in his book Science Speaks is 1 in 10^17. The probability of him fulfilling 48 of the approximately 300 prophecies is even higher. Astronomically so. It's more than improbable. It is basically a statistical impossibility.

Unless there is something bigger at play here. Unless He is more than just a man.

Of course, I am working off of my belief that the Bible is true and 100% infallible. Not everyone holds that belief. If you are skeptical, please stay tuned for the next few blogs. I hope to change your mind.

The final thing I would like to talk about in this installment is the Resurrection of Jesus. 

The Resurrection sets Christianity apart from every other religion in the world. No other religion claims resurrection from the dead for its originator. 

The resurrection is the major belief on which Christianity is hinged. If there is no resurrection, there is no Christianity.

I'm going to insert here a couple of links that will provide more extensive research on the subject and then summarize them. 

The first is a series of videos on Josh McDowell's website. I've mentioned him earlier as well as his book The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict. Here he gives a more detailed account of the way Jesus died, how we know that he was really dead, how he was buried and evidence that his resurrection is a historical fact. 

http://www.josh.org/video-2/evidence-for-the-resurrection/

Secondly we have an interview conducted by Lee Strobel, who I have also mentioned earlier. He is the author of the book The Case for Christ as well as many others. In this interview, the timeline of the Resurrection accounts in the Bible is being discussed. Dr. Gary Habermas of Liberty University is making the case that Paul has the earliest written account of the resurrection and what that means for historians looking for evidence of the resurrection.

http://www.leestrobel.com/videoserver/video.php?clip=strobelT1116

Stay tuned for the next installment. I'll be discussing the Bible as a whole and what sets it apart from every other holy book in the world.

Was Jesus Really Who He Claimed to Be?

My topic has shifted from what I originally decided to write about in this series of Bible Study blogs. Before we can talk about how the Bible speaks to certain issues in our culture, we first have to look at the Bible itself. What authority does it have to speak to our culture?

These days, most people are not convinced that the Bible is anything other than a collection of myths, legends, exaggerated history and man's idea of how things should be. This is tragic not only because of the eternal implications of such a belief, but also because when viewed properly (as a document inspired by an all-knowing and all-powerful God), the Bible is truly the greatest book of history, wisdom and practical instruction, as well as being the greatest and truest love story of all time.

And so, I am endeavoring to convince the unconvinced in this series. No small task, I know...but a worthy task nonetheless. It is a topic that I am intensely passionate about. The Bible is the basis of my entire life-because and only because I believe it is inspired by The almighty God. 

More about that later...

Let's talk about Jesus. Who was he, really? Was he God? Just a man? A good moral teacher perhaps?

Jesus of Nazareth truly did live. He is not a fictitious character, not a myth or a legend. There is more than enough historical evidence to support the claim that he was a real man who walked upon the earth, had a following, was crucified and somehow rose from the dead. 

Many people believe that Jesus did live, but are skeptical as to whether or not he was really God. I've heard many people say in my own life that they believe Jesus was a good man, an advocate for social justice, a great teacher. Nothing more, nothing less. 

What many of them don't understand is that Jesus intentionally left no room for this assumption. C.S. Lewis said it this way on page 52 of his book "Mere Christianity."

"I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God.' That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic-on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg-or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonesense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."

In another great book, "The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict" by Josh McDowell, the author presents to us the "Trilemma," or the three alternatives we have for consideration. Either Jesus was a lunatic, a liar or He is Lord and God: 

Jesus claimed to be God in the flesh. Either his claim is true or false. If it is false, he either didn't know they were false and was therefore a lunatic, or he knew they were false and was deliberately lying-in which case he was a complete fool for dying for something that wasn't true. On the other hand, if his claim was true, then he is God! The choice is yours, whether you wish to accept Him or reject Him. Either way, your choice does not affect the truth of His claim. 

Because of time restraints (I am after all a senior in college) and because of the sheer volume of research and information available on this topic, I just can't cover it all. But I would like to leave you with a few resources if you would like to consider doing more of your own research on this topic. 

Most of the research for this blog came from "The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict" Josh McDowell. It's a wonderful resource to have. I refer to it often.

"Mere Christianity" by C. S. Lewis is another great resource. It is considered one of his greatest works. 

Also: "The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel.

In this blog, I briefly dealt with Jesus' claims about himself. In the next I will hopefully be dealing with claims the Bible makes about Jesus and the historicity of the Resurrection. Stay tuned! God bless! :)

Coming Soon!

It's been almost 2 full years since I last blogged. *Lowers head in shame*

But I'm back (for a little while, anyway). I'm now a Senior at Indiana Bible College and as a requirement for a class, I have been asked to complete an online Bible Study in a series of 10 entries. I'm very excited about this assignment because of two things. First-I'm a horrible slacker when it comes to this blog and this will force me to revive it and second-I love studying the Bible. So stay tuned!

My topic (should it be approved by my wise and gracious instructor Chris Henderson) will be Biblical stances on modern, hard-hitting issues.

Possible topic for next entry: Abortion. What does the Bible say about it and how does it apply to us directly.

Can't wait! God bless!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! :D

For Thanksgiving this year, I thought I’d try to sit down and count my blessings. I soon realized that putting a number on them was going to be completely impossible. So I just decided to list them instead. So here is a list of some of the things for which I'm thankful.

I suppose I should start at the beginning…

I’m thankful that I know truth and that I have a desire to pursue truth. Even if you know truth, if you don’t have a desire to pursue it and obey it, it does nothing for you. I’m thankful that God allowed me to know it and gave me a love for it as well. If I didn’t have the rest of the things and people on this wonderful list, but I just had truth and a passion for it, I would still be blessed beyond anything I could ever deserve.

I’m thankful for my parents. My dad works harder than anyone I know to provide for us financially, emotionally and spiritually. My mom is a prayer warrior and also a hard worker. I’m thankful that they didn’t leave it up to others to teach their children, but they sat down with us and taught us Bible studies. They worked with us on our Bible quizzing scriptures. They prayed with us and for us. They lead by example and that’s the reason my brothers and I are in church today.

I’m thankful for my crazy brothers. They keep me laughing constantly. I’m thankful that they’re all living for God. One day when I have children of my own, they’re going to have godly uncles and aunts that will provide stability and love and support for them. I’m thankful that Jay has found Jenny, that Caleb has found Brittany and that Josh will one day find a godly young lady who will be perfect for him as well. I’m thankful for all the midnight viewings of Robin Hood with Jay. I’m thankful for the randomness that Caleb brings to my life. I’m thankful for every Totino’s Crisp Crust Pizza that I’ve shared with Josh. I’m thankful that they taught me how to shoot a basketball, swing a bat and throw a football. I’m thankful that they let me play with them and didn’t exclude me because I’m a girl.

I have wonderful childhood memories. I have the best family anyone could ask for. I don’t know why God allowed me all of these wonderful things, but He did and I’m so thankful.

I’m thankful that I grew up attending First United Pentecostal Church of Raleigh (now the Temple of Pentecost). I’m thankful for the leadership of wonderful men of God like Wayne Huntley and Bryan Ballestero. I’m thankful for the wonderful godly examples of their wives, Patsy Huntley and Christy Ballestero. I’m thankful that they instilled in me a love for truth and holiness and led me by their example.

I’m thankful that God called me to IBC. It was my dream since I was a child and God miraculously provided a way for me to go. Now that I’m here, it’s more than I ever dreamed it would be. I’m thankful for the call of God on my life and honored that he would choose me. 

I'm thankful for every staff member at IBC who gives of themselves unselfishly. They pour their passion, their knowledge and their burden into us daily. I've never known a group of harder working people for the Kingdom of God. 

And of course I’m thankful for all of my wonderful friends:

Heather and Korey: My sisters. I don’t just have one best friend, I have two. They’re beautiful inside and out. They love God and they love me. They’ve provided endless hours worth of listening ears, sound advice, supportive hugs, prayers and just plain old good times.

My Raleigh folks: My childhood best friends Courtney and Amber who are still my good friends today, Timothy, Zack, Caleb, Stephanie, Brittany, Kendrik and so many more.

My IBC “family”: Abby Thompson, my first IBC friend who was my Starbucks buddy, my Christmas music buddy, my grocery shopping buddy and my lifeline my freshman year.

Greta Shraufnagel, for the countless hours I spent in her room just hanging out and talking, for all the wonderful hugs, the prayers and the laughs.

Michael Mast for being my first Christmas banquet date, for all the MSAs, the Starbucks runs, the good times.

Toby Elsey for being someone I can count on, someone who encourages me and someone who can pretty much always make me laugh.

Andrew Herbst, my “little brother” for being a trustworthy and understanding friend. 

Candra Poitras for being a beautiful person with a caring heart and an encouraging word, and also for being hilarious. ;)

Melinda Poitras for being the most passion-filled person I know, and for painting pretty pictures with her words that can make me nostalgic for times in which I have not lived, places to which I have never been and people whom I have never met.

Erin Yancy for being talented, yet humble, for being a living, breathing testimony of the grace of God and for allowing God to use her to be blessing to so many people.

Ashton Pace, my sweet roommate who is basically my own personal cheerleader and who puts up with my occasional messiness.

Gideon Assefa for giving of himself and being the most unselfish person I know. And for being a theology major who is also an amazing Praise musician. ;)

Dustin Moore for being quite possibly the most compassionate, encouraging and sweet friend I have and for every IBC dinner at the table by the window which have come to mean so much to me.

Kari Martin, my friend, my suitemate, my mentor, my prayer partner, my MSA boss of sorts and soon to be my co-worker.

Hannah Troxal, for being unafraid to answer the call of God on her life and for being wonderful example of holiness.

There are so many more wonderful people in my life and if I have left you out, it’s not because I’m not thankful for your friendship. God has placed us all in each other’s lives and I’m truly thankful for everyone who has touched mine.

I’m also thankful that I was born and raised in the United States of America, specifically in the beautiful state of North Carolina. I’m thankful for the freedoms I enjoy everyday. I’m thankful for the city of Indianapolis and the fun times I’ve had here. I’m thankful for every sunrise and every sunset I’ve been privileged to see. I’m thankful for my health, for a sound mind, for the ability to learn. I’m thankful for the gift of music and all it adds to my life. I’m thankful for technology and the ability to keep in touch with all of my favorite people no matter where I am on this globe. I’m thankful that I have an education. I’m thankful for books and the endless amount of information and entertainment they provide. I’m thankful that I never have to go to bed with an empty stomach. I’m thankful for coffee. I’m thankful for Christmas and times of celebration with my family and friends. I’m thankful for Nutella. I’m thankful for nature and it’s beauty. I’m thankful for every season, for the beauty of snow, the phenomenon of rain, the peacefulness of a blue sky and a sunny day. I’m thankful for every nap I’ve taken on the beach and for the constant crashing of the waves. I’m thankful for every hike I’ve taken through the woods, every pile of fall leaves I have ever jumped into, every bonfire I’ve roasted a marshmallow in on a chilly night. I’m thankful for every time that my favorite song has come on the radio unexpectedly. I’m thankful for every birthday I’ve ever had and for every present from a loved one. I’m thankful for a warm bed, hot water and a full closet. I’m thankful for every roadtrip I have ever taken (there have been several). I’m thankful that I have never been pulled over and that I’ve never been in a wreck (it’s only by the grace of God!) I’m thankful for every sermon that has convicted me and challenged me to change. I’m thankful for every sermon that has encouraged and uplifted me. I’m thankful for every worship service, altar call and prayer meeting where I have felt the presence of God. I’m thankful for every youth camp, youth rally and youth Bible study that have helped me to grow spiritually.

I’m sure you get the picture. I could go on and on for hours just listing things. Little things, big things…it never ends. What right do I have to complain? What right do I have to feel sorry for myself. I’m literally living my dream and I could never express my gratitude to my God for His blessings on my life.

I challenge everyone who reads this blog: find a quiet place this Thanksgiving, sit down with a pen and paper, or your laptop, and start listing. You'll be overwhelmed. I certainly am.

James 1:17 Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.