Showing posts with label Evolution vs Creationism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Evolution vs Creationism. Show all posts
Monday, June 23, 2014
The Documentary that convince Atheists to believe in God ...
I've decided to interrupt my series of examining world religions to share this important documentary. I recently asked an atheist to watch this and report back to me. The atheist said this to me a short time after watching...
"If an atheist truly opens their mind, watches this, examines and studies the claims and STILL denies the existence of God then what they have is a pride problem. Either that or they just don't want to believe, because to believe means having to possibly change their life or what they have always held true"
Therefore I challenge anyone who is an atheist/and or believes in evolution to not only watch this, but by all means pick it apart! Take every claim, every speaker, every experiment and hypothesis and test it.
If you still don't believe, well than I have to agree with my friend (now a former atheist I might add) and her quote. Don't let pride, or your disgust with a political party or any group of religious people and their actions keep you from the truth.
God's not dead. He's surely alive.
*Note: this documentary is approximately an hour long. Take the time to watch it and by all means take notes and research it's claims. Please note this video has french subtitles and has been spliced together from a series. There is a few 30 second pauses with french subtitles. Just fast forward through.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Reviewing The Case for a Creator video series
I recently posted 10, 5 minute videos titled "The Case for a Creator" by Lee Strobel. I asked my blog readers to take a "10 day challenge" and watch 1 video for 5 minutes each day for 10 days. For those who have already taken the 10 day challenge I commend you! Whether or not you are already a believer in creationism or subscribe to the theory of evolution, I'm sure that you found Strobel's video series to be thought provoking to say the least. I honestly can not imagine that anyone could walk away from this video series and still believe in evolution. It is simply scientifically impossible and Lee Strobel does a brilliant job in providing the facts for creationism.
If you have not watched the video series I hope you will go back and take the ten day challenge and watch all 10 videos. To recap briefly, Lee Strobel is a former atheist and formal legal editor of the Chicago Tribune. He investigates scientific evidence that points toward a creator. These videos are based on his book of the same name. Mr. Strobel sought out to disprove Christianity many years ago and took a journalistic approach to researching and fact finding. He was certain he could disprove the bible, God, creation and Jesus. Instead he became a believer in all of those things after he simply could not disprove them and instead found the proof that he needed to make that change in his belief system. He has gone on to writing many books and videos. I am drawn to Lee Strobel's work as he approached Christianity in much the same way I did 11 years ago. I too was a journalism major in college and did extensive research as well prior to becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. For more about my personal story please go to the tab "My testimony of faith".
If you watched the Case for a Creator video series, here is a re-cap of SOME of what you learned. If you have yet to watch it, here is a preview of what you will learn about. The framework for this video series follows a logical and well-thought-out progression. Strobel poses the questions hard skeptics ask on such broad topics as: evolution, faith and science, the Big Bang, fine-tuning of the universe, Earth's privileged place in the cosmos, biochemical complexity, the origin of life, DNA and, finally, the mind. He interviews many of the top minds in each of these topics, including many prominent ID personalities, such as Michael Behe, Jonathan Wells, Stpehen Meyer, Jay Richards, Guillermo Gonzalez, and J. P. Moreland. The following topics among others, are thoroughly covered:
EVIDENCE FROM PHYSICS:
1) Life depends on many constants such as gravity-to show how extremely necessary this is, imagine a ruler stretched out in one inch increments all the way back to the center of the universe. To show how fragile life is where we exist in that one inch increment, if it was shifted just one inch back in terms of gravity, life could not exist. All life forms would literally be crushed.
2) Cosmological Constant- the expansion of the universe has a certain spot on the ground that is about the size of an atom. Similarly, the strong exponential rate that if it were to go faster, stars, galaxies and planets could not form. The equivalent to this fine tuning is like throwing a dart at earth from orbit and hitting a spot on the ground that is about the size of an atom. Similarly, the strong nuclear force binds atoms together. If it were to decrease even slightly the only element left in the universe would be hydrogen. Chemical life could not be possible. If the universe is so fine tuned, maybe it has a Fine Tuner.
3) Escape Hatch Fails- the most popular theory to try to circumvent this fine tuning is Multiple Universes which says by chance ours is the one that came into being for us that could sustain life, but then you still have to ask the question who built the generator for all these different universes?
Fact: "The universe is finely tuned to sustain complex life by an intelligence that is beyond the constraints of time and space."
MICROSCOPIC UNIVERSE EVIDENCE:
1. Cells are like complex machines-but with billions of parts. These could not be chance combination of parts, but they are a complex assemblage of parts. e.g. the flagellum cell operates at 100,000 rpm's. It is the most efficient machine in the universe. It has two gears, forward and back. It has sensory mechanisms to gain feedback from its environment. It uses a flow of acid from outside the cell to motor the propeller. It has a water coolant, proton motor, stater, rotor u-joint, drive shaft. Altogether there are 40 parts need to build a flagella motor. And it has constructor proteins that build all these parts.
2. Irreducible Complexity- If you remove just one part of that system, the system ceases to function or exist. Like a mouse trap, if you take out even one of it's parts it will never work.
Charles Darwin admitted the failure of his own theory when he said: "If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed which could not have possibly been formed by numerous, successive slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down."
DAMAGING EVIDENCE FOR ATHEISTS
1) Negative evidence: amino acids are light years away from producing a living cell. Non-living chemicals cannot arrange themselves into a living cell.
2) The erroneous theory of the Cambrian explosion of life about 53 million years ago-in a sudden geological instant equivalent to about 2 minutes in a 24 hour period from the first single-celled organism about 3.8 billion years ago, a great explosion of life occurred accounting for most animal forms and body plans today. (The branching tree pattern of Darwin's theory is not seen anywhere in the fossil record unless we impose it with our own minds)
3) 600 scientists with P.H. D's from major universities have signed a document called "A Scientific Dissent from Darwinism" which says, "We are skeptical of the claims for random mutation and natural selection to account for the complexity of life. Careful examination for Darwinian Theory should be encouraged."
4) Background microwave radiation-this remnant heat from the universe's early history helps us see the ancient Kalam Cosmological Argument, which says: a)whatever begins has a cause, b)the universe began to exist, therefore, c)the universe has a cause; which points to a transcendent reality beyond space and time.
Purpose of God:
Series of Clues- One of the purposes of God is for us to find Him. He has left behind a series of clues. We have to take our blinders off and take our suppositions and put them aside, and be willing to go where science shows us. And if we come to what might be an uncomfortable position.....the fact that there IS a Creator, then that is the way we should go and maybe it would not feel so uncomfortable after a while.
It is my belief in studying these videos that atheism and agnosticism would be a dwindling faith if people would take the time to examine the FACTS. I feel that quite frankly it takes more FAITH to be an atheist or agnostic than it does to be a believer in a Creator. Former atheist Lee Strobel found this to be true as well as all of the experts that were interviewed for these videos.
If you are reading this then you must be interested in the topic of intelligent design. Why not take 50 minutes out of your life and watch the 10 5 minute video clips I have posted on The Case for a Creator. You will be glad you did. I welcome your comments below and I thank you for reading Living a Spirit filled life.
If you have not watched the video series I hope you will go back and take the ten day challenge and watch all 10 videos. To recap briefly, Lee Strobel is a former atheist and formal legal editor of the Chicago Tribune. He investigates scientific evidence that points toward a creator. These videos are based on his book of the same name. Mr. Strobel sought out to disprove Christianity many years ago and took a journalistic approach to researching and fact finding. He was certain he could disprove the bible, God, creation and Jesus. Instead he became a believer in all of those things after he simply could not disprove them and instead found the proof that he needed to make that change in his belief system. He has gone on to writing many books and videos. I am drawn to Lee Strobel's work as he approached Christianity in much the same way I did 11 years ago. I too was a journalism major in college and did extensive research as well prior to becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. For more about my personal story please go to the tab "My testimony of faith".
If you watched the Case for a Creator video series, here is a re-cap of SOME of what you learned. If you have yet to watch it, here is a preview of what you will learn about. The framework for this video series follows a logical and well-thought-out progression. Strobel poses the questions hard skeptics ask on such broad topics as: evolution, faith and science, the Big Bang, fine-tuning of the universe, Earth's privileged place in the cosmos, biochemical complexity, the origin of life, DNA and, finally, the mind. He interviews many of the top minds in each of these topics, including many prominent ID personalities, such as Michael Behe, Jonathan Wells, Stpehen Meyer, Jay Richards, Guillermo Gonzalez, and J. P. Moreland. The following topics among others, are thoroughly covered:
EVIDENCE FROM PHYSICS:
1) Life depends on many constants such as gravity-to show how extremely necessary this is, imagine a ruler stretched out in one inch increments all the way back to the center of the universe. To show how fragile life is where we exist in that one inch increment, if it was shifted just one inch back in terms of gravity, life could not exist. All life forms would literally be crushed.
2) Cosmological Constant- the expansion of the universe has a certain spot on the ground that is about the size of an atom. Similarly, the strong exponential rate that if it were to go faster, stars, galaxies and planets could not form. The equivalent to this fine tuning is like throwing a dart at earth from orbit and hitting a spot on the ground that is about the size of an atom. Similarly, the strong nuclear force binds atoms together. If it were to decrease even slightly the only element left in the universe would be hydrogen. Chemical life could not be possible. If the universe is so fine tuned, maybe it has a Fine Tuner.
3) Escape Hatch Fails- the most popular theory to try to circumvent this fine tuning is Multiple Universes which says by chance ours is the one that came into being for us that could sustain life, but then you still have to ask the question who built the generator for all these different universes?
Fact: "The universe is finely tuned to sustain complex life by an intelligence that is beyond the constraints of time and space."
MICROSCOPIC UNIVERSE EVIDENCE:
1. Cells are like complex machines-but with billions of parts. These could not be chance combination of parts, but they are a complex assemblage of parts. e.g. the flagellum cell operates at 100,000 rpm's. It is the most efficient machine in the universe. It has two gears, forward and back. It has sensory mechanisms to gain feedback from its environment. It uses a flow of acid from outside the cell to motor the propeller. It has a water coolant, proton motor, stater, rotor u-joint, drive shaft. Altogether there are 40 parts need to build a flagella motor. And it has constructor proteins that build all these parts.
2. Irreducible Complexity- If you remove just one part of that system, the system ceases to function or exist. Like a mouse trap, if you take out even one of it's parts it will never work.
Charles Darwin admitted the failure of his own theory when he said: "If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed which could not have possibly been formed by numerous, successive slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down."
DAMAGING EVIDENCE FOR ATHEISTS
1) Negative evidence: amino acids are light years away from producing a living cell. Non-living chemicals cannot arrange themselves into a living cell.
2) The erroneous theory of the Cambrian explosion of life about 53 million years ago-in a sudden geological instant equivalent to about 2 minutes in a 24 hour period from the first single-celled organism about 3.8 billion years ago, a great explosion of life occurred accounting for most animal forms and body plans today. (The branching tree pattern of Darwin's theory is not seen anywhere in the fossil record unless we impose it with our own minds)
3) 600 scientists with P.H. D's from major universities have signed a document called "A Scientific Dissent from Darwinism" which says, "We are skeptical of the claims for random mutation and natural selection to account for the complexity of life. Careful examination for Darwinian Theory should be encouraged."
4) Background microwave radiation-this remnant heat from the universe's early history helps us see the ancient Kalam Cosmological Argument, which says: a)whatever begins has a cause, b)the universe began to exist, therefore, c)the universe has a cause; which points to a transcendent reality beyond space and time.
Purpose of God:
Series of Clues- One of the purposes of God is for us to find Him. He has left behind a series of clues. We have to take our blinders off and take our suppositions and put them aside, and be willing to go where science shows us. And if we come to what might be an uncomfortable position.....the fact that there IS a Creator, then that is the way we should go and maybe it would not feel so uncomfortable after a while.
It is my belief in studying these videos that atheism and agnosticism would be a dwindling faith if people would take the time to examine the FACTS. I feel that quite frankly it takes more FAITH to be an atheist or agnostic than it does to be a believer in a Creator. Former atheist Lee Strobel found this to be true as well as all of the experts that were interviewed for these videos.
If you are reading this then you must be interested in the topic of intelligent design. Why not take 50 minutes out of your life and watch the 10 5 minute video clips I have posted on The Case for a Creator. You will be glad you did. I welcome your comments below and I thank you for reading Living a Spirit filled life.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
The Case for a Creator (Chapter 4 of 10)
Thank you for moving on to Day 4 of The Case for a Creator.
The Case for a Creator (Chapter 3 of 10)
Thank you for moving on to day 3 of The Case for a Creator!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
The Case for a Creator (Chapter 2 of 10)
Thank you for taking the ten day challenge and moving on to day 2 of The Case for a Creator videos!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Ten day challenge!
I've decided to take a detour from examining the Bible, to share with you a series of videos from Lee Strobel. If you missed my last post which introduces Lee and where he shares his abbreviated testimony, I highly recommend you watch that first! I feel led to share this series of 10 short videos (less than 5 minutes each) over the next 10 days because I feel this is an area that affects our spirituality SO STRONGLY. That is the debate over evolution vs creationism.
My son is studying evolution this week in Biology and I have to say I'm so glad! Although our family firmly believes that God created the earth and every living thing on it, I think it is so important to know about what Darwin had to say as well. As I said before, I am a researcher. I encourage my children to be researchers as well. To simply believe something because it is what your biology book tells you to believe or because it is the predominant worldly view is once again having blind faith. For that matter I don't want my children to believe in creationism just because it is what I tell them to believe! They need to examine all the evidence for themselves. Therefore, in addition to studying evolution in his biology book I'm also having my son watch these videos as well. I challenge you to join my son over the next 10 days and watch these videos too!
I'm confident that after you do, you will realize that evolution is simply not possible. Lee Strobel does a much better job than I could ever do of explaining why creationism is truth....and here's the thing; once you believe it too, it literally will change your mind set when it comes to spiritual matters. Because if creationism is the truth...then there HAS to be a God that created the world and everything and everyone in it. Additionally a lot of what is discussed in these videos ties right in to my last post regarding examining the proof of science in the Bible. It's just another piece of the "spiritual puzzle".
If you are already a believer in creationism I also challenge you to watch these videos as it will increase your faith and give you powerful information to share with others.
So with that being said, I pray that you will take the 10 day challenge. Less than 5 minutes a day for the next 10 days to watch these series of videos on The Case for a Creator hosted by Lee Strobel. It just might change your mind.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)