Showing posts with label Science. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Science. Show all posts

Monday, April 5, 2010

Happy Resurrection Day!

I intend to get started on a series of posts that explain evidence for the Resurrection of the Jewish Messiah, the King of kings, the Lord of all,Yeshua of Nazareth, later this week.  I am not sure how many parts it will have, but I have a few ideas rolling around in my noodle.  One problem and obstacle will be my schoolwork that is due Tuesday, but I can usually find some time to extemporaneously write a bit.

But first, I wanted to pass on something from smart Christians.  I LOVE smart Christians; there is just something about using the tools that the modern world believes it owns and showing that the most plausible explanation for what we actually observe in world is from a loving God.  Here is an article from Seed magazine about the theological implications of a multiverse.  Essentially, the multiverse--describing exactly what it sounds like--is a philosophical and metaphysical proposition that is more common nowadays, intended to account for, among other things--like obvious design in nature--the beginning of the Universe, (i.e. the Big Bang...since, as Greg Koukl often says, "a Big Bang needs a Big Banger").  A sort-of review of astrophysicist Jeff Zweerink's booklet is included within the post.  I thought it was a well written article, engaging and insightful.  Enjoy!

An excerpt (Zweerink speaking):
“As my understanding of multiverse models increased, I realized the whole issue provided a tremendous opportunity to engage science-minded people and draw them into discussion of the Gospel.” Zweerink hopes to convince fellow Christians that multiverse only replaces one design problem with another, strengthening the evidence of god. “It seems that any multiverse model which can explain our observable universe requires a beginning and still exhibits design,” he says. Zweerink has also devoted a monthly blog post on reasons.org to the theological advantages of multiverse theory.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Science Tuesday


I listen to Dr. Fuz Rana's podcasts and have a couple of his books.  He is a top notch scholar, peer-reviewed, and well reasoned.  Enjoy a walk through some current understanding of the problems for the Evolutionary Hypothesis. While this may be a bit of a 'high-brow' topic, it is incredibly insightful concerning the so-called Cambrian Explosion of biological diversity.

An Excerpt:
Known in Darwin’s time, the Cambrian explosion refers to the dramatic appearance of complex animal life in the fossil record about 540 million years ago. Within a short period of time—perhaps less than 5 million years—anywhere from 50 to 80 percent of all animal phyla to ever exist on Earth appeared. The animals that came into existence during the Cambrian explosion were marine creatures. Instead of relatively simple organisms originating at the base of the Cambrian and then evolving toward increased intricacy, complex animals appear suddenly. The traditional evolutionary explanation argues that life should transition from simple to complex in a gradual, branching, tree-like fashion. On the other hand, such explosive appearances are exactly what should be expected if a Creator is responsible for orchestrating life’s history.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Science Tuesday

Hundreds of years ago, tax money was used to fund churches in this country.  Churches, properly termed, preach the Good News that redemption awaits those among humankind that humble themselves to God in Christ's Name.  Tax money stopped going to churches because not everybody agrees with the above Good News.  Therefore, why should they pay for it.  I concur with this argument.  Indeed, the Bible says that not everybody will agree that Jesus is the King of Kings.  So in America, this was the most equitable situation for all citizens.

I know of another situation that is equal and we do not need to delve back into history to see it; it is happening before our very eyes.  Today, yours and my tax dollars go to a modern church.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Science Tuesday

Late--early Wednesday morning.  Oh well.


The DNA structure! Amazing! Its information bearing properties and the bonding relationships of its chemical constituents are not actually chemically bonded in the longitudinal message-bearing axis! The nucleotide bases are able to equally and with identical probability attach at ANY site!

In other words, that only four(4) nucleotides can give the enormous amount of specified information we see in all of the Life on Earth is beyond chance.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Digging post holes

As I notice the culture around me and it's incessant quest to explain the world around us, I am at once encouraged and frustrated.

What are Universals?

I now write on what I believe to be the most defective point to the philosophical position of the Biblical skeptic.  This is certainly not original with me; yea, it has been consistently promoted throughout the 20th Century where those putting forth the idea pointed rearwards to centuries prior and claimed to have read others, like Blaise Pascal, promote the very concept.  Well, Pascal himself wrote in regards to the idea, "In what I am writing, let no one think I am saying anything new." That this point has not been disproven to this day--the same line of reasoning, the same clear idea, the same consistent thought--speaks to the power and simplicity to the argument itself.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Are There Secular Reasons? - Opinionator Blog - NYTimes.com

To continue on the Darwin strain from an earlier link today:

Are There Secular Reasons? - Opinionator Blog - NYTimes.com

In other words, prior metaphysical commitments--so as long as they don't come from the Bible!!--are the source of secular argumentation. This is logically unsound since secular argumentation cannot ever justify metaphysical commitments due to the nature of their understanding and world-view. Randomness doesn't create order and matter does not create Universal abstracts.

More on this tomorrow...

Monday, March 1, 2010

Politics and Heated Topics (Part 2)

New York! He was found in New York!
Op-Ed Contributor - We Can’t Wish Away Climate Change - NYTimes.com
Following the recent news that global warming has not been accurately presented to the public (i.e. the outcomes were predetermined and the data was skewed to show likewise), Al Gore has been located. He is fine.  In fact, he even had time to write a piece for the N.Y. Times. Moreover, 'What's a few mistakes?' seems to be the motivation for his Op-Ed. He assures us that, "the overwhelming consensus on global warming remains unchanged."  Read: plan on increased, expensive abridgments to your liberties even though the globe has not warmed in 15 years. We still assert that mankind is responsible guilty. This, in spite of world-class experts who can be found to disagree with me--experts who are actual scientists.

Mr. Gore: surely you are aware that Truth and Facts are two distinct things.  Facts can be presented as untruth (like, say, the DaVinci Code), and truth can be presented without facts (e.g. Dickens' A Christmas Carol).

Some questions: 1) If Humankind is guilty, to what Justice do you wish to appeal?  2) When has there ever been a 'consensus' in the history of objective science, particularly on an issue with this much variability (since a 'scientific consensus' is a contradiction of terms)? 3) When there have been consensii, haven't they occurred when those in authority dishonestly colluded to bring the masses under tyrannical control? 4) Have there ever been scandals in the Scientific Community where, for example, they find results because they need money?

***In my view, there is a natural cycle to the Earth.  The climate changes.  This is normal.  Scientists have observed evidence, gathered data, and documented trends supporting this history.  This is an equally plausible explanation (I argue a more plausible one) as the theory of AGW (anthropogenic global warming).  Further, some scientific explanations point to the probability that CO2 levels are a trailing indicator to temperature changes.  So, it seems suspect that mankind is having that significant of an impact, according to an objective reading of the evidence.  In spite of this, I am reading Al Gore's book to have a balanced perspective (a little late to the party, I know; many of the 'facts' have been disputed to cause what is asserted in his thesis, but I want to understand what he is saying anyhow.)***

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Archaeologist Sees Proof for Bible in Ancient Wall - ABC News

Archaeologist Sees Proof for Bible in Ancient Wall - ABC News

Another story where, depending on the presuppositions of the individual Jerusalem scientists, the facts are just...well, facts.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Exponential Functions On A Finite Planet � Erstwhile Urban Wanderer

Exponential Functions On A Finite Planet � Erstwhile Urban Wanderer

I found this person's work while trying to get an answer to a mathematical problem I was working.
His evidences caused me pause and I read the research a while.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Richard Dawkins reading the KJV


Like everyone, I have a list of resources I utilize online.  One of these recently pointed to an ironic situation in which Richard Dawkins (author of The God Delusion and world-class geneticist), for the 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible, will be reading a chapter from The Song of Solomon.
A couple of things struck me at Dawkins' remarks.