Intelligent DesignIntelligent Design

An Introduction for Thinking Christians An Introduction for Thinking Christians in the 21st Centuryin the 21st Century

By Toby D PerryBy Toby D Perry

SCBC Men’s LuncheonSCBC Men’s Luncheon May 11, 2006May 11, 2006

Intelligent DesignIntelligent Design

Introduction and DefinitionsIntroduction and Definitions

The Challenge to ScienceThe Challenge to Science

The Challenge for Thinking ChristiansThe Challenge for Thinking Christians

Implications and Conclusions Implications and Conclusions

How many planets are in our Solar System?

Oil and Gas Journal (2005 Estimate): >1200 Gbbls (more than anytime in history!)

NASA (Jan 8, 2005): Tenth Planet Discovered (Actually, 12 planets, 162 Moons, 90,000 asteroids, comets, etc.)

How much oil & gas remain in the world today?

Exciting Scientific FindingsExciting Scientific Findings(2004-2006)(2004-2006)

What is inside a T-Rex bone?What is inside a T-Rex bone?Reuters (March 28, 2005): Scientists recover T. rex soft tissue

(70-million-year-old fossil yields preserved blood vessels)

Is the earth warming, cooling, or staying the same?Milwaukee Journal (2005): Cooling (1970s), Warming (1990s), Not Sure (2005)

What is Intelligent Design?What is Intelligent Design?

Intelligent Design: Intelligent Design: Definition and ProponentsDefinition and Proponents

is the concept that "certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection.”("there are natural systems that cannot be adequately explained in terms of undirected natural forces and that exhibit features which in any other circumstance we would attribute to intelligence.” Demski)

Leading Proponents: Phillip Johnson, Michael Leading Proponents: Phillip Johnson, Michael Behe, William Demski, Stephen Meyer, many Behe, William Demski, Stephen Meyer, many othersothers

Discovery Institute (www.discovery.org)Discovery Institute (www.discovery.org)

Components of ID, 1Components of ID, 1 Irreducible Complexity:Irreducible Complexity: ...a single system which is composed of several

well-matched interacting parts that contribute to the basic function, wherein the removal of any one of the parts causes the system to effectively cease functioning. (Behe, Molecular Machines)

Example: The “Simple” Cell: 10 trillion atoms making up 10,000 different mechanical machines in order to live and perform its function!The Human Body is made up of 10-100 trillion cells each with a specific function!

Components of ID, 2Components of ID, 2 Specified Complexity:Specified Complexity: when something exhibits specified complexity (i.e.,

is both complex and specified, simultaneously), one can infer that it was produced by an intelligent cause (i.e., that it was designed) rather than being the result of natural processes. (Demski)

Example: The Human Brain (the most complicated structure in the known universe) has 100 billion cells each with 50,000 neuron connections to other cells and receives 100 million signals every second!

Components of ID, 3Components of ID, 3 Fine Tuned Universe:Fine Tuned Universe: we live in a fine-tuned universe, with many

features that make life possible that cannot be attributed to chance. These features include the values of (over 30) physical constants, the strength of nuclear forces, and many others. (Gonzalez)

Examples: The receding Moon (2 in/yr) and the multi-body systems (Pluto with its 4 moons; Jupiter with its 63 moons)

The Challenge to The Challenge to “Science”“Science”

All science that deals with origins is, by All science that deals with origins is, by definition, not testable by the Scientific Method definition, not testable by the Scientific Method (no experiment can recreate the conditions at (no experiment can recreate the conditions at the origin of the universe or the conditions that the origin of the universe or the conditions that created life) and must be, at least, an created life) and must be, at least, an extrapolation or, at most, a leap of faith!extrapolation or, at most, a leap of faith!

If an experiment could be designed to recreate If an experiment could be designed to recreate the original conditions of “origins”, it would be, the original conditions of “origins”, it would be, in fact, “Intelligent”, not naturalistic!in fact, “Intelligent”, not naturalistic!

Let’s be honest and admit where our faith is!Let’s be honest and admit where our faith is!

The Challenge for the Thinking The Challenge for the Thinking ChristianChristian

Our Faith is in Christ and in the Word of God!“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see…And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Heb. 11:1,6

Transform your mind: Ask Questions and Think! “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Rom. 12:1-2

We will never know fully in this life, but we will - in the next life! “11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” I Cor. 13:11-13

The Peace of God surpasses all our understanding! “6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7

Conclusions and Conclusions and ImplicationsImplications

The Scientific Method (or science) cannot be applied to The Scientific Method (or science) cannot be applied to origins by Evolutionists, Creationists, or Intelligent origins by Evolutionists, Creationists, or Intelligent Designers! All statements and/or theories about origins (of Designers! All statements and/or theories about origins (of life or the universe) are extrapolations, not science, and life or the universe) are extrapolations, not science, and therefore, have faith components (Where is your faith?)!therefore, have faith components (Where is your faith?)!

Intelligent Design is a challenging field of study that Intelligent Design is a challenging field of study that attempts to understand origins and scientific endeavors attempts to understand origins and scientific endeavors assuming an original designer. Is it completely true? Time assuming an original designer. Is it completely true? Time will tell.will tell.

The Thinking Christian should understand that all theories The Thinking Christian should understand that all theories are simply theories which may (or may not) be true, but may are simply theories which may (or may not) be true, but may (or may not) challenge others to consider the physical and (or may not) challenge others to consider the physical and spiritual implications for the lives of all of us!spiritual implications for the lives of all of us!

Be a scientist: Ask Questions and look for Answers!Be a scientist: Ask Questions and look for Answers!

CNN/USA Today/Gallup SurveyCNN/USA Today/Gallup SurveyDate (Sept. 8-11, 2005) Sample: 1,005 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3."Which of the following statements comes closest to your views on the origin and development of human beings? Human beings have evolved over millions of years from other forms of life and God guided this process. Human beings have evolved over millions of years from other forms of life, but God had no part in this process. OR, God created human beings in their present form exactly the way the Bible describes it." Options rotated

Evolved,God Guided Evolved, God Had No Part Exactly As Bible Describes

31 12 53 Since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:19-20)The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Ps. 19:1)Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? (Job 38:3-5)

The Midnight QuestionsThe Midnight Questions (Questions that Every Thinking Person Ponders)(Questions that Every Thinking Person Ponders)

Who am I?Who am I?

How did I get here?How did I get here?

Why am I here?Why am I here?

Where am I going?Where am I going?

How do I know?How do I know?“100 years from now every face in this room will be more glorious than any angel or more fearsome than any demon!”

- Adapted from CS Lewis

Key Evidences for a Creator (Strobel)

Cosmology – The Kalam ArgumentCosmology – The Kalam ArgumentFirst, whatever First, whatever beginsbegins to exist has a cause. to exist has a cause.Second, the universe had a Second, the universe had a beginningbeginning..Therefore, the universe has a Therefore, the universe has a cause (or creator)cause (or creator)..

Physics: The “Anthropic” PrinciplePhysics: The “Anthropic” PrincipleThe The laws and constantslaws and constants of Physics conspire in an extraordinary way to make of Physics conspire in an extraordinary way to make the universe habitable for life. Examples include the force of the universe habitable for life. Examples include the force of gravitygravity, the , the cosmological constantcosmological constant, and more than 30 other physical constants. , and more than 30 other physical constants.

Astronomy: The Uniqueness of EarthAstronomy: The Uniqueness of EarthEarth’s Earth’s positionposition in the solar system and in the Milky Way galaxy in the solar system and in the Milky Way galaxy

Biochemisty:Biochemisty: The “The “Irreducibly ComplexIrreducibly Complex” Living Cell” Living Cell

Biology:Biology: Our incredible Our incredible DNADNA!!

Psychology:Psychology: The Evidence of The Evidence of ConsciousnessConsciousness

Long term Instabilty of Solar Long term Instabilty of Solar SystemSystem

Physics Today articles: Physics Today articles:

1.1. "The long term stability of the solar system is "The long term stability of the solar system is one of the oldest unsolved problems in one of the oldest unsolved problems in physics"physics"22. .

2.2. "A fully self consistent model for the "solar "A fully self consistent model for the "solar cycle" is still being sought"cycle" is still being sought"22. .

3.3. Life in the solar system "developed to a degree Life in the solar system "developed to a degree of sophistication that seemingly defies the of sophistication that seemingly defies the second law of thermodynamics"second law of thermodynamics"33. .

4.4. The present model for the formation of the The present model for the formation of the solar system remains largely theoretical rather solar system remains largely theoretical rather than directly applicable without an explanation than directly applicable without an explanation for its long term stabilityfor its long term stability2,32,3. .