Do the Heavens Still Tell?

1. Do the Heavens Still Tell? LJ Gibson Geoscience Research Institute www.grisda.org

2. Purpose of This Talk • To describe evidence of intelligent design in the properties of the universe. • To show that intelligent design (ID) is the best explanation for the origin of the universe. • To show that there is no need for materialistic theories, because evidence for intelligent design shows that there is a Creator God who is powerful enough and intelligent enough to create all things. • .

3. Looking at the Big Picture: A Word of Caution • Details and the Big Picture • There are many puzzles in the history of this world – many questions we cannot answer. • If we focus on what we do not understand, we can easily become cynical. • We need to take time to look at the big picture • There are some things we can know. • The “Big Picture” reveals design throughout.

4. Patterns in the Big Picture • The Universe • Origin • Order • Fine-tuning • The Environment • Conclusions Do the Heavens Still Tell?

5. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Psalm 19:1 Do the Heavens Still Tell?

6. Evidence Of God In Nature “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternalpower and Godhead, . . .” Romans 1:20 In the properties of the universe, we see evidence of God’s eternity, omnipotent power, and supernatural nature.

7. Patterns in the Big Picture:The Universe Origin • Science posits a beginning to the universe • The Big Bang • The Bible says there was a beginning of the creation • Caused by God • Science and the Bible are in agreement on this point • There was a beginning

8. Patterns in the Big Picture:The Universe: Origin • Issue 1 • No cause for the universe can be identified scientifically • Naturalists resist the idea of a supernatural cause • What options remain?

9. Patterns in the Big Picture:The Universe: Origin • Some propose the universe emerged from a “quantum fluctuation” but this has no scientific evidence. • Supernatural causation is the best explanation for the origin of the universe.

10. Patterns in the Big Picture:The Universe: Order • Issue 2 – The Universe Is Orderly • 2nd Law of Thermodynamics: • Disorder increases spontaneously, • Yet the universe is orderly. • How did the universe start out so orderly that it still appears orderly today? • Supernatural action is the best explanation for the orderliness of the universe.

11. Patterns in the Big Picture:The Universe: Structure • Issue 3 – The universe is precisely structured • Life requires a universe with numerous finely tuned properties, which ours has. • Naturalists have proposed either an infinite number of universes or an infinitely oscillating universe, with the idea that we happen to be lucky. • There is no scientific evidence for this. • Supernatural creation is the best explanation for the fine-tuning of our universe

12. Patterns in the Big Picture:The Universe: Designed • Conclusions • The origin of the universe has no scientific explanation. • The universe is orderly, which suggests a cause from outside the universe. • The universe has very precise conditions necessary for life, that are not explained by chance or law. • The existence, order and special properties of the universe look like design, not chance.

13. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Psalm 19:3 I – My hands – stretched out the heavens, and all their host I have commanded. Isaiah 45:12

14. Patterns in the Big Picture • The Universe • The Environment • Light and Heat • Atmosphere • Water • Conclusions Do the Heavens Still Tell?

15. Evidence Of God In Nature In the fitness of the environment for life we see evidence of intelligent design in providing for production of food and habitat for living organisms. “Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons . . . “ Acts 14:17

16. For thus says the Lord, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: Isaiah 45:18 Created for a Purpose

17. Patterns in the Big Picture:The Environment: Life Requirements • Life requires a special environment with specific ranges of parameters, including: • A source of usable energy • Raw materials for building cells, etc… • Chemistry for energy usage • Suitable temperature and pH ranges • System for distribution of heat and materials

18. Patterns in the Big Picture:The Environment: Light and Heat • Design features • Sunlight provides energy for living organisms. • The sun’s output is appropriate for life – not too much or too little energy. • Earth’s temperature range is suitable for life.

19. Patterns in the Big Picture:The Environment: The Atmosphere • Design features • The atmosphere provides materials needed by living organisms. • Oxygen is present in an appropriate concentration. • Nitrogen provides a safe medium to dilute the oxygen. • Toxic gases are rare. Sky. NOAA, Public

20. Patterns in the Big Picture:The Environment: Water • Design features • Water is necessary for life. • Water is an excellent solvent, and distributes minerals throughout the earth and in organisms. • Water moderates Earth’s temperature range to support life.

21. Patterns in the Big Picture:The Environment: Design • Naturalistic Explanation • Fortuitous environmental factors: • Size and distance of sun and moon • Size of earth and speed of rotation • Suitable energy output of sun • Suitable atmosphere • Properties of water • Presence of water and land • Suitable elements and chemistry

22. Patterns in the Big Picture:The Environment • Conclusions • Life requires very specific combinations of environmental conditions. • No other planet is known to be able to support intelligent life. • The remarkable fitness of our environment for life looks like design rather than chance.

23. The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness. The world and those who dwell therein. Psalm 24:1 The Land Is Mine Leviticus 25:23

24. Patterns in the Big Picture • The Universe • The Environment • Conclusions • Design • Not naturalism • More to discover Design in Heaven and Earth

25. Design In Heaven and Earth:Summary: Supernaturalism • The big patterns point to creation: • Origin of the universe • Order in the universe • Fine-tuning of the universe • Light and heat for life • Atmosphere for life • Water for life

26. Design In Heaven and Earth:Conclusions • The creation shows clear evidence of divine activity; naturalism is untenable • We do not know enough to explain everything within a biblical viewpoint. • No theory of origins explains everything; but no theory of origins is better than creation.

27. There Is More to Nature than Science Can Discover • Nature itself points to a supernatural designer whose actions can be best known through special revelation. • We will always have unanswered questions • The best answer to many of our questions can be found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

28. THE END In Wisdom You Have Made Them All Psalm 104:24