tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91353789257787507652024-03-14T09:26:09.863-05:00C.S. Lewis Society Blogreflecting on important issues in apologetics and intelligent designblog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-80161875844159839672010-07-05T00:11:00.002-05:002010-07-05T00:18:15.783-05:00Video Interview With Stephen Meyer on Signature in the CellIs there evidence of intelligence in DNA? Can Darwinian Evolution account for information? Listen to this interview with one of the leaders of the ID movement.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=FFFFFF&IS2=1&nou=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=wwwthinkchr01-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=0061472794" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /></div><br /><embed src="http://downloads.cbn.com/cbnnewsplayer/cbnplayer.swf?aid=16400" allowfullscreen="true" height="300" width="533"></embed><br /><br /><a href="http://www.signatureinthecell.com/">Signature In The Cell Website</a><div><br /><br />About the Book: "Drawing on data from many scientific fields, Stephen Meyer formulates a rigorous argument employing the same method of inferential reasoning that Darwin used. In a thrilling narrative with elements of a detective story as well as a personal quest for truth, Meyer illuminates the mystery that surrounds the origins of DNA. He demonstrates that previous scientific efforts to explain the origins of biological information have all failed, and argues convincingly for intelligent design as the best explanation of life’s beginning. In final chapters, he defends ID theory against a range of objections and shows how intelligent design offers fruitful approaches for future scientific research."</div>blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-53504612116239408122010-05-03T12:06:00.002-05:002010-05-03T12:10:48.984-05:00Should Christians Embrace Evolution?This is a question that will only get more attention in the days ahead. Here is a helpful post by apologist Sean McDowell:<br /><br /><blockquote>"The question is whether or not Darwinian evolution can be wedded with orthodox Christianity without doing damage to either one. For the past couple years I’ve read the main works of theistic evolutionists such as Francis Collins (The Language of God), Kenneth Miller (Only A Theory), Denis Alexander (Creation or Evolution: Do We Have to Choose?), and Karl Giberson (Saving Darwin). They all seem to have a common goal: mold Christian theology to fit neo-Darwinian evolution. In other words, strip Christianity down to its bare bones so it can be consistent with evolution. After reading these works one thing become clear: theology can be molded and adapted to accommodate evolutionary theory, but not vice versa. Should Christians Embrace Evolution? raises both theological and scientific objections to theistic evolution." <a href="http://www.conversantlife.com/science/should-christians-embrace-evolution"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Read more</span></a></blockquote><br /><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=FFFFFF&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=wwwthinkchr01-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=0736924426" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-69529718257685013862010-04-20T00:53:00.002-05:002010-04-20T00:59:23.169-05:00Mainstream Media Now Picking up on Intelligent Design Discrimination Lawsuit Against NASA's JPLHere is another case of academic freedom being squelched:<div>
<br /></div><div>"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); line-height: 18px; ">Last week we reported on a discrimination lawsuit filed on behalf of JPL employee <a href="http://www.discovery.org/a/14511" style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0); ">David Coppedge</a>. Over the weekend the <i>San Gabriel Valley Tribune</i> ran a <a href="http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_14909557" style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0); ">lengthy story </a>reporting on the suit.</span></div><meta charset="utf-8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); line-height: 18px; "><blockquote style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; ">After Coppedge discussed intelligent design with JPL scientists, his supervisors told him to stop discussing religion. Last April Coppedge's bosses demoted him. Coppedge had been a leader on the system administrator team for the Cassini mission, according to the suit.</blockquote>The paper also reports that after being ordered by his superiors at JPL to stop talking about intelligent design, Coppedge did just that. Even more interesting is this:<blockquote style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; ">Earlier this month Coppedge claims he met with his supervisors, who told him that the written warning was inappropriate and it would be removed from his file. The suit calls this is "an admission of liability."</blockquote>The <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/04/19/national/a093644D07.DTL" style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0); ">AP report</a> is short, but this is just the beginning" <b><a href="http://www.evolutionnews.org/2010/04/jpl_discrimination_lawsuit_nex.html">...more...</a></b></span>blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-28423830747462436502010-03-02T16:41:00.002-06:002010-03-02T16:44:59.996-06:00On Guard by William Lane Craig Just Released!<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Renowned scholar William Lane Craig offers a readable, rich training manual for defending the Christian faith.</b></p> <br /><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=FFFFFF&IS2=1&nou=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=wwwthinkchr01-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=1434764885" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal">This concise guide is filled with illustrations, sidebars, and memorizable steps to help Christians stand their ground and defend their faith with reason and precision. In his engaging style, Dr. Craig offers four arguments for God’s existence, defends the historicity of Jesus’ personal claims and resurrection, addresses the problem of suffering, and shows why religious relativism doesn’t work. Along the way, he shares his story of following God’s call in his own life.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">This one-stop, how-to-defend-your-faith manual will equip Christians to advance faith conversations deliberately, applying straightforward, cool-headed arguments. They will discover not just <i>what </i>they believe, but <i>why </i>they believe—and how being on guard with the truth has the power to change lives forever.</p> <div class="emptyClear"> </div> <h3 class="productDescriptionSource">From the Back Cover</h3> <div> <p> </p> <div>Do you worry that someone will ask you a question about your faith that you can’t answer?</div> <div> </div> <div>Have you tried to learn how to defend your faith but gotten lost in confusing language and theology?<br /><br /></div> <div> </div> <div>Do you struggle with times of spiritual doubt yourself?<br /><br /></div> <div> </div> <div>This concise training manual by renowned scholar William Lane Craig is filled with illustrations, sidebars, and memorizable steps to help you stand your ground and defend your faith with reason and precision. In his engaging style, Dr. Craig offers four arguments for God’s existence, defends the historicity of Jesus’ personal claims and resurrection, addresses the problem of suffering, and shows why religious relativism doesn’t work. Along the way, he shares his own story of following God’s call.<br /><br /></div> <div> </div> <div>This one-stop, how-to-defend-your-faith manual will equip you to advance faith conversations deliberately, applying straightforward, cool-headed arguments. You will discover not just what you believe, but why you believe—and how being on guard with the truth has the power to change lives forever.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.reasonablefaith.org/site/PageServer"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Reasonable Faith Website</span></a><br /></div> </div>blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-38837381256828131022010-02-10T21:26:00.002-06:002010-02-10T21:31:10.960-06:00Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design Discussion with Medved, Meyer, Woodward & Berlinski<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhleFL2iQ8tu3VcadCHWQm96JWbysDtikaxMXy3yEJ-LNSSU-ZUJUVkJhWzVGUguwcBHawwUaHwr8YK0jFAjNG6vWn_sf_Dv-uai8kCXV6qmBRkxKf4wQWjDy-LMJIt7cuWwd_eKWqNnU/s1600-h/sig_in_cell_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhleFL2iQ8tu3VcadCHWQm96JWbysDtikaxMXy3yEJ-LNSSU-ZUJUVkJhWzVGUguwcBHawwUaHwr8YK0jFAjNG6vWn_sf_Dv-uai8kCXV6qmBRkxKf4wQWjDy-LMJIt7cuWwd_eKWqNnU/s200/sig_in_cell_front.jpg" border="0" height="153" width="200" /></a></div>This is a discussion of <a href="http://www.stephencmeyer.org/">Stephen Meyer</a>'s Book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Signature-Cell-Evidence-Intelligent-Design/dp/0061472786?ie=UTF8&tag=apologetics31-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><i>Signature in the Cell</i></a><i><img alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=apologetics31-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0061472786" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" border="0" height="1" width="1" /></i>, hosted by the <a href="http://www.apologetics.org/">C.S. Lewis Society</a>. The discussion is between Dr. Stephen Meyer, <a href="http://www.michaelmedved.com/">Michael Medved</a>, <a href="http://www.davidberlinski.org/">Dr. David Berlinski</a>, and <a href="http://www.euroleadershipresources.org/speaker.php?ID=125">Dr. Tom Woodward</a>. They discuss intelligent design theory, DNA structure, cell structure, and the origin of life. Q&A included. Fascinating listen.<br /><br />Full <a href="http://bit.ly/aS8rgV">MP3 Audio here</a>.<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> (2hr 20min)</span></i><br /><br />Enjoy.<br /><br /><a href="http://apologetics315.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">(HT / Apologetics 315)</span></a>blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-20767944182195350572010-02-01T15:38:00.002-06:002010-02-01T16:03:52.131-06:00Response to Darrel Falk’s Review of Signature in the Cell By Stephen C. MeyerBy Stephen C. Meyer<br /><br />"In 1985, I attended a conference that brought a fascinating problem in origin-of-life biology to my attention—the problem of explaining how the information necessary to produce the first living cell arose. At the time, I was working as a geophysicist doing digital signal processing, a form of information analysis and technology. A year later, I enrolled in graduate school at the University of Cambridge, where I eventually completed a Ph.D. in the philosophy of science after doing interdisciplinary research on the scientific and methodological issues in origin-of-life biology. In the ensuing years, I continued to study the problem of the origin of life and have authored peer-reviewed and peer-edited scientific articles on the topic of biological origins, as well as co-authoring a peer-reviewed biology textbook. Last year, after having researched the subject for more than two decades, I published Signature in the Cell, which provides an extensive evaluation of the principal competing theories of the origin of biological information and the related question of the origin of life. Since its completion, the book has been endorsed by prominent scientists including Philip Skell, a member of the National Academy of Sciences; Scott Turner, an evolutionary biologist at the State University of New York; and Professor Norman Nevin, one of Britain’s leading geneticists.<br /><br />Nevertheless, in his recent review on the Biologos website, Prof. Darrel Falk characterizes me as merely a well-meaning, but ultimately unqualified, philosopher and religious believer who lacks the scientific expertise to evaluate origin-of-life research and who, in any case, has overlooked the promise of recent pre-biotic simulation experiments. On the basis of two such experiments, Falk suggests I have jumped prematurely to the conclusion that pre-biotic chemistry cannot account for the origin of life. Yet neither of the scientific experiments he cites provides evidence that refutes the argument of my book or solves the central mystery that it addresses. Indeed, both experiments actually reinforce—if inadvertently—the main argument of Signature in the Cell.<br /><br />The central argument of my book is that intelligent design—the activity of a conscious and rational deliberative agent—best explains the origin of the information necessary to produce the first living cell. I argue this because of two things that we know from our uniform and repeated experience, which following Charles Darwin I take to be the basis of all scientific reasoning about the past. First, intelligent agents have demonstrated the capacity to produce large amounts of functionally specified information (especially in a digital form). Second, no undirected chemical process has demonstrated this power. Hence, intelligent design provides the best—most causally adequate—explanation for the origin of the information necessary to produce the first life from simpler non-living chemicals. In other words, intelligent design is the only explanation that cites a cause known to have the capacity to produce the key effect in question.<br /><br />Nowhere in his review does Falk refute this claim or provide another explanation for the origin of biological information. In order to do so Falk would need to show that some undirected material cause has demonstrated the power to produce functional biological information apart from the guidance or activity a designing mind. Neither Falk, nor anyone working in origin-of-life biology, has succeeded in doing this. Thus, Falk opts instead to make a mainly personal and procedural argument against my book by dismissing me as unqualified and insisting that it is “premature” to draw any negative conclusions about the adequacy of undirected chemical processes.<br /><br />To support his claim that I rushed to judgment, Falk first cites a scientific study published last spring after my book was in press. The paper, authored by University of Manchester chemist John Sutherland and two colleagues, does partially address one of the many outstanding difficulties associated the RNA world, the most popular current theory about the origin of the first life.<br /><br />Starting with a 3-carbon sugar (D-gylceraldehyde), and another molecule called 2-aminooxazole, Sutherland successfully synthesized a 5-carbon sugar in association with a base and a phosphate group. In other words, he produced a ribonucleotide. The scientific press justifiably heralded this as a breakthrough in pre-biotic chemistry because previously chemists had thought (as I noted in my book) that the conditions under which ribose and bases could be synthesized were starkly incompatible with each other.<br /><br />Nevertheless, Sutherland’s work does not refute the central argument of my book <a href="http://www.signatureinthecell.com/responses/response-to-darrel-falk.php"><span style="font-weight: bold;">(More)</span></a>blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-33063665778477929702010-01-22T16:01:00.002-06:002010-01-22T16:06:24.536-06:00The C.S. Lewis Society Presents - Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design<div id="dnn_ctr529_HtmlModule_HtmlModule_lblContent" class="Normal"> <p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Jan. 28<sup>th</sup> 7:00PM – 9:30PM<br /><br />at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.alacarteeventpavilion.com/">The A La Carte Pavilion</a></span></strong></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.apologetics.org/Portals/0/SigInCell/sig_in_cell_front.jpg" height="307" width="400" /></p> <p><img alt="" src="http://www.apologetics.org/Portals/0/SigInCell/sig_in_cell_back.jpg" height="305" width="400" /></p> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="color:#000080;"> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color:#000080;"><strong>Thursday, Jan. 28<sup>th</sup> 7:00PM – 9:30PM</strong></span></div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color:#000080;"><strong>Doors Open at 6:00 PM</strong></span></div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color:#000080;"><strong><a target="_blank" href="http://www.alacarteeventpavilion.com/">The A La Carte Pavilion</a></strong></span></div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color:#000080;"><strong>4050 Dana Shores Drive</strong></span></div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color:#000080;"><strong>Tampa, FL 33634</strong></span></div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color:#000080;"><strong>Students $6 – Adults $12</strong></span></div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color:#000080;"><strong>For Information and Advanced Ticket Sales,</strong></span></div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="color:#000080;">Call (727) 376-6911 ext. 336 or visit us online at www.bayword.com</span></strong></div> </span></strong></div> </div><br /><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=FFFFFF&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=wwwthinkchr01-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=0061472786" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-26809064126422103722009-12-15T22:56:00.002-06:002009-12-15T23:01:04.241-06:00Dr. Woodward on ID the Future Podcast<p>"On this episode of <b>ID the Future</b>, Casey Luskin interviews Thomas Woodward, who makes the argument that 2009 should be celebrated as the 25th anniversary for intelligent design. Listen in as Dr. Woodward recounts the history of intelligent design and how the movement has changed over the last quarter-century."</p> <p><a href="http://www.apologetics.org/">Thomas Woodward</a> is the author of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0801064430?ie=UTF8&tag=discoveryinsti06&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0801064430">Doubts About Darwin: A History of Intelligent Design</a></i> and <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0801065631?ie=UTF8&tag=discoveryinsti06&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0801065631">Darwin Strikes Back: Defending the Science of Intelligent Design</a></i>.</p><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.idthefuture.com/2009/12/intelligent_design_turns_25.html">Click here</a> to listen.blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-66255137870791802912009-10-13T16:47:00.001-05:002009-10-13T16:49:10.955-05:00Richard Dawkins Runs From a Good FightHere is a great post from <a href="http://www.evolutionnews.org/2009/10/richard_dawkins_runs_from_a_go.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Evolution News</span></a>.<br /><p>"Today on the <a href="http://www.michaelmedved.com/">Michael Medved show</a>, arch-Darwinist Richard Dawkins, author of <i>The Greatest Show on Earth</i>, was asked point-blank by Discovery Institute President Bruce Chapman why he wouldn't debate <a href="http://signatureinthecell.com/">Stephen Meyer</a>, author of <i>Signature in the Cell</i>. His response? Weak sauce:</p> <blockquote> I have never come across any kind of creationism, whether you call it intelligent design or not, which has a serious scientific case to put. <p>The objection to having debates with people like that is that it gives them a kind of respectability. If a real scientist goes onto a debating platform with a creationist, it gives them a respectability, which I do not think your people have earned.</p></blockquote><br />Hm. Did Professor Dawkins have these same scruples when <a href="http://www.evolutionnews.org/2007/10/looks_like_its_debates_all_the.html">he went up against John Lennox in 2007</a>? No matter — Professor Dawkins made his position clear enough...." <a href="http://www.evolutionnews.org/2009/10/richard_dawkins_runs_from_a_go.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">(more...)</span></a>blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-68581986541047502942009-10-05T23:38:00.001-05:002009-10-05T23:39:52.401-05:00Great God Debates"There is a great tradition of debates between atheists and believers in God. In the first half of the twentieth century, G.K. Chesterton debated George Bernard Shaw on topics ranging from God to socialism. In a famous debate, philosophers Frederick Copleston and Bertrand Russell squared off on whether God's existence could be proved. Dinesh D'Souza seeks to revive this great tradition, and in recent months he has been debating several of the world's leading atheists. More debates are coming up. Here believers and non-believers alike can see case for and against God and Christianity presented by capable advocates on both sides. So watch, and enjoy, and make up your own mind."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ygodinstitute.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">View Debates...</span></a>blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-43073331613258115782009-09-21T21:55:00.004-05:002009-09-21T22:05:40.039-05:00Saddleback Church Apologetics Conference<a href="http://www.saddleback.com/index.html">Saddleback Church</a> recently hosted an <a href="http://www.tothesource.org/9_9_2009/9_9_2009.htm">Apologetics Conference</a> with a number of great apologists. Now their <a href="http://saddleback.com/mediacenter/services/currentseries.aspx?site=yDi0V4EwP58=&s=OsqcpA0SUkE=">audio and video</a> are available for <a href="http://saddleback.com/mediacenter/services/currentseries.aspx?site=yDi0V4EwP58=&s=OsqcpA0SUkE=">listening and viewing online</a>. But if you prefer MP3s or a <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/SaddlebackApologeticsAudio2009">podcast feed</a>, you can download there right here:<br /><br />• How Can I Know God Exists? - Dinesh D'Souza - <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/SaddlebackApologeticsAudio2009/%7E5/ymEtxWl5niA/dsouza-how-do-i-know-god-exists.mp3">MP3</a><br />• How Did the Universe Begin - William Lane Craig - <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/SaddlebackApologeticsAudio2009/%7E5/fvKG1sEHSWU/craig-how-did-the-universe-begin.mp3">MP3</a><br />• If God Exists, Why is there Evil? - Norman Geisler - <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/SaddlebackApologeticsAudio2009/%7E5/KybSCDzMR0k/geisler-if-god-exists-why-is-there-evil.mp3">MP3</a><br />• Has Science Made Belief in God Obsolete? - J.P. Moreland - <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/SaddlebackApologeticsAudio2009/%7E5/arVhxmY1FnI/moreland-has-science-made-belief-in-god-obsolete.mp3">MP3</a><br />• What Do the Gospels Really Say About Jesus? - Darrell Bock - <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/SaddlebackApologeticsAudio2009/%7E5/nAK8ifcJu0Y/bock-what-do-the-gospels-really-say-about-jesus.mp3">MP3</a><br />• How Can I Defend My Faith Without Sounding Defensive? - Greg Koukl - <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/SaddlebackApologeticsAudio2009/%7E5/rxfzqAnLXPU/koukl-how-can-i-defend-my-faith-without-sounding-defensive.mp3">MP3</a><br /><br />This is a wonderful introduction to how faith and reason work together. If you have doubts about the Christian faith or know someone who does, this is an encouraging place to start seeking some answers to questions that matter. (H/T <a href="http://apologetics315.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Apologetics 315 blog</span></a>)blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-8289016047130598742009-09-11T16:08:00.004-05:002009-09-11T16:15:34.265-05:00John Lennox on the Design of the UniverseJohn Lennox is one of the most thoughtful defenders of Christianity today. Here he is on the Design of the Universe.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/48BqosNvS5U&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/48BqosNvS5U&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><a href="http://www.johnlennox.org/"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Visit his website for more...</span></a><br /><br />Here is his latest book: God' Undertaker<br /><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=FFFFFF&IS2=1&nou=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=wwwthinkchr01-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=0825479126" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-91872801745601840542009-09-02T00:06:00.002-05:002009-09-02T00:12:22.252-05:00Behe interview sparks controversy on bloggingheads.tvIf you follow the Intelligent Design / Darwinian evolution debate, then you will want to check out this video. It was posted, taken down 6 hours later, then reinstated.<br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://static.bloggingheads.tv/maulik/offsite/offsite_flvplayer.swf" flashvars="playlist=http%3A%2F%2Fbloggingheads%2Etv%2Fdiavlogs%2Fliveplayer%2Dplaylist%2F22075%2F00%3A00%2F44%3A01" height="288" width="380"></embed><br /><br />Here is the book stirring up all the controversy, see:<br /><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=FFFFFF&IS2=1&nou=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=wwwthinkchr01-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=B002IT5OOS" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-87874744613134763722009-08-25T23:52:00.003-05:002009-08-25T23:59:59.134-05:00Three Tips for Students Going Back to School to Study EvolutionFor students heading back to the class room and need some help in thinking through evolution, the following article is helpful. Also, check out Sean McDowell and William Dembski's book Understanding Intelligent Design.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=FFFFFF&IS2=1&nou=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=wwwthinkchr01-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=0736924426" style="width: 120px; height: 240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br /><br /><h3 class="entry-header">Three Tips for Students Going Back to School to Study Evolution <a href="http://www.evolutionnews.org/2009/08/three_tips_for_students_going.html">(HT / Evolution News)</a><br /></h3> <div class="entry-body"> <p>After attending public schools from kindergarten through my masters degree, I learned a few lessons about staying informed while studying a biased and one-sided origins curriculum. My large, inner-city public high school was rich in diversity, and I learned to appreciate a multiplicity of viewpoints and backgrounds. Unfortunately, this diversity did not extend into the biology classroom. There I was told there was one, and only one, acceptable perspective regarding origins: neo-Darwinian theory. As students head back to school this year, I want to share some tips I’ve learned to help students stay informed on this topic:</p> </div> <p><b>Tip #1: Never opt out of learning evolution. In fact, learn about evolution every chance you get.</b></p> <p>Evolutionary biologist Patrick J. Keeling claims in a recent letter to the editor in the journal <i>Science</i> that, after “a creationist visited my biology class,” his class was promised a lecture in evolution, which “never materialized.” He writes, “I wanted to know what we were missing, and why.”</p> <p>I can empathize with Keeling. I had an analogous but opposite experience studying evolution in high school. At the end of our stridenly pro-Darwin unit on evolution, my public high school biology teacher promised us a debate, which like Keeling’s evolution lecture, never materialized. Then in college, I took many courses covering evolution at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. But just like my experience in high school, there was virtually no meaningful debate or dialogue over the fundamental questions. Neo-Darwinian evolution was always taken as a given. Exactly like Keeling, I wanted to know what I was missing. </p> <p>Despite the one-sided nature of my education, I’m glad I studied evolution. In fact, the more evolutionary biology I took, the more I became convinced that the theory was based upon unproven assumptions, contradictory methodologies, and supported weakly by the data.</p> <p>So my first tip is to never be afraid to study evolution. But when you do study evolution, always think critically and keep yourself proactively informed about a diversity of viewpoints (see tips 2 and 3 below). </p> <p><b> Tip #2: Think for yourself, think critically, and <u>question assumptions</u>.</b> </p> <p>Though my professors rarely (if ever) would acknowledge it, I quickly discovered in college that nearly all evolutionary claims are based mostly upon assumptions. Modern evolutionary theory is assumed to be true, and then the data is interpreted based upon Darwinian assumptions. The challenge for you, the truth-seeking student, is to always try to separate out the raw data from the assumptions that guide interpretation of the data. </p> <p>Keep your eyes out for circular reasoning. You’ll see that very quickly, evolutionary assumptions become “facts,” and future data must be assembled in order to be consistent with those “facts.” </p> <p>Realize that evolutionary thinking often employs contradictory logic and inconsistent methodologies. The logic employed to infer evolution in situation A may be precisely the exact opposite of the logic used to infer evolution in situation B. Here are a couple examples:</p> <p>• Biological similarity between two species implies inheritance from a common ancestor (i.e. vertical common descent) <i>except for when it doesn’t</i> (and then they appeal to processes like "convergent evolution" or "horizontal gene transfer").<br />• Neo-Darwinism predicts transitional forms may be found, but when they’re not found, that just shows that the transitions took place too rapidly and in populations too small to (statistically speaking) become fossilized.<br />• Evolutionary genetics predicts the genome will be full of useless junk DNA, except for when we discover function for such “junk” DNA. Then evolution predicts that cells would never retain useless junk DNA in the first place.</p> <p>When both A and (not) A imply evolution, you know a theory is based upon an inconsistent scientific methodology. Keep an eye out for assumptions and contradictory methodologies, for they abound in evolutionary reasoning. </p> Finally, you must be careful to always think....<a href="http://www.evolutionnews.org/2009/08/three_tips_for_students_going.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">(more)</span></a>blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-48534190569964445752009-08-16T22:51:00.004-05:002009-08-16T23:01:18.695-05:00Darwin's Dilemma - Coming Soon to DVD<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nogP-9fwOzI&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nogP-9fwOzI&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><p>(description HT / www.arn.org) This documentary will examine what many consider to be the most powerful refutation of Darwinian evolution-the Cambrian fossil record. Charles Darwin realized that the fossil evidence did not support his theory of gradual, step-by-step evolutionary development. He hoped that future generations of scientists would make the discoveries necessary to validate his ideas. Today, after more than 150 years of exploration fossil evidence of slow, incremental biological change has yet to be excavated. Instead, we find a picture of the rapid appearance of fully developed, complex organisms during the outset of the Cambrian geological era. Organisms that embody almost all of the major animal body plans that exist today. This remarkable explosion of life is best explained by the existence of a transcendent intelligence.</p> <p>Filmed on four continents, this fascinating documentary examines some of the most important fossil discoveries ever made... and, with them, a mystery deeper than Darwin ever imagined. The Cambrian explosion was actually an explosion of biological information: assembly instructions in DNA and embryonic blueprints that directed the development of the first complex animals...information that points unmistakably to foresight, purpose and intelligent design.</p> <p><i>Darwin's Dilemma</i> is a high-quality documentary that includes interviews with world-class paleontologists Simon Conway Morris and James Valentine, as well as leading intelligent design theorists and scientists Paul Nelson, Jonathan Wells, Stephen C. Meyer, Paul Chien, Doug Axe, and Richard Sternberg. </p> <p>As with the first two Illustra Media ID documentaries, <i><a href="http://www.arn.org/arnproducts/php/video_show_item.php?id=17">Unlocking the Mystery of Life</a></i> and <i><a href="http://www.arn.org/arnproducts/php/video_show_item.php?id=29">The Privileged Planet</a></i>, <i>Darwin's Dilemma</i> is full of high quality animations to help the viewer visualize the amazing complexity and design of the Cambrian creatures. You can watch a trailer for Darwin's Dilemma is <a href="http://www.illustramedia.com/ddinfo.htm">here.</a></p></span>blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-6044923944893507932009-08-03T16:07:00.004-05:002009-08-03T16:20:11.604-05:00Did God Evolve?Recently Dinesh D'Souza, author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1414326017?ie=UTF8&tag=wwwthinkchr01-20&linkCode=am2&camp=1789&creative=9325"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"What's So Great About Christianity"</span></a> reviewed <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The Evolution of God</span> by Robert Wright for Christianity Today.<br /><p class="text"> <strong></strong></p><blockquote><p class="text"><strong>"T</strong>here are three kinds of people: those who believe in God, those who don't, and those who believe in belief. Robert Wright is a member of the third group. He calls himself an unbeliever who holds that "gods arose as illusions" invented by mankind. At the same time, he thinks it is an excellent thing for others to believe in God. Since he advocates belief largely for secular and social purposes, Wright insists that religions evolve in the direction that he considers most conducive to social harmony and global peace.</p> <p class="text">It may seem odd that someone would take the trouble to write a 576-page book making this argument. Even so, I approached Robert Wright's new one, <strong>The Evolution of God</strong> (Little, Brown and Company), with anticipation. Years ago I enjoyed Wright's <span class="citation"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/0679763996/christianitytoda/" target="_blank" class="citation">The Moral Animal</a></span> (1994), which competently summarized then-recent research of evolutionary biologists on the origins of altruism. Wright presented his findings in a supple, breezy style that made the book a pleasure to read.</p> <p class="text">The <span class="citation">Evolution of God</span> is also engaging, and when you consider the topic you might wonder if the book is yet enough to do it justice. According to the publisher's summary, Wright seeks to provide nothing less than a "sweeping narrative that takes us from the Stone Age to the Information Age," a span of about 7,000 years. Besides, Wright's book covers the entire world, drawing on multiple fields including anthropology, history, biology, philosophy, and theology. Even great polymaths from Voltaire to Thomas Jefferson never attempted anything so ambitious, and Wright deserves credit for trying.</p> <p class="text">His thesis is simply stated upfront: While the gods arose as illusions, "the story of this evolution itself points to the existence of something you can meaningfully call divinity," Wright argues. Moreover, religion has "matured" so that it is now closer to modern ideas of tolerance and scientific truth. In Wright's words, "the illusion has gotten less and less illusory."</p> <p class="text">This may seem a strange way to justify religion, and it is. Oddly enough, Wright considers himself a friend of religion. His massive narrative is intended to show that religion has slowly gotten its act together and its story right, and he is hopeful that religion will continue to evolve away from its harsh, primitive roots, toward less exclusivity and more tolerance, so it can be reconciled with modern secular liberalism. Wright sees himself as making a kind of defense of God, although "not exactly the kind of God that most religious believers currently have in mind." </p> <p class="text">Wright begins by claiming that polytheism persisted much longer than the Old Testament lets on, and that even Jews persisted in worshiping many gods despite their monotheistic God's jealous demands for exclusive allegiance. So far, he isn't saying anything controversial.</p> Wright proceeds to make claims about Jesus and Muhammad that are equally banal. He insists that Jesus didn't say some of the things that are attributed to him, something Christians have been hearing for a century and a half, and something that rests on questionable assumptions. The logic behind such an approach is that scribes in subsequent centuries may have made up the good stuff attributed to Christ, but they surely wouldn't have made up things in the Bible that make Christ look bad. But no one applies these principles to Socrates or any other historical figure. Imagine if you deleted all of Socrates' good arguments, imagining these to have been exaggerations concocted by his enthusiastic disciples Plato or Xenophon, and only credited Socrates with his bad arguments. We would have an entirely different picture of Socrates today. While there is indeed controversy about how accurately the disciples of Socrates pictured him, no philosophy student would stand for such a tendentious, one-sided mode of historical interpretation. By the same token..."</blockquote><a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/july/17.55.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">(Rest of article).</span></a><br /><br />These days "evolution" as a concept is applied to anything and everything. The latest is God. Dinesh highlights some of the problems with this view.blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-2236073470930691922009-07-27T23:32:00.005-05:002009-07-27T23:40:21.077-05:00The Case For The Resurrection of Christ - Dr. Gary HabermasChristianity rises or falls on the resurrection of Jesus (cf. 1 Corinthians 15). One of the ablest defenders of the historical evidence for the resurrection is Dr. Gary Habermas. here is a short clip of him on faith under fire. To see more resources by Dr. Habermas, you can visit <a href="http://www.garyhabermas.com">his website</a>.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/40aRXR8cBxQ&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/40aRXR8cBxQ&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object>blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-8727632103908129032009-07-20T10:18:00.002-05:002009-07-20T10:25:10.015-05:00Tactics for Our Spiritual ConversationsEvery now and then, a book comes along that has the potential to really help Christians engage others well. Greg Koukl's recent book is one.<div><br /><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=wwwthinkchr01-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=0310282926" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; "><blockquote>In a world increasingly indifferent to Christian truth, followers of Christ need to be equipped to communicate with those who do not speak their language or accept their source of authority. Gregory Koukl demonstrates how to get in the driver’s seat, keeping any conversation moving with thoughtful, artful diplomacy.<br /><br />You’ll learn how to maneuver comfortably and graciously through the minefields, stop challengers in their tracks, turn the tables and—most importantly—get people thinking about Jesus. Soon, your conversations will look more like diplomacy than D-Day.<br /><br />Drawing on extensive experience defending Christianity in the public square, Koukl shows you how to:<br /><br />- Initiate conversations effortlessly<br />- Present the truth clearly, cleverly, and persuasively<br />- Graciously and effectively expose faulty thinking<br />- Skillfully manage the details of dialogue<br />- Maintain an engaging, disarming style even under attack<br /><br />Tactics provides the game plan for communicating the compelling truth about Christianity with confidence and grace. </blockquote></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-55899452644620330722009-07-12T21:13:00.002-05:002009-07-12T21:14:26.781-05:00Why is Jesus the Only Way?Why is Jesus the Only Way? Greg Koukl speaks to this question...<br /><br /><object width="320" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/s6zpySZDBo0&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/s6zpySZDBo0&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object>blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-51657834712362981022009-07-09T11:18:00.002-05:002009-07-09T11:25:41.494-05:00William Lane Craig vs Daniel Dennett on Arguments for Existence of God<b><a href="http://winteryknight.wordpress.com/2009/07/09/must-listen-william-lane-craig-takes-on-prominent-atheist-daniel-dennett/">I came across this post</a></b> (HT Winter Knight), to some auido of an entertaining and enlightening interchange between Dennett (atheist) and Craig (theist). <a href="http://www.brianauten.com/Apologetics/craig-dennett-mgrath.mp3">Give it a listen....</a><br /><br />Here are some of the observations made by Wintery Knight blog...<br /><br /><b>Dennett’s response to Craig’s paper</b><br /><br />"Here is my snarky paraphrase of Dennett’s reponse: (I haven’t been snarky all day!)<br /><br /><blockquote>Craig’s three arguments are bulletproof, the premises are plausible, and grounded by the best cutting edge science we know today.</blockquote><blockquote><br />I cannot find anything wrong with his arguments right now, but maybe later when i go home it will come to me what’s wrong with them.</blockquote><blockquote><br />But atheism is true even if all the evidence is against it today. I know it’s true by my blind faith.</blockquote><blockquote><br />The world is so mysterious, and all the science of today will be overturned tomorrow so that atheism will be rational again. I have blind faith that this new evidence will be discovered any minute.</blockquote><blockquote><br />Just because the cause of the beginning of time is eternal and the cause of the beginning of space is non-physical, the cause doesn’t have to be God.</blockquote><blockquote><br />“Maybe the cause of the universe is the idea of an apple, or the square root of 7″. (HE LITERALLY SAID THAT!)</blockquote><blockquote><br />The principle of triangulation might have brought the entire physical universe into being out of nothing.</blockquote><blockquote><br />I don’t understand anything about non-physical causation, even though I cannot even speak meaningful sentences unless I have a non-physical mind that is causing my body to emit the meaningful sentences in a non-determined manner.</blockquote><blockquote><br />Alexander Vilenkin is much smarter than Craig and if he were here he would beat him up good with phantom arguments.</blockquote><blockquote><br />Alan Guth is much smarter than Craig and if he were here he would beat him up good with phantom arguments.</blockquote><blockquote><br />This science stuff is so complicated to me – so Craig can’t be right about it even though he’s published about it and debated it all with the best atheists on the planet.</blockquote><blockquote><br />If God is outside of time, then this is just deism, not theism.</blockquote><blockquote><br />If deism is true, then I can still be an atheist, because a Creator and Designer of the universe is compatible with atheism.</blockquote><blockquote><br />I’m pretty sure that Craig doesn’t have any good arguments that can argue for Christianity – certainly not an argument for the resurrection of jesus that he’s defended against the most prominent historians on the planet."</blockquote>blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-72451613216579772212009-07-02T00:55:00.002-05:002009-07-02T00:57:53.386-05:00On the Origin of LifeHere is Dr. Stephen Meyer presenting his argument:<div>
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<br /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1274179818" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=27309263001&playerId=1274179818&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="486" height="412" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed>blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-60486722865122604292009-06-24T00:34:00.006-05:002009-06-24T00:47:51.813-05:00Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design by Stephen C. Meyer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNbyix-LMSjPOCQAUFcLk21u76QXEQ_NZ44XUL72pwhyGqIo7Mjo49SuTrszyfIgkeR8jhhX3x-HTeUoKAftOhJ7VNCLJ43SquJsDb8a5CsAEI2CiLyLPsudBP66LNjuh-14_e2NYiByR/s1600-h/signatureinthecell.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 135px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNbyix-LMSjPOCQAUFcLk21u76QXEQ_NZ44XUL72pwhyGqIo7Mjo49SuTrszyfIgkeR8jhhX3x-HTeUoKAftOhJ7VNCLJ43SquJsDb8a5CsAEI2CiLyLPsudBP66LNjuh-14_e2NYiByR/s320/signatureinthecell.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350764568299013410" /></a><div>for a blog on this important new book, <b><a href="http://www.evolutionnews.org/2009/06/stephen_meyer_launches_signatu.html">click here</a></b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>For video of Dr. Meyer discussing the book, <b><a href="http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid13746676001?bctid=27309263001">click here.</a></b></div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>(from author site) <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; font-family:Times, fantasy;font-size:medium;">The foundations of scientific materialism are in the process of crumbling. In <em><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Signature-Cell-Evidence-Intelligent-Design/dp/0061472786?&camp=212361&creative=383957&linkCode=waf&tag=wwwthinkchr01-20">Signature in the Cell</a></b></em>, philosopher of science Stephen C. Meyer shows how the digital code in DNA points powerfully to a designing intelligence behind the origin of life. The book will be published on June 23 by HarperOne.</span></b></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;font-size:medium;"><p style="line-height: 18px; ">Unlike previous arguments for intelligent design, Signature in the Cell presents a radical and comprehensive new case, revealing the evidence not merely of individual features of biological complexity but rather of a fundamental constituent of the universe: information. That evidence has been mounting exponentially in recent years, known to scientists in specialized fields but largely hidden from public view. A Cambridge University-trained theorist and researcher, director of the Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture, Dr. Meyer is the first to bring the relevant data together into a powerful demonstration of the intelligence that stands outside nature and directs the path life has taken.</p><p style="line-height: 18px; ">The universe is comprised of matter, energy, and the information that gives order to matter and energy, thereby bringing life into being. In the cell, information is carried by DNA, which functions like a software program. The signature in the cell is that of the master programmer of life.</p><p style="line-height: 18px; ">In his theory of evolution, Charles Darwin never sought to unravel the mystery of where biological information comes from. For him, the origins of life remained shrouded in impenetrable obscurity. While the digital code in DNA first came to light in the 1950s, it wasn’t until later that scientists began to sense the implications behind the exquisitely complex technical system for processing and storing information in the cell. The cell does what any advanced computer operating system can do but with almost inconceivably greater suppleness and efficiency.</p><p style="line-height: 18px; ">Drawing on data from many scientific fields, Stephen Meyer formulates a rigorous argument employing the same method of inferential reasoning that Darwin used. In a thrilling narrative with elements of a detective story as well as a personal quest for truth, Meyer illuminates the mystery that surrounds the origins of DNA. He demonstrates that previous scientific efforts to explain the origins of biological information have all failed, and argues convincingly for intelligent design as the best explanation of life’s beginning. In final chapters, he defends ID theory against a range of objections and shows how intelligent design offers fruitful approaches for future scientific research.</p><p style="line-height: 18px; ">Appearing in this year of Darwin anniversaries—Darwin’s 200th birthday and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his <em>Origin of Species</em>—<em>Signature in the Cell</em> could only have been written now that the data of biology’s dawning information age has started to come in. Meyer shares with readers the excitement of the most recent discoveries, as the digital technology at work in the cell has been progressively revealed. The operating system embedded in the genome includes nested coding, digital processing, distributive retrieval and storage systems. It is very extraordinary—the terminology is all recognizable from computer science.</p><p style="line-height: 18px; ">The appearance of Meyer’s book is timely in two other ways. First, bestselling atheist writers like biologist Richard Dawkins have insisted that because Darwin buried the traditional argument for design in nature, religious belief has been shown to be irrational in our modern scientific age. Meyer reveals that, on the contrary, it is precisely our modern scientific age that is in the process of burying materialist theories of life’s development.</p><p style="line-height: 18px; ">Second, since a federal judge in Dover, Pennsylvania, ruled in 2005 that intelligent design may not rightfully claim the designation of “science,” Judge John E. Jones has become the hero of Darwinian activists and their supporters in academia and the media. The Dover decision has been hailed as the death knell of intelligent design. Hardly so! Speaking from the more relevant perspective of the philosophy of science, Meyer responds that federal judges were never given the job of defining what is scientific and what is not.</p><p style="line-height: 18px; ">As a philosopher and a scientist himself, having worked in the field of geophysics for Atlantic Richfield, Meyer is able to step back from the fray of competing views about Darwinian theory and offer a searching, compelling investigation of life’s beginning.</p><p style="line-height: 18px; "><b><a href="http://www.stephencmeyer.org/">for more visit the website...</a></b></p></span></div>blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-16600819460659804142009-06-15T11:33:00.002-05:002009-06-15T11:37:25.408-05:00Is Christianity or Atheism more rational?Is Christianity or Atheism more rational? Here is an interesting interview with John Lennox (philosopher of Science and Mathematics at Oxford) regarding this question.<br /><br /><object height="295" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/a1OWnCau-eo&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/a1OWnCau-eo&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="295" width="480"></embed></object>blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-45816636123553626812009-06-08T10:53:00.002-05:002009-06-08T10:57:22.374-05:00Benjamin Wiker on Darwin, the Man and the Myth<div class="entry-author-header">Charles Darwin's shadow looms large on history...so who was he? Here is an interview with Benjamin Wiker on Darwin, the Man and the Myth (Anika Smith). (<a href="http://www.idthefuture.com/2009/06/benjamin_wiker_on_darwin_the_m.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">click here to Listen</span></a>)<br /></div> <p>On this episode of <b>ID the Future</b>, Logan Gage interviews Dr. Benjamin Wiker, author of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1596980974?ie=UTF8&tag=discoveryinsti06&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1596980974">The Darwin Myth: The Life and Lies of Charles Darwin</a></i>.</p> <p>What were Darwin's actual religious and philosophical views? Are atheists abusing Darwin's theory when they say Darwinism supports their atheist belief? Listen in as Dr. Wiker answers and explains the natural outgrowth of Social Darwinism from Darwin's theory.</p> <p>Listen to previous IDTF episodes featuring Dr. Wiker <a href="http://www.idthefuture.com/2008/05/10_books_that_screwed_up_the_w.html">here</a> and <a href="http://www.idthefuture.com/2008/05/10_books_that_screwed_up_the_w_1.html">here</a>.</p>blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9135378925778750765.post-13560152974604394622009-06-04T13:31:00.003-05:002009-06-04T13:35:53.569-05:00Does God Exist? Debate Now Available on DVD<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzocQfROg_u8XfJ-LoqX9fW4b_KrhnWtXuKVUDLSQTIrUnv7O7I8U0uhUQJ4EbbxtWjE8KPxVuAr7Usq5E0goDzliLpyrdgAcLHA1bAFYwdWv_VL0xSdzjlWhdLUckt4DpNWZwTU_g8LG-/s1600-h/doesgod+exist.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343542521862389890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzocQfROg_u8XfJ-LoqX9fW4b_KrhnWtXuKVUDLSQTIrUnv7O7I8U0uhUQJ4EbbxtWjE8KPxVuAr7Usq5E0goDzliLpyrdgAcLHA1bAFYwdWv_VL0xSdzjlWhdLUckt4DpNWZwTU_g8LG-/s320/doesgod+exist.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.biola.edu/academics/professional-studies/apologetics/debate/orderthedvd/index.cfm?utm_source=Apologetics%2BEmail%20List&utm_medium=Email%2BBlast&utm_content=Apologetics%2BEBlast%20June%203&utm_campaign=Apologetics%2BEBlast%20June%203"><strong>The "Does God Exist" debate</strong> </a>took place in front of a sold out crowd at Biola University on April 4, 2009. Over 4,200 people saw it live on-campus and and additional 11,000 viewed it from around the globe through a special webcast. Don't miss this debate between one of the finest Christian philosophers alive today, Dr. William Lane Craig, and Christopher Hitchens, who is one of the most outspoken atheists in a century.<br /><div><br />Read the Biola's News Report on this Debate. <a href="http://www.biola.edu/news/articles/2009/090406_debate.cfm">Click Here</a></div><div></div><br /><div><strong><a href="http://www.biola.edu/academics/professional-studies/apologetics/debate/orderthedvd/index.cfm?utm_source=Apologetics%2BEmail%20List&utm_medium=Email%2BBlast&utm_content=Apologetics%2BEBlast%20June%203&utm_campaign=Apologetics%2BEBlast%20June%203">Order a DVD</a></strong>.</div>blog adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15447429604413456141noreply@blogger.com0