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Friday, November 06, 2009

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:28:09 GMT

Catbert illustrates how Natural Selection really works:

That's what the world always says is the solution to being too good...

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:16:39 GMT

What does salvation cost?

Results

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:49:54 GMT

Virginia Governor: Republican candidate McDonnell wins by 18 points. Lt. Gov. and Atty General also won by Republicans.

New Jersey Governor: Republican candidate Christi wins by 4 points.

NY 23rd US Congressional District: Democrat candidate Owens wins by 3 points.

NYC Mayor: Independent Bloomberg wins 3rd term by 6 points.

Maine Prop 1: Voters repeal same sex marriage law by 6 points.

Washington State - Gays allowed all except marriage: Passes (preliminary report).

Thoughts?

Young Witches

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:17:36 GMT

Children in the Congo are being accused of witchcraft and sourcery. They are being abandoned. The church there isn't always helping.

Ignace Maloba, a Wesleyan pastor in rural Congo, has had an unexpected new ministry as of late: hunting child witches. Four years ago, local informants led him to the dusty back streets of Kolwezi, a copper-mining town 160 miles from Lubumbashi, a major city in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC, formerly Zaire).

After traversing the area several times, Maloba finally found the "witches"—two girls and four boys incarcerated in a forlorn church compound. "I was extremely surprised," the pastor told Christianity Today.

At the request of local church leaders, CT visited this area of Congo to report on how churches are handling—and mishandling—abandoned children who face accusations of sorcery and witchcraft due to parental neglect, birth defects, and disability. Tragically, some pastors attempt exorcisms in which they place children's hands in near-boiling water to purge "spirits," resulting in severe burns.

Read the full article here

Common Descent or Common Design?

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:23:08 GMT

“He has filled them with skill to perform every work of an engraver and of a designer and of an embroiderer, in blue and in purple and in scarlet material, and in fine linen, and of a weaver, as performers of every work and makers of designs.” Ex 35:35 (NASB)

Scripture says that man was created in God’s likeness. It also says God created everything. It stands to reason that if God designed and formed all we see in our world, He would endow the people created in His image with some ability to design and construct what they design. No other living thing makes complex tools and uses them to construct complex and artistic things for their own pleasure like humans. Many creatures fashion homes for themselves, but only humans draw up blueprints and hire help who can read those prints and build to a specification. Certain animals are known to use sticks or other objects they find as rudimentary tools or weapons, but only humans observe, design, and refine complex and efficient tools used for abstract and artistic purposes. Spiders weave beautiful webs, but their webs are built by instinct to perform a narrow range of functions. Beavers build homes inside dams with an underwater entrance, but they do not hang pictures on the wall nor invite friends over for card night.

The keen eye will observe countless similarities between various creatures, including humans. Evolutionists frequently cite these similarities as evidence of common descent. Creationists, on the other hand, cite the same similarities as evidence of a common Designer. Similarities are interesting and very useful in many ways, however it is the differences which draw the line between one kind of organism and another. An entire branch of biology, called taxonomy, is dedicated to identifying differences in organisms.

Almost all vertebrate animals have a head with a mouth, nose, two eyes, and a skull housing a brain. These similarities, touted as the result of common descent, are very superficial in light of the radical differences between various creatures within the realm of vertebrates. For example, a horse and a frog both have these features, yet they are radically different. One has hair, the other has none. One is easily a thousand times heavier than the other. In addition to obvious differences in appearance, various internal organs are different, much of their genetic codes are different, and their reproduction processes are different.

Even if you consider the donkey and horse, two animals seemingly very similar, there remain startling differences which make it easy for a child to tell them apart. Sufficiently similar creatures, like a horse and a donkey, may sometimes breed. When this happens critical genetic differences result in sterile offspring – in this case a mule. Evolutionists try to explain this problem as the result of extinction of various intermediary evolutionary stages. If that were so, it still would not explain why supposedly similar creatures cannot bare fertile offspring. Instead, what we observe in nature are clear and unyielding boundaries between organisms large and small.

Insects are relatively small (compared with vertebrates) and have three body parts with six legs, regardless of the insect species. Exoskeletons provide excellent protection from the environment for comparatively smaller creatures. Unfortunately, the lack of internal bones makes it impossible to support large internal organs. Conversely, complex organ systems work best in an environment without a rigid external boundary like that of an insect’s exoskeleton. In each case the creature’s form is ideally suited to its size and lifestyle. Natural selection fails to explain why some creatures have internal skeletons while others have external skeletons, each ideally suited to size and function, yet both are skeletons. Both are said to have developed common characteristics like legs, eyes, and so forth, yet these developments must have happened independently.

The parallel development of similar features in evolutionarily unrelated organisms is called parallelism or convergence. Birds, bats, and many insects are capable of winged flight. Certain types of spiders, snakes, and marine life are venomous. Many of the other things mentioned above are also considered examples of parallelism. A few others would be teeth, legs, toenails, tails, and so on. On the other hand, divergence is the term for extreme differences between otherwise relatively similar living things. Divergence is the basis of taxonomy. Without divergence it would not be possible to clearly classify one kind of organism with respect to another. The evolution model utterly fails to adequately explain parallelism and divergence.

In all but a few asexual species of relatively low animal life, animals of every type from insect to arachnid to mammal reproduce only by male and female heterosexual sex. Even plant life has “male” and “female” counterparts that must combine to reproduce. Most animals have a heart and circulatory system, a breathing system (lungs, gills, etc.), nervous system, and so forth. Most plants have roots, leaves, photosynthesis, nutrient flow, and breathing systems. There are many more similarities between plant and animal cells than there are differences, yet no one confuses plants and animals. Vision, hearing, touch, taste and smell are common across most of the animal kingdom. Although sensory systems of other kingdoms (such as plants, bacteria, viruses, etc) are less well understood, at least some form of ability to sense environment exists in almost all living organisms down to as little complexity as a single cell. Living things need certain things to survive. These include the right environment (heat, light, shelter), food, water, air, and a mate. Most organisms will react to their environment in ways that optimize their ability to survive and thrive. To this end we experience hunger, thirst, hot and cold, and so forth.

Ultimately, there is no logical reason to suppose the first randomly combined organic molecules formed by chance with sensory systems capable of helping those few molecules survive and thrive. Perhaps most curious is the notion that such randomly formed molecules would have any sort of will to procreate and survive in an environment which would by any reckoning be brutally hostile. A rational mind must confront these difficulties and in so doing must see that soup to man evolution is only possible in the wishful thinking of a man who seeks to deny the alternative.

While similarities may provide broad support for both Evolution and Creation, it is in the differences where we find Evolutionary theory becoming untenable. The existence of an intelligent Designer the only reasonable possibility. The evidence of similarity and differences in the living things we observe demand we recognize the earmarks of design. Creation is a matter of faith in a specific account of origins just as Evolution is likewise a matter of faith in a man-made concept of origins. Between these two faiths, only Creation accepts the existence of an intelligent designer.

Tired

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:21:39 GMT

It seems as though I am tired all the time. A few years ago I decided to do weight watchers. I lost 70+ lbs. It took a year. I kept the weight off for several months. Back then I felt better. I did not tire easily. I slept well. I snored less. I also enjoyed the better reactions I often got from coworkers and others. Yes, people of ordinary size are treated better. When I had women I barely knew commenting on my appearance I was rather full of myself. My faith was growing then, too. I was blogging here back then and going through a lot with online drama too. Several months later my wife's mom's cancer began to take its toll. With that stress, the suffering of the family and all, I stopped worrying about my weight altogether. A pound or two here and there became 10, then 20 lbs. I probably leveled out about a year ago at roughly the weight I was at before I started weight watchers. The thing is, now I know how good it felt and I mourn the loss of my physique. I miss being able to walk miles at a time. I miss having control over snack urges. I miss the pleasures of vanity. Most of all, I miss feeling energetic. Having purchased skinny clothes and now purchasing fat clothes again, I'm not sure I can afford to go through it all again. You may think I'm obsessing about weight. That's not really accurate. It isn't the weight per se, its the effects produced by the lifestyle and health. Nowadays I'm so tired. I just want to rest. At night I'm out by 10 or wishing I was. I get up early, but only because I must. It seems there isn't enough grease, caffeine and sugar to satisfy the flesh.

I long to serve my Lord. I know that He sees me, not my bulk. Still, it is hard to get enthusiastic about service when I'd rather be snuggled up with a bag of potato chips. I know how to talk a good game, but how good am I at playing? I am far more of a hypocrite than my greatest accusers claim. Part of me weeps for my failure. Part of me wishfully thinks God will forgive me even though I know better. Part of me just wants to sleep now and pay later. Oh, how pathetic I am.

And then there's that dream. I saw the church full of corpses. Whenever I reflect on this I am bold all over again. But my boldness, my fearlessness, is not my own. On my own I am timid and shy. Fearing I'll be rejected I forget it isn't me who is rejected, but Christ. What is it to me? I love. That love isn't put aside because of rejection. No, there must be something else going on. Fear. Fear is the mind killer. That's what Frank Herbert wrote in the opening pages of Dune. I think there's a deeply profound truth to that. And I claim the vision makes me fearless. But that's not true. It emboldens. It strengthens. But I am far from perfect on this count. Maybe its that I'm honest enough with myself to see this, to no longer fear what I see in myself. I don't know. Maybe I ramble too much.

God be with you. May you know His grace. May you see He is your rescuer and you will see He is worthy of eternity and you are not, and may you place your trust in him and ask him to remember you. Check out Luke 23. The thief on the cross beside Jesus offers a profound example of the pure and simply nature of righteous faith. The other thief understood intellectually that Jesus was the Christ, but the other understood his place as subject, his unworthiness as a sinner, and his need of love and forgiveness. Let us all remember and never forget.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:13:11 GMT

New hate crimes legislation related to sexual liberty was attached to a recent military funding bill which President Obama signed.

What is your opinion of hate crimes legislation?

Poll Position

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:20:51 GMT

We all enjoy writing. That's why we are here. For some us that means more than blogging. Last year I published my first book. It was the product of years of work, all of it originally published here in its raw format. I have a few other irons in the fire, so to speak, and I was wondering which would be the best to potentially get into a publishable book form. At this point I'm open to opinion.

I would like you to look at the list below and rank them from "most likely to buy" to "least likely to buy" and I would really appreciate hearing your reasoning as to why.

A. Majoring In The Minors (insights and commentary on the twelve minor prophets)
B. Good News! (mining the good news of Jesus Christ from the rock of scripture, esp. the Old Testament, posted here as "The Challenge Chapters")
C. Creative Science (current series of posts analyzing the science and philosophies of Creation and Evolution)

Creative Science 27 - Natural Selection

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:30:21 GMT

“Let us choose what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good.” - Job 34:4 (ESV)

The theory of evolution, as articulated by Darwin, is built on a principle called natural selection. Darwin believed that natural selection was the mechanism by which certain random beneficial mutations are retained resulting in diversity of descending species. The idea is both simple and elegant.

The components of Darwin’s theory were not really new. The idea that life arose and spread and spontaneously increased in complexity and diversity by some purely natural means dates back thousands of years. The principle of natural selection was introduced in the early 19th century, just a few years before Darwin’s now famous trip. Ironically, the principle of natural selection was first proposed by a Christian who was also an outspoken Creationist. Darwin’s theory was unique in that he combined the previously pantheistic or animist belief in evolution with a scientific principle. He successfully sold his idea because he was able to legitimize a previously pagan belief with the guise of scientific enlightenment.

Evolutionary theory cannot be rejected out of hand simply because its underlying philosophy has pagan origins. It also should not be accepted as fact just because it relies on another scientific principle, natural selection. Both the philosophical underpinning and the scientific principles involved need to be examined. Simple and elegant do not automatically make it true.

Evolutionary theory requires descent with modification. Modification means mutation. Mutation is when a cell or some part of a cell does not replicate itself accurately. In nature, mutations that are “beneficial” to the living creature are extremely rare. Mutations that increase net genetic complexity or information have never been observed in nature. Almost all mutations reduce the net order to some degree and damage the creature. Such mutations often make the animal susceptible to sterility or death. Oddballs in nature are generally shunned or targeted for death.

Natural selection is often thought to mean survival of the fittest. A much more accurate description would be survival of the conformist. Survival of the “fittest” is really only true in the sense that the norm is considered fit and the nonconformist is less fit. For example, when a tiger and lion mate the resulting liger is always sterile. When a donkey and a horse mate the mule is always sterile. Albinos of almost any animal species are another abhorration of nature that are usually killed soon after birth in the wild. Conjoined twins, like two-headed snakes, almost never survive in the wild. Natural selection actually protects nature from evolution by preventing abnormality whether by mutation or by interbreeding.

Natural selection is often credited with explaining genetic variation within a “kind.” For example, new dog breeds appear all over the world. Generating new breeds is better explained with Mendel’s principles of dominant and recessive genes than with natural selection. A large dog and a small dog may produce offspring which are large with short legs, long with large legs, or some other combination of features of its parents. Continued breeding may produce more of the same features and some with other features. By mating offspring of similar features, the information needed to produce either of the original parents is eventually bred out completely. Although later generations of the new breed have a more limited gene pool, they are still dogs and can still mate with other breeds of dog. Natural selection comes into play only if an offspring is actually defective or sterile.

Adaptation to environmental factors may be considered a form of natural selection. When the environment changes, genetic characteristics better suited to the changed environment tend to become the most desirable for mating. For example, animals with white fur like polar bears prefer to breed with others of the same limited genetic stock to preserve their environmentally advantageous fur color. Although polar bears and grizzly bears can and do on rare occasion mate, they generally prefer to avoid mating because their offspring will have some mixture of traits less desirable in either of their natural habitats.

Diversity within a given animal kind is the result of breeding out one or another genetic quality, usually involving geographical segregation for a period of time. Random natural mutations are very rarely beneficial and have never been observed to add complexity to the genetic information of the organism. Natural selection rejects offspring with substantial mutations or flaws (albinos, conjoined twins, etc.) or descent from parents of similar yet sufficiently different DNA (donkey and horse, tiger and lion, etc.). Entropy dictates that order and organization will naturally degrade over time. Natural selection, rather than an instrument of change, is a well documented natural phenomena whereby living things in nature overcome the effects of entropy by rejecting mutation and interbreeding of different kinds of organisms. The fact is that natural selection is a counter-agent to Evolution in every way.

Epitaph

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:37:36 GMT

At least once a week I eat lunch at a local greasy spoon called The Chicken House. You never eat chicken there, but the burgers and fries are out of this world. Anyway, I was sent this comic by my dear wife in honor of The Chicken House...