By Eric Metaxas
(WSJ.COM) In 1966 Time magazine ran a cover story asking: Is God Dead? Many have accepted the cultural narrative that he’s obsolete—that as science progresses, there is less need for a “God” to explain the universe. Yet it turns out that the rumors of God’s death were premature. More amazing is that the relatively recent case for his existence comes from a surprising place—science itself. Here’s the story: The same year Time featured the now-famous headline, the astronomer Carl Sagan announced that there were two important criteria for a planet to support life: The right kind of star, and a planet the right distance from that star. Given the roughly octillion—1 followed by 27 zeros—planets in the universe, there should have been about septillion—1 followed by 24 zeros—planets capable of supporting life. With such spectacular odds, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, a large, expensive collection of private and publicly funded projects launched in the 1960s, was sure to turn up something soon. Scientists listened with a vast radio telescopic network for signals that resembled coded intelligence and were not merely random. But as years passed, the silence from the rest of the universe was deafening. Congress defunded SETI in 1993, but the search continues with private funds. As of 2014, researchers have discovered precisely bubkis—0 followed by nothing. What happened? As our knowledge of the universe increased, it became clear that there were far more factors necessary for life than Sagan supposed. His two parameters grew to 10 and then 20 and then 50, and so the number of potentially life-supporting planets decreased accordingly. The number dropped to a few thousand planets and kept on plummeting. Even SETI proponents acknowledged the problem. Peter Schenkel wrote in a 2006 piece for Skeptical Inquirer magazine: “In light of new findings and insights, it seems appropriate to put excessive euphoria to rest . . . . We should quietly admit that the early estimates . . . may no longer be tenable.” As factors continued to be discovered, the number of possible planets hit zero, and kept going. In other words, the odds turned against any planet in the universe supporting life, including this one. Probability said that even we shouldn’t be here. Today there are more than 200 known parameters necessary for a planet to support life—every single one of which must be perfectly met, or the whole thing falls apart. Without a massive planet like Jupiter nearby, whose gravity will draw away asteroids, a thousand times as many would hit Earth’s surface. The odds against life in the universe are simply astonishing. Yet here we are, not only existing, but talking about existing. What can account for it? Can every one of those many parameters have been perfect by accident? At what point is it fair to admit that science suggests that we cannot be the result of random forces? Doesn’t assuming that an intelligence created these perfect conditions require far less faith than believing that a life-sustaining Earth just happened to beat the inconceivable odds to come into being? There’s more. The fine-tuning necessary for life to exist on a planet is nothing compared with the fine-tuning required for the universe to exist at all. For example, astrophysicists now know that the values of the four fundamental forces—gravity, the electromagnetic force, and the “strong” and “weak” nuclear forces—were determined less than one millionth of a second after the big bang. Alter any one value and the universe could not exist. For instance, if the ratio between the nuclear strong force and the electromagnetic force had been off by the tiniest fraction of the tiniest fraction—by even one part in 100,000,000,000,000,000—then no stars could have ever formed at all. Feel free to gulp. Multiply that single parameter by all the other necessary conditions, and the odds against the universe existing are so heart-stoppingly astronomical that the notion that it all “just happened” defies common sense. It would be like tossing a coin and having it come up heads 10 quintillion times in a row. Really? Fred Hoyle, the astronomer who coined the term “big bang,” said that his atheism was “greatly shaken” at these developments. He later wrote that “a common-sense interpretation of the facts suggests that a super-intellect has monkeyed with the physics, as well as with chemistry and biology . . . . The numbers one calculates from the facts seem to me so overwhelming as to put this conclusion almost beyond question.” Theoretical physicist Paul Davies has said that “the appearance of design is overwhelming” and Oxford professor Dr. John Lennox has said “the more we get to know about our universe, the more the hypothesis that there is a Creator . . . gains in credibility as the best explanation of why we are here.” The greatest miracle of all time, without any close seconds, is the universe. It is the miracle of all miracles, one that ineluctably points with the combined brightness of every star to something—or Someone—beyond itself. Mr. Metaxas is the author, most recently, of “Miracles: What They Are, Why They Happen, and How They Can Change Your Life” ( Dutton Adult, 2014). Correction An earlier version understated the number of zeroes in an octillion and a septillion. WSJ.COM
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Written on our hearts.
By Craig Manners 23rd April 2016 Throughout human history people have been doing the wrong thing and then suffering the burdensome pressure applied by this amazing thing we all have called a "conscience." This conscience is inside each and every human being, whether they are taught specific rules or no rules. It is something which if we could turn it off, or remove it by surgery, many people probably would. But if we did somehow find a way to remove it the world we live in would be chaos, and not just the sorts of chaos we have seen during periods of human history, but chaos unlike anything we have seen or could even imagine. The fact that we cannot remove our consciences (surgeons cannot pinpoint where it is inside us) has not stopped humans from at least trying to dull it or appease it. This has been attempted through various means and methods, from making laws which legalize bad behavior, taking drugs or drinking alcohol or by trying to normalize bad behavior in society and pretend that it is now no longer bad behavior. The latter is all about trying to convince the masses that something which is wrong is now right, was bad but is now good, abnormal but is now normal, unnatural but is now natural, unhealthy but is now healthy. The methods are specific and have been studied and implemented in times past by people trying to spread totalitarian ideologies such as Marxism, socialism, communism, or by people trying to appease their consciences by having as many people as possible either join in their conscience awakening bad behavior or at least publicly affirm that bad behavior as now being good behavior and acceptable in society. No matter what method of appeasement is attempted or how much of it, or how widespread, or how forcefully the normalization of such behavior is imposed on a society, the reality persists, like unrelenting rain persists in a monsoon, the human conscience cannot be completely silenced. You wake up after the attempt and your burden is just heavier. The law may try to convince you that what you have done is ok. All your friends may be doing it. The media may have normalized it. But still, your conscience is telling you something very different! A fog spreads out over a city in the morning and clouds one's vision, but it will at some stage move on and the sky will be clear. Likewise, times of universal deceit, where truth is denied, wrong is called right, immorality called morality, bad called good by human legal decree, inevitably move through the fog of history and are seen by generations to come as periods of darkness where rational sanity was clouded over by a fog of (hopefully temporary) insanity. Sadly, during such times, the pain and suffering from such widespread bad behavior does not only affect the one doing the bad deed, the consequences are spread much wider, impacting whole societies, and most tragically it is often the children who suffer the most. One of the legitimate roles of human government is to restrain bad behavior in a society. Hence we have and need laws, police, courts, judges, prisons. When government starts changing laws to try to normalize things which are destructive, immoral, harmful to the weak and the young, they are doing the opposite of what they should be doing. Instead of restraining bad behavior they are suddenly promoting it, teaching it to the youth of that society, and then sinking deeper into an abyss of immorality as the structures and resources of that government mobilize to support the wrong laws they made or changed. Conscience will remain however, even during these times of attempted universal suppression, and when we awake from our induced moral drowsiness, when the fog has lifted and we can see clearly again as a society, we will feel worse not better, the burden will be heavier not lighter, and history will record the names of the leaders who imposed such evil upon us such as abortion, euthanasia, gender confusion and immoral school indoctrination programs. It will also record the names of those who remained silent during such times and allowed such leaders a free reign to spread their deceit. Romans 2:14-15 – “For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them.” Here are 10 verses to help you defend your faith. Dive into them today, read them with a critical mind, and begin committing them to memory. Then you’ll be ready when the opportunity comes to speak and live the truth with confidence!
1. 1 Peter 3:15 – “But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence." This classic verse indicates that everyone is to be prepared to give an answer with gentleness and respect. 2. John 1:1-3 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” This is one of the most compelling and clear articulations of the deity of Christ. It shows that Christ is the eternal Creator and is one with (although distinct from) the Father. 3. Acts 5:3-4 – “But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.’” This passage shows the deity and personhood of the Holy Spirit. 4. Isaiah 43:10 – “‘You are My witnesses,’ declares the LORD, ‘and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me.’” This passage clearly lays out that there is only one God and there has always been only one God. 5. Romans 1:20 – “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” This verse helps with the question, “What about those who have never heard?” It establishes that people do have knowledge of God through creation. 6. Romans 2:14-15 – “For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them.” This passage demonstrates that the moral conscience is written on our hearts. The moral law is universal, even among those who do not have the written law. 7. John 6:29 – “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.’” Many pseudo-Christian religions base salvation on works. In this passage, Jesus clearly lays out the requirement of salvation – belief. 8. John 20:30-31 – “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” Skeptics often believe that faith is blind. John clearly states that the miracles of Jesus were recorded as proof so we would believe. 9. 2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” This passage clearly shows that God desires all to turn to repentance and be saved. 10. Luke 1:1-4 – “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.” Some claim that the disciples were inventing myths and legends. This passage shows the clear concern with historical accuracy and eyewitness accounts. For more resources to help you develop a Christian worldview, see http://www.breakpoint.org/tp-home. God's Crime Scene: Consider 8 pieces of evidence which somehow need to be accounted for or explained. 1-We have a universe which had a beginning; 2- We see the appearance of fine-tuning in this universe directed toward sustaining life; 3- There is the origin of life from non-life; 4- We see the appearance of design in biology; 5- We have a conscience -how is this explained; 6- We have the ability to make choices freely as free agents; 7- There exists objective moral truths; 8- The existence of evil. Does your worldview provide you with answers to each of these pieces of evidence? Christianity does and quite convincingly. J. Warner Wallace talks about the evidence for God’s existence. What kinds of evidence can we use to make the case for God? What makes the case so strong? What tools can we borrow from crime scene investigations to help us make the case to others? For more information about J. Warner Wallace’s book, God’s Crime Scene, please visit: godscrimescene.com 1. Nancy Pearcey shared simple, wisdom-based principles for discerning the truth of different worldviews with Focus on the Family.
2. J. Warner Wallace appeared on The Leon Show, explaining how the fine-tuning of the universe points to God's existence. 3. 5 Minutes in Church History highlighted 5 pieces of good advice for young Christians from Jonathan Edwards. 4. This month, ChristianAudio.com is giving away a free audiobook version of Kevin DeYoung's Taking God At His Word. Courtesy: http://www.summit.org Courtesy of SaltShakers.org,au
The Prime Minister of Hungary, Victor Orban, has been very outspoken – against political correctness (i.e. the homosexual assault on marriage and family) and the recent mass migrations of Muslims into Europe. He called for Europe to unite and fight the political correctness that is destroying the freedom of Western nations. His excellent speech is included in the article. He said, “Europe is the community of Christian, free, and independent nations; equality of men and women; fair competition and solidarity; pride and humility; justice and mercy. This time the danger is not attacking us the way wars and natural disasters do, suddenly pulling the rug from under our feet. Mass migration is a slow stream of water persistently eroding the shores. It is masquerading as a humanitarian cause, but its true nature is the occupation of territory. And what is gaining territory for them is losing territory for us….” The Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs spoke at a conference this week, endorsing his government’s policy – and saying why they refused to take refugees and had built a border fence. Article: Hungary claims it was forced to build border fence, EurActiv, 6/4/2016. Article: WATCH: Hungarian PM denounces political correctness, mass Muslim migration, Rebel, 15/3/2016. The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) should be overhauled and investigated in light of the unprecedented discovery and leak of more than 11 million documents by a group of international investigative journalists revealed the hidden financial dealings of some Australian companies and individuals. The question should be asked of ASIC, "What have you been doing all these years while all this questionable activity has been going on?"
The revelations today are only the tip of the ice-berg as major Australian corporations such as Wilson Security are outed as potential wrong-doers. ASIC have been caught out as failing once again to investigate and stop corporate wrong-doing. While they busy themselves pursuing what should be civil cases (or no cases at all), making them out to be bigger so as to big note themselves and justify their existence, the big players go uninterrupted for years. The revelation also concerns some of Australia's and the world's wealthiest people, including 12 current and former world leaders and 128 more politicians and public officials around the world. More than 200,000 companies, foundations and trusts are contained in the leak of information which came from a little-known but powerful law firm based in Panama called Mossack Fonseca. The law firm is one of the world's top creators of shell companies, which can be legally used to hide the ownership of assets. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalism, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, said the cache of 11.5 million records detailed the offshore holdings of a dozen current and former world leaders, as well as businessmen, criminals, celebrities and sports stars. Given the incredibly large budget ASIC have to facilitate investigations into corporate wrong-doing, they consistently fail to do the job they are called on to do. Instead they pursue with extreme vigor and maximum destruction the individual small fish and completely ignore the actual corporate criminals. This is mostly because it is too hard for them to catch the big fish and/or they are too lazy. ASIC regularly use the full resources of the State to target and destroy people and families who are not corporate criminals, diverting these resources from their intended task of stopping actual corporate criminals. Given that this International Consortium of Investigative Journalism, a nonprofit organization, was able to do their job for them, maybe the Australia government should remove ASIC's funding and outsource the work? The Australian ABC |
Craig MannersWhile much of what is written in this Blog may currently appear to be counter-cultural, given our post-truth culture, it is in no way counter-human beings. I am always for people no matter what they think, do, or may have done in their past. Where I put forward ideas or debate against certain ideology, behaviour, ideas, movements, politics, I remain very much on the side of the human beings even though I may be opposed to their worldview, behaviour and politics. Such opposition is generally out of concern for the ultimate consequences of such behaviour or ideas, especially for children. |