Faith Science

The Power of Music: Intersecting Science, Art & Spirituality

2012-03-01T08:59:00.004-08:00

Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life.
Ludwig van Beethoven

What's the connection between music and our understanding of science? Observe how Theoretical Physicist Brian Greene, an expert in String Theory uses this connection to explain Albert Einstein's "Theory of Everything."

Albert Einstein dreamed of finding what he called a Unified Theory. By that he meant a single idea, a single principle, maybe even a single equation that might describe everything in the universe. He worked long and hard many decades to try to find the theory and he never did. Since his passing many physicists have taken up where he left off, and many of us believe that an approach called String Theory may be the Unified Theory that he was looking for. And the basic idea of the unified description of all matter is pretty straightforward. If you take any piece of material, say a piece of wood, cut it in half, cut it in half again, keep on cutting it to ever smaller pieces, the basic question is what’s the smallest piece that you get to?

What is the finest uncuttable constituent? Now we all know if you cut fine enough you get molecules, if you cut them up, you get atoms, if you cut them up even further you get other particles, electrons going around the nucleus with neutrons and protons, even though the neutrons and protons are smaller entities called quarks. The conventional idea stopped there. String Theory comes along and says “There may be one more layer of structure: inside an electron, inside a quark, inside any particle you have heard of, according to these ideas, is a little tiny filament. Looks like a tiny little string, that’s why it’s called String Theory, and the little strings can vibrate in different patterns.”

So the idea is that, according to this theory an electron can be a string vibrating in one pattern. You can call it a middle C if you want, by the musical analogy, a quark could be a string vibrating at a different pattern like an A. So the difference between one particle and another is simply the note that its string is playing. And this is the unified description that this theory puts forward: everything can be reduced to the notes these fundamental strings are playing. Now that’s metaphorical. There’s math behind this, that allows us to see all of the key elements of physics can find a home in this description, but in a nutshell that’s what this theory says.

Source: Physics of Sound - Harmonics and The Unified Theory

What we play is life.
Louis Armstrong

What is music? The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines music as "the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity." It then defines sound as "mechanical radiant energy that is transmitted by longitudinal pressure waves in a material medium (as air) and is the objective cause of hearing." In essence, music is the science or art that defines the ordered transfer of energy from the source to its recipient. Therefore, on the most fundamental level, there is power in music.

Education in music is most sovereign because more than anything else rhythm and harmony find their way to the innermost soul and take strongest hold upon it.

Plato

The Bible says in Genesis 2:7; "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." It then says in 1 Corinthians 15:45; "And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul." In the Greek language, the word used by The Apostle Paul for human soul is the breath of life. In other words, God breathed into man and then man was able to breathe on his own. The soul is the center of thought, decision and emotion. It's the essence of our humanity.

Here's a very interesting story from The Bible which demonstrates the power of music to impact the human soul.

1 Samuel 16:14-22(NLT) - Now the Spirit of the LORD had left Saul, and the LORD sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear. 15 Some of Saul’s servants said to him, “A tormenting spirit from God is troubling you. 16 Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again.” 17 “All right,” Saul said. “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him here.” 18 One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that—he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the LORD is with him.” 19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, “Send me your son David, the shepherd.” 20 Jesse responded by sending David to Saul, along with a young goat, a donkey loaded with bread, and a wineskin full of wine. 21 So David went to Saul and began serving him. Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, “Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him.” 23 And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.

Saul was troubled by an evil spirit and his deliverance came through a novel medium, music! Why was music the only suggestion given to him? Obviously, they understood the power of music to heal his ailment. Since hindsight is 20-20, we can all now marvel at their brilliance. Believe it or not, this was an early form of what is now called "Music Therapy."

Here's what Music Therapy expert, Concetta Tomaino, D.A., MT-BC, LCAT, has to say;

One of the reasons, and one of the exciting reasons, why music therapy has so much promise for people with neurological conditions is that music accesses the networks in the brain in a complementary faction (fashion) or differently than the function that a person has lost. And what I mean by that is we can stimulate the timing mechanisms, we can stimulate word finding ability, we can stimulate recognition memory, even short-term memory function through using music in a specific way that makes available to these patients function in the brain that’s still there but maybe they can’t get at independently because of the inhibition that has taken place due to their brain injury.

So music is an enriched sensory stimulus that allows for, I believe, the disinhibition of some of the inhibited function that has been lost in these individuals. And by stimulating these complementary or parallel networks, we see this type of ability come back.

Source: Music Therapy for Neurological Conditions

Music can be used to explain the scientific foundation of life! Music transfers energy! Music is a universal language! Music can bring deliverance from evil! Music can heal! Armed with this wisdom, tonight we begin in Atlanta, GA what may grow into a very important series of discussions on the music industry. Since music is so powerful, the current state of music in our culture is a major priority. If you can't join us in person, you can join us online.

If I can write the songs of the nations, I don't care who writes the laws.

Plato

Education - Creating A Bridge Between Faith And Science

2012-02-23T15:37:00.001-08:00

Proverbs 25:2(The Message) - God delights in concealing things; scientists delight in discovering things.

It's time for a ceasefire in The war between Faith and Science! Fortunately, this ageless battle between "logic" and "belief" might be losing a little steam among the scientific community. Here's the latest.

Last weekend, from February 16-20th The American Association for the Advancement of Science held it's annual meeting in Vancouver, Canada. On Saturday, February 18, 2012: 1:00 PM-2:30 PM was a very interesting symposium entitled "Beyond Evolution: Religious Questions in Science Classrooms." It was led by Kenneth R. Miller of Brown University, Peter M. J. Hess of National Center for Science Education and Francis Q. Eberle of National Science Teachers Association.

Here's what Kenneth Miller had to say in his abstract;

Kenneth R. Miller , Brown University, Providence, RI

Recent studies indicate that as many as 75% of all college students share a belief in God. While fewer claim to attend religious services regularly, the beliefs of these students clearly affect many aspects of their daily lives, including the way in which they will approach university courses in the sciences. A number of specific scientific concepts, including cosmic expansion, geologic history, biological evolution, social psychology, and cognitive neuroscience routinely meet strong resistance from students of faith, and present a distinct challenge for instructors

I will review a number of these conflicts, and will suggest specific strategies for dealing with student concerns, with special emphasis on developing a thorough student understanding of evolutionary biology. Emphasizing science as a process enables students to see scientific ideas as the product of rational, fact-driven inquiry rather than doctrine, and this can be essential in developing an acceptance of established science. Pointing out the historical role of religious institutions in the establishment of western science is another, as is describing the role that people of faith have played in key scientific developments. If properly presented, science need not be compromised or soft-pedaled to accommodate religious concerns. Rather, students can be shown how an acceptance of the scientific approach is essential to develop a rational understanding of nature, even in a religious context.

According to the article; "Education can solve religion-science conflicts: scientist" from The Associated Free Press the symposium was a success. It was published on Tuesday in Yahoo News. This is a great sign. Instead of bickering back and forth about our differences why not find out how we complement each other?

From Faith Science;

The common misperception that there is always conflict between science and faith can be abused by those with anti-Christian or anti-science agendas. In reality science has always been the domain of many committed Christians such as the astronomer Johannes Kepler, who dedicated one of his papers with a prayer, saying, I have here completed the work of my calling, with as much intellectual strength as you have granted me. This same attitude is shared by many Christians who work in science today. CiS exists to support such Christians and their aims.
—Christians in Science (CiS), Why Christians in Science

With so much available public information and abundant resources connecting faith and science, those who choose to reject the connection really are on their own. The conflict between science and Christianity has been contrived in the minds of those who want a conflict to exist. It has never been about logic or reason, like most atheists or secular “Christians” propose. It’s about the selfish human desire to oppose God and create one’s own destiny which, in actuality, defies logic. I’ll close this chapter with the following quote: “I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use” (Galileo Galilei: 1564–1642 Italian physicist).

An Invitation To Nexus

2012-02-22T05:17:00.000-08:00

Follow @donnellduncan

Nexus - Connecting Young Professionals to The Truth

Do you have burning questions or do you just have something to say?

Current affairs, politics, economics, education, social causes, justice issues, business, ministry or anything else on your mind is important to us. Do you want to see how they fit into The Bible?

Join us every month for an interactive Bible Study with a unique twist. It's run by young professionals for young professionals, yet everyone else is welcome! You have to be there to experience it.

The first session will take place at 7:00 PM on March 1st, 2012 in Buckhead, GA. First Topic - "What's really going on in the music industry?"

Contact us for details.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23(NLT) - 19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. 22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

Follow @donnellduncan

Sir Isaac Newton: Scientific Legend, Theological Scholar or Both?

2012-02-16T08:27:00.000-08:00

The most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets could only proceed from the counsel and dominion on an intelligent and powerful Being.

—Sir Isaac Newton (1642–1727), Principia (1687)

The "secret" is out concerning Sir Isaac Newton! That is, if you didn't know it already. Now, The National Library of Israel has made Newton's Theological Manuscripts available to the world. Yesterday, Wednesday, February 15th, this information was released by Aron Heller of Associated Press in the article, "Israeli library uploads Newton's theological texts."

Here's an excerpt;

Israeli library uploads Newton's theological texts
By ARON HELLER, Associated Press

JERUSALEM (AP) -- He's considered to be one of the greatest scientists of all time. But Sir Isaac Newton was also an influential theologian who applied a scientific approach to the study of scripture, Hebrew and Jewish mysticism.

Now Israel's national library, an unlikely owner of a vast trove of Newton's writings, has digitized his theological collection - some 7,500 pages in Newton's own handwriting - and put it online. Among the yellowed texts are Newton's famous prediction of the apocalypse in 2060.

Newton revolutionized physics, mathematics and astronomy in the 17th and 18th century, laying the foundations for most of classical mechanics - with the principal of universal gravitation and the three laws of motion bearing his name.

However, the curator of Israel's national library's humanities collection said Newton was also a devout Christian who dealt far more in theology than he did in physics and believed that scripture provided a "code" to the natural world.

"Today, we tend to make a distinction between science and faith, but to Newton it was all part of the same world," said Milka Levy-Rubin. "He believed that careful study of holy texts was a type of science, that if analyzed correctly could predict what was to come."

So he learned how to read Hebrew, scrolled through the Bible and delved into the study of Jewish philosophy, the mysticism of Kabbalah and the Talmud - a compendium of Jewish oral law and stories about 1,500 years old.

If you're interested, here is a direct link to The Newton Papers! Since the release of my book, Faith Science, "I've shouted from the mountain tops" that faith and science are not logical opposites. Now you can see it for yourself in the original words of one of the greatest scientists of all time.

Here's an excerpt from Faith Science;

Science and theology are not mutually exclusive. Sir Isaac Newton is considered to be one of the most prominent physicists, mathematicians, astronomers, chemists, and theologians. Newton’s laws of motion are the foundational principles for classical mechanics. He also wrote the book “Observations upon the Prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalypse of St. John.” If I were to respond with the same logic as those secular scientists who think Christians can’t also be scientists, I would say, “These guys are agnostics and atheists; they are not scientists.”

Faith Science on The Norm Jones Show

2012-01-20T14:58:00.001-08:00

This morning Donnell Duncan had a great on-air interview on The Norm Jones Show of WTCM News Talk 580AM out of Traverse City, Michigan.

CLICK IMAGE ABOVE TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW

Why Atheism Is A Religion

2011-12-27T22:40:00.000-08:00

What is religion?

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary;

1 a : the state of a religious, eg. a nun in her 20th year of religion

b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance

2 : a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices

3 archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness

4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith — re·li·gion·less adjective (emphasis mine)

Please observe definition #4. Even though religion is commonly known to only be associated with belief in God or some higher power, by definition, it does not have to be. Any cause! Any principle! Any system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith is RELIGION. Now check this out....

Richard Dawkins - Scholar, Best Selling Author of "The God Delusion", Renowned Atheist Thinker

Here's an interesting excerpt from an interview with leading atheist Richard Dawkins;

In Dawkins' view, there is a battle taking place in Britain between the forces of reason, and religious fundamentalism and it is far from won. He is one of its most famous and prolific combatants - but the question might be whether he is among its most effective. The God Delusion's stated aim was to "convert" readers to atheism - but he admits that as a proselytising tool it has broadly failed. "Yes," he smiles. "I think that was a bit unrealistic. A worthwhile aim, but unrealistic."

In fact, Dawkins has been described as "the biggest recruiter for creationism in this country". Critics accuse him of an imaginative failure when it comes to human nature's susceptibility to the comfort of irrational thought. They say his intellectual intolerance alienates people, and have questioned his wisdom in attacking a target such as the comedian Peter Kay, for admitting to finding faith comforting. "How can you take seriously," Dawkins notoriously scorned, "someone who likes to believe something because he finds it 'comforting'?" (emphasis mine)

Source - 'People say I'm strident'; An Interview with Richard Dawkins by Decca Aitkenhead, The Guardian, Saturday 25 October 2008

Richard Dawkins is an atheist. He is also religious. His admittedly failed attempt to "convert" readers to atheism with the book "The God Delusion" was a perfect example. Our religion believes in God. His religion does not. Atheism is not anti-religion. It's anti-religions that believe in God. As long as the object of a religion is not any form of God it offers no challenge to atheism. Hence, Dawkins is a religious leader with a faithful following of believing "non-believers".

His war against "religion" is really not a war against "religion" because that doesn't make any logical sense. If it was, then he would be at war with himself. In fact, maybe he is. Maybe that's the answer. He's as much conflicted as the people he desires to enlighten. Since he cannot prove God's non-existence, his disbelief of God's existence and adamant opposition to the belief of others is a religious position. I'm religious and I have no problem with that. At least I'm not denying it.

Atheism is defined in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as;

a : a disbelief in the existence of deity
b : the doctrine that there is no deity

We believe in God! Atheists don't! We have our doctrines! They have theirs! The war between Christianity and Atheism is not a war between religion and reason. It's another religious war like the one against Islam but in the end there will be only one winner.

Here's another quote from the interview with Richard Dawkins;

Does he ever, I ask, envy people who believe in God?

"No." He shakes his head firmly. Even though faith is said to be so famously comforting?

"You see," he says, "I'm so eager to say well maybe it is comforting but so what? I suspect that for every person who is comforted by it, there will be somebody else who is in mortal fear of it." Does he not envy those who manage not to find God mortally fearful?

"If I envied them that, then I'd have to envy people who are on some drug, which just makes them feel good. So to the extent that religion's comforting, it's probably not ..."

Dawkins likes to joke that old people go to church because they're "cramming for the final". He never worries that one day in old age he may wake and find himself feeling drawn towards faith, though. If he did, he would put it down to senile dementia. He seems much more worried about spurious reports of a fictitious deathbed conversion being put about by his enemies after he dies. He is probably not joking at all when he says "I want to make damn sure there's a tape recorder running for my last words." (emphasis mine)

Source - 'People say I'm strident'; An Interview with Richard Dawkins by Decca Aitkenhead, The Guardian, Saturday 25 October 2008

Wanna be sure a tape recorder's running as you lay in your deathbed? Oh, that won't be a problem. :-)

Matthew 12:36-37(NLT) - And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”

The Death of an Atheist

2011-12-21T11:31:00.000-08:00

Christopher Hitchens - British/American Intellectual, Writer, Renowned Atheist (13 April 1949-15 December 2011)

Last year, I was fascinated by a heated public debate between Christopher Hitchens and Tony Blair entitled, "Is Religion A Force For Good In The World?" As the former Prime Minister of Great Britain, Blair was already a global household name but it was really that debate which made me take notice of Hitchens. Blair argued for the affirmative while Hitchens vigorously opposed.

Both men exhibited unusual intelligence and presented compelling arguments which kept me riveted to the television screen. However, Blair was no modern-day Apostle Paul with a comprehensive understanding of Apologetics so Hitchens seemed to have the upper hand. Nonetheless, I actually learned a few things that I plan to use to my advantage in future debates of my own.

Here's what Paul Harris of The Guardian, UK had to say in the article; "Christopher Hitchens 1-0 Tony Blair"

Both men were unabashedly stalwart in their positions. Hitchens, one of the leading "new atheists" and author of the hit book God Is Not Great, slammed religion as nothing more than supernatural gobbledegook that caused untold misery throughout human history. "Once you assume a creator and a plan it make us subjects in a cruel experiment," Hitchens said before causing widespread laughter by comparing God to "a kind of divine North Korea".

Blair, perhaps not surprisingly, was a little less forthright. On the backfoot for much of the debate he kept returning to his theme that many religious people all over the world were engaged in great and good works. They did that because of their faith, he argued, and to slam all religious people as ignorant or evil was plain wrong. "The proposition that religion is unadulterated poison is unsustainable," he said. Blair called religion at its best "a benign progressive framework by which to live our lives".

Christopher Hitchens died last week after battling with cancer. For him the debate is now over and that's no laughing matter.

Here's a short excerpt from his orbituary at BBC News;

Religion, or rather his complete rejection of it, would remain a target throughout his life. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2010, he told one interviewer: "No evidence or argument has yet been presented which would change my mind. But I like surprises."

SURPRISE!

Hebrews 9:27(KJV) - And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

When people die, there is no more need for compelling arguments or reliable evidence. The truth is laid bare before their eyes. There will be no more need for discussion. It's a harsh reality that some are yet to grasp.

Here's a simple argument. What if The Bible's wrong and there's nothing after death? At least we who believed, enjoyed full lives on earth benefiting from a fictitious relationship with a God who seemingly was actively involved in our daily lives. However, what if The Bible's right? Life on earth regardless of what it is like will be the best time ever for everyone who rejects Christ. Why? Nothing's worst than the eternity they will spend in hell. There's only one way to prove who's right. DIE!

1 John 2:1(KJV) - My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Finally, Scientists Have "Found" The God Particle!

2011-12-14T11:58:00.000-08:00

It's official. Scientists are one step closer to discovering God.... um... The God Particle.

Here's what Makiko Kitamur of Bloomberg News had to say yesterday, Tuesday, December 13th in "Scientists Get Closer to Locating ‘God Particle’ in Collider Experiments." Pay close attention to the phrase in bold print.

Scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research have narrowed the range where the hypothetical “God particle” created at the beginning of the universe may be found, closing in on evidence of its existence.

The particle, also known as Higgs boson, most likely has a mass in the region between 116 and 130 gigaelectronvolts of energy being studied by one research team and between 115 and 127 gigaelectronvolts under observation by another team, according to data presented today by the Geneva-based research institute. Independent measurements point to a range of 124 to 126 gigaelectronvolts, researchers said.

The Higgs boson, named after U.K. physicist Peter Higgs, in theory allows other particles to have mass. Finding the Higgs boson could be a gateway to discovering new physics, such as superparticles or dark matter, part of the universe’s building material that went missing at the beginning of time. While the scientists found “tantalizing hints” of the particle, it’s too early to say whether it exists, the scientists said. (emphasis mine)

OK, maybe they didn't actually find The God Particle but I guess now they have a better idea of where to look. :-)

From Faith Science - Where Faith and The Scientific Method Collide;

Scientists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva along the Franco-Swiss border with the Large Hadron Collider and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FERMILAB) near Chicago, Illinois, with the Tevatron Collider have been actively involved in some important research. In an effort to identify the source of mass, they are currently seeking ways to definitively isolate the Higgs Boson, or God Particle. According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, the Higgs Boson is “a hypothetical elementary particle that has zero spin and large mass that is required by some gauge theories to account for the masses of other elementary

particles.”

Therefore, they are attempting to prove what has been accepted theoretically for a long time. Apparently, elementary particles essentially have no measurable mass without the Higgs Boson. Thus, the absence or presence of measurable mass does not define the existence of a particle. Based on this theory, all particles actually exist apart from mass that can be quantified. If you can understand this simple fact, it will revolutionize the way you think about everything in life. We have always known that visibility does not define existence because many essential elements in life are invisible, like the air we breathe.

Yet, it was understood that even invisible elements have some level of infinitesimal mass. Now scientific researchers are out to prove that particles in existence can be both invisible and massless. When God created the earth, could it be that he combined the Higgs Boson with invisible, mass-less particles that were already in existence? Why not? If that’s what gives a particle its mass, isn’t every particle in existence essentially mass-less apart from the Higgs Boson? So when we consider items with mass to be more real than items without mass, we make as much scientific sense as a person who concludes that something doesn’t exist because it can’t be seen.

The Danger of "Thinking" Christians

2011-12-07T12:24:00.000-08:00

Proverbs 25:2(MSG) - God delights in concealing things; scientists delight in discovering things.

God knows all things and by His design, we don't. However, the goal of scientists is to discover truth. Well, at least it should be. Sometimes, it's the real truth but many times it's the desired truth. When we're presented with evidence, we don't always believe what we see but we do see what we believe. Therefore, what really matters in science is not just the presentation of evidence but the interpretation of the presented evidence. Anyway, people of faith can learn a thing or two from scientists.

Facing religious arguments against his scientific pursuits, 15th century Italian physicist Galileo Galilei said “I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.”

Job 35:9-11(MSG) - "When times get bad, people cry out for help. They cry for relief from being kicked around, But never give God a thought when things go well, when God puts spontaneous songs in their hearts, When God sets out the entire creation as a science classroom, using birds and beasts to teach wisdom.

Join me as we enter God's science classroom.

Ex nihilo nihil fit–Latin, “Out of nothing, comes nothing” a phrase originated by the Scholastics in claiming that the universe needs God as its cause because something cannot be created out of nothing.

Source: A Dictionary of Common Philosophical Terms, Gregory Pence, published by Mc Graw-Hill

Something from nothing. Life from non-life. Non-directed order from total chaos. Universal moral law but no law-giver. Simple, logical ideas that strengthen the secular position don't seem so logical after all, don't they? If we really want to push the issue there is a lot of low hanging fruit out there for us to pick on.

That's why "thinking" Christians are so dangerous. The same way critics use logic to pick apart the Christian position, "thinking" Christians can return the favor. Why not?

Will the world end in 2012?

2011-12-01T09:18:00.000-08:00

Matthew 24:30(KJV) - And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

I remember when the rumor surrounding 2012 began to spread like wildfire across the globe. It was a hit in Hollywood with even a movie of the same name. "Scientists" supported the idea. It was the talk of the town. Even popular Christian televangelists jumped on the bandwagon. However, I did not even consider it until people started contacting our ministry with questions a few years ago.

Then in 2009, NASA took the time to analyze the issue and posted the results on their official Government website, NASA.GOV in the article, 2012: Beginning of the End or Why the World Won't End?

Here's a short excerpt;

Remember the Y2K scare? It came and went without much of a whimper because of adequate planning and analysis of the situation. Impressive movie special effects aside, Dec. 21, 2012, won't be the end of the world as we know. It will, however, be another winter solstice.

Much like Y2K, 2012 has been analyzed and the science of the end of the Earth thoroughly studied. Contrary to some of the common beliefs out there, the science behind the end of the world quickly unravels when pinned down to the 2012 timeline. Below, NASA Scientists answer several questions that we're frequently asked regarding 2012. -

Source - 2012: Beginning of the End or Why the World Won't End?

One of the main pieces of evidence put forth to support the claim of a 2012 Apocalypse was the end of the Mayan Calendar. Apparently, the calendar ends on December 21, 2012 so it was assumed that we would end with the calendar. Few publicly questioned the evidence nor the interpretation until Wednesday when Sven Gronemeyer of La Trobe University in Australia put it to rest.

Here's what ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON of Associated Press had to say in the article, "Expert: Mexico glyphs don't predict apocalypse."

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The end is not near.
At least that's according to a German expert who says his decoding of a Mayan tablet with a reference to a 2012 date denotes a transition to a new era and not a possible end of the world as others have read it.
The interpretation of the hieroglyphs by Sven Gronemeyer of La Trobe University in Australia was presented for the first time Wednesday at the archaeological site of Palenque in southern Mexico.
His comments came less than a week after Mexico's archaeology institute acknowledged there was a second reference to the 2012 date in Mayan inscriptions, touching of another round of talk about whether it predicts the end of the world.
Gronemeyer has been studying the stone tablet found years ago at the archeological site of Tortuguero in Mexico's Gulf coast state of Tabasco.
He said the inscription describes the return of mysterious Mayan god Bolon Yokte at the end of a 13th period of 400 years, known as Baktuns, on the equivalent of Dec. 21, 2012. Mayans considered 13 a sacred number. There's nothing apocalyptic in the date, he said.
The text was carved about 1,300 years ago. The stone has cracked, which has made the end of the passage almost illegible.

Source - "Expert: Mexico glyphs don't predict apocalypse." by Adriana Gomez Licon, Associated Press

Matthew 24:35-37(KJV) - Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

So... will the world end in 2012? The Mayans didn't know then. NASA doesn't know now. Neither do we! However, that doesn't mean your world can't end. What do you plan to do about that?

Hebrews 9:27(KJV) - And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Need a New Heart? Grow One!

2011-11-16T10:18:00.000-08:00

Ezekiel 36:26(KJV) - A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

Recently, I laid my eyes on a fascinating bit of information. On Monday, November 14, 2011, Caleb Hellerman of CNN published the article, "Studies: Stem cells reverse heart damage."

Here's a quote;

At Cedars-Sinai, 17 patients, including Milles, were given stem cells approximately six weeks after suffering a moderate to major heart attack. All had lost enough tissue to put them "at big risk" of future heart failure, according to Dr. Eduardo Marban, the director of the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, who developed the stem cell procedure used there.

The results were striking. Not only did scar tissue retreat -- shrinking 40% in Ken Milles, and between 30% and 47% in other test subjects -- but the patients actually generated new heart tissue. On average, the stem cell recipients grew the equivalent of 600 million new heart cells, according to Marban, who used MRI imaging to measure changes. By way of perspective, a major heart attack might kill off a billion cells.

"This is unprecedented, the first time anyone has grown living heart muscle," says Marban. "No one else has demonstrated that. It's very gratifying, especially when the conventional teaching has been that the damage is irreversible."

Perhaps even more important, no treated patient in either study suffered a significant health setback.

Source - "Studies: Stem cells reverse heart damage" by Caleb Hellerman - CNN.COM

Developing human organs from stem cells is so serious. On July 8th, I told you about the "man-made urethra" that was successfully implanted. Two days earlier I shared even more mind-blowing information in "Immortality: A Scientific Phenomenon?" Today, I'm letting you in on the use of stem cells to grow new heart cells. Why is all of this research so game-changing?

Here's a quote from each of those two previous articles;

Two days ago, Yahoo News published the article; "Who wants to live forever? Scientist sees aging cured" written by Health and Science Correspondent Kate Kelland. Here's a quote from the very interesting article;

LONDON (Reuters) – If Aubrey de Grey's predictions are right, the first person who will live to see their 150th birthday has already been born. And the first person to live for 1,000 years could be less than 20 years younger.

A biomedical gerontologist and chief scientist of a foundation dedicated to longevity research, de Grey reckons that within his own lifetime doctors could have all the tools they need to "cure" aging -- banishing diseases that come with it and extending life indefinitely.

"I'd say we have a 50/50 chance of bringing aging under what I'd call a decisive level of medical control within the next 25 years or so," de Grey said in an interview before delivering a lecture at Britain's Royal Institution academy of science.

Source: Immortality: A Scientific Phenomenon?

Matthew 24:36-39(NLT) - “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

After reading Wednesday's article "Immortality: A Scientific Phenomenon?" one of my colleagues made a startling suggestion. Jesus said that at His return it will be like the Days of Noah. He highlighted specific characteristics of those days but left out one important detail that now is being broached among scientists. In Noah's day, people lived much longer than they do now. In fact, it was in Noah's day that God made the following statement.

Genesis 6:3(KJV) - And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

When you compare the lifespans of people before Noah's flood and after you will realize a significant drop. They decreased from hundreds of years to less than one hundred and twenty.

In Wednesday's article, I made the following quote; "If Aubrey de Grey's predictions are right, the first person who will live to see their 150th birthday has already been born. And the first person to live for 1,000 years could be less than 20 years younger."

If developments in stem cell research, bio-engineering and synthetic biology continue in the direction they are going, we may see a return to the Days of Noah. If that's the case, you know what's supposed to take place when that happens.

Source: Man-Made Human Organ Successfully Transplanted

Welcome to the new era of medical advancement! Welcome to The Days of Noah!

Connecting Neuroscience And Faith

2011-11-14T08:50:00.000-08:00

1 Corinthians 2:11(NLT) - No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.

Last weekend I stumbled upon an interesting article on the CNN.Com Belief Blog called "My Take: Keep government out of mind-reading business" written by Dr.Paul Root Wolpe, the Director of Emory University’s Center for Ethics. Since his focus is on ethics, it's not the most scientific article but it did get my attention. So in search of more scientific evidence I decided to do some research of my own. I wanted to know what was really going on in the "Mind Reading Business"? Eventually, I found a goldmine of information collected by The Society for Neuroscience - Advancing The Understanding of the Brain and Nervous System.

Prepare to have your mind blown wide open!

Here are some fascinating excerpts from two articles I found;

Patients previously believed to be in a vegetative state have responded to basic questions through the use of a portable bedside brain scanner, raising hopes that in future, they might be able to communicate with family and friends.

Among 16 patients at Addenbrooke's hospital, in Cambridge, and at University hospital, in Liege, Belgium, three people who previously were thought to be without consciousness were able to respond to some one asking them to imagine clenching their right hand or toes.
The portable brain scanner showed identical brain activity to the patterns created when healthy people imagine making those movements.

Source: "Brain scanner brings new hope for patients in vegetative state" by Sarah Boseley, health editor - The Guardian, Wednesday 9 November 2011

The contents of a person’s dream have been revealed by brain scan for the first time, scientists report in the Nov. 8 Current Biology. By monitoring the brain of a man who has unusual control over his dreaming, the accomplishment brings researchers closer to understanding how the brain spins its nightly yarns.

“It’s really exciting that people have done this,” says sleep researcher Edward Pace-Schott at Massachusetts General Hospital in Charlestown and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. “And it also brings back lucid dreaming as a very powerful scientific tool.”

Source: "First brain image of a dream created" by Laura Sanders, Science News - Friday, November 4th, 2011

Check out this week's video from "Face To Face With Faith Science" to see what The Bible has to say about this; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAjykGtRX28

The Genesis Code - Drawing The Line Between Faith And Science

2011-11-09T10:09:00.000-08:00

When times get bad, people cry out for help. They cry for relief from being kicked around, But never give God a thought when things go well, when God puts spontaneous songs in their hearts, When God sets out the entire creation as a science classroom, using birds and beasts to teach wisdom.

Job 35:9–11 msg

I remember when I first made the decision to write my fourth book, Faith Science. I knew it would take a big effort but I thought it was worth it. For some strange reason I projected myself upon others. I assumed that there was widespread interest in bridging the gap between Faith and Science. I thought that most people had this burning desire to see the connection between Biblical truth and scientific evidence. Maybe I did get a little ahead of myself? Maybe I made some huge assumptions? However, I do know one thing for sure; I am not alone.

There's a movie that's just been released called "The Genesis Code" which tackles the question of Origins head on. I commend their efforts for joining this noble cause. When it becomes available in your city, go check it out and let me know what you think.

Here's the story;

Kerry Wells (Kelsey Sanders), a college journalist and committed Christian with an effervescent personality, has been assigned to do a story on Blake Truman (Logan Bartholomew) the college’s newest and very popular hockey superstar. As a relationship between them begins to develop Kerry finds that Blake, who hides behind a tough and independent façade, is actually struggling through a difficult personal crisis and that he bears the cross of a secret he has kept hidden for years. Blake rebuffs Kerry’s suggestion that prayer might help ease his burden; he is convinced that modern science completely disproves the Bible, especially the opening verses of Genesis. Kerry — who is herself suddenly confronted with a challenge to her faith on another front — sets out to prove that science and Genesis are not in conflict and her quest leads to a startling revelation. Could it be that what science teaches us about creation and the Story as told in Genesis are both true and in perfect accord!

Source: TheGenesisCodeMovie.Com

“I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use”
(Galileo Galilei: 1564–1642 Italian physicist).

Did God create the heavens and the earth at the beginning of time or was there a Big Bang? My answer is; "Why not both?" See "The Big Bang in The Bible" and you'll understand why.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1 kjv

Here's what this verse says when observed closely;

"In the beginning..." - Time
"..God created the heavens..." - Space
"...and the earth" - Matter

Time is a finite entity that has a starting point and an ending.
Space is a created entity that only came into existence when time began.
Physical matter is not eternal but was created at the beginning of time.

From Faith Science;

The common misperception that there is always conflict between science and faith can be abused by those with anti-Christian or anti-science agendas. In reality science has always been the domain of many committed Christians such as the astronomer Johannes Kepler, who dedicated one of his papers with a prayer, saying, I have here completed the work of my calling, with as much intellectual strength as you have granted me. This same attitude is shared by many Christians who work in science today. CiS exists to support such Christians and their aims.
—Christians in Science (CiS), Why Christians in Science

The most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets could only proceed from the counsel and dominion on an intelligent and powerful Being.
—Sir Isaac Newton (1642–1727), Principia (1687)

The Science and Spirit of Music

2011-11-02T10:04:00.000-07:00

Today's video blog was inspired by a project called "The Music Instinct - Science and Song." While there, I found some of the most fascinating scientific evidence concerning the effect of music on the human body. Here's a quote from the article, "How Music Can Reach The Silenced Brain" by Concetta Tomaino;

Music predates recorded history, but its roots may lie in early human communication and rituals for healing. In traditional African cultures and rain forest cultures in other parts of the world, for example, music is connected with many of life’s vital patterns and occasions. In Western culture, however, as music became increasingly accepted as an art form, its therapeutic properties were mostly forgotten—rediscovered only when music therapy became an organized ﬁeld in the early 1950s.

Since then, a torrent of peer-reviewed clinical and scientiﬁc studies have focused on music’s therapeutic value in areas from reducing pain, to improving memory and cognition, to helping motor function. But even though we know how effective music therapy can be, the investigation of its effects on recovery of function in people with neurologic impairment is new and exceedingly challenging.
Source: "How Music Can Reach The Silenced Brain" by Concetta Tomaino

What's even greater is that I was able to make connections between the scientific research and a case study from The Bible. Check out the video to see for yourself.

How A Scientific Study of Human Languages Supports The Bible

2011-10-19T12:15:00.000-07:00

I came across a very interesting article called "The Original Human Language Like Yoda Sounded" by Natalie Wolchover at Fox News. Here is an important quote;

Sentences like Yoda you form?
Many linguists believe all human languages derived from a single tongue spoken in East Africa around 50,000 years ago. They've found clues scattered throughout the vocabularies and grammars of the world as to how that original "proto-human language" might have sounded. New research suggests that it sounded somewhat like the speech of Yoda, the tiny green Jedi from "Star Wars."
There are various word orders used in the languages of the world. Some, like English, use subject-verb-object (SVO) ordering, as in the sentence "I like you." Others, such as Latin, use subject-object-verb (SOV) ordering, as in "I you like." In rare cases, OSV, OVS, VOS and VSO are used. In a new paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Merritt Ruhlen and Murray Gell-Mann, co-directors of the Santa Fe Institute Program on the Evolution of Human Languages, argue that the original language used SOV ordering ("I you like").
"This language would have been spoken by a small East African population who seemingly invented fully modern language and then spread around the world, replacing everyone else," Ruhlen told Life's Little Mysteries.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/10/14/original-human-language-like-yoda-sounded/#ixzz1bFq32328

In this scientific study published by the National Academy of Sciences, Santa Fe Institute Program on the Evolution of Human Languages researchers were able to trace the origin of "modern" human language to a small East African population. From this point all modern languages spread across the world and "evolved".

Why is this minor detail such a big deal for students of faith and science? It points directly to what was written in The Bible!

Let me share with you the following scripture;

Genesis 11:1-9(NLT) -
The Tower of Babel
1 At one time all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same words. 2 As the people migrated to the east, they found a plain in the land of Babylonia and settled there.
3 They began saying to each other, “Let’s make bricks and harden them with fire.” (In this region bricks were used instead of stone, and tar was used for mortar.) 4 Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.”
5 But the Lord came down to look at the city and the tower the people were building. 6 “Look!” he said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them! 7 Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.”
8 In that way, the Lord scattered them all over the world, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the Lord confused the people with different languages. In this way he scattered them all over the world.

I did some research of my own and found this map of the Middle East provided by World Atlas.

The Bible traces the origin of modern human language to the land of Shinar which is described as follows at Encyclopedia.com;

A plain in Babylonia (modern S. Iraq), where the tower of Babel was supposed to have been built (Gen. 11: 2). Some of the Israelite exiles were to be rescued from there (Isa. 11: 11). In Zechariah's seventh vision the wickedness and guilt of Judah is sealed in a basket and carried to Shinar to be deposited in a temple of its own (Zech. 5: 11).

Take a look at the map of the Middle East. Pay close attention to the proximity of the East African nation of Egypt and Southern Iraq (Babylonia). Both The Bible and scientific research trace the origin of human language to the same general region. In addition, they both agree that all modern language spread throughout the world from that location. If The Bible is a fictional collection of religious documents with no historical or scientific basis what's the probability that The Book of Genesis written several thousand years before this study could get this one right?

At Faith Science one aspect of our mission is to expose scientific mysteries hidden within scriptures. The scientific mystery of the origin of human language is revealed in The Book of Genesis and it's supported by scientific research.

This one's huge!

Face To Face With Faith Science - Is The Big Bang In The Bible?

2011-10-17T05:10:00.000-07:00

The Science Of Miracles

2011-10-12T11:04:00.000-07:00

From Faith Science

And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, “No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever.” And his disciples heard it. And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
Mark 11:12–14, 20 kjv

Jesus caused a reaction to take place in the fig tree, which resulted in a physical product without introducing any external physical reactants. The reactants in this reaction were the spoken words of Jesus and the chemical composition of the fig tree. Somehow, these two combined, and the product of the reaction caused the fig tree to die from its roots. As I stated earlier, since spiritual matter is stable, this reaction also needed activation energy for it to take place. It doesn’t take much thought to realize a pattern here. God used words to cause the reaction of creation, and Jesus used words to cause the chemical reaction that killed the fig tree. Now, if you haven’t figured it out already, I’ll tell you what was used as the activation energy.

And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, “Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.” And Jesus answering saith unto them, “Have faith in God.”
Mark 11:21–22 kjv

Peter asked Jesus the same question that I’m asking you now: How did he do that? How did he cause a chemical reaction that resulted in a physical product without introducing any physical reactant? Jesus provided a simple answer: “Have faith in God.” Faith is the activation energy that causes a reaction between the reactants of words and matter to result in a product.

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, “Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea;” and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
Mark 11:23 kjv

The task at hand was the removal of a physical mountain. A reaction causes change in matter, so if the location of the mountain needed to change, a reaction was necessary for it to happen. Jesus broke down the steps of the reaction in Mark 11:23. He first said to speak to the mountain. These words, when combined with the chemical composition of the mountain, form the reactants. He then said to believe that what they said would come to pass, which provided the activation energy. Then he said that the product would be the removal of the mountain. Indeed, like any scientific principle, as long as the steps were precisely followed, the same process could be repeated at will.

I will now take this even further. Paul said in Hebrews 11:3 that God created the physical earth with words, and then he also said that God used spiritual matter to create the physical earth. So there must be some relationship between words based in faith and the spiritual matter used as reactants in what I will now formally name spiritual reactions. In a spiritual reaction, the Word of God and spiritual matter were used to create physical products. Hence, I can safely conclude that God’s Word isn’t combined with spiritual matter to cause spiritual reactions, but God’s Word is spiritual matter.

When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, “Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
John 6:61–63 kjv

Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
1 John 5:5–7 kjv

Jesus stated that the words he spoke were spiritual matter. So the Word of God in any form is spiritual matter. Thus, any spiritual reaction we need can take place using a process I will now coin as the spiritual method. This method is defined as “the use of faith in the Word of God as the activation energy necessary to cause matter to change form.”

Therefore, faith and the Word of God should always be considered inseparable if this method is to be effective. Paul said in Romans 10:17 that “faith comes by hearing and hearing comes by the Word of God,” which proves that there is no biblical faith outside of the Word of God. Many people have some kind of faith, but whatever they have apart from God’s Word doesn’t work with the spiritual method.

To conclude the scientific foundation of faith, I’ll return to the basis of a reaction. Do you know that certain reactions only occur when the minimum level of activation energy is provided? In addition, when approached on a molecular level, the more energy provided, the more molecules in the reactants participate in the reaction, which affects the rate of the reaction.

Thus, the rate of a reaction can be related to its activation energy. If faith is the activation energy necessary in a spiritual reaction, the amount of faith provided can determine how long it takes for matter to change form, if any change occurs at all. Carefully read the following passage and think about what I just said.

And another of his disciples said unto him, “Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.” But Jesus said unto him, “Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.” And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, “Lord, save us: we perish.” And he saith unto them, “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?” Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, “What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!”

Jesus said to the disciples when they appeared helpless in the storm, “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?” They did not have enough faith to cause a spiritual reaction between their words and the rough weather. That was the only thing Jesus mentioned as the difference between their ineffectiveness at stopping the storm and his ability to do it with ease. He asked them why they were fearful and then identified their problem as a lack of faith.

As I said earlier, the amount of faith necessary for a particular reaction must be provided before it ever occurs. In a spiritual reaction, matter in any form, including invisible or mass-less matter, changes form when combined with the spiritual matter of God’s Word using the activation energy of biblical faith. If you have enough faith, you can change anything.

How The 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics Supports The Bible!

2011-10-05T10:47:00.000-07:00

It's official! Three Americans will share the 2011 Nobel Prize for Physics. Here's an excerpt of the Associated Press article, "3 win Nobel for showing universe is speeding up" by Malcolm and Carl Ritter released Tuesday, October 4th;

NEW YORK (AP) -- Three U.S.-born scientists won the Nobel Prize in physics Tuesday for discovering that the universe is expanding at an accelerating pace, a stunning revelation that suggests the cosmos could be headed for a colder, bleaker future, nearly devoid of light.

In 1998, Saul Perlmutter, Brian Schmidt and Adam Riess presented findings that overturned the conventional idea that the expansion was slowing 13.7 billion years after the big bang.
Their discovery raised a question: What is pushing the universe apart? Scientists have labeled it "dark energy," but nobody knows what it is.
It's "an enigma, perhaps the greatest in physics today," the Nobel committee said.

On the official website, NobelPrize.Org, the following announcement has been placed;

The Nobel Prize in Physics 2011 was divided, one half awarded to Saul Perlmutter, the other half jointly to Brian P. Schmidt and Adam G. Riess "for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe through observations of distant supernovae".

Why is this such big news for people of Faith and Science?

Job 9:8(AMP) - Who alone stretches out the heavens and treads upon the waves and high places of the sea;
Isaiah 40:22(AMP) - It is God Who sits above the circle (the horizon) of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; it is He Who stretches out the heavens like [gauze] curtains and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in,

According to The Bible, the universe is being continually stretched like a curtain and spread out like a tent. Without any advanced scientific research, Job and the prophet Isaiah said the universe is expanding. Hence, they appeared to already know an important element of The Big Bang.

In sum, current research which proves that the expansion is accelerating only further supports the fact that it's expanding in the first place. How could this scientific fact be in The Bible thousands of years before it was ever theorized and then proven by scientists? Where did these authors of The Bible get such wisdom? Maybe they had inside information. ;-)

2 Timothy 3:16(KJV) - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Face To Face With Faith Science - Straight Answers

2011-10-03T10:48:00.000-07:00

The Origin of Life - A Scientific or Philosophical Debate?

2011-09-28T10:42:00.000-07:00

I'm currently reading the book, "Origins of Life" by Dr Fazale Rana and Dr Hugh Ross of Reasons to Believe. Early in the book Dr Rana traces the various theories that have been considered throughout history concerning the origin of life. It fascinates me that some of the most prominent scientific minds have presented some of the most unscientific explanations. With the near impossibility of defending the theoretical position of life coming from non-life some have made up very interesting arguments. One of my favorites is Directed Panspermia which credits alien life for seeding the earth. Very interesting...

So that makes me think a little.... When we argue about the origin of life aren't we stepping outside of the realm of science and entering the realm of philosophy? It's impossible to observe and impossible to test life's origin so it cannot be evaluated using The Scientific Method. Hence, this debate really does come down to the simple question; "What do you believe?" Once we establish what we believe we may then use any observable evidence to strengthen or weaken our belief. Now let's use some brain power.

Excerpt From Faith Science;

Here are three crucial quotes from the Chicago Tribune article “Fermilab Test Throws off More Matter than Antimatter and this Matters” on May 29, 2010. I cited it earlier as the number-three headline that followed the D-Zero Collaboration announcement. It highlights comments made by Joseph Lykken, a theoretical physicist at FERMILAB.

“It’s like looking back to the instant where everything began,” said Joseph Lykken.

The question of existence is something that humans have wondered about ever since there were humans to wonder: “Why is there something rather than nothing?” as the seventeenthcentury philosopher Gottfried Leibniz put it.

This discovery someday could have practical spinoffs, but it could have immediate implications, among them is the clamorous intersection of politics and religion. Lykken hypothesized that proponents of “intelligent design” could seize upon the new findings to further support their argument that the laws of nature are so fine-tuned, they must be the handiwork of a creator.

—Fermilab Test Throws off More Matter than Antimatter and this Matters—Particle collision thought to replicate Big Bang forces, may help explain how things exist by Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, May 29, 2010

So what did they expect to happen? Is it by chance that ultra highspeed collisions support the notion of super symmetry resulting in consistently more matter than antimatter? Could this process have simply replicated itself to result in the highly detailed physical realm in existence today?

It’s actually much more challenging to believe that there is no Creator than to believe that there is. With each new discovery, scientists find answers that result in more questions. This perpetual process of experimental analysis will continue until the truth is accepted.

But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.
Romans 1:18–23 nlt

One of the worst decisions a Christian can ever make is to get into an argument with atheists or agnostics about the Theory of Origins. Even if they are presented with the conclusions of respectable scientists, they will not listen. They know the truth in their hearts and cannot deny the impossibility of chance in proven scientific processes like CP violation. It’s not supposed to happen that way; that is, unless it was really supposed to happen that way. Why is it so hard to believe there’s more to our existence than random scientific reactions? The truth is not always hard to believe, but most times it’s hard to accept.

In the Chicago Tribune article cited earlier in this chapter, Ron Grossman said:

One of physic’s foundation stones is the concept of a symmetrical universe. Everything has its mirror opposite, like humans’ left and right hands. As schoolchildren learn, Newton said every action has an equal and opposite reaction. “A good example is the Big Bang,” Lykken said, putting his colleague’s discovery into context. “The universe began as a perfectly symmetrical object, a ball of energy.” The problem lies in what happened next. That energy condensed into matter but also its opposite, antimatter. The two being mutually destructive, they should have canceled each other out. Instead, Lykken noted, matter joined together in ever larger concentrations—nuclei, atoms, stars, galaxies.
Fermilab test throws off more matter than antimatter and this matters—Particle collision thought to replicate Big Bang forces, may help explain how things exist by Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, May 29, 2010

An atheist could probably continue the quote with, “ … water, trees, humans, dogs, etc.” Once again, let’s take a look at Romans 1:23: “Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.” Those who argue on the side of chance claim to be wise. Why does anything exist? Their wise answer is “the Big Bang.” Why are humans developed beyond the rest of the animal kingdom? Their wise answer is “evolution.” What will happen when they die? Their wise answer is “nothing.” The more we discover about our existence, the more we need to discover. The search for truth cannot end if those who are searching don’t intend to accept it.

When times get bad, people cry out for help. They cry for relief from being kicked around, But never give God a thought when things go well, when God puts spontaneous songs in their hearts, When God sets out the entire creation as a science classroom, using birds and beasts to teach wisdom.
Job 35:9–11 msg

God is our science teacher, and the universe is his classroom. This probably explains why several scientists and writers for scientific publications are quick to mention God after major scientific breakthroughs. Why don’t they say that the experimental results prove that there is no God and there was no creation? Isn’t that supposed to be the goal of many of these educated theorists?

They come up with complicated explanations for life’s intricate details while God uses birds and beasts to teach wisdom. Then they see experimental data that points them to God and they struggle to accept it. The good news is that God knows how to trigger a response out of even the most stubborn hearts.

Can Scientific Evidence Prove The Bible is The Word of God?

2011-09-16T09:28:00.000-07:00

I received the following question from Alicia;

What are the scientific truths/proofs that the Bible is the Word of God?

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the scientific method as, “principles and procedures for the systematic pursuit of knowledge involving the recognition and formulation of a problem, the collection of data through observation and experiment, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses.”

Scientific proof is testable. For me to present scientific truths/ proofs that The Bible is the Word of God I have to confirm using scientific evidence (not scriptures) the existence and true identity of God Himself. I then have to confirm using scientific evidence (not scriptures) the true source of The Bible in it's original form.

I may believe as a Christian that The Bible is The Word of God but which Bible are we referring to? Definitely, not the one we have in our hands right now. Why? I have about 20 versions of The Bible at my house alone and they each say different things. That's not just because they're different translations from the same original source.

They actually were translated from different manuscripts which said different things. In fact, some of my Bibles have notes which list several sources of information which they selectively chose to use for the same scripture. As a Christian, it doesn't really bother me because The Bible is just a tool which helps me to develop a relationship with God. As long as I can understand God's intention in what's being said, I am fine. However, as a scientist I cannot ignore the specific details.

I then have to confirm using scientific evidence (not scriptures) that God gave us The Bible. Not only that, I'll have to use scientific evidence to prove how God did it and why it could not have come from another source. That's a tall task that cannot be done at this time.

However, I do have some exciting news. I present to you some ambitious research out of Jerusalem by The Hebrew University Bible Project. At the rate they're going, they expect to have a definitive version of the Old Testament in about 200 years.

An article by AP writer Matti Friedman called "Scholars seek to correct 'mistakes' in Bible" published on August 12, 2011 says the following;

A dull-looking chart projected on the wall of a university office in Jerusalem displayed a revelation that would startle many readers of the Old Testament: The sacred text that people revered in the past was not the same one we study today.
An ancient version of one book has an extra phrase. Another appears to have been revised to retroactively insert a prophecy after the events happened.
Scholars in this out-of-the-way corner of the Hebrew University campus have been quietly at work for 53 years on one of the most ambitious projects attempted in biblical studies — publishing the authoritative edition of the Old Testament, also known as the Hebrew Bible, and tracking every single evolution of the text over centuries and millennia.
And it has evolved, despite deeply held beliefs to the contrary.
For many Jews and Christians, religion dictates that the words of the Bible in the original Hebrew are divine, unaltered and unalterable.
For Orthodox Jews, the accuracy is considered so inviolable that if a synagogue's Torah scroll is found to have a minute error in a single letter, the entire scroll is unusable.
But the ongoing work of the academic detectives of the Bible Project, as their undertaking is known, shows that this text at the root of Judaism, Christianity and Islam was somewhat fluid for long periods of its history, and that its transmission through the ages was messier and more human than most of us imagine.

The Hebrew University Bible Project team at work.

If you visit my website and read many of the articles there, they provide proof that the source of information in The Bible is supernatural in nature. Why can I say that?

The scientific research that would have been necessary to provide some of the information that's presented in The Bible was only recently completed. For them to know what to write would have been impossible on a natural level.

For example, the meticulously ordered universe mentioned in Genesis 1:1 could not have come into place from random processes. In other words, the source of highly complex order cannot be chaos. According to The Big Bang Theory, as stated in my article "The Big Bang in The Bible" there was a singular point from which all time and space came into existence. It was something called the primeval atom.

Scientific evidence results in theoretical conclusions that can point as far back as the primeval atom. However, it can go back no further. Why? Scientific evidence can only operate in time and space which did not exist before The Beginning. We cannot test anything that's outside of this realm using tools that are of this realm. The Bible agrees that there was a beginning in Genesis 1:1, however, it goes a step further to say that God caused The Beginning. There is no way to prove that statement with science.

Science proves that there was a beginning but cannot identify The Beginner.

Genesis 21:33
Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he worshiped the Lord, the Eternal God.

According to The Bible, God is eternal and transcends time and space. Therefore, He transcends the boundaries of scientific evidence.

As a Christian, I believe that the supernatural source of the information in The Bible is God. I cannot use science to prove that because scientific research cannot identify God. It can only observe His handiwork within time and space.

Romans 1:18-23 (NLT) - But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.^[i] ¹⁹ They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. ²⁰ For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
²¹ Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. ²² Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. ²³ And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.

We don't prove The Bible! The Bible proves us!

"Ageless" Earth - Was Earth Originally A Watery Mess?

2011-09-14T10:16:00.000-07:00

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Genesis 1:1–2 kjv

In Genesis 1:2 the Hebrew word hayah was translated into the English word was, which also means “became” or “came to pass.” In other words, God started time with the creation of the heavens and the earth, but something happened. The earth became without form, empty and dark. What happened? Since our basic assumptions concerning this issue come from the Bible, then let’s stick with it to find our answers.

This is the fourth installment of our blog series, "Ageless" Earth. You can read the other installments by clicking on the following links;

From Faith Science;

God could not have created the earth formless and void.

For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else.
Isaiah 45:18 kjv

I know God’s ways are past finding out, but would he create the heavens and earth in complete darkness first before declaring light? Would you go to work in darkness and after completing some of your most important tasks then turn on the light? In fact, now that I think of it, I have an idea. If we use that reasoning, I guess that’s why the earth was a dark, watery mess at first. Maybe God only noticed what he did when he turned on the light in Genesis 1:3.

Of course, that doesn’t make sense. Take a look at what Isaiah 45:18 says. When God created the heavens and the earth, he made it inhabitable, and nothing was wrong with it. Now look at how this same verse is stated in the New Living Translation.

For the Lord is God, and he created the heavens and earth and put everything in place. He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos. “I am the Lord,” he says, “and there is no other.
Isaiah 45:18 nlt

There is no chaos in God, so even if some Bible scholars believe it to be part of the creative process, I don’t. He remains a God of order. The Bible clearly states in Genesis 1:2 that the earth was formless and empty, which means it was a place of empty chaos, directly contradicting Isaiah 45:18. On that account, there is some room for reasoning here.

Since the character of God is consistent throughout the Scriptures with order and purpose, I would have to assume that Isaiah 45:18 is correct. Hence, something must have happened after God created the earth in Genesis 1:1 for it to become formless and void.

As I stated at the beginning of this chapter, that scenario is exactly what the Bible states in its original language. The earth wasn’t created formless and void; it became formless and void.

Unlocking The Scientific Mind

2011-09-09T07:08:00.000-07:00

Donnell Duncan spoke from his new book, "Faith Science" at Georgia Institute of Technology on September 8th, 2011.

"Mr. Duncan makes a clear case on how science and the Christian faith go hand in hand... God is displayed from the smallest of atoms, to the largest of galactic systems and beyond!" - Steve "Dr.Sky" Kates, Radio and TV Personality

Mr. Duncan meticulously analyzes the scientific process and shows how it can be very effectively used to understand Christian faith..... --Shanta Whitaker, PhD, Associate Director of the Health Professions Advisory Program, Yale University

For more information visit; www.faithscienceonline.com

"Ageless" Earth - Ice Ages

2011-09-07T10:44:00.000-07:00

Evidence of arctic life discovered in temperate or tropical areas has caused scientists to point to Ice Ages. Large surfaces of the earth were covered with ice sheets (large continental glaciers) during those time periods. An exhibit on the Ice Ages from the Illinois State Museum shows some interesting facts. On their Web site is the quote, “If a type of animal lives in a certain type of climate now, we may infer that its ancestors lived in that type of climate, too.”

Ice Ages occurred due to changing continental positions, uplift of continental blocks, reduction of CO2 in the atmosphere, and changes in the earth’s orbit during four approximate time intervals:

• Late Proterozoic (800 to 600 million years ago),

• Ordovician and Silurian (460 to 430 million years ago)

• Pennsylvanian and Permian (350 to 250 million years

ago)

• Neogene to Quaternary (4 million years ago to present)

The earth was frozen solid because God stopped the sun.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Genesis 1:1–2 kjv

I looked at the earth, and it was formless and empty; and at the heavens, and their light was gone.
Jeremiah 4:23 niv

In keeping with the gap theory, the earth was flooded during the destruction between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. This explains why Genesis 1:2 says it was covered with water. The massive earthquakes could have resulted in tsunamis that submerged dry land. Like he did with the flood of Noah, God could have also caused the underwater springs to burst forth. In Job 9:1–7, God practically turned mountains upside down and shook the earth out of place. The heavens and earth as they now appear were restored in Genesis 1:2.

Place your focus on the way the Bible describes the beginning of creation. Did you notice the statement “the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters”? In other words, is it outrageous to think that the earth was covered in water? Isn’t it clear that the earth was flooded? Yet, this is nothing like the flood of Noah because the heavens were also destroyed and there was no light. There was no sun, and since the sun provides light and heat, the water covering the earth had to be frozen solid. So when the Holy Spirit moved upon the face of the waters, he moved over solid ice. Did you notice that?

Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it? The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.
Job 38:29–30 kjv

The Ice Ages have been touted by scientists as historical facts but clearly have no place in the six thousand years that have passed since the process of creation was completed in Genesis 1. Maybe it’s just me, but as an intelligent Christian, I find no comfort in sticking my head in the sand like an ostrich, pretending not to notice scientific evidence. For that reason, if the entire earth was frozen at some point in history, shouldn’t there be some kind of biblical evidence?

According to Job 38:29–30, it’s quite likely that the waters of the earth were once frozen solid. The book of Job is by far the most scientific book in the Bible. As God declared his glory and authority in Job 38, he revealed some of the most intriguing mysteries of the universe. Could he have been speaking of the Ice Ages, or could he just have been speaking of the north and south poles? None of us were alive then, so we can only imagine.

Then Job answered and said, “I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered? Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger. Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble. Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.”
Job 9:1–7 kjv

God stopped the sun, ending the source of energy and light. So the Ice Ages could fit into biblical history right there. Job could not have been talking about the flood of Noah because the sun never stopped shining. He could not have been talking about the future destruction of the earth because Peter clearly states that it will happen by fire, and Job would not have overlooked an important detail like that. He could not have been talking about any other major event in human history. There’s no trusted record of the entire sun and all the stars being extinguished simultaneously.

I’ve heard doubters attempt to construe that this is just a volcanic explosion and the volcanic ash blocked out the vision of the sun. Let’s assume it is, just to make a point. When did this super volcano explode? If any volcano in recorded history shook the entire earth out of its place, I haven’t heard of it. Obviously, this is describing a completely different incident in history that is consistent with the gap theory. God personally triggered a massive explosion that shook the mountains and turned them over in a rage. It also shook the earth, which completely agrees with the thoughts expressed in my first point based on Jeremiah 4:23–27.

The question is not whether or not natural phenomena can be used to explain these circumstances. The question is the magnitude. I wouldn’t be surprised that God used a natural disaster of biblical proportions to cause the destruction. Didn’t he create the heavens and the earth? Isn’t he the master of all of its processes? Then he can use whatever he wants to get the job done. Science shows a record of something happening, and the Bible supports that. If there was no sun, then there was no heat, so there was nothing to prevent an Ice Age from occurring. There’s also nothing like that recorded during the last six thousand years, so where is the confusion?

"Ageless Earth" - How The Earth Was Once Destroyed!

2011-08-31T09:40:00.000-07:00

From Faith Science:

There was some kind of global explosion or massive earthquake that destroyed the earth’s surface!

I beheld the earth, and lo, it was without form and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the Lord and by his fierce anger. For thus hath the Lord said, “The whole land shall be desolate; yet I will not make a full end.”
Jeremiah 4:23–27 kjv

Here are the main points of Jeremiah’s prophecy:

1. The earth was without form and void, which is exactly what was said in Genesis 1:2.

2. There was no light in the heavens or the earth.

3. The mountains and hills shook like they were feathers in the wind.

4. No man survived.

5. All the birds were gone.

6. The beautiful earth became a wilderness.

7. The cities were broken into pieces because of God’s anger.

8. Even though God emptied the earth, it was not completely destroyed.

Some scholars relate this scripture to the destruction of Judah. Yet, Jeremiah saw the entire earth, not just Judah, without form, empty and dark. Hence, Jeremiah seems to have been expounding on what Moses wrote in Genesis 1:2 because they used identical language.

Throughout the Bible, God inspired different men to write about the same topics from different perspectives. For instance, Apostle John and Prophet Daniel both saw the end of the age but highlighted varying details. Also, the four gospels were written about the same events yet the accounts were not always identical. This case is no different, which explains why cross-referencing scriptures is so important.

Moses only saw the result, but Jeremiah saw the process. The earth shook so much that the mountains moved with ease. Take another look at this detail because it confirms that there was a global earthquake or a massive explosion. In addition, he saw no human life and where the birds in the sky once flew, nothing was left. What once was fruitful became a wilderness and the cities had been destroyed.

Most importantly, God said he would make the whole earth desolate but it wouldn’t be the end. Now let’s look at this carefully. This vision can’t be referring to the destruction of Israel because it speaks of the entire earth. It can’t be referring to the flood of Noah because the sun was never extinguished, or the earth would have frozen solid.

What about the end of this age? Is that what he was referring to?

For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain.
Isaiah 66:22 kjv

In this scripture, God said that he would make a new heaven and a new earth. It’s easy for the average Bible student to argue that this must be connected to Jeremiah 4:27. This means that after God destroys the contents of the earth, he will make a new one. Notwithstanding, in Isaiah 66:22, he never said that he would refurbish the old earth. He made the earth desolate in Jeremiah 4:27, but at that point he did not destroy it.

Accordingly, there was no need to make a new one. So any connection between Jeremiah 4:27 and Isaiah 66:22 is a stretch. Now I’ll establish my point with a prophecy from the Apostle Peter.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
2 Peter 3:10–13 kjv

Here are the main points of Peter’s prophecy:

1. The heavens will be completely destroyed with a great noise.

2. A fire will burn so hot that even the elements of the earth and heavens are destroyed.

3. Everything will be pulverized, which means the end of the heavens and earth as we know it.

The general consensus of most Bible prophets is that the earth will be destroyed by fire before God creates a new one. Still, that’s not all that Peter said. He also included the destruction of the heavens.

This greatly contrasts what Jeremiah saw in Jeremiah 4:23–27. He saw only the destruction of the earth’s surface and the extinction of light. In addition, he also said that an earthquake or massive explosion was the cause, while Peter saw complete destruction by fire.

Peter saw a fire that was so hot that it melted even the elements of all physical things until they were dissolved. While Jeremiah saw an empty wilderness at the end of the partial destruction, Peter observed that absolutely nothing would be left after the most intense fire he could perceive. In consequence, there is no way that we can infer that Jeremiah was talking about the end of this age because it completely contradicts what Peter saw. With that option eliminated, let’s figure out whether the devastation Jeremiah visualized could possibly have taken place before or after Noah’s flood.

And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, “I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.”
Genesis 8:20–21 kjv

God promised after the flood that he would never kill everything on earth again the way he did in Noah’s time. That eliminates the possibility of the destruction witnessed by Jeremiah taking place on earth since then. God will destroy all of the heavens and the earth by fire at the end of time. That’s different from destroying only the living things on the earth, as he did with Noah and in Jeremiah’s vision.

Here’s a quick recap: Jeremiah saw the destruction of living things on the earth only by an explosion or an earthquake and the extinction of light. Noah experienced destruction of living things on earth only by a flood. Peter saw destruction of all things, both living and inanimate, by fire on earth and in the heavens. So we’re seeing three distinct events here that should never be confused with one another.

It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities.
2 Corinthians 12:1–5 nkjv

Now let’s clarify something in 2 Peter 3:10–13. Apostle Peter saw a vision of the heavens completely destroyed at the end of the age. From the context of that vision, he was referring to the physical heavens, which would include the atmosphere and outer space. When Paul visited the third heaven, he went beyond the physical into the spirit realm. The physical destruction Peter saw in his vision could not have included the third heaven, which Paul saw, because God lives in perfect beauty. Hence, the physical heavens, along with the earth, will be destroyed by fire.

Then Job answered and said, “I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him,and hath prospered? Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger. Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.”
Job 9:1–6 kjv

Analogous to Jeremiah 4:23–27, Job described a massive earthquake that changed the topography of the earth. An earthquake of this scale is completely outside the realm of our current comprehension of Bible history. Nothing like this ever occurred since the time of Adam. Job said that God shook the earth out of its place, overturned mountains, and even removed them completely. It must have happened because it’s recorded.

Not just that, but he made it clear that God was behind it. Even if we can’t grasp this concept within our Christian doctrine, it can’t be ignored, because it’s in the Bible. When we look at the prophecies of the end of the age, including the books of Daniel and Revelation, it’s difficult to fit Job 9:1–6 into it. To that end, some time before the earth became completely void in Genesis 1:2, God wrecked it with an earthquake or massive explosion.

Ageless Earth - Part One

2011-08-24T10:09:00.000-07:00

From Faith Science;

On Monday, July 20, 2009, Yahoo News published an article written by Jeanna Bryner entitled, “Comets Killed Ice Age Beasts.” According to the article, the discovery of lonsdaleite nanodiamonds just off the coast of southern California closed the deal. It provided the strongest evidence to date of the catastrophic event long suspected as the cause of extinction of large ice-age animals and the Stone Age group known as Clovis people. Until then, those hexagonal diamonds had only been found in meteorites and impact craters. This was due to the high temperatures and pressures necessary for their formation.

Evidence of arctic life discovered in temperate or tropical areas has caused scientists to point to Ice Ages. Large surfaces of the earth were covered with ice sheets (large continental glaciers) during those time periods. An exhibit on the Ice Ages from the Illinois State Museum shows some interesting facts. On their Web site is the quote, “If a type of animal lives in a certain type of climate now, we may infer that its ancestors lived in that type of climate, too.”

Ice Ages occurred due to changing continental positions, uplift of continental blocks, reduction of CO2 in the atmosphere, and changes in the earth’s orbit during four approximate time intervals:

• Late Proterozoic (800 to 600 million years ago),
• Ordovician and Silurian (460 to 430 million years ago)
• Pennsylvanian and Permian (350 to 250 million years ago)
• Neogene to Quaternary (4 million years ago to present)

As evidenced by the Ice Ages, the general consensus in the international scientific community is that the earth is billions of years old. Theoretically, it makes sense due to the clearly defined strata of the earth and the presence of fossils at varying depths. Experimentally, it makes sense based on carbon dating methods. Fossils used to reconstruct prehistoric animals like mammoths and dinosaurs support this theory. The discovery of human-like bones in the earth’s strata is evidence of the existence of prehistoric man. In addition, the scientific evidence used to support the past occurrence of the Ice Ages is relatively strong.

There is also evidence of a sudden destructive event that caused the end of civilization. Dinosaurs and mammoths did not gradually become extinct but died suddenly. The earth’s strata tell the story of a thriving planet that underwent a catastrophic change. Occasionally, more information like what I just mentioned becomes available concerning what happened. Without getting into specific data, it’s popularly understood that the earth is much older than what we assume from our common understanding of the Bible. Scientists and Christians clash bitterly over this issue without any acceptable resolution.

As a student of geography and physics in high school growing up in a Christian home, I didn’t care to understand why things didn’t match up. When I was in school I agreed with the scientific evidence, and at home I agreed with the biblical evidence. As long as both spheres of my life remained separate, it didn’t matter to me. However, my first degree in applied physics opened the door for me to question my beliefs. Everything changed when I was invited to participate in the 2000 Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California.

The big bang theory formed the foundation of my project, Cosmic Microwave Background Rotating Polarimeter Experiment (CMB ROPE). During one presentation to my peers I was asked to justify my participation in the project even though it contradicted with my Christian beliefs. I told them that I always separated my Christian beliefs from all academic pursuits. That answer satisfied my peers but did not satisfy me. Hence, after almost a decade of searching for answers, this book came to life. The gap theory might be controversial, but at least it’s a valiant attempt to connect science and faith.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Genesis 1:1–2 kjv

The Gap Theory

Have you ever considered the feasibility of the gap theory? It proposes that there was a major time lapse between the first two verses of the Bible. In Genesis 1:1 the Scriptures posit that the creation of the heavens (direct translation from the Hebrew language) and the earth took place at the beginning of time. However, there is good reason to question that God created the earth the way it was described in the next verse.

In Genesis 1:2 the Hebrew word hayah was translated into the English word was, which also means “became” or “came to pass.” In other words, God started time with the creation of the heavens and the earth, but something happened. The earth became without form, empty and dark. What happened? Since our basic assumptions concerning this issue come from the Bible, then let’s stick with it to find our answers.

As a student of the Scriptures, I realize that different people interpret the Hebrew or Greek languages depending on their mindsets. One Bible scholar will get a completely different meaning for a word from another because in his mind he knows what he wants the verse to mean. As a result, I take everything I hear from all of these scholars with a grain of salt. I trust one person, and his name is Jehovah.

Outside of him, everyone else is a liar. Any truth comes not just from a mental knowledge of the Bible but from a personal relationship with God, the true author. In this personal relationship, I believe that God’s wisdom can be accessed through prayer and reading the Bible. I can speak directly to God, and he can speak directly to me. He’s a personal God.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.
James 1:5–6 nlt

Academic interpretations of Scripture will always be skewed. As Paul said in Hebrews 4:2; if this Word isn’t mixed with faith, it is completely worthless in our lives. This topic has been on my heart for many years, and I decided to tackle it head-on in this book. Whether I’m right or wrong doesn’t change your eternal destination. So before you get completely distracted from what really matters in life, let me set the record straight.

Only what happened during this present age affects us directly. Adam sinned and Jesus died to pay the price for it. If you are a human being, then you should face death for what Adam did; but once you are in Christ, you are absolved of all the guilt, shame, and punishment. Now that you understand what’s really important, let’s move on with the discussion.

Part 2 is coming soon....

Texas blood-red lake seen as sign of apocalypse | Believe It or Not | a Chron.com blog

2011-08-02T06:38:00.000-07:00

Texas blood-red lake seen as sign of apocalypse Believe It or Not a Chron.com blog

Man-Made Human Organ Successfully Transplanted

2011-07-08T09:14:00.000-07:00

Source: Marcelo Terraza

The future in now! Yesterday, Harvard Bioscience published the following press release; "Harvard Bioscience's Bioreactor Grows a Synthetic Tissue-Engineered Trachea Used in World's First Successful Human Transplantation."

In it they stated the following;

HOLLISTON, Mass., July 7, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Harvard Bioscience, Inc. (Nasdaq:HBIO), a global developer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of tools to advance life science research and regenerative medicine, announces that its "InBreath" bioreactor was used for the world's first successful transplantation of a synthetic tissue engineered windpipe. For first time in history, a patient has been given a new trachea made from a synthetic scaffold seeded with his own stem cells in Harvard Bioscience's bioreactor. The patient, a 36-year old man who had been suffering from late stage tracheal cancer, that before this surgery would have been inoperable, is well on the way to a full recovery and will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow.

The operation was performed on June 9, 2011 at Karolinska University Hospital in Huddinge, Stockholm, by Professor Paolo Macchiarini of Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, and colleagues. Professor Macchiarini led an international team including Prof. Alexander Seifalian from University College in London, England, who designed and built the nanocomposite tracheal scaffold, and Harvard Bioscience, who produced a specifically designed bioreactor used to seed the scaffold with the patient's own stem cells. The cells were grown on the scaffold inside the bioreactor for two days before transplantation into the patient. Because the cells used to regenerate the trachea were the patient's own, there has been no rejection of the transplant, and the patient is not taking immunosuppressive drugs.

Madison Park, a writer at CNN highlighted some interesting points in her news story; "Lab-made organ implanted for first time."

Previous lab-generated transplants either used a segment of donor windpipe or involved tissue only, not an organ.
Rather than waiting for a transplant, his doctors suggested growing an organ.
"Stem cells from the own patient were growing inside and outside,"... "This structure was becoming a living structure."
Earlier this year, regenerative medicine scientists at Wake Forest University School of Medicine reported that they had engineered five urethras between March 2004 and July 2007.
This area of research remains somewhat controversial in medicine, because critics say this could lead to human cloning.

In the article, "Singularity - The "Scientific" Rapture" I discussed the new breed of science being developed and how it will directly affect our future. Then on Wednesday in the article, "Immortality: A Scientific Phenomenon?" I talked about the current scientific pursuit of Longevity and why we should pay attention. The war is on against aging, disease and natural death. Yesterday's announcement is further proof that the future we once spoke of is here. With the right advancements in science and technology a significant impact on human life expectancy is quite possible. Hence, we might be crossing into a very different type of existence.

The graft immediately prior to implant and after two days of cell growth.

(Source: Harvard Bioscience)

Matthew 24:36-39(NLT) - “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

After reading Wednesday's article "Immortality: A Scientific Phenomenon?" one of my colleagues made a startling suggestion. Jesus said that at His return it will be like the Days of Noah. He highlighted specific characteristics of those days but left out one important detail that now is being broached among scientists. In Noah's day, people lived much longer than they do now. In fact, it was in Noah's day that God made the following statement.

Genesis 6:3(KJV) - And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

When you compare the lifespans of people before Noah's flood and after you will realize a significant drop. They decreased from hundreds of years to less than one hundred and twenty.

In Wednesday's article, I made the following quote; "If Aubrey de Grey's predictions are right, the first person who will live to see their 150th birthday has already been born. And the first person to live for 1,000 years could be less than 20 years younger."

If developments in stem cell research, bio-engineering and synthetic biology continue in the direction they are going, we may see a return to the Days of Noah. If that's the case, you know what's supposed to take place when that happens.

Immortality: A Scientific Phenomenon?

2011-07-06T09:59:00.000-07:00

Do you want to live past 150 years old? That's impossible, right? Or is it? The list of centenarians (100 year olds) on the earth is as hallowed as the list of billionaires. Nonetheless, the Longevity Movement has been picking up steam with industry leaders like Dr Joel Wallach. I heard him in person at a Health Conference last year and some of his revelations blew my mind. Few people really understand the natural causes of age related sickness and death or even care to understand. Now it has hit the mainstream media.

Two days ago, Yahoo News published the article; "Who wants to live forever? Scientist sees aging cured" written by Health and Science Correspondent Kate Kelland. Here's a quote from the very interesting article;

LONDON (Reuters) – If Aubrey de Grey's predictions are right, the first person who will live to see their 150th birthday has already been born. And the first person to live for 1,000 years could be less than 20 years younger.

A biomedical gerontologist and chief scientist of a foundation dedicated to longevity research, de Grey reckons that within his own lifetime doctors could have all the tools they need to "cure" aging -- banishing diseases that come with it and extending life indefinitely.

"I'd say we have a 50/50 chance of bringing aging under what I'd call a decisive level of medical control within the next 25 years or so," de Grey said in an interview before delivering a lecture at Britain's Royal Institution academy of science.

As soon as I finished reading these first three paragraphs I immediately thought about "The Singularity".

The language of hope that one day science would overcome natural limitations was consistent. As expected, I was right on it. It didn't take much research to find the connection through a few YouTube videos. You can read more detailed information on Dr Aubrey De Grey and his team's work at Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence (SENS) Foundation.

This research fascinates me. Why? I actually believe they're on to something. Call me a conspiracy theorist but the bridge between Faith and Science has already been built. Hence, those of us who choose to march back and forth along it are increasing in number.

Now, believe it or not, in 2007 I published my first book, "I Curse Death - What if God said we didn't all have to die?" In it, I discussed the controversial idea that there will be a final generation of people who will live on earth before the return of Jesus Christ with supernatural longevity. Here's the blurb on the back cover;

If Adam had never sinned in the garden of Eden, would he still have died? If death came by sin and Jesus Christ defeated sin on the cross, what happened to death? In I Curse Death, author Donnell Duncan boldly answers these questions and many more. The message is simple: man was designed by God to be immortal and only lost that gift by falling into sin. Duncan demonstrates with scripture that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ restored this gift to all those who believe. With each intriguing chapter, Duncan draws the reader into a world governed by the original Will of God. In that world, each human being is given a specific time to complete a specific purpose and does not die before it is completed. With an abundance of scriptural support he makes it clear that death has no power over the plan of God for an individual. After reading I Curse Death the reader will be convinced that the Bible holds the keys of life that unlock the mysteries of death.

Source: Google Books - I Curse Death

Hmm... maybe I was on to something too. What do you think?

How The Universe Received An Expiration Date

2011-06-22T08:57:00.000-07:00

God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth.
Genesis 1:26–28 amp

And the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and guard and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and blessing and calamity you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
Genesis 2:15–17 amp

And to Adam He said, Because you have listened and given heed to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, saying, You shall not eat of it, the ground is under a curse because of you; in sorrow and toil shall you eat [of the fruits] of it all the days of your life.
Genesis 3:17 amp

God gave specific instructions to the man but left out some important details. When God said that Adam would surely die if he ate of the tree, he made no mention of what would happen to all the creation under his command. At the moment, Adam may not have considered the full extent of sin’s impact. Still, based on evidence in the Scriptures, it’s apparent that God has the tendency to extend the judgment of sin beyond the individuals directly involved. He began that pattern in Genesis 3:17 when He cursed the ground because of Adam’s sin.

For the creation (nature) was subjected to frailty (to futility, condemned to frustration), not because of some intentional fault on its part, but by the will of Him Who so subjected it--[yet] with the hope that nature (creation) itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and corruption [and gain an entrance] into the glorious freedom of God's children.
Romans 8:20-21 amp

In Romans 8:20–21, we can see a concise statement detailing the effects of Adam’s sin on creation. Even though nature on its own did nothing to deserve it, God responded harshly by putting an end to the delightful, perfect conditions of Eden. Instantly, entropy was introduced and the concept of perfection became a figment of our imagination. Now everything on earth is in bondage to decay and corruption. Nothing is perpetual, and most of our “sustainable” systems consume more energy than they produce.

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines entropy as “the degradation of the matter and energy in the universe to an ultimate state of inert uniformity or a process of degradation or running down or a trend to disorder.”

Entropy is a type of slow death. The effects of sin were instant for Adam but not instantly apparent. Instead of everything coming to a screeching halt at the moment of disobedience, he and his wife only noticed that they were naked in Genesis 3:7. What they did not perceive was the advent of the slow process of death that affected every earthly system. Fortunately, God had a plan of redemption.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23 kjv

Entropy - Why is the Earth Going Nuts?

2011-06-20T08:43:00.000-07:00

For the creation (nature) was subjected to frailty (to futility, condemned to frustration), not because of some intentional fault on its part, but by the will of Him Who so subjected it—[yet] with the hope. That nature (creation) itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and corruption [and gain an entrance] into the glorious freedom of God’s children.
Romans 8:20–21 amp

Webster’s New World Dictionary gives the following definitions for

entropy:

1. A thermodynamic measure of the energy unavailable

for useful work in a system.

2. The tendency of an energy system to run down.

One day, all of creation will run its course. Without a drastic surge in sustainable development, that day will come sooner than we think. Due to entropy, deterioration is a natural process supported by science. It affects every aspect of human existence, and no natural response can stop it. How did entropy originate? That’s the type of question that science can never answer, but the Scriptures can.

Christianity vs Atheism: A Battle of Wits?

2011-06-14T12:14:00.000-07:00

"May the best brain win!" - Anonymous

I once joined Dinesh D'Souza, a leading Christian thinker, for a quick lunch in the food court at the Austin Bergstrom International Airport. He's a New York Times Bestselling Author, sought after public speaker and the president of The King's College in New York. His credentials are quite impressive but the one thing that drew my attention was his track record of public debates against atheists.

He's one of the few people out there who will gladly engage atheists in a public forum without fear or favor. So, true to form, near the end of our conversation he issued a stiff challenge to me. In essence he asked me, " Since you live in Atlanta and know so much about faith and science, why don't you challenge the atheists in Emory University to a public debate?" That was a great question that set my mind thinking....

According to The Free Dictionary, a "battle of wits" is defined as "a contest in which intelligence rather than violence is used." In other words, the main weapon in this type of warfare is the human brain. So is it accurate to surmise that the ongoing war between Christianity and Atheism is a "battle of wits"? If so, can we win this war by outsmarting our opponents?

To arrive at that conclusion the first assumption we have to make is that the choice between Atheism and Christianity is based on deductive reasoning. In essence, if one side can definitively prove that the other side is wrong, the other side will inevitably switch sides. However, when is the last time you've won an argument with an atheist and the direct result was the person's salvation?

Psalm 14:1(NLT) - Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!

Romans 8:9-10(KJV) - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

The Bible's position is that both Atheism and Christianity are heart decisions. Atheists deny God's existence in their hearts. Christians believe in Jesus and choose to give Him their hearts. Each side's arguments about science, philosophy and their connection to God's existence are side issues. When the truth is revealed, both Atheists and Christians will have to confess that they made their choices in their hearts. Even when faced with new contrasting evidence, the resistance of both sides to changing their positions reveals their true nature.

2 Timothy 2:15-16 - Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. But avoid all empty (vain, useless, idle) talk, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness.

I do believe in defending the faith with intelligence and vigor. However, my intentions at all times must never be to win an argument but to win someone's heart. Many atheists already know the gospel so that's why engaging them in arguments is unprofitable. You can argue about scientific and philosophical deductions until you lose your voice but unless they open their hearts nothing will come out of it.

Acts 24:24-25(KJV) - And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

Acts 18:24-28(KJV) - And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

In Acts 24, Apostle Paul, who many consider to be the greatest Christian apologist in history won the argument concerning Christ with Felix. He was able to explain the new covenant and the victory Christ won on the cross. Paul also clearly understood the baptism of The Holy Spirit which began in The Upper Room at the beginning of The Church which gave him increased power. In fact, Felix was trembling when he understood the truth Paul shared with him. However, he refused to change his heart so he sent Paul away. There was absolutely nothing else Paul could do or say because Felix did not want to change.

On the other hand, in Acts 18, Apollos who only knew the baptism of John was able to convince the Jews about Jesus. Why? They chose to believe!

Is Christianity versus Atheism a battle of wits? Of course not. When you engage an atheist, the first thing to remember is that you're dealing with a person who made a "heart" decision not to believe in God. Get to know the person's heart. Find out what led to the decision for atheism. Share your heart about your decision to be a Christian. Show God's love. Don't try to win an argument. Try to win a heart.

Antimatter: Does It Really Matter?

2011-06-07T09:36:00.000-07:00

Antimatter is back in the headlines! First, an article called; "Antimatter Breakthrough -- Electron is Stunningly Spherical, Scientists Discover" was emailed to me on May 26th by a colleague. However, that was just the beginning. A few days ago I received a phone call saying that Antimatter is back in the news again but this time it's a huge deal. A group of scientists have held antimatter in place for over 15 minutes. Something we thought was impossible. With the direction this research is going, impossible is nothing. Tom Chivers from The Telegraph out of The UK in his article, "Cern, Alpha and antimatter storage: why antimatter should matter to us" said, "The news that scientists can capture and store antimatter could have a profound effect on our understanding of the universe."

From Faith Science;

A long time ago, when our universe was still in its earliest birthing throes, matter and antimatter were colliding and annihilating each other out of existence constantly. This process slowed down as our universe gradually cooled, but there should have been equal parts matter and antimatter—and there weren’t. Instead, there were slightly more matter particles than antimatter.

— Antimatter Matters: FERMILAB Glimpses “Toe of God” by Jennifer Quellette, Discovery News, May 31, 2010

The Merriam Webster dictionary defines antimatter as “a form of matter in which the electrical charge or other property of the particle is the reverse of that in the usual matter of our universe.” For instance, the antimatter counterpart of an electron is a positron and of a proton is an anti-proton. In ultra high-speed collisions, like those produced during the Big Bang, in the sun and in particle accelerators, antimatter is created. In addition, the decay of radioactive material results in the production of antimatter, which is the mechanism used in Positron Emission Tomography, or PET brain scans.

They usually don’t last long because once they collide with their matter counterparts, they annihilate and produce energy. On September 29, 2003, Robert Roy Britt, senior science writer on Space.com in “The Reality of Antimatter” said, “Antimatter has tremendous energy potential, if it could ever be harnessed. A solar flare in July 2002 created about a pound of antimatter, or half a kilo, according to new NASA-led research. That’s enough to power the United States for two days.”

One of physic’s foundation stones is the concept of a symmetrical universe. Everything has its mirror opposite, like humans’ left and right hands. As schoolchildren learn, Newton said every action has an equal and opposite reaction. “A good example is the Big Bang,” Lykken said, putting his colleague’s discovery into context. “The universe began as a perfectly symmetrical object, a ball of energy.” The problem lies in what happened next. That energy condensed into matter but also its opposite, antimatter.
The two being mutually destructive, they should have canceled each other out. Instead, Lykken noted, matter joined together in ever larger concentrations—nuclei, atoms, stars, galaxies. Fermilab test throws off more matter than antimatter and this matters

—Particle collision thought to replicate Big Bang forces, may help explain how things exist by Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, May 29, 2010

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1 nkjv

Sometimes the most profound answers to life’s most puzzling questions are quite simple. What happened in the beginning? God! He happened. Not only was he there in the beginning; he created it. The Big Bang is a solid scientific theory. Every new discovery points toward the beginning of life as we know it. We can’t pretend that it didn’t happen and reject the facts. Researchers have dedicated their lives to providing us with the information we need. They do their jobs and deserve all the accolades they receive for long hours of hard work. Nothing is wrong with scientific research. Problems only arise with the conclusions that are drawn by theorists with a secular agenda.

The deeper we get into our research on the Big Bang, the closer we get to the truth. One day, the theoretical group of the scientific community must admit what Christians know already: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” At the end of a relentless search for the beginning of existence is God. Christians believed it because the Bible said it, so it cost us much less energy, time, and money to draw the same conclusion. All the same, it’s important for many people out there to see tangible proof of the truth before they accept it. If researchers provide accurate data and theorists connect the dots, all will point toward God.

Synthetic Nanobiology, Alternative Fuels and The Third Seal of Revelation

2011-05-26T10:11:00.000-07:00

Revelation 6:5-6(NIV) - When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, “Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!”

As stated in The Bible, is there really a connection between food and oil? The world as we know it is run on an insatiable appetite for fossil fuels which are a non-renewable resource. With pollution issues, potential supply shortages and instability in the Middle East among major oil producing nations, there has been a concerted effort to pursue other options. In response to the rising demand for alternative fuels, companies have developed some interesting solutions.

Altfuels.org lists the alternative fuel types as;

•Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG, commonly known as propane)

•Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)

•Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

•Methanol (M85)

•Ethanol (E85)

•Biodiesel (B20)

•Electricity

•Hydrogen

One of the biggest problems is that the most widely available alternative fuels are also derived from fossil fuels so they still are not renewable resources. In addition, the more popular "renewable" resources like ethanol are created from food sources like corn. As a result, while they may solve the oil problem they contribute to a food shortage. Tomorrow is the IPO (Initial Public Offering) of renewable oil company Solazyme and this appears to be a game-changer.

Here's the overview they provide at Solazyme.com;

We have pioneered an industrial biotechnology platform that harnesses the prolific oil-producing ability of microalgae. We use standard industrial fermentation equipment to efficiently scale and accelerate the microalgae's natural oil production time to just a few days. Our platform is feedstock flexible and can utilize a wide variety of plant-based sugars, such as sugarcane-based sucrose, corn-based dextrose, and sugar from other biomass sources including cellulosics. By growing our proprietary microalgae in the absence of light using fermentation tanks to convert photosynthetic plant sugars into oil, we are in effect utilizing "indirect photosynthesis."

So let me simplify this for you. With their technology, they can produce fuel without using food or even light. Renewable? Check! Emission reduction? Check! No dependence on petroleum? Check! This has caused considerable excitement and investors are at the edge of their seats ready to jump in. If that's not enough, they can do even more with this technology. They can also create flour, edible oils and dietary supplements which provide alternatives to standard soy, whey, egg and other protein sources.

Here's what Kris Tuttle of Reseach 2.0 had to say in his article, "Solazyme Pre-IPO Report: Synthetic Nanobiology Comes of Age" at "Seeking Alpha".

The ongoing advances in biotechnology and nanotechnology are ushering in a new age of synthetic nanobiology that promises to profoundly alter the global economic landscape in coming years. Scientists have come to recognize that much of biology is executed at the nanoscale level. Exponential increases in computing power and innovations in software are enabling scientists and researchers to scale down to the atomic level to create novel materials and products that heretofore have been the domain of science fiction. We are reaching a stage in the evolution of synthetic nanobiology where we are likely to see an acceleration of product innovation and commercialization in the years ahead. Suffice it to say, this is an intriguing time for companies and investors alike.

Solazyme is an emerging pioneer of synthetic nanobiology in the life sciences. We think of the company as the poster child for Juan Enriquez’s visionary and provocative book, “As the Future Catches You” (Crown Business, 2000, 2001). Led by CEO Jonathan Wolfson and President and CTO Harrison Dillon, both experienced entrepreneurs who have built a top-notch team over the past several years, Solazyme is in the early stages of building out a transformative, nano-enabled life sciences franchise – a 21st century oil company – that is creating fundamentally new ways of producing high value fuels, chemicals, skin and personal care products, and nutritional products that have the potential to change the way people live, work and play.

I'll tell you why this interests me so much.

“Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!” - One of The Four Living Creatures around God's Throne in Heaven

In an article appearing on CBN News, two weeks ago, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned that there is an impending global food crisis. It's already begun in North Korea. A few months earlier, at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) on Sunday, February 20th Jason Clay of the World Wildlife Fund made a shocking pronouncement.

Due to projected numbers for population growth provided by the United Nations and available food resources "we will need to produce as much food in the next 40 years as we have in the last 8,000.... By 2050 we will not have a planet left that is recognizable" if trends continue.

It's common knowledge that a global food crisis is coming. There's even a website called FoodShortageUSA.Com providing guidance as people prepare for it.

Revelation 6:3-4(NIV) - When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword.

Out of apparently nowhere, war has broken out in the Middle East which directly affects the oil supply of the world. Nation by nation, people have started revolting and like dominoes it's inevitable that many of those leaders will fall. However, using Egypt as an example, even after the leader falls that doesn't mean the fighting ends. The second seal takes peace from the earth. The third seal is a food shortage. The Bible is either on to something or this is a very, very strange coincidence. Technology is being developed to create alternative food and fuel sources using synthetic nanobiology. Obviously, the world is preparing for something huge. Are you?

The Expanding Universe and the End of the World

2011-05-23T00:02:00.000-07:00

If you're reading this right now, you either missed the rapture that was supposed to take place last Saturday or there was none. Predicting the exact date and time of the rapture is impossible according to The Bible.

Mark 13:32-36 (New Living Translation) - “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert! “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning.

I won't say much more about that issue because the scriptures speak for themselves. Let's talk science.

Last week, the science world was buzzing with excitement. The universe is expanding at an increasing rate and Dark Energy is the proven culprit. That is, according to data released from NASA's space-based Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) and the Anglo-Australian Telescope on Siding Spring Mountain in Australia.

Here's what Paul Rincon, Science reporter from BBC News said on May 19th in the article; "New method 'confirms dark energy'"

First results from a major astronomical survey using a cutting-edge technique appear to have confirmed the existence of mysterious dark energy.

Dark energy makes up some 74% of the Universe and its existence would explain why the Universe appears to be expanding at an accelerating rate.

In the article, "Dark energy is real, new evidence indicates" at MSNBC.Com also published on May 19th, the writer states;

Dark energy has long been an unexplainable force, and the theory of its existence remains unproven, but the results of this new study could provide independent confirmation that it is behind the strange way that galaxies are being pulled from one another, against the tug of gravity.

This major announcement is exciting for more reasons than one. One important reason is that it strengthens the position presented by Einstein that gravity is an attractive force. Thus, it cannot be used as an explanation for the force behind the expanding universe. The second reason is that it strengthens the Biblical position that the heavens are being stretched and spread out by the direction of God.

Isaiah 40:22(NKJV) - It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.

In the article, "The Big Bang in The Bible" I presented a concise argument for The Big Bang according to scriptures. Point #2 was "The Universe is continually expanding." Now we know why.

Stephen Hawking: Brilliant Scientist, Bitter Atheist or Both?

2011-05-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

When Stephen Hawking sneezes, the scientific world catches a cold! - Anonymous

For those of you who don't know, Stephen Hawking is the most well renowned scientist in Britain and perhaps, the entire world. Last Sunday, The Guardian(UK) published the following article from Ian Sample, science correspondent; "Stephen Hawking: 'There is no heaven; it's a fairy story'"

Here is a direct quote from that article;

You had a health scare and spent time in hospital in 2009. What, if anything, do you fear about death?

I have lived with the prospect of an early death for the last 49 years. I'm not afraid of death, but I'm in no hurry to die. I have so much I want to do first. I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail. There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark.

:-)

I know emoticons or "smiley faces" are not acceptable in professional documents but I just couldn't resist. Is this man a brilliant scientist or is he a bitter atheist? Let's start by answering a fundamental question;

What is science?

From Faith Science;

In addition, it gives the following four applicable definitions of science:

1. The state of knowing: knowledge as distinguished from ignorance or misunderstanding
2. a) A department of systematized knowledge as an object of study
b) Something (as a sport or technique) that may be studied or learned like systematized knowledge
3. a) Knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through the scientific method
b) Such knowledge or such a system of knowledge concerned with the physical world and its phenomena: natural science
4. A system or method reconciling practical ends with scientific laws

The foundational principles of science have enabled humanity to understand the world around us. Through the systematic pursuit of knowledge, the collection of data, and subsequent testing of formulated hypotheses, we have established “definitive” conclusions about ourselves and what can be perceived. Hence, established scientific laws must either be proven inconsistent, using the scientific method or fully accepted.

In other words, you have two options: beat them or join them. By definition, science as a whole is an approach to gaining understanding. It is systematic and objective so that the conclusions can be reproduced if the same steps are followed under similar conditions.

Let me ask a few simple questions:

Is the statement made by Stephen Hawking that there is no heaven or afterlife a scientific conclusion or a non-scientific assertion?
If it is a scientific conclusion, then by the standards of natural science within which he is supposed to operate, where does his analytical procedure fit into The Scientific Method?
If it is a non-scientific assertion, when a scientist goes outside the limitations of The Scientific Method and brings his personal non-scientific opinion into consideration should it still be accepted as science?
In other words, because Stephen Hawking is a renowned scientist, can he just say whatever he feels like and get a free pass from the scientific community?

“I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use”
(Galileo Galilei: 1564–1642 Italian physicist).

There is no question that Stephen Hawking is a brilliant scientist. I've read some of his work and it is indeed amazing. Check out the transcript from his public lecture; "Does God Play Dice?" Hence, I don't feel the need to pick apart his writings in detail in order to prove a point to anyone. In fact, I really have no personal issue with him. He is using his God given mind to find answers to universal questions. Galileo Galilei said it best. God expects us to use our sense, reason and intellect because He gave it to us. However, when any man states his personal opinion without the support of any scientific evidence, I am free to oppose it.

Here's another quote from "Stephen Hawking: 'There is no heaven; it's a fairy story'"

In his bestselling 1988 book, A Brief History of Time, Hawking drew on the device so beloved of Einstein, when he described what it would mean for scientists to develop a "theory of everything" – a set of equations that described every particle and force in the entire universe. "It would be the ultimate triumph of human reason – for then we should know the mind of God," he wrote.

Since he can give his opinion, I can give mine. I will now propose what I believe to be a "Theory of Everything" which will reveal the mind of God that is as scientific as Stephen Hawking's statement; "There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark."

Genesis 1:1, 26(NLT) - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth..... Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”

I know that creation is not scientific but I believe it's true. Since it is impossible for us to definitively prove or disprove it using The Scientific Method I don't need to defend it. However, I'm not finished. I also have another non-scientific statement that needs to be shared.

Matthew 10:28(KJV) - And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Is Stephen Hawking a brilliant scientist, bitter atheist or both? Honestly, in the big scheme of things, it really doesn't matter. What matters is not what you, I or any other person on this earth thinks about him but what God thinks about each of us. Whether or not we believe in His existence doesn't change anything. One day, we will each have to answer to God. Yes, the same God some of us choose to ignore during our lives will be quite visible at the end of it. When you stand before Him on that fateful day, what will you say for yourself?

Romans 14:11-12(NLT) - For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess and give praise to God.’” Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.

John 3:3(NLT) - Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

Why Should We Care About Synthetic DNA?

2011-05-12T04:37:00.000-07:00

If you live in Atlanta come join us tonight and every Thursday for Coffee Shop Conversations.

Be seen! Be heard! Be you! Be!
Network! Discuss! Discover truth!

Join Atlanta's Own Interactive Bible Study for Young Professionals as we discuss The Book of Revelation and The End Times.

7:00PM each and every Thursday

Starbucks
867 Peachtree St NE
Atlanta, GA

This is a continuation from this week's article; "When Man Has Power To Create Life....".

From Faith Science;

On May 20, 2010, Science Express published the research article “Creation of a Bacterial Cell Controlled by a Chemically Synthesized Genome” by research scientists of the J. Craig Venter Institute. The next day, Elizabeth Pennisi explained its significance in Science Magazine with her article “Synthetic Genome Brings New Life to Bacterium.” This kindled a worldwide media firestorm and people’s imagination ran wild. If the results could be confirmed, the possibilities were endless.

The Financial Times headline read, “Scientists Create Synthetic Life Form with a Computer and Four Bottles of Chemicals.” The New York Times released, “Synthetic Bacterial Genome Takes Over a Cell, Researchers Report.” The Wall Street Journal stated, “Scientists Create Synthetic Organism.” The Economist in London read, “And Man Made Life: The First Artificial Organism and its Consequences.” A headline in the German newspaper DIE ZEIT read, “Humans can now Play Creators.”

The German Academy of Science and Engineering published the following list of applications for synthetic biology in 2009:

1. The chemical enzymatic synthesis of nucleic acid and complete genomes. The specific modification and optimization of gene sequences has the potential to lead to gene-therapy products and DNA vaccines.

2. The construction of cells with a minimal genome. This genetic platform, which is reduced to the essential life functions, can be used as a “chassis” for establishing new functions.

3. The synthesis of protocells, i.e. artificial systems constructed according to biological and physical principles, which can serve as models for living cells.

4. The production of biomolecules using genetic engineering approaches to bring together complete metabolic reaction pathways according to modular design principle.

5. The design of regulatory circuits with sensitive sensory functions to control cellular and industrial process chains or networks.

6. The use of modified cellular machines in orthogonal systems. This might enable the production of polymer compounds from chemical constituents according to the drawing-board principle. Orthogonality refers to the possibility of combining independent components and is an important construction principle in the technological and computer sciences.

“Engineers of Life:” Nanowerk Nanotechnology News Email Digest, June 15, 2010

Sometimes, the position of the church on many of these issues is so far to the right that we are completely left out of the discussion. Everybody else gets to state their case while we remain outside the loop, clueless to what’s going on. Anybody who is completely one sided tends to become irrelevant. Synthetic life does not disprove God, so the atheist position is irrelevant and all synthetic biologists are not guaranteed a place in hell, so that religious, fanatic position is also irrelevant.

The fact is that the science behind this is real, and the truth is that the scriptures which point toward it are also real. This is why I believe it’s time to take this discussion to a more balanced position. In synthetic biology, faith and the scientific method collide to form “faith science.” Gather the facts from the research and the truth from the Scriptures; then develop an informed position.

He who answers a matter before he hears the facts—it is folly and shame to him.
Proverbs 18:13 amp

Coffee Shop Conversations (Atlanta) - The Book of Revelation

2011-05-10T04:55:00.000-07:00

If you live in Atlanta come join us every Thursday for Coffee Shop Conversations.

Be seen! Be heard! Be you! Be!

Network! Discuss! Discover truth!

Join Atlanta's Own Interactive Bible Study for Young Professionals as we discuss The Book of Revelation and The End Times.

7:00PM each and every Thursday

Starbucks

867 Peachtree St NE

Atlanta, GA

From Revelation Unplugged;

Revelation 1:1-3(NLT) - This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.

The Book of Revelation is a prophecy to The Church. It is a revelation of Jesus Christ. Unlike any other, it comes with a specific blessing. Hence, if you read it aloud, listen to it and obey what it says, the blessing of Revelation will be yours.

It was revealed to me by a very knowledgeable teacher during a Bible class that Revelation is both chronological and parenthetical. Chronological references are arranged in the order of occurrence while parenthetical references are included as explanations or illustrations of certain key events. Therefore, everything doesn’t necessarily take place in the sequence that it is written.

In addition, these specific references were identified as parenthetical; Revelation 7:1-17, Revelation 10:1-11:13, Revelation 12:1-14:20, Revelation 17:1-19:10 and Revelation 21:9-22:5. As a result, since these references were written to enhance our understanding of this book, if they are removed, everything else should be in order. Here is a summary of events in chronological order:

1. Message to The Churches - Revelation 1:3 to 3:22

2. Worship in Heaven - Revelation 4:1-11

3. The First Six Seals - Revelation 5:1 to 6:17

4. The Seventh Seal -

The First Six Trumpets - Revelation 8:1 to 9:21
The Seventh Trumpet (The Resurrection) - Revelation 11:14 - 19
The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath - Revelation 15:1 to 16:21
Armageddon - Revelation 19:11 to 20:3

5. The Millennium - Revelation 20:1-6

6. Satanic Rebellion - Revelation 20:7-10

7. The Great White Throne Judgment - Revelation 20:11-15

8. A New Heaven and Earth - Revelation 21:1-8

Revelation 22:18-19(NLT) - And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.

The Book of Revelation is also the only book of The Bible that comes with a curse. Anything added to or taken away from the truth of this book will incur the wrath of God. In fact, removing parts of this book is enough for the violator to lose his place in heaven. Therefore, I don’t take my responsibility lightly. I gladly accept the challenge and even though the risk is great, the rewards are worth it. If you’re ready, I’ll borrow this line from my father; “Read at the risk of being transformed!”

When Man Has Power To Create Life....

2011-05-09T08:48:00.000-07:00

This is a continuation from last week's article; "Synthetic DNA and The Image of The Beast".

From Faith Science;

Is Synthetic Life Morally Acceptable?

After President Obama issued his statement in response to the big announcement from J. Craig Venter Institute, Craig Venter was asked to testify before the US House Committee on Energy and Research. Of course, he provided all the right answers about the benefits of synthetic life, but it does take a high level of naïveté to not see where this is going. For every lofty intention that’s portrayed before the public, there’s some ulterior motive brewing beneath the surface. Guest columnist for Christian Post, R. Albert Mohler Jr gave a stirring analysis of this issue in the article “Has Man Created Life?”

Venter, never one to underplay his achievements, described the transformed cell as “the first self-replicating species we’ve had on the planet whose parent is a computer.” He added, “This is a philosophical advance as much as a technical advance.” But what kind of philosophical advance? Writing at The Guardian [London], Andrew Brown described “this moment of complete victory for materialism,” noting that atheists would point to the announcement as evidence that there is no need for a divine Creator. David Baltimore, another influential scientist, described Venter’s achievement as “a technological tour de force,” but rejected the claim that Venter had created life. “He has not created life, only mimicked it,” he told The New York Times. On the other hand, University of Pennsylvania bioethicist Arthur Caplan described the achievement of Venter’s team as “one of the most important scientific achievements in the history of mankind.” He told The Financial Times: “Venter’s achievement would seem to extinguish the argument that life requires a special force or power to exist.”

—“Has Man Created Life?” by R. Albert Mohler Jr, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and guest columnist for Christian Post, Friday, May 28, 2010

When a man makes a genome and puts it in a cell, does that disprove God’s existence? Who made the man and who made the cell? So why would anyone claim this as a victory for atheists? That’s the vitriol that fills the atmosphere with each announcement like this. People with an agenda that opposes God use anything they can to fuel their disgust for all things godly. Mohler was able to capture in his article the attitude that accompanies synthetic biology. Some of the fiercest critics of the Christian faith are not research scientists, yet they conveniently use scientific research to make a case for what they believe.

Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted.
Titus 1:15–16 nlt

Based on the Bible, morality is judged solely by intentions. For instance, the same nuclear technology that was developed to produce sustainable, clean energy was also used to create nuclear weapons. Technology is neither good nor bad. The people who use it are the standard bearers of morality. Yes, there are tremendous potential benefits to humanity, but when DNA can be written on a computer to control life, who is going to determine the content?

At some point, this process will be replicated worldwide, just like DNA cloning, and there will be no way to control what direction it takes. The purpose of scientific publication is to share the stepwise approach to research findings so they could be replicated and proven to work. Once the process is out there, other scientists can follow the steps and get comparable results. Instead of repeating the same research, other scientists build on what’s been published and take it to another level. Synthetic life in a bacterial cell has already been announced, so it won’t be big news anymore. They have no choice now but to take this a step further.

The new “synthetic biology” epitomized by the Venter Institute’s work—in essence the ability to design new genetic code on computers and then “download” it into living organisms—heralds a new era of potentially transformative technology innovation. As if to underline this, the US House
of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce heard testimony from Craig Venter and others on the technology’s potential yesterday—just days after last week’s announcement. But the technology also raises serious ethical and safety concerns: Is it right and proper to meddle with the fundamental basis of life? What happens if the technology gets into the
wrong hands? And what might occur when synthetic life meets the natural world?
—“The Future Safety of Synthetic Biology” by Andrew Maynard, Director of the Risk Science Center at the University of Michigan School of Public Health published by the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies on May 28, 2010.

Do you want to know what will happen when the technology gets into the wrong hands and synthetic life meets the natural world? Read the book of Revelation. In Revelation 13:11–18, a man will have the power to give life and will use it to wreak global havoc. We can pray, fast, fill out petitions, write letters to Congress, march in Washington, and do whatever we can, but it will not be stopped. The federal government won’t stop it, scientists won’t stop it, and God won’t stop it either. We just have to deal with it. Until then, let’s remain sober concerning the future while we consider the potential benefits of synthetic biology.

Scientific Evidence of The Spirit Realm?

2011-05-04T08:43:00.000-07:00

On November 11, 2009, the headline on CNN.com said, “Huge $10 billion collider resumes hunt for God particle.” That article, written by CNN reporter Elizabeth Landau, pushed atomic and molecular physics to the forefront of popular culture for at least one day. The story highlights read as follows: “The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) will circulate a beam around the tunnel within two weeks. CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) scientists say an electrical failure caused a major shut-down of the collider in September 2008. The full scientific program for the LHC will probably last more than 20 years. The LHC will look for the Higgs boson, quarks, gluons and other small particles.”

Scientists believe that The Higgs Boson or God Particle gives all particles mass. By seeking to isolate it at CERN and FERMILAB they are attempting to prove that mass is not inherent in elementary particles. Hence, the mass of a particle doesn't define its existence.

The air we breathe, cell phone signals, television signals, satellites and sound are all invisible. Hence, visibility doesn't define existence. Therefore, invisible, massless matter does exist.

The Bible says in Hebrews 11:1-3(KJV) - "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."

I believe that there's a connection between what scientists are saying and what The Bible says. What if there's a scientific way to explain the possibility of the spirit realm existing simultaneously to the natural? As a result, while we live our natural lives there is invisible, massless activity taking place all around us that's no less real than what we experience with our five senses. Think about it!

Donnell Duncan Explains Faith Science

2011-05-03T07:40:00.000-07:00

Synthetic DNA and The Image of The Beast

2011-05-01T20:54:00.000-07:00

If you live in Atlanta come join us every Thursday for Coffee Shop Conversations.

Be seen! Be heard! Be you! Be!
Network! Discuss! Discover truth!

Join Atlanta's Own Interactive Bible Study for Young Professionals as we discuss The Book of Revelation and The End Times.

7:00PM each and every Thursday

Starbucks
867 Peachtree St NE
Atlanta, GA

In addition, every month we meet on the last Saturday for The Faith Science Experience at AMLI at Milton Park, 26000 Mill Creek Ave, Alpharetta GA 30022. Our next meeting is Saturday, May 28th at 2:00PM and our topic will be "Synthetic Life" which is Chapter 4 fom the book, Faith Science. You can order your copy at the following link; FAITH SCIENCE.

From Faith Science;

My company, Synthetic Genomics, Inc., is already trying to develop cassettes—modules of genes—to turn an organism into a biofactory that could make clean hydrogen fuel from sunlight and water or soak up more carbon dioxide. From there I want to take us far from shore into unknown waters, to a new phase of evolution, to the day when one DNA-based species can sit down at a computer to design another. I plan to show that we understand the software of life by creating true artificial life.
—J. Craig Venter, “A Life Decoded: My Genome: My Life”
(Viking Adult; First Edition, October 18, 2007)

On May 20, 2010, Science Express published the research article “Creation of a Bacterial Cell Controlled by a Chemically Synthesized Genome” by research scientists of the J. Craig Venter Institute. The next day, Elizabeth Pennisi explained its significance in Science Magazine with her article “Synthetic Genome Brings New Life to Bacterium.” This kindled a worldwide media firestorm and people’s imagination ran wild. If the results could be confirmed, the possibilities were endless.

The Financial Times headline read, “Scientists Create Synthetic Life Form with a Computer and Four Bottles of Chemicals.” The New York Times released, “Synthetic Bacterial Genome Takes Over a Cell, Researchers Report.” The Wall Street Journal stated, “Scientists Create Synthetic Organism.” The Economist in London read, “And Man Made Life: The First Artificial Organism and its Consequences.” A headline in the German newspaper DIE ZEIT read, “Humans can now Play Creators.”

Instead of jumping to conclusions, I chose to read the facts for myself. After sifting through a host of sensational commentaries, I located the original research paper in Science Express and the May 20, 2010 press release, “First Self-Replicating Synthetic Bacterial Cell” from J. Craig Venter Institute’s Web site. The White House wasted no time when the story broke. That same day, President Barack Obama issued the following statement in a letter to Dr. Amy Gutmann, President, and Christopher H. Browne, Distinguished Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania:

As you know, scientists have announced a milestone in the emerging field of cellular and genetic research known as synthetic biology. While scientists have used DNA to develop genetically modified cells for many years, for the first time, all of the natural genetic material in a bacterial cell has been replaced with a synthetic set of genes. This development raises the prospect of important benefits, such as the ability to accelerate vaccine development. At the same time, it raises genuine concerns, and so we must consider carefully the implications of this research.

I therefore request that the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues undertake, as its first order of business, a study of the implications of this scientific milestone, as well as other advances that may lie ahead in this field of research. In its study, the Commission should consider the potential medical, environmental, security, and other benefits of this field of research, as well as any potential health, security or other risks.

Further, the Commission should develop recommendations about any actions the Federal government should take to ensure that America reaps the benefits of this developing field of science while identifying appropriate ethical boundaries and minimizing identified risks. My Science and Technology Advisor, Dr. John P. Holdren, will be in communication with
you about the scope and progress of your study.
—President Barack Obama, White House, Washington,
DC, May 20, 2010

The Human Genome Project defines a genome on their website as “all the DNA in an organism, including its genes.” They continue to say, “Genes carry information for making all the proteins required by all organisms. These proteins determine, among other things, how the organism looks, how well its body metabolizes food or fights infection, and sometimes even how it behaves.” DNA is a combination of four chemicals called bases abbreviated A, T, C, and G, which form the building blocks of all life. The order of how these bases are paired determines life’s diversity. The human genome has three billion base pairs, so identifying a complete genome is no easy task.

In simple terms, the scientists at J. Craig Venter Institute designed a complete synthetic genome on a computer and assembled it in a yeast cell. They then isolated it from the yeast cell and transplanted it into a bacterial cell which had its own genome destroyed. After surmounting several hurdles in the process, the cell responded to the instructions from the synthetic genome. It then began replicating to make a new set of proteins. This process was different to cloning because the genome did not come from another organism. It was the creation of synthetic life because it was designed on a computer.

To the untrained eye, this furor seems unwarranted. What’s the big deal? What they did was on such a small scale that it doesn’t change anything in our day-to-day lives. That might be true if all we lived for was today. This scientific breakthrough will change our lives in the future. According to the May 21, 2010, article in Science Magazine, the project lasted fifteen years and cost an estimated forty million dollars. Obviously, it’s significant, because the money is coming from somewhere. All life, including human life, comes from a self-replicating cell that responds to instructions from its genome. If they can create fully functional genomes on a computer already, it’s a very big deal.

What Does the Bible Say about Synthetic Life?

Then I saw another beast come up out of the earth. He had two horns like those of a lamb, but he spoke with the voice of a dragon. He exercised all the authority of the first beast. And he required all the earth and its people to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. He did astounding miracles, even making fire flash down to earth from the sky while everyone was watching. And with all the miracles he was allowed to perform on behalf of the first beast, he deceived all the people who belong to this world. He ordered the people to make a great statue of the first beast, who was fatally wounded and then came back to life. He was then permitted to give life to this statue so that it could speak. Then the statue of the beast commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die. He required everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name. Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666.
Revelation 13:11–18 nlt (emphasis mine)

The Bible says, “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed” (Revelation 13:15 kjv). One day, mankind will have the power to give life to something inanimate. Synthetic life was prophesied by the Apostle John thousands of years before the technology was developed to make it happen. The Christian viewpoint on synthetic life really is not hard to locate. If the Bible is the book upon which we base our position, then it gives us the answer. Synthetic biology is an inevitability. Revelation 13:15 is a symbolic representation of this.

If scientists at J. Craig Venter Institute can assemble a synthetic genome in a yeast cell after fifteen years of research in 2010, what will be possible fifteen years later, in 2025? Living in denial doesn’t change the future. In the quote to start this chapter, J. Craig Venter undoubtedly stated his true intentions in his book “A Life Decoded: My Genome: My Life” and is well on his way to seeing it happen. On the molecular level, they can already give life to a bacterial cell and absolutely nothing can stop them from extending their research to human cells. In fact, I believe it’s probably already been done and we just don’t know about it.

Our synthetic genomic approach stands in sharp contrast to a variety of other approaches to genome engineering that modify natural genomes by introducing multiple insertions, substitutions, or deletions (18–22). This work provides a proof of principle for producing cells based upon genome sequences designed in a computer. DNA sequencing of a cellular genome allows storage of the genetic instructions for life as a digital file. If the methods described here can be generalized, design, synthesis, assembly, and transplantation of synthetic chromosomes will no longer be a barrier to the progress of synthetic biology.
—Creation of a Bacterial Cell Controlled by a Chemically Synthesized Genome by Daniel Gibson et al of The J. Craig Venter Institute published on May 20, 2010 in Science Express

I released the book Revelation Unplugged: Decoding the Book of Revelation in 2009. I studied the book of Revelation in detail and connected it with other parts of the Bible that covered the same areas of Bible prophecy. At the time, I looked at everything with a very religious eye. I had no idea that within my lifetime, science would actually catch up to what has only lived in the imagination of Christians for thousands of years. I interpreted Revelation 13:15 from a religious perspective. Now I see that many scriptures like these contain underlying themes that are unfolding before our very eyes. They have already given life to a bacterial cell and may do the same with a human cell within our lifetime.

Court upholds federal funding of embryonic stem cell research - White Coat Notes - Boston.com

2011-04-29T12:33:00.000-07:00

Court upholds federal funding of embryonic stem cell research - White Coat Notes - Boston.com

Unmasking The Religion of Science And The New Age

2011-04-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

Two days ago, I published a blog on Singularity-The Scientific Rapture. If you did not read it yet, do so now.

A new age is dawning; one in which created beings deny the existence of their creator and finite minds cast doubt on The Infinite One. In this new age, just like it's cool for men in the fashion world to be homosexual it's cool for scientists to be atheists or agnostics. Any belief in God is frowned upon, not because it contradicts scientific data but because it challenges the rebellious nature of men's hearts who have chosen to reject Him. There is no scientifc data which comprehensively disproves the existence of God. I am so sure of this that if anyone thinks there is, I issue an open challenge. Bring it!

I digress...

According to The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, in this context, "religion" is defined as:

a: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices

b: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

It also gives one definition of "faith" as, "something that is believed especially with strong conviction."

Let's make things really simple so nobody gets confused. Any cause or system of beliefs that's vigorously defended is a religion. Hence, militant atheism, for instance, is a religion. So, in essence, the only way to be non-religious is to not have any belief system whatsoever. What does that mean? If you want to distance yourself from all religion, you cannot have a position or hold on to an opinion. You must be swayed by all evidence that's provided at all times.

In addition, even if your belief system is based on scientific evidence, it can be religious. If the ideas which form the basis of your belief system are based on extrapolations that are not explicitly stated by the evidence and you hold on to it with ardor and faith, it's a religion. Why? You believe the evidence means something that the evidence does not specifically state. Even if your position makes logical sense, your logic contributes to your religion. Hence, if you try to defend your position in the face of other opposing evidence, you are being a religious fanatic.

From Faith Science;

But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
Romans 1:18–20 nlt

People who claim to be atheists or agnostics because of the church’s failure to testify accurately of God are lying to themselves. In addition, Christians who blame the church for not convincing the world of their need for God are completely deceived. According to the Apostle Paul, people have no excuse for not knowing God. That’s especially true for those who study natural sciences like physics, chemistry, and biology. It’s also true for philosophers. The deeper we get, the more we can see his invisible qualities and the less we can deny his power. At some point, it becomes less of a need for proof and more of a choice to rebel against the truth.

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.
Romans 1:21–23 nlt

I’ve met several “thinkers” who claim to have once believed in Jesus but walked away for various reasons. I’ve also met those whose arguments break down under the right kind of pressure and expose their true nature. They knew God, and even if they didn’t know him the way we do, they realized that his existence cannot be denied. It also cannot be disproved by any scientific process. They came up with their own ideas, and that’s when things went haywire. Darkness and confusion entered, not because they were supposed to, but because the light was rejected.

Now they parade themselves as possessing wisdom apart from God. Some say they are evolutionists and we are creationists. Evolutionists say they are true scientists, while creationists only believe in fiction. Sadly, such foolishness turns from a pursuit of knowledge into idol worship. Since they don’t worship God and all humans were created for worship, they find someone else to worship. That someone most of the time ends up being a popular scientist or philosophers. For instance, Charles Darwin is god for several who study his work. Many also worship the work of the modern thinker Richard Dawkins. Some others won’t give credit to another man but choose to worship themselves or science itself.

We're all religious because we have a system of beliefs! What's your religion?

Singularity - The "Scientific" Rapture

2011-04-25T08:23:00.000-07:00

Genesis 11:1-6(KJV) -And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. 2And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. 3And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. 4And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. 5And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. 6And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.

Christians anticipate The Resurrection. Jews anticipate their Messiah. Muslims anticipate the second coming of their prophet. Buddhists anticipate Nirvana. For people of faith, it's normal to look forward to a bright future when things are better than they are today. Well, maybe not better for everyone but for the faithful, at least.

However, for those who pride themselves in reasonable thinking, such anticipation is unfounded and illusionary. It is not based in logic. It cannot be verified by experiment. It's impossible to prove. Faith-based forecasting is nothing but religious prophecy. That is, unless you anticipate Singularity. That's right! Logical, intelligent, secular, scientific, even agnostic thinkers now embrace their own "Rapture" of sorts.

As a young physics student, I spent Summer 2000 conducting research at The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. My project was in the Cosmology research lab of Dr George Smoot, the eventual 2004 winner of The Nobel Prize in Physics. His NASA funded project, COBE was on the cutting edge of research on The Big Bang at the time. That experience opened my eyes. For 18 years, I grew up in a Christian home but at 20, I found myself surrounded by top scientists whose worldview was completely different.

Job 35:11(The Message) - When God sets out the entire creation as a science classroom, using birds and beasts to teach wisdom.

In my book, Faith Science, released in January, I discuss the realities of technological advances like Stem Cell Research, Cloning and Synthetic DNA. I also delve into Antimatter, The Higgs Boson, Entropy and The Human Genome Project. On radio interviews across the country I've demonstrated clearly that even The Big Bang is in The Bible.

Why? To prepare you for this: A world where the line between science and faith becomes blurry. It's inevitable that science will begin to shape worldviews and impact belief systems. People will teach a new kind of faith using science and deny that it's even faith in the first place.

By showing you where science fits into a Biblical worldview, I accept the risky task of merging faith and science without compromising the scriptures. The merge is coming anyway so it's time to get prepared. That's my assignment. Maybe I'm too late. Maybe I'm too early. Maybe I'm right on time. It doesn't matter. I have to do what I have to do.

I recently read an article about the mind behind the concept of Singularity, Ray Kurzweil, in The New York Times called "The Promise of Rapture for the High-Tech Elite." He has received endorsements from such top technologists as Microsoft founder, Bill Gates and Bill Joy, cofounder and former chief scientist of Sun Microsystems. With this same philosophy, Larry Page, cofounder of Google and others have founded Singularity University.

It's an awesome idea with a noble goal that has pulled together some of the best minds in the world in Artifical Intelligence & Robotics, Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, Energy & Environmental Systems, Finance, Entrepreneurship & Economics, Futures Studies & Forecasting, Medicine & Neuroscience, Nanotechnology, Networks & Computing Systems, Policy, Law & Ethics and Space & Physical Sciences.

Check out the faculty and advisor list. It will blow your mind. Even Dr George Smoot is in there under Space & Physical Sciences. Human beings are working together right now to take humanity beyond our created limitations. The human mind is now the answer to the challenges that face humanity. If all the best minds get together as one, nothing is impossible. That sounds like good news but is it really?

Take a look at the philosophy behind Singularity in Ray Kurzweil's book.

From Singularity.Com

Now, in The Singularity Is Near, he examines the next step in this inexorable evolutionary process: the union of human and machine, in which the knowledge and skills embedded in our brains will be combined with the vastly greater capacity, speed, and knowledge-sharing ability of our own creations.

That merging is the essence of the Singularity, an era in which our intelligence will become increasingly nonbiological and trillions of times more powerful than it is today—the dawning of a new civilization that will enable us to transcend our biological limitations and amplify our creativity. In this new world, there will be no clear distinction between human and machine, real reality and virtual reality.

We will be able to assume different bodies and take on a range of personae at will. In practical terms, human aging and illness will be reversed; pollution will be stopped; world hunger and poverty will be solved. Nanotechnology will make it possible to create virtually any physical product using inexpensive information processes and will ultimately turn even death into a soluble problem.

John 5:40-43(NKJV) - But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. “I do not receive honor from men. But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.

Now that human beings can work together to fix the world's problems, who needs Jesus, right? For those who reject Jesus, who came in the name of The Father, another has come in his own name.

The Faith Science Experience 3 - Stem Cells and Cloning

When: Sat, April 30, 2pm – 4pm
Where: AMLI at Milton Park, 26000 Mill Creek Ave, Alpharetta GA 30022 (map)
Description: Join Donnell Duncan for next month's "Chapter Study" from his newest book, Faith Science. These sessions are open to the community and provide an open forum for discussion, discovery, and debates arising from the inevitable collision between modern scientific developments and timeless biblical truth!

For More Info Visit; http://www.meetup.com/The-Faith-Science-Experience

How One Christian Scientist Conquered The Human Genome

2011-04-20T16:17:00.000-07:00

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mark 8:36–37 kjv

For reliable information on cloning, I did some research on the Human Genome Project, which lasted from 1990 to 2003. Formed by the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), they achieved the following goals, two years ahead of their fifteen-year schedule:

• identify all the approximately 20,000–25,000 genes in human DNA
• determine the sequences of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA
• store this information in databases
• improve tools for data analysis
• transfer related technologies to the private sector
• address the ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) that may arise from the project

— About the Human Genome Project: genomics energy.gov

With the help of this unquestioned federal support, the biotechnology industry took off and what once lived in the imagination of scientific researchers became a reality.

The Human Genome Project defines a genome on their website as “all the DNA in an organism, including its genes.” They continue to say, “Genes carry information for making all the proteins required by all organisms. These proteins determine, among other things, how the organism looks, how well its body metabolizes food or fights infection, and sometimes even how it behaves.”

Now that you know the calibre of science attributed to the Human Genome Project let me share something interesting. The man behind it all was Dr Francis Collins, a born again Christian.

Here's a quote from his bio;

Dr. Francis Collins is a physician and geneticist known for spearheading the Human Genome Project and for his landmark discoveries of disease genes. With Collins at the helm, the Human Genome Project produced a finished sequence of human DNA in 2003. He then used this new data to help create powerful tools and strategies to advance biological knowledge about humans and improve their health. Along with his research, Collins has also stressed the importance of considering the ethical and legal issues surrounding genetics.

Collins founded the BioLogos Foundation in November 2007 and served as its president until nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the United States Senate as the 16th Director of the National Institutes of Health. He resigned from the BioLogos Foundation on August 16, 2009, and was sworn in as NIH Director the following day.

Formerly an atheist, Collins became a Christian in his 20s after realizing his perspective did not provide answers to profound questions about the meaning of life and was inconsistent with observations about the nature of the universe and humankind. He wrote about finding harmony between the scientific and spiritual worldviews in The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief, which spent 20 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list. Collins coined the term BioLogos to define the conclusions he reached about how life, or bios, came about through God’s word, or logos. DNA, therefore, may be considered God’s language.

Source - Biologos.org/about

In this season, God is placing His people in positions of influence at the top of the mountains of influence in society. Dr Francis Collins climbed to the top of the mountain of science. Which mountain are you supposed to take?

Isaiah 2:2 (New King James Version)
2 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days
That the mountain of the LORD’s house
Shall be established on the top of the mountains,
And shall be exalted above the hills;
And all nations shall flow to it.

Faith To See The Invisible

2011-04-17T21:41:00.000-07:00

From Faith Science;

Faith to See the Invisible

The Chaldeans answered the king, and said, “There is not a man on earth who can tell the king’s matter; therefore no king, lord, or ruler has ever asked such things of any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean. It is a difficult thing that the king requests, and there is no other who can tell it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” For this reason the king was angry and very furious, and gave the command to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. So the decree went out, and they began killing the wise men; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to
kill them. Then with counsel and wisdom Daniel answered Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon; he answered and said to Arioch the king’s captain, “Why is the decree from the king so urgent?”

Then Arioch made the decision known to Daniel. So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him time, that he might tell the king the interpretation. Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions
might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

Daniel 2:10–19 nkjv

I established earlier in this book that the spirit realm is as real as the natural realm but it’s invisible and mass-less. Identifying the details of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and its interpretation necessitated spiritual sensitivity. What the king’s spiritual advisors could not do was see clearly in the spirit realm. Daniel knew that if he could just get a glimpse of what God had revealed to Nebuchadnezzar in the dream, their lives would be saved. He shared it with his three friends, and they sought the face of God for insight.

In the spirit, the limitations of time and space do not exist. God said this about himself: “Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’” (Isaiah 46:10 nkjv). God declared the future through images in a dream and set the stage for Daniel’s promotion. What kind of wisdom would you have access to if you approached God in a difficult situation before you ever considered another option?

Since our hypothesis states that biblical faith is “complete trust in the invisible evidence provided by the Word of God confirmed by commensurate action,” Daniel demonstrated his faith by confidently sharing what God revealed to him with the king. The king expected him to recount the dream and then explain what it meant, with the risk of death if he got it wrong. With the only evidence of the king’s dream being what God showed Daniel in a vision of his own, Daniel needed faith to survive. After Daniel told the king everything, let’s see how it turned out.

Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering and incense to him. The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.” Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon. Also Daniel petitioned the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and AbedNego over the affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.
Daniel 2:46–49 nkjv

Daniel’s faith led to instant promotion. When people begin to see life through the eyes of God, they begin to see the invisible. What might look one way on the surface might be completely different underneath, and the person who always knows that is God. He knew all along that this situation was designed for their promotion and the threat of death was just a catalyst for action. Normal people limit themselves to what their natural senses can perceive.

In contrast, God has a plan for promotion that cannot be perceived through physical eyes or with carnal understanding. Like the magicians, astrologers, and Chaldeans discovered, people who only see through the eyes of reason will draw blanks at some important times. They may have been able to create an interpretation of the king’s dream by reason, but they couldn’t deduce its contents if he didn’t tell it to them. From their perspective, deductive reasoning could only go so far and no farther. That lack of spiritual insight almost cost them their lives, while Daniel and his friends received great promotion. The lesson learned from faith to see the invisible is that spiritual eyes can see beyond the limits of time and space.

Culture, Religion and the Kingdom of God

2011-04-13T20:42:00.000-07:00

From The Mysterious Kingdom of Heaven;

CULTURE, RELIGION AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Matthew 24:14(NKJV) - And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

In the countries where religions originated, cultures originated. Jewish culture was birthed out of the religion of Judaism. Muslim culture was birthed out of the religion of Islam. Buddhist culture was birthed out of the religion of Buddhism. Hindu culture was birthed out of the religion of Hinduism. Therefore, in those societies, contrasting religions result in contrasting cultures.

Their entire lives are shaped by the religion they espouse. The way they dress, eat, talk, make decisions, raise their families, enjoy entertainment and think is based in their religious beliefs. As a result, conversion from most of those religions is more than just a change of church or belief system. It's dying to all they know and coming back to life as someone completely different. Their culture and religion are co-existent. When we understand these things, we'll recognize how revolutionary the gospel of The Kingdom really is.

According to The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, in this context, "culture" is defined as:

a: the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations

b: the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group; also: the characteristic features of everyday existence (as diversions or a way of life} shared by people in a place or time; popular culture, southern culture

c: the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization; a corporate culture focused on the bottom line

d: the set of values, conventions, or social practices associated with a particular field, activity, or societal characteristic; studying the effect of computers on print culture, changing the culture of materialism will take time - Peggy O'Mara

Also, in this context, the word, "religion" is defined as:

a: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices

b: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

Take a close look at the second definition of religion. If you have any system of beliefs, whether you like it or not, you have a religion. Therefore, if you claim to believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ, by definition, you have a religion that is commonly known as Christianity. For the sake of argument, in this book, The Mysterious Kingdom of Heaven, let us define Christianity as following Christ the same way we define Buddhism as following Buddha.

John 17:14-19(NKJV) - I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

The world is not a place. A place does not have feelings and cannot hate someone. The same person can be in the world one day and be out of the world the next. That's the testimony of every Christian. The world actually refers to cultural systems which come out of secular beliefs. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, the god of this world is the devil so even the people who claim to have no god are given one by default.

The Christian Cultural Revolution

Acts 2:38-42(MSG) - Peter said, "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away-whomever, in fact, our Master God invites." He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, "Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!" That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.

Peter broke the gospel down in a way that we could all understand. Becoming a Christian is more than just missing hell, going to church and obeying uncomfortable rules. It's a change of belief system (religion) and a change of lifestyle (culture). We don't think the same way as the people of the world and we do not act the same way either. We cannot impact the culture of the world if we cannot impact what they believe. Until people believe something different, their lifestyles will never change.

Romans 10:13-15(NLT) - For "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"

We have to follow the example of The Apostles in The New Testament to have the impact that they had. By changing their own belief system, developing the culture of Jesus and sharing it with others they attacked the belief system around them and impacted the culture. Hence, we can't effectively invite people to join The Body of Christ if Christianity is not our culture.

Would a Human Clone Have a Soul?

2011-04-11T06:11:00.000-07:00

From Faith Science;

Would a Human Clone Have a Soul?

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like ourselves. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky,
and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
Genesis 1:26–28 nlt

God addressed Adam and Eve directly in Genesis 1:28 and gave them instructions. That scripture looks fine when considered on its own, but think about this. He did not create Adam’s body until Genesis 2:7 and did not create Eve’s body out of Adam’s genetic material until Genesis 2:22. If they did not have bodies when God addressed them in Genesis 1:28, what did their bodies have to do with their existence in God’s eyes? Absolutely nothing!

As far as God was concerned, he created Adam and Eve first; then he created a body for Adam and placed Adam in it. Then he extracted Adam’s DNA and created a body for Eve and placed her in it. Hence, the source of the human body has no bearing on the source of the human soul. That’s why there are no mistaken births with God. Every human soul was created by him and placed in a human body. Children who are born as a result of rape, incest, artificial insemination, or cloning are no less humans than those who come from the God-ordained sexual union of a husband and wife.

What we do on earth is only supply bodies, but God is the source of the soul. Did Eve have a soul? Yes! Was she created out of the ground like Adam? No! She was created out of Adam’s DNA. Did the creative process of her physical body impact the creative process of her soul? No! I have never heard anyone answer this question with certainty. Even the most noted biblical thinkers hit the wall when they consider the question of cloned human beings.

What does the process of acquiring a human body have to do with an eternal soul? Nothing! If two people can decide when they want to have sex or whether or not they want to use birth control, they can impact when a child is born. Does that human influence on birth cheapen the life of the child? Of course not!

Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 10:28 nlt

And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
1 Corinthians 15:45–49 kjv

Sexual intercourse, artificial insemination, and cloning do not create souls. They are processes that create human bodies. God doesn’t discriminate based on the process by which the body was developed. A person is a person in God’s eyes because a person’s soul comes from him. The same quality soul can live in a strong, healthy body or one that’s broken and deformed. If the value of life was merely physical, people would be judged by the quality of their bodies and the circumstances of their birth. The better the body or birth environment, the better the person. Something about that approach doesn’t sound right to me and shouldn’t to you.

If you approach life this way, you’ll realize that God will hold every human being to the same eternal standard. It doesn’t matter the circumstances surrounding someone’s birth. If one doesn’t accept Jesus Christ according to Romans 10:9–10, one’s soul will be sent to hell. If one does believe in Jesus Christ, one’s soul will return to God, who created it. The moral questions that need to be answered have little to do with whether or not a human clone can have a soul. It’s more an issue of quality of life. If children resulting from improper sexual relationships face tremendous emotional and psychological challenges what do you think it would be like to be a human clone?

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mark 8:36–37 kjv

Faith Which Changes Nature

2011-04-07T09:40:00.000-07:00

From Faith Science;

Jesus and the Apostle Peter broke the law of gravity when they walked on water in Matthew 14:25–29. Elijah broke natural laws when he stopped rain from falling using words in 1 Kings 17 and then started it again in 1 Kings 18. He also broke natural laws when he called fire out of heaven several times in 2 Kings 1:9–14. Philip broke physical laws when he disappeared from one location and appeared in another in Acts 8:39.

Paul broke natural biological and chemical laws when he was bitten by a venomous snake and nothing happened to his body in Acts 28:3–6. Like Paul said in Romans 8:2, the spiritual law of life in Christ Jesus triumphed over the law of sin and death. Though discernible, natural laws were made obsolete in specific human lives.

With this much evidence, it’s not difficult to see why God wants us all to live by faith. Trusting God’s Word liberates human beings from the limitations of natural laws and gives us access to the power by which he operates. When God created man, that was exactly what he had in mind. Even though he subjected the earth to natural laws, he gave man authority over these laws. When faced with impossible natural situations, faith in God’s Word can change things.

Here’s exactly how God designed the system:

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26–28 nkjv

God expected Adam to determine what happened on the earth. Even though fish, birds, cattle, and every other animal were given minds of their own, God programmed them to obey the commands of a man. Fish could naturally swim and birds could naturally fly better than Adam, but that didn’t stop his dominion. He had the supernatural ability to do whatever was needed. So what seems outrageous to many of us is actually God’s original plan for our lives.

Adam and Eve According to Science

2011-04-03T07:17:00.000-07:00

First, one became two; then two became one!

From Faith Science;

Is There Cloning in the Bible?

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her
to the man. “At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’”
Genesis 2:18–23 nlt (emphasis mine)

Long before scientists created Dolly the sheep, God put Adam to sleep, removed a rib, and fashioned Eve. Her body came out of Adam, but her soul and spirit came from God. Believe it or not, God chose not to create a completely separate human body from the earth but purposefully chose to make one human being out of another. For the role she would play in his life, God wanted Eve to come from the same genetic material as Adam. I believe God did not do that by chance. The umbrella definition of cloning provided by the Human Genome Project is duplicating biological material, so
Eve would be considered a clone of Adam.

I know this might get me in trouble with many religious people, because it’s completely outside of what is traditionally taught. God created Adam out of the ground, but he made Eve out of Adam. What is this process called? The Human Genome Project, on their Web site, genomics.energy.gov, defines reproductive cloning as “a technology used to generate an animal that has the same nuclear DNA as another currently or previously existing animal.”

Dolly the Finn Dorset sheep was not the first mammal cloned. Eve, the woman who was made out of Adam’s biological material, was. Someone might argue that it wasn’t cloning because God used Adam’s rib to create Eve, not nuclear DNA. I find it hard to believe that Moses knew what DNA was at the time. Even if he saw in an open vision that God removed a cell from tissue in Adam’s chest, he still wouldn’t know what to call it.

Why BioLogos? | The BioLogos Forum

2011-03-31T07:08:00.000-07:00

Why BioLogos? The BioLogos Forum

Is There Any Room for Science in The Church?

2011-03-30T20:07:00.000-07:00

From Faith Science;

The foundational principles of science have enabled humanity to understand the world around us. Through the systematic pursuit of knowledge, the collection of data, and subsequent testing of formulated hypotheses, we have established “definitive” conclusions about ourselves and what can be perceived. Hence, established scientific laws must either be proven inconsistent, using the scientific method or fully accepted.

In other words, you have two options: beat them or join them. By definition, science as a whole is an approach to gaining understanding. It is systematic and objective so that the conclusions can be reproduced if the same steps are followed under similar conditions.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 2:14 kjv

Scientists who think that spiritual laws are inherently inaccurate are themselves, inaccurate. The Bible refers to them as carnal thinkers who will never understand spiritual things. No human mind on its own is able to perceive the things of God. Even though they may be experts at natural things, without Christ, they are unskilled in spiritual things.

The greatest scientists on their own will never be able to bridge the gap between scientific and spiritual laws. Therefore, it’s easy to understand that just the mention of the word faith sends shivers down the spines of secular scientists. They consider Christianity foolish and don’t see how it’s possible for intelligent people to believe what’s written in the Bible. What many of them really have are preconceived notions that instantly reject anything that contradicts what they believe. So proving the viability of faith to them on a purely academic level will be impossible regardless of the evidence provided.

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:15–16 kjv

The Bible says that he who is spiritual comprehends all things while he who is natural is not qualified to speak on spiritual things. The two systems, though they exist simultaneously, are not equal. Spiritual laws are inherently superior to natural laws because all that is natural came from that which is spiritual. I will prove this by Scripture later in the book. Since God is behind both systems, unless it’s necessary for carrying out his purpose, they shouldn’t inherently contradict.

Why Should Christians Care About the Stem Cell Debate?

2011-03-27T16:43:00.000-07:00

From Faith Science;

Therapeutic cloning, also known as embryo cloning, probably has the broadest impact on society of the three cloning technologies in question. It’s the foundation of stem cell research and continues to stir passionate discussions worldwide. The Human Genome Project calls it “the production of human embryos for use in research.”

Fierce critics call it farming human embryos for body parts to help other humans who need them. After a human embryo has divided for five days into what is called a blastocyst, stem cells are extracted for research, killing the embryo. Stem cells are valuable because they are not specialized and can divide and renew themselves for extended periods before giving rise to specialized cell types.

What Does the Bible Say about Therapeutic Cloning?

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in
your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
Psalm 139:13–16 nlt

The Lord gave me this message: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 1:4–5 nlt

But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth.
Luke 1:13–15 nlt

At conception, your embryo was formed and earthly life began. As your stem cells replicated themselves, these newly formed cells became specialized in different areas to create your body. The Bible does not give a cut-off stage in the cell division process at which your “real” life began. God had his eyes on you before you were born.

He monitored the process of cell division as you developed from an embryo. Ethically, we cannot value the life of a thirty-year-old more than that of a three-year-old because of age, size, or development.

In the same way, we cannot say a human five days after conception is less valuable than one who is five days away from birth. After birth, I can’t kill you and take your heart because I need one. From the Bible’s perspective, it’s no better if I decided to take you out of your mother’s womb and kill you so that I could use your stem cells to grow heart cells.

There really isn’t much to discuss when it comes to embryo cloning for a Christian who believes the Bible. Every human life is valuable, and we can’t grow human eggs to use in experiments like chicken eggs to use for breakfast. Notwithstanding, vegans might disagree with me about the chicken eggs, but this is the Christian position. Fortunately, that’s not the end of the story.

All stem cell research is not morally repugnant. The NIH Stem Cell Basics states, “Until recently, scientists primarily worked with two kinds of stem cells from animals and humans: embryonic stem cells and non-embryonic “somatic” or “adult” stem cells.” (Stem Cell Information, The National Institutes of Health resource for stem cell research, stemcells.nih.gov)

Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells found among differentiated cells in a tissue or organ. Undifferentiated cells have not yet developed into a specialized cell type. These stem cells acquire the features of the specialized cells (heart, liver, muscle, etc.) around which they abide to replace what is lost whenever there is tissue damage. This describes part of the process of natural healing that takes place in living organisms.

If these cells can be harvested, doctors can treat patients with their own adult stem cells to induce the natural process of healing. Scientists are also searching for ways to cause trans-differentiation. That way, if an organ is too damaged to source adult stem cells, scientists can genetically modify cells from one body part to use in treating another. If this process is successful, the problem of tissue rejection will be history since the source tissue cells and recipient cells can come from the same person.

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mark 8:36–37 kjv

In sum, from a biblical perspective, therapeutic cloning using human embryos is out of the question. We can’t grow people, kill them, then use their parts to help other people. On the other hand, as I explained earlier in this chapter, I see nothing wrong with the use of non-embryonic “somatic” or “adult” stem cells. The stem cell debate is important and Christians should care!

The Faith Science Experience 3 - Stem Cells and Cloning

When: Sat, April 30, 2pm – 4pm

Where: AMLI at Milton Park, 26000 Mill Creek Ave, Alpharetta GA 30022 (map)

Description: Join Donnell Duncan for next month's "Chapter Study" from his newest book, Faith Science. These sessions are open to the community and provide an open forum for discussion, discovery, and debates arising from the inevitable collision between modern scientific developments and timeless biblical truth!

For More Info Visit; http://www.meetup.com/The-Faith-Science-Experience

Faith Science on Stem Cells and Human Cloning

2011-03-21T19:24:00.000-07:00

From Faith Science;

In recent weeks we learned that scientists have created human embryos in test tubes solely to experiment on them. This is deeply troubling, and a warning sign that should prompt all of us to think through these issues very carefully. We recoil at the idea of growing human beings for spare body parts or creating life for our convenience. I strongly oppose cloning. And while we must devote enormous energy to conquering disease, it is equally important that we pay attention to the moral concerns raised by the new frontier of human embryo stem cell research. Even the most noble ends do not justify any means.
—George W. Bush, radio address, Aug. 11, 2001

The top story in the June 2010 edition of Scientific American listed “12
Events That Will Change Everything.” They are as follows:
1. Fusion Energy
2. Extraterrestrial Intelligence
3. Asteroid Collision
4. Machine Self-awareness
5. Polar Meltdown
6. Nuclear Exchange
7. Deadly Pandemic
8. Creation of Life
9. Room-Temperature Superconductors
10. Pacific Earthquake
11. Human Cloning
12. Extra Dimensions

The article acknowledged that some of the items on the list are much more likely than others. Notwithstanding, number eleven, human cloning, is believed to be on schedule for some time in the future. It may take decades to get the process right, but who’s counting? Whether we think it’s ethical or not has no bearing on what will be done. As long as there is funding, the research will continue.

What many of us don’t realize is that by the time a paper is published or an announcement is made, it’s too late to ask ethical questions about the project. They only make the information public after years of gathering and testing data. Today’s hot new scientific breakthrough is really just the announcement of what’s been going on in some cases for decades in the lab. It’s only news for the people outside the loop.

This type of research puts an interesting twist on the concept of “faith science,” which forms the basis of this book. There must be an element of faith at the beginning of these projects to cause scientists to invest their lives and millions of dollars in funding. Research scientists sometimes only theoretically know what they’re looking for when they start their projects. They may not be able to prove it at first, but they must believe before they see the hard evidence. Why? Simply put, finding proof to support scientific theories is the basis of cutting-edge scientific research.

Stem cell research and cloning seem like the stuff of science fiction.
The ideas surrounding these scientific phenomena have been used to produce books and movies that are so farfetched they discredit the science behind them. For that reason, I joined the masses of people who considered the advancement of both stem cell research and cloning as not just irrelevant but improbable. When they made news headlines I refused to pay attention.

It was fascinating to see that, despite being in a worldwide economic downturn, this type of pricey research was still being financed. I put them in the same category as NASA: interesting but unnecessary. Billions of dollars, years of effort, and what really has their research changed in how we live each day? Absolutely nothing!

Well, at least that’s what I thought. Then God tugged my heart and opened my eyes. Something’s going on in these laboratories that will directly affect our lives in the future, so we better start paying attention.

The Faith Science Experience 3 - Stem Cells and Cloning

When: Sat, April 30, 2pm – 4pm

Where: AMLI at Milton Park, 26000 Mill Creek Ave, Alpharetta GA 30022 (map)

Description: Join Donnell Duncan for next month's "Chapter Study" from his newest book, Faith Scence. These sessions are open to the community and provide an open forum for discussion, discovery, and debates arising from the inevitable collision between modern scientific developments and timeless biblical truth!

For More Info Visit; http://www.meetup.com/The-Faith-Science-Experience

Talk and Taste with Faith Science - Tuesday March 22nd

2011-03-19T16:39:00.000-07:00

Hearing God's Voice Through Nature

2011-03-17T15:57:00.000-07:00

From Faith Science;

Robert Boyle (1627–1691): Boyle’s Law

When with bold telescopes I survey the old and newly discovered stars and planets that adorn the upper region of the world; and when with excellent microscopes I discern in otherwise invisible objects … nature’s curious workmanship; and when, in a word … I study the book of nature … I find myself oftentimes reduced to exclaim with the Psalmist, How manifold are thy Works O Lord? In Wisdom hast thou made them all! And when I have been losing myself in admiration of what I understand not, but enough to admire, and not to comprehend; I am often obliged to interrupt or break off my enquiries, by applying to the works of God’s creation the expression … O the depth of the Riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his way untraceable.

—Robert Boyle, Seraphick Love: Some Motives and Incentives to the Love of God

Frank Wattenberg from the Department of Mathematics at Montana State University said the following of Boyle’s Law:

Boyle’s Law involves a relationship between three properties of a gas in a container: the volume of the container (denoted V), the pressure of the gas (denoted P), the temperature of the gas (denoted T).

Boyle’s Law states: PV = kT where k is a constant, or Pressure * Volume = Constant * Temperature

The value of the constant k depends on the units used for the other quantities, but once the units are fixed, k is also fixed. When any one of the quantities V, P, or T is changed, one or two of the others must change so that the equation above still holds. Robert Boyle developed his scientific and religious philosophies simultaneously. He is described as one of the founders of modern chemistry.

In college, I learned Boyle’s law as the inversely proportional relationship between absolute pressure and the volume of gas. It’s used to understand the behavior of gases in balloons, syringes, and even human lungs. It’s so commonly used that we hardly acknowledge it. With his extensive understanding of science came a great respect for God.

Michael Faraday (1791–1867): Faraday’s Law, Electromagnetic Fields

The Christian who is taught of God … finds his guide in the Word of God … and looks for no assurance beyond what the Word can give him. The Christian religion is a revelation, and that revelation is the Word of God. No revival and no temporal teaching comes between it and him. He who is taught of the Holy Spirit needs no crowd and no revival to teach him; if he stands alone he is fully taught.

—Selected Exhortations Delivered to Various Churches of Christ by the Late Michael Faraday, Wm. Buchanan, John M. Baxter, and Alex Moir, James Rorie, editor, (Dundee: John Leng and Co., Ltc., 1910)

HyperPhysics hosted by the Department of Physics and Astronomy of Georgia State University simply defines Faraday’s Law as:

Any change in the magnetic environment of a coil of wire will cause a voltage (emf ) to be “induced” in the coil. No matter how the change is produced, the voltage will be generated. The change could be produced by changing the magnetic field strength, moving a magnet toward or away from the coil, moving the coil into or out of the magnetic field, rotating the
coil relative to the magnet, etc.

Faraday’s law is a fundamental relationship which comes from Maxwell’s equations. It serves as a succinct summary of the ways a voltage (or emf ) may be generated by a changing magnetic environment. The induced emf in a coil is equal to the negative of the rate of change of magnetic flux times the number of turns in the coil. It involves the interaction of charge
with magnetic field.

For more, read Chapter 2 - Prominent Christians in Science and to discuss even further join us at;

The Faith Science Experience 2 - Prominent Christians in Science

When: Sat, March 19, 2pm – 4pm
Where: AMLI at Milton Park, 26000 Mill Creek Ave, Alpharetta GA 30022 (map)
Description: Join Donnell Duncan for monthly "Chapter Studies" of his newest book, Faith Scence. These sessions are open to the community and provide an open forum for discussion, discovery, and debates arising from the inevitable collision between modern scientific developments and timeless biblical truth!

Does God Exist?

2011-03-15T16:40:00.000-07:00

“I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use”
(Galileo Galilei: 1564–1642 Italian physicist).

Does God exist? Let's see what some of the most prominent scientists in history had to say in their own words.
From Faith Science;

1. Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1627): Pioneer of the Scientific Method

The Scripture saith, The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God; it is not said, The fool hath thought in his heart; so as he rather saith it, by rote to himself, as that he would have, than that he can thoroughly believe it, or be persuaded of it. For none deny, there is a God, but those, for whom it maketh that there were no God. It appeareth in nothing more, that atheism is rather in the lip, than in the heart of man, than by
this; that atheists will ever be talking of that their opinion, as if they fainted in it, within themselves, and would be glad to be strengthened, by the consent of others.
—Francis Bacon, Of Atheism (Essays of Francis Bacon)

The scientific method defines science as we know it. So I can’t think of anyone who qualifies more to accept the title of an accomplished scientist than the man who proposed its definition in the first place. Bacon clearly despised atheism and did not hold anything back in his essay Of Atheism. I specifically chose this quote because he demonstrated his use of the Bible in approaching the concept of atheism.

He quoted from Psalm 14:1 and expounded on the scripture just like a preacher. In essence, he said that atheists can’t really believe what they say about God. People who claim there is no God know the truth in their hearts. They have no excuse, like Paul said in Romans 1:18–23. They just talk off their heads and feel better about their position if they could get some support from others.

2. Johannes Kepler (1571–1630): Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion

I wanted to become a theologian; for a long time I was restless. Now, however, behold how through my effort God is being celebrated in astronomy.
—Johannes Kepler, 1595 Letter to Michael Maestlin, mathematics professor and Kepler’s mentor

HyperPhysics hosted by the Department of Physics and Astronomy of Georgia State University simply defines Kepler’s Laws as:

• The Law of Orbits: All planets move in elliptical orbits, with the sun at one focus.
• The Law of Areas: A line that connects a planet to the sun sweeps out equal areas in equal times.
• The Law of Periods: The square of the period of any planet is proportional to the cube of the semimajor axis of its orbit.

Note: Kepler’s laws were derived for orbits around the sun, but they apply to satellite orbits as well.

While the general consensus was that orbits were circular, Kepler proposed that they were elliptical. His laws approximated the motion of planets around the sun and became building blocks of modern astronomy. Even as a respected astronomer, he was quoted as saying, “Nothing in the world was created by God without a plan.”

Kepler’s testimony in his letter to Maestlin is similar to mine. I also wanted to become a theologian but pursued physics and structural engineering. Now, God is being celebrated through my life.

For more, read Chapter 2 - Prominent Christians in Science and to discuss even further join us at;

The Faith Science Experience 2 - Prominent Christians in Science

When: Sat, March 19, 2pm – 4pm
Where: AMLI at Milton Park, 26000 Mill Creek Ave, Alpharetta GA 30022 (map)
Description: Join Donnell Duncan for monthly "Chapter Studies" of his newest book, Faith Scence. These sessions are open to the community and provide an open forum for discussion, discovery, and debates arising from the inevitable collision between modern scientific developments and timeless biblical truth!

Prominent Christians in Science

2011-03-13T18:13:00.000-07:00

The Faith Science Experience 2 - Prominent Christians in Science

When: Sat, March 19, 2pm – 4pm
Where: AMLI at Milton Park, 26000 Mill Creek Ave, Alpharetta GA 30022 (map)
Description: Join Donnell Duncan for monthly "Chapter Studies" of his newest book, Faith Scence. These sessions are open to the community and provide an open forum for discussion, discovery, and debates arising from the inevitable collision between modern scientific developments and timeless biblical truth!

From Faith Science;

Prominent Christians in Science

Mr. Duncan is a theologian, not a scientist. Rather than spend his time on academic pursuits, Duncan spends his time (by his own admission: “twenty-four hours a day”) on “spreading the gospel.”
—Arthur Ide, PhD, MD, DA: October 6, 2005, responding to comments by Donnell Duncan on the article “Drawing a Line in the Academic Sand” on Inside Higher Ed.

I guess I pushed this man over the edge when I said the following in a heated debate that day: “Intelligent design is definitely a sketchy issue, but some of the foundational principles of evolution, though widely accepted, are also highly debatable. A university is the one place where we hope students can develop into independent thinkers. If they cannot even discuss the validity of a contentious scientific theory with the faculty in a bio-physical science class, then some of that independence is lost. It is unfortunate that a public university administration chooses to be one sided instead of allowing competing theories fair exposure.”

The most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets could only proceed from the counsel and dominion on an intelligent and powerful Being.
—Sir Isaac Newton (1642–1727), Principia (1687)

Science and theology are not mutually exclusive. Sir Isaac Newton is considered to be one of the most prominent physicists, mathematicians, astronomers, chemists, and theologians. Newton’s laws of motion are the foundational principles for classical mechanics. He also wrote the book “Observations upon the Prophecies of Daniel and the Apocalypse of St. John.” If I were to respond with the same logic as those secular scientists who think Christians can’t also be scientists, I would say, “These guys are agnostics and atheists; they are not scientists.”

With that in mind, let’s observe the lives of prominent Christians who throughout history embraced the call of science and theology. I’ll start in the early 1500s and work my way to the twenty-first century. By the time this chapter is complete you will see how foolish it is to believe that Christians cannot be scientists and scientists cannot be Christians. Instead of telling you only what I think about their faith in the Lord, I’ll let them say it in their own words.

Donnell on the Mancow Muller Show

2011-03-12T12:00:00.000-08:00

Mancow Muller Show Interview

When: Wed, March 16, 8:00am – 8:30am (Eastern Time)

Where: Chicago/ Nationwide ()

Description: Donnell Duncan will be interviewed on the Mancow Muller Show (www.mancow.com). It airs in over 200 markets, has 11-12 million listeners per day and is ranked the number 4 top radio program in the US. You can check the website; http://www.mancow.com/stationfinder to see what time it will air in your US city.

Follow it live at the following link; Mancow Live.

Freshly Roasted Coffee and Scientific Conversations

2011-03-11T02:50:00.000-08:00

Atlanta Coffee Roasters Book Signing

When: Sat, March 12, 1pm – 3pm
Where: Atlanta Coffee Roasters 2205 Lavista Road Northeast Atlanta, GA (map)
Description: Have you ever seen a real coffee roasting machine? Freshly roasted coffee combined with conversations about Faith and Science. That's right. Join Donnell Duncan and the Faith Science crew at this exciting book signing event.

The Faith Science Experience

2011-03-07T08:56:00.000-08:00

The collision between Faith and Science continues with our brand new meetup group in Alpharetta, GA called The Faith Science Experience.... Check it out at the following link; http://www.meetup.com/The-Faith-Science-Experience/

What's happening in March!

Atlanta Coffee Roasters Book Signing

When: Sat, March 12, 1pm – 3pm
Where: Atlanta Coffee Roasters 2205 Lavista Road Northeast Atlanta, GA (map)
Description: Join Donnell Duncan and the Faith Science crew at this exciting book signing event.

The Faith Science Experience 2 - Prominent Christians in Science

When: Sat, March 19, 2pm – 4pm
Where: AMLI at Milton Park, 26000 Mill Creek Ave, Alpharetta GA 30022 (map)
Description: Join Donnell Duncan for monthly "Chapter Studies" of his newest book, Faith Scence. These sessions are open to the community and provide an open forum for discussion, discovery, and debates arising from the inevitable collision between modern scientific developments and timeless biblical truth!

Talk and Taste - Writer's Edition

When: Tue, March 22, 6pm – 9pm
Where: Five Seasons Brewing - 1000 Marietta St, Atlanta, GA 30318 (map)
Description: Celebration * Networking* Fundraiser
Donnell Duncan will be a featured author at this event. For more info and to RSVP in advance visit; www.talkandtaste.eventbrite.com

The Big Bang in The Bible

2011-02-27T18:53:00.000-08:00

THE SCIENCE

There is a singular point from which all time and space came into existence.
The Universe is continually expanding.
Dark Energy & Matter dominate the universe.
Due to the finite age of the expanding Universe & the speed of light, horizons of time and space exist.
The Universe will end by either collapsing in a Big Crunch or Heat Death.

THE BIBLE

Genesis 1:1 – In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth
Job 9:8& Isaiah 40:22 - The expanding universe
Hebrews 11:3, Isaiah 45:7& Exodus 10:21-23 – Invisible matter and dark matter exist
Deuteronomy 4:32& Isaiah 48:13 – Horizons of time and space
2 Peter 3:10-12 – The universe will collapse in fire

THE BEGINNING

Genesis 1:1(NKJV) - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Contrary to popular belief, The Bing Bang and The Bible are in harmony. The Bible agrees with the foundational principles of this scientific theory. First, Big Bang Cosmology states that there was a beginning for time and space which can be found in Genesis 1:1.

THE EXPANDING UNIVERSE

Job 9:8(NLT) - He alone has spread out the heavens and marches on the waves of the sea.

Isaiah 40:22(NKJV) - It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.

The second major point in Big Bang Cosmology is that The Universe is consistently expanding. If we read The Bible we could see that principle in operation. God is stretching out the heavens and spreading it out just like we discovered from observing interplanetary motion.

DARK MATTER AND ENERGY

Hebrews 11:3(KJV) - Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Isaiah 45:7(KJV) - I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.

Exodus 10:21-23(KJV) - And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

According to Physics.About.Com, Dark Matter is a hypothesized form of matter particle that does not reflect or emit electromagnetic radiation. The existence of dark matter is inferred from gravitational effects on visible matter, such as stars and galaxies. Scientists say that 96% of the universe consists of Dark Energy and Dark Matter. Do you know that according to The Big Bang Theory, darkness is not merely the absence of light? Dark Matter is a type of matter that does not reflect light which dominates the Universe. In other words, when we look into outer space, much of what we think is empty space is really matter that just cannot be seen.

Hebrews 11:3 states that everything that's visible came from matter that did not reflect light which made it invisible. Isaiah 45:7 states that darkness is a distinct entity that was created by God just like the photons which make up light. It specifically says that God created darkness. This makes darkness more than just the absence of light but an entity of its own. Exodus 10:21-23 confirms that God caused an invisible, dark type of matter to descend upon the Egyptians that could be felt. The darkness was thick and oppresive immobilizing the Egyptians for three days. Dark Matter is real. The Big Bang and The Bible are clear about that.

HORIZONS OF TIME AND SPACE

Deuteronomy 4:32(THE MESSAGE) - Ask questions. Find out what has been going on all these years before you were born. From the day God created man and woman on this Earth, and from the horizon in the east to the horizon in the west — as far back as you can imagine and as far away as you can imagine — has as great a thing as this ever happened? Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?

Isaiah 48:13(THE MESSAGE) - Earth is my work, handmade. And the skies — I made them too, horizon to horizon. When I speak, they're on their feet, at attention.

Do you know that both The Big Bang Theory and The Bible agree that there are observable limits to The Universe? It's impossible for you to look up to the sky and assume that there is an end to The Universe so the writers of The Bible could not have guessed that. However, both The Big Bang Theory and The Bible say that there is only so far back and so far forward we can see in time and space. The distance between planets is so great that by the time the light from visible planets reach each other what can be observed actually occured light years in the past.

Hence, when we on earth look into the sky and observe planets we're not actually looking at the planets, we're looking back in time at what happened when those planets emitted the light that finally reached the earth. That's the backward horizon of time and space. In the same way, if someone is on another planet observing activity on earth. What they see by the time the light reaches them is the past. As a result, we can determine the future that will be observed from the vantage point of other planets. Because the speed of light is limited there is only so much that can be seen. That's the forward horizon of time and space.

HEAT DEATH

2 Peter 3:10-13(THE MESSAGE) - But when the Day of God's Judgment does come, it will be unannounced, like a thief. The sky will collapse with a thunderous bang, everything disintegrating in a huge conflagration, earth and all its works exposed to the scrutiny of Judgment. Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life? Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day — but we'll hardly notice. We'll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness.

The Big Bang Theory does not only offer a plausible explanation of the past but it also offers credible predictions. Two possible scenarios offered by The Big Bang are a Big Crunch or Heat Death. With The Big Crunch, The Universe will expand until it reaches a maximum size and then begin to collapse. With Heat Death, the entropy of the Universe will increase until there is complete disorder and all organized systems will come to end. These two scenarios fit into The Bible right in 2 Peter 3:10-13.

In conclusion, The Big Bang does not disprove The Bible. In fact, it proves several principles that have been in the scriptures for thousands of years. Long before technology or research was developed to prove any cosmological principle by observation or testing, The Bible said it. The Bible is true and the evidence proves it. Maybe it's time we took it a little more seriously.

Faith Science - The Formation of Ice, Astronomy and Controlling the Weather

2011-02-20T06:13:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Faith Science Chapter Studies! These monthly sessions are open to the community and provide an open forum for discussion, discovery, and debates arising from the inevitable collision between modern scientific developments and timeless biblical truth!

You can join us in person on Saturday, February 26th from 2:00PM to 4:00PM at AMLI at Milton Park, 26000 Mill Creek Ave, Alpharetta GA 30022. Please RSVP to faithscienceonline(at)gmail.com if you plan to join us.

From Faith Science..

The Formation of Ice

Who is the mother of the ice? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens? For the water turns to ice as hard as rock, and the surface of the water freezes.
Job 38:29–30 nlt

In polar circles and temperate climates as temperatures drop below freezing during winter, water surfaces freeze solid. The way liquid water turns to solid ice is a scientific process that God created. Since he created it, he knew all the details and could verify Job’s response. Also, in cold conditions, the dew freezes in the morning as frost on the ground. The cold temperatures cause the energy in the water particles to be reduced as they slow down and combine to form ice.

Astronomy

Can you direct the movement of the stars—binding the cluster of the Pleiades or loosening the cords of Orion? Can you direct the sequence of the seasons or guide the Bear with her cubs across the heavens? Do you know the laws of the universe? Can you use them to regulate the earth?
Job 38:31–33 nlt

God decided to discuss the constellation of stars and the way in which they maintain their formation. People who study stars or take interest in their horoscopes will recognize these formations. According to Adam Clarke’s Commentary, Pleiades is a cluster of stars found in Taurus that’s visible in the spring. In the dictionary, Orion is described as a very bright equatorial constellation. The sequence of seasons represents the zodiac, according to the Amplified Bible.

Barnes’ Notes say that the bear with her cubs is a reference to the constellation Arcturus, or Ursa Major, in the northern sky. People have always believed that the stars guide the laws of the universe. Maybe they’re right and we can interpret this to mean that those who follow daily horoscopes can use them to tap into universal mysteries. Unfortunately for them, the implication of God’s questioning of Job is that it cannot be done.

Controlling the Weather

Can you shout to the clouds and make it rain? Can you make lightning appear and cause it to strike as you direct? Who gives intuition to the heart and instinct to the mind? Who is wise enough to count all the clouds? Who can tilt the water jars of heaven when the parched ground is dry and the soil has hardened into clods?
Job 38:34–38 nlt

I saw a movie based on sophisticated technology that could dictate the weather. For generations, people have tried different methods, like “cloud seeding,” to cause controlled precipitation, with limited success. God alone knows how to make the process work in our favor. Without his authority, we can’t change it at a moment’s notice. However, with his authority nothing is impossible. The Bible says, “Jesus said unto him, ‘If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth’” (Mark 9:23 kjv).

Job couldn’t provide a positive answer to any of God’s questions about controlling the weather. Even so, in 1 Kings 17–18, the rain obeyed Elijah, and in Mark 4:39, the rain and wind obeyed the commands of Jesus. Scientists know that they can’t make the weather do anything, so humans are satisfied to report and predict it. We do have an understanding of the process now, but in our natural ability we can’t do much better than observe it.

In 2008, when there was a severe drought in the State of Georgia, nothing worked until Governor Sonny Perdue called a day of prayer. He was strongly criticized, but people stopped talking when the rain started falling. A few years later, things were back to normal. We cannot change the weather on our own, but if we can just believe God, nothing is impossible.

Faith Science Radio Interviews, Chapter Studies, Book Signings, etc. Join The Movement!

2011-02-16T04:13:00.000-08:00

Radio Interviews

Bulldog and The Rude Awakening Show on WOCM-FM 98.1 When: Tue, February 22, 7:40am – 7:55am
Where: Ocean City, Maryland (map)
Description:Donnell Duncan will be interviewed on "Bulldog and The Rude Awakening Show on WOCM-FM 98.1". Listen live on the following link; http://irieradio.com/play.html

Interview on Jeremiah Greer Live Radio Show When: Sun, February 27, 10pm – 11pm
Where: Online (map)
Description: Listen to Donnell Duncan live as he discusses Faith Science with host Jeremiah Greer. You can follow it online using the link; www.jeremiahgreerlive.com

Interview on The Dr Sky Show When: Wed, March 2, 5pm – 6pm
Where: Arizona (map)
Description: Join Donnell Duncan as he discusses his new book, "Faith Science" with Dr. Sky; www.drsky.com. Listen live at http://teentalknetwork.com/sky.htm

Atlanta Events
Faith Science Chapter Study 1 - Science in The Bible
When: Sat, February 26, 2pm – 4pm
Where: AMLI at Milton Park, 26000 Mill Creek Ave, Alpharetta GA 30022 (map)
Description: Join Donnell Duncan for monthly "Chapter Studies" of his newest book, Faith Scence. These sessions are open to the community and provide an open forum for discussion, discovery, and debates arising from the inevitable collision between modern scientific developments and timeless biblical truth!

Atlanta Coffee Roasters Book Signing When: Sat, March 12, 1pm – 3pm
Where: Atlanta Coffee Roasters 2205 Lavista Road Northeast Atlanta, GA (map)
Description: Join Donnell Duncan and the Faith Science crew at this exciting book signing event.