SCIENCE AND THEOLOGY
When God created the universe, the earth was POSITIONED so precisely that if it were tilted a bit farther or closer from the sun, there would be no life. Similarly, when God designed life (the code of life/genetic code and the 3.2 billion nucleotides in a human cell), each nucleotide was POSITIONED so perfectly that only one DISPLACEMENT would be the difference between life and death. For example, a basal SUBSTITUTION of adenine A to thymine T in the sixth codon of beta-globin causes sickle cell anemia, a fatal disease. That is why King David praises God, “For you created my inmost being; YOU KNIT ME TOGETHER in my mother’s womb, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139: 13, 14. YOU KNIT ME TOGETHER, not some wandering atoms, mindless molecules, time, chance, and hollow brains.
A CRITIQUE'S RESPONSE TO MY QUOTE.
It is an interesting perspective, based on ancient writing, from an ancient people who did not know how the universe works. What we know is the universe is about 14 billion years old. We also know the planet we know as earth developed about 4 billion years ago. This solar system is circling inside a galaxy called the Milky Way. And we know that this planet was not inhabitable 4 billion years ago because the gases on this planet were deadly and there was little water and there was a lot of a volcanic activity. But as the earth cooled down and waters began to spring soon after life began. Human beings are curious, there was a question about finding these large skeletons deep beneath and the father you went down it seems that the more simplistic the structures were, how did they get there and why were they different? Why were some similar? Why were there skeletons that appear to be human like but we’re obviously different? Those questions had to be answers and Darwin and Wilson provided an answer. This we know and a mountain of evidence proving without a doubt this is true.
MY ANSWER TO A CRITIC
The writer says that “THE ANCIENT MEN DID NOT KNOW HOW THE UNIVERSE WORKS”. He makes six claims and concludes. “A MOUNTAIN OF EVIDENCE PROVING WITHOUT A DOUBT THIS IS TRUE.”
The fact is, there is not a scintilla of scientific (real science) evidence for these claims, but these are mere conjectures or bedtime stories for adults. I am not looking for a mountain of evidence but one. Due to the brevity of time and space, let us focus on one point, i.e., THE INTEGRITY OF LIFE.
There are 6.4 billion DNA bases linearly arranged in a human diploid cell nucleus. They (3.2 billion on each molecule, totaling 6.4 billion) are compressed into 46 identical bundles (chromosomes) and compacted into a tiny space of 7-8 microns, the size of dust. (You can pack 10000 nuclei into the tip of a needle). That’s the equivalent of packing three billion pairs of pearls into a string in a football while keeping all the functions such as replication, transcription, proofreading, and compaction and maintaining the integrity of the structure and function of the entire process. All these things happen so rapidly that your mind will spin a million RPM (rotations per minute), and you should be awe-struck by the mind that sets this spectacular phenomenon called life in motion.
First, do you know how, when, and where the first genetic code was optimized and how the 6.4 billion DNA bases squeezed into the nucleus? There are 100 million nucleosomes ( a precise length of DNA coiled around histone proteins) inside the nucleus. They act precisely to zip and unzip the double-helical DNA and prepare the DNA for replication and halving (The halving of the number of chromosomes in gametes) to pass on the DNA from generation to generation, with no error. (1 mistake per 100 million (10^8) to 1 billion (10^9) nucleotides).
Even counting up to One Billion will span at least three generations, more than a century, let alone assembling the 6.4 billion bases in the correct sequence and position without compromising the integrity is mind-boggling. Yet, the incredible phenomenon of life continues through the ages as an unbroken chain and vitality. The code of life (genetic code) faithfully offers life to millions and those yet to come.
But the ancient man David, who did not know how the universe works, put it the best, 2 How long, you sons of men, Will you turn my glory to shame? How long will you love vanity And seek falsehood? Psalm 4:2 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? Psalm 8:4 Following is the answer from another ancient man who did not know how the universe works, 20 For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1: 20 Answer from another scientist to the modern man who believes in conjectures. “For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance, he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries.” Robert Jastro , NASA Scientist.
My answer to you is simple. I will supply 6.4 billion years and all the ingredients (all cellular organelles and nucleotides) necessary for the assembly of life. You can assemble and re-assemble the 6.4 billion bases in a test tube (7–8-micron diameter) for the next six and a half trillion years. I am sure you will be overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the task ahead; I assure you, you are never going to assemble a human cell, let alone the life and a conscious human life! You can sleep and have a vacation, but your 100 trillion atoms in your cell and 100 trillion cells in your body can’t. They must work round the clock to allow you to experience the joys and challenges of life, including laughter, tears, grief, childbearing, and child-rearing. While you may sleep or take vacations, your body never stops working to support you in every way possible. INDEED, THE PSALMIST (BIBLE) GOT IT RIGHT!
For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139: 13, 14
AND YOUR SOUL KNOWS VERY WELL TOO.