Reasons to Believe

Creation Update Archive - 2007


Welcome to the 2007 collection of Creation Update Archives

Table of Contents

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Creation Update #349
Evidence for the Anthropic Principle
Air date: 01-02-07
Hugh Ross, Dave Rogstad, and Joe Aguirre

  • Discoveries
    • Discussion of Hugh Ross's updated catalog of evidences for the anthropic principle
    • Resources:
      • "Probability For Life On Earth" by Hugh Ross (2004 April Update)
        • Note: online version to be updated soon
      • The Anthropic Cosmological Principle, by John D. Barrow, Frank J. Tipler, and John A. Wheeler
      • Rare Earth, by Peter Ward and Donald Brownlee
      • Origins of Life, by Fazale Rana and Hugh Ross [B0401]
      • The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross [B0101]
  • Call-in questions
    • Larry from Huntsville AL has two questions:
      • Has Hugh considered publishing the catalog for the anthropic principle in a secular journal?
      • Resource
      • Does water freeze and boil at the same temperature on Mars? Plus, another question on atmospheric conditions on Mars.
      • Resource
        • Origins of Life, by Fazale Rana and Hugh Ross [B0401]
        • Also, these books were cited in answering the questions though RTB does not endorse everything in them
        • The Hunt for Life on Mars, by Donald Goldsmith
        • Water on Mars, by Michael H. Carr
    • Chris from Charlotte, NC asks:
      • Is the anthropic principle a form of the ex post facto fallacy?
      • Resource
    • Roger from Portland, ME wants to know:
      • Can RTB comment on Ian Taylor's view of big bang cosmology in light of Hubble Ultra Deep Field images?
        • Taylor's comments can be found on the Creation Moments Web site.

Creation Update #350
Mapping Dark Matter
Air date: 01-09-07
Jeff Zweerink, Dave Rogstad, Kenneth Samples, and Joe Aguirre

  • Discoveries
    • Scientists have mapped dark matter
      • Katherine Sanderson, "Dark Matter Mapped," Nature online (January 7, 2007), doi:10.1038/news070101-7.
      • Resource
    • Oxygenation events a precursor to advanced life
      • Don E. Canfield, Simon W. Poulton, Guy M. Narbonne, "Late-Neoproterozoic Deep-Ocean Oxygenation and the Rise of Animal Life," Science315 (2007): 92-95.
  • Theology segment
  • Call-in questions
    • Pat from Anchorage, Alaska:
      • 1. Are binary stars suitable candidates for habitable zones?
      • 2. Can a low-mass sun be a viable candidate for habitability despite tidal-locking?
      • 3. Is there any validity to Leonard Susskind's attempt to escape the anthropic principle?
      • Resource
        • The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross [B0101]
    • Ben from Longview, Texas:
      • Is the speed of light slowing down? The question comes in response to a statement by Chuck Missler
        • Missler's Web site
        • Resources
          • The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross [B0101]
          • A Matter of Days, by Hugh Ross [B0411]
    • Roger from Portland, Maine:
      • Is the expansion rate of the universe increasing?
      • Does the universe's expansion rate say anything about the geometry of the universe?
  • E-mail questions
    • Trey asks:
      • If everything is moving out from a single point of creation (as in the expansion of the universe) how does a head-on collision occur?
    • Greg asks:
      • How do we (RTB) know that Psalm 104 is referring to God's initial transformation of the water-covered Earth to one with dry land, rather than his post-flood covenant with Noah?
      • Resource

Creation Update #351
Triassic Bacteria
Air date: 01-16-07
Hugh Ross, Jeff Zweerink & Kenneth Samples

  • Discoveries
    • Hydrogen Peroxide Life Hypothesis
    • Seth Borenstein, "NASA may have killed 'Aliens'" AP News, January 8 2007.
    • Resources:
    • Triassic Microbes Found in Triassic Ambar
      • " A microworld in Triassic amber" Alexander R. Schmidt,et. al., Nature, Vol 444/14 December 2006
    • Earth's Magnetic Reversals
      • "Origin of the Pacific Jurassic quiet Zone", Maurice A Tivey, et. al., Geology - Geological Society of America, September, 2006 v. 34; no. 9; p. 789-792
  • Theology segment
  • Call-in questions
    • Roger from Portland ME asks about:
      • Anthropic Principle and Fine Tuned Parameters for the Universe
      • Resource
        • The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross [B0101]
  • E-mail questions
    • Dave from Hanover Park IL wants to know:
    • Gregg asks:
      • If the addition of the mass of a dime would upset the Universe, why didn't the addition of the loaves and fishes to feed the 5000 cause a problem?
      • Resource

Creation Update #352
Galaxy Survey Shows Design
Air date: 01-23-07
Hugh Ross, Dave Rogstad, Kenneth Samples, and Joe Aguirre

  • Discoveries
    • Galaxy survey affirms big bang, shows design
      • Max Tegmark et al., "Cosmological Constraints from the SDSS Luminous Red Galaxies," Physical Review D 74 (2006), 123507-1, 2.
      • Richard Massey et al., "Dark Matter Maps Reveal Cosmic Scaffolding," Nature 445 (2007): 286-90
      • Eric V. Linder, "The Universe's Skeleton Sketched," Nature 445 (2007): 274.
      • Resource
        • The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross [B0101]
    • Snow line location fine-tuned for life
      • P. Garaud and D. N. C. Lin, "The Effect of Internal Dissipation and Surface Irradiation on the Structure of Disks and the Location of the Snow Line around Sun-like Stars," Astrophysical Journal 654 (2007): 606-24.
      • M. Lecar et al., "On the Location of the Snow Line in a Protoplanetary Disk," Astrophysical Journal 640 (2006): 1115-18.
      • Grant M. Kennedy, Scott J. Kenyon, and Benjamin C. Bromley, "Planet Formation around Low-Mass Stars: The Moving Snow Line and Super-Earths," Astrophysical Journal 650 (2006): L139-L142.
  • Theology segment
    • Ancient Christian heresies: Gnosticism
    • Resources
      • Judas and the Gospel of Jesus, by N.T. Wright
      • The History of Christian Doctrine, by Louis Berkhof
  • Call-in questions
    • Ed from Des Moines, IA:
      • Is there evidence for a species undergoing negative mutation rates?
      • Resource
        • The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross [B0101]
    • Gary from Portland, OR:
      • What is RTB's view on global warming?
      • RTB has issued a press release on global warming
    • Roger from Portland, ME:
      • He comments on water baptism and how groups misuse Scripture.
    • Tim from Sacramento, CA:
      • When will Hugh's updated catalog on the Anthropic Principle be available?
      • Not yet available; in the meantime, see RTB's Web site for design evidence
    • Randy from Oceanside, CA:
      • He has a question on the mechanisms for microevolution and macroevolution.
      • Resource
  • E-mail questions
    • Marty from Redmond, OR:
      • Is it a heresy to teach that a believer in Jesus Christ must be baptized in order to receive forgiveness and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit?
    • Wayne from Marietta, GA: 
      • Can Hugh answer a question on the co-rotation of spiral arms in the galaxy?
      • Resource

Creation Update #353
A "Weakless" Universe
Air date: 1-30-07
Jeff Zweerink, Dave Rogstad, Kenneth Samples, and Joe Aguirre

  • Discoveries
    • Can we have a universe with no weak interactions?
      • Roni Harnik, Graham D. Kribs, and Gilad Perez, "A Universe Without Weak Interactions," Physical Review D 74, 035006 (2006).
      • L. Clavelli and R.E. White III, "Problems in a Weakless Universe," Astrophysical Journal preprint (2006), abstract.
    • Anthropic principle and the Higgs field
      • Craig J. Hogan, "Nuclear Astrophysics of Worlds in the String Landscape," Physical Review D 74, 123514 (2006).
      • Resource
        • Fine-Tuning for Life in the Universe by Hugh Ross, compiled August 2006
  • Theology segment
    • Ancient Christian heresies: Gnosticism: its tenets, origin
    • Resources
    • Judas and the Gospel of Jesus, by N.T. Wright
    • The History of Christian Doctrine, by Louis Berkhof
  • Call-in questions
    • Steve from Wichita, KS:
    • Jacob from Gainsville, FL:
      • Does quantum physics affect dating methods?
      • Resource
    • Kevin from Oakridge, TN:
      • Reminder to adopt uncertainty when identifying causes of global warming.
    • Roger from Portland, ME:
      • Is author Dan Brown’s view of sexuality inconsistent with Gnosticism in his writings? Do naturalistic scientists look at cumulative evidence before dismissing the anthropic principle?
      • Resource
    • Nick from Columbus, OH:
      • Hypothetically, if macroevolution is proved, will the Bible be wrong? Can RTB’s testable model be seen in mathematical terms?
      • Resource
    • Terry from Gastonia, NC:
      • What was the capacity for humans in Noah’s ark?
      • Resource

Creation Update #354
Another Big Bang Confirmation
Air date: 2-06-07
Hugh Ross, Jeff Zweerink, and Joe Aguirre

  • Discoveries
    • New survey affirms universe's expansion, density parameters
      • Henk Hoekstra, Patrick B. Hall, and Leopoldo Infante, "Cosmological Constraints from the Red-Sequence Cluster Survey," Astrophysical Journal 655 (2007): 128-34.
      • Resources:
    • Fine-tuning of gravitational constant and extra dimensions
      • J. B. Fixler et al., "Atom Interferometer Measurement of the Newtonian Constant of Gravity," Science 315 (2007): 74-77.
      • D. J. Kapner et al., "Tests of the Gravitational Inverse-Square Law below the Dark-Energy Length Scale," Physical Review Letters (2007): 021101-1.
      • Resource:
    • Too much space junk?
      • William Broad, "Orbiting Junk, Once a Nuisance, Is Now a Threat," New York Times, February 6, 2007.
  • Call In Questions
    • Joel from Swift Current, Saskatchewan Asks:
      • Is there evidence for special creation of humans in the Bible? What is the mechanism?
      • Resource:
    • Bill from Baltimore, MD:
      • Why is the space energy density fine-tuned?
      • Resource:
        • The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross [B0101]
    • Roger from Portland, ME:
      • Will RTB include discussion of the gambler's fallacy and firing squad fallacy in the upcoming book on the anthropic principle?
      • Resources:
  • E-mail questions
    • Gabriel from Dallas, TX:
      • Is there more habitable space in the universe yet to be discovered?
    • Heiner and Sharon ask for:
      • RTB's take on global warming in light of scientists' apparent unanimity.
      • Resource:
        • "Global Warming-How concerned do we really need to be?" by Hugh Ross

Creation Update #355
RTB's Perspective On Genesis 1-2
Air date: 2-13-07
Dave Rogstad, Jeff Zweerink, and Ken Samples

  • Discussion
    • The importance of understanding Genesis 1-2 
    • Resource:
      • The Genesis Question, 2nd ed., by Hugh Ross [B9823]
      • The Genesis Debate, ed. David G. Hagopian [B0001]
      • A Matter of Days, by Hugh Ross [B0411]
      • "Creedal Controversy: The Orthodoxy of "Days" by Kenneth Samples
    • RTB's interpretation of creation days
    • Resource:
      • The Genesis Question, 2nd ed., by Hugh Ross [B9823]
      • The Genesis Debate, ed. David G. Hagopian [B0001]
      • A Matter of Days, by Hugh Ross [B0411]
      • "Creedal Controversy: The Orthodoxy of "Days" by Kenneth Samples
    • Other interpretations of creation days
    • Understanding of terms used in Genesis 1
    • Death before the fall
      • The Genesis Question, 2nd ed., by Hugh Ross [B9823]
      • The Genesis Debate, ed. David G. Hagopian [B0001]
  • Call In Questions
    • Kenny from Pensacola FL Asks:
      • What is the meaning of the Hebrew word "Haya"?
    • Roger from Portland ME wants to know:
      • What is the meaning of an analog day?
    • Randy from Oceanside, CA:
      • What is meant by the term "infinite sized Universe"?

Creation Update #356
Following Parasites to Human Origins
Air date: 2-20-07
Hugh Ross, Fuz Rana, Jeff Zweerink, Kenneth Samples, and Joe Aguirre

  • Discoveries
    • Tracking human migrations through parasite studies
      • Bodo Linz et al., "An African Origin for the Intimate Association between Humans and Helicobacter pylori," Nature (2007): advanced on-line.
      • Resource
    • Missing dwarf galaxies found; help resolve big bang anomaly
      • V. Belokurov et al., "Cats and Dogs, Hair and a Hero: A Quintet of New Milky Way Companions," Astrophysical Journal 654 (2007): 897-906.
      • A. M. Brooks et al., "The Origin and Evolution of the Mass-Metallicity Relationship for Galaxies: Results from Cosmological N-Body Simulations," Astrophysical Journal 655 (2007): L17-L20.
      • Tom Siegfried, "Middle-Earth Denizens Mob the Milky Way," Science 315 (2007): 455.
      • Resources:
    • Design of water for adequate plate tectonics
      • "Water Solubility in Aluminous Othopyroxene and the Origin of Earth's Asthenosphere," Katrin Mierdel et al., Science 315 (2007): 364-68.
      • "Fuel for Plate Tectonics," Nathalie Bolfan-Casanova, Science 315 (2007): 338-39.
      • "Water Marks the Atmosphere," Stella Hurtley and Phil Szuromi eds., Science 315 (2007): 297, 299.
      • Resource:
        • The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross [B0101]
  • Theology/philosophy segment
  • Call-in questions
    • Peter from Clearbrook, VA:
      • Why can't we add a dime to the mass of the universe without catastrophic consequences?
      • Is there a 10,000-year gap between the Triassic and Jurassic periods?
    • Cole from Fort Worth TX:
      • Does Hugh have a reference for the space/time theorems?
      • "The Singularities of Gravitational Collapse and Cosmology," Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, series A, 314 (1970), 529-48.
      • Resource:
        • The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross [B0101]
    • Trey from San Diego, CA:
      • What is meant by God's omniscience?
      • Resources:
        • Creating God in the Image of Man, by Norman L. Geisler
        • No Other God: A Response to Open Theism, by John M. Frame
        • Beyond the Bounds, by John Piper, Justin Taylor, and Paul Kjoss Helseth
    • Roger from Portland ME:
      • How do you explain the genetic diversity of humanity given the relatively few chromosome pairs in Adam and Eve?
      • Study cited as part of the response:
        • "Unexpected Heterozygosity in an Island Mouflon Population Founded by a Single Pair of Individuals," Renaud Kaeuffer et al., Proceedings of the Royal Society B 274 (2007): 527-33.
      • Resource:
    • Jim from Loveland, CO:
      • Several questions on speciation

Creation Update #357
Another Cyclic Universe Model
Air date: 2-27-07
Dave Rogstad, Jeff Zweerink, Kenneth Samples, and Joe Aguirre

  • Discoveries
    • Does a new oscillating universe model challenge big bang?
    • Exoplanet studies show no water
      • "Direct View of a Dark and Distant World," Katharine Sanderson, Nature 445 (2007): 803.
      • Resources:
        • The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross
        • Rare Earth, by Peter Ward and Donald Brownlee
  • Theology/philosophy segment
  • Call-in questions
    • Samuel from San Marcos, CA:
      • Did the Cambrian explosion really take place?
    • Roger from Portland, ME:
      • A comment on the Cambrian explosion
      • Is the new model for oscillating universe consistent with entropy?
      • What is the nature of New Testament faith? Can it include extrabiblical evidence?
  • E-mail questions
    • Larry from Wichita, KS:
    • EV asks:
    • Rob asks:
      • Does Psalm 104:5 falsify RTB's model?
    • Dave from Hanover Park, IL:
      • In E=mc2, is the energy and described referring to baryonic matter and energy or does it include dark matter and dark energy?
    • Benjamin from Okayama, Japan:
      • Can you have an infinite universe model without appealing to parts of other models?

Creation Update #358
Chimps Use Spears
Air date: 3-06-07
Fuz Rana, Jeff Zweerink, Kenneth Samples, and Joe Aguirre

  • Discoveries
    • Does chimp tool use comprise evidence for evolution?
      • "4,300-Year-Old Chimpanzee Sites and the Origins of Percussive Stone Technology," Julio Mercader et al., PNAS 104 (2007): 3043-48.
      • "Savanna Chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes verus, Hunt with Tools," Jill D. Pruetz and Paco Bertolani, Current Biology 17 (2007): 412-17.
      • "Spear-Wielding Chimps Seen Hunting Bush Babies," Ann Gibbons, Science 315 (2007): 1063.
      • Resources:
    • Role of picoplankton in global warming.
      • "Small Phytoplankton and Carbon Export from the Surface Ocean," Tammi L. Richardon and George A. Jackson, Science 315 (2007): 838-40.
      • Resources:
        • Global Warming-How concerned do we really need to be?
  • Theology/philosophy segment
  • Reasons Institute with Bob Stuart
    • Big announcement- Graduate credit for Advanced Seminar on Human Origins
    • New term begins April 9.
  • Call-in questions
    • Terry from Gastonia, NC:
      • What do we see when we observe distant galaxies? What is the cosmic background radiation temperature early in the universe?
    • William from Vernon, IN:
    • Roger from Portland, ME:
      • He offers several comments on evidence for the reliability of the New Testament and the Resurrection. Plus, a question on life's minimum requirements.
  • E-mail questions
    • Steve, a high school chemistry teacher in Visalia, CA, raves about RTB's impact on his students.

Creation Update #359
The Search for Sterile Neutrinos
Air date: 3-13-07
Hugh Ross, Jeff Zweerink, Kenneth Samples, and Joe Aguirre

  • Discoveries
    • Sterile neutrinos would explain seven anomalies
    • "Sterile Neutrinos in the Milky Way: Observational Constraints," Signe Riemer-Sorensen, et al., Astrophysical Journal 644 (2006): L33-L36
    • "Thermal Evolution of the Primordial Clouds in Warm Dark Matter Models with keV Sterile Neutrinos," Jaroslaw Stasielak, et al., Astrophysical Journal 654 (2007): 290-303.
    • "Constraints on Sterile Neutrinos as Dark Matter Candidates from the Diffuse X-ray Background," A. Boyarsky et al., Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 370 (2006): 213-18.
    • "Sterile Neutrinos as Dark Matter Candidate from CMB alone," L. A. Popa and A. Vasile, Proceedings of Eleventh Marcel Grossman Meeting on General Relativity (2007): preprint.
    • "Restrictions on Parameters of Sterile Neutrino Dark Matter from Observations of Galaxy Clusters," A. Boyarsky et al., Physical Review D 74 (2006): 103506.
    • Resource:
      • The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross [B0101]
  • Theology/philosophy segment
  • Call-in questions
    • Chris from Charlotte, NC:
      • He comments on the alleged Jesus family tomb
      • Plus, a question on causality from Victor Stenger's book, titled " God: The Failed Hypothesis"
      • Resource:
        • The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross [B0101]
    • Steve from Wichita, KS:
      • Has RTB produced a timeline of historical events for its creation model?
    • Apologist Marj Harman calls in to report the timeline is available on RTB's Web site.
    • Roger from Portland, ME:
      • Can Hugh combine his design probability documents to make a more formidable case?
      • Can RTB comment on Ken Ham's recent statement that 90% of dating methods yield a young Earth?
      • Resource:
    • Ed from Des Moines, IA:
      • Is there any difference between the imago Dei in Genesis 1 and the living being in Genesis 2?
      • Resource:
  • E-mail question 
    • Dave from Houston:
      • Can Hugh explain his position on the Bahá'í faith in light of a brief statement he made at the Houston conference?
      • Resources:
        • The Kingdom of the Cults, by Dr. Walter Martin
        • Neighboring Faiths, by Winfried Corduan

Creation Update #360
Simulation of Earth's Magnetic Field
Air date: 3-20-07
Dave Rogstad, Fuz Rana, Kenneth Samples, and Joe Aguirre

  • Discoveries
    • Scientists have mimicked Earth's magnetic field.
      • R. Monchaux et al., "Generation of a Magnetic Field by Dynamo Action in a Turbulent Flow of Liquid Sodium," Physical Review Letters 98 (2007): 044502-1.
      • M. Berhanu et al., "Magnetic Field Reversals in an Experimental Turbulent Dynamo," EPL 77 (2007): 59001.
      • Resource
        • The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross [B0101]
    • Dinosaur genome sizes reveal function for junk DNA.
      • Chris L. Organ et al., "Origin of Avian Genome Size and Structure in Nonavian Dinosaurs," Nature 446 (2007): 180-84.
      • "Jurassic Genome," Science 315 (2007): 1358-59.
      • Jane M. Carlton et al., "Draft Genome Sequence of the Sexually Transmitted Pathogen Trichomonas vaginalis," Science 315 (2007): 207-12.
      • Resource
  • Theology/philosophy segment
    • Ken clarifies and expands some statements made last week regarding Pelagianism.
    • CU listener George (a Nazarene pastor) calls in response to last week's show.
    • Resources
    • Ken reports on a study on learning and longevity.
    • Reasons Institute with Bob Stuart
      • Register now for the new term, which begins April 9.
  • Call-in questions
    • Ed from Des Moines, IA:
    • Roger from Portland, ME:
      • Does 1 John 1:7 refute Pelagianism?
      • He asks a second question regarding homochirality in response to Ralph Muncaster's book, A Skeptic's Search for God.
    • Jacob from Gainsville, FL:
      • Does the Tiktaalik discovery constitute evidence for evolution?
      • Resources:
        • "Is Fossil Discovery Darwin's "Missing Link"?-Tiktaalik Raises Unanticipated Problems for Evolution" NEWS ADVISORY, April 10, 2006, /Christian Wire Service.
        • Listen to a discussion of this fossil on Creation Update.
    • Plus, a couple more questions on evolution.
  • E-mail questions
    • Morgan from TN:
      • What does it mean in Genesis 1 when it says the sun/moon/stars "rule" by day?
    • Al T. asks:
      • Could you recommend a study Bible that properly deals with the creation accounts?

Creation Update #361
Show Title: What Are Multiverses?
Air Date: March 27, 2007.
Jeff Zweerink, Dave Rogstad, Kenneth Samples, and Fuz Rana.

  • Discoveries:
    • Astronomical evidence for God's existence:
      • Big Bang Cosmology.
      • Anthropic Principle.
      • Resources:
        • The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross [B0101]
    • Theological and Philosophical considerations:
    • Naturalistic responses to astronomical evidences for God's existence:
      • Weak Anthropic Principle.
      • The Theory of Everything.
      • Design is illusory.
      • Multiverses:
        • Level 1
        • Level 2
    • Are multiverse models incompatible with the Christian faith:
      • Resources:
        • The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross [B0101]
        • Creation ex nihlio (book) by Paul Copan and William Lane Craig,
        • "Inflation in a Low-Density Universe," Martin A. Bucher and David N. Spergel, Scientific American (January 1999), 62-69.
  • Special Guest:
    • Bob Stuart:
      • Reasons Institute / Reasons Academy.
  • Call-In Questions:
    • Ed from Des Moines, IA:
      • Is there any validity to colophons?
    • Roger from Portland, ME:
      • Questions on the multiverse idea.
    • Bon from Springfield, MO:
  • Email Question:
    • Eric from Cuba, NY:
      • Does solar system formation violate the Second Law of Thermodynamics?

Creation Update #362
Design of Pre-Cambrian Life.
Air date: 4-3-07
Hugh Ross, Fuz Rana, Kenneth Samples, and Joe Aguirre.
Discoveries

  • Design of large sulfur bacteria before the Cambrian.
    • Jake V. Bailey et al., "Evidence of Giant Sulphur Bacteria in Neoproterozoic Phosphorites," Nature 445 (2007): 198-201.
    • Philip C. J. Donoghue, "Embryonic Identity Crisis," Nature 445 (2007): 155-56.
    • Resource:
      • Origins of Life, by Fazale Rana and Hugh Ross [B0401]
      • See also "Bacterial Design for Recycling Phosphorous" TNRTB archives, March 20, 2005.
  • Function for junk DNA
    • Mark T. Romanish et al., "Repeated Recruitment of LTR Retrotransposons as Promoters by the Anti-Apoptotic Locus NAIP during Mammalian Evolution," PLoS Genetics 3 (2007): 0051-0062.
    • Resource:
  • Theology/philosophy segment:
  • RTB announcement of publication of scientific paper.
  • Call-in questions:
    • Chris from Charlotte, NC: 
      • Is there evidence for convergence in molecular motors?
    • Steve from Denver, CO: 
      • Does young-earth science undergo a peer review process?
      • Can RTB comment on the RATE studies from ICR?
      • Resource:
    • Ed from Des Moines, IA:
      • Does the Fox P-2 gene falsify evolution?
    • Kyle from Ontario:
      • Can RTB comment on Kenneth Miller’s evolutionary argument from human chromosomes?
      • Resource:
    • Roger from Portland, ME:
      • A question/comment on the multiverse hypothesis

Creation Update #363
Show Title: Core Issues About The Earth
Air date: 4-10-07
Dave Rogstad, Jeff Zweerink & Kenneth Samples

  • Discoveries
    • Core Issues In Plate Techtonics.
      • "Seismostratigraphy and Thermal Structure of Earth's Core-Mantle Boundaary Region", R. E. van der Hilst, et. al., SCIENCE, VOL 315,30 March, 2007 .
      • "A Vestige of Earth's Oldest Ophiolite", Harald Furnes, et. al., SCIENCE, VOL 315, 23 March, 2007 .
        • Resources:
          • The Creator and the Cosmos , 3rd Expanded Edition by Dr. Hugh Ross [B0101]
          • Rare Earth by Peter Ward and Donald Brownlee
    • Core Issues in Earth's Magnetic Field
      • "Geomagnetic field strength 3.2 billion years ago recorded by single silicate crystals", John A. Tarduno, et. al. Vol 446;5 April, 2007/doi:10.1038/NATURE05667.
        • Resource:
          • The Creator and the Cosmos , 3rd Expanded Edition by Dr. Hugh Ross [B0101]
  • Call-in questions
    • Cole from Fort Worth TX:
      • God's Justice and Forgiveness
    • Roger from Portland, ME has four questions:
      • Resurrection
      • Infinite Universe Theory
      • Hubble Universe Volumes
      • Uberstate of the Universe
        • Resources:
          • The Creator and the Cosmos , 3rd Expanded Edition by Dr. Hugh Ross [B0101]
          • Saved by Grace by Anthony A. Hoekema
  • E-Mail Question
    • Does RTB's View of Appologetics Contradict, or Complement Presuppositionalism?

Creation Update #364
More on the Bird-Dinosaur Hypothesis
Air date: 4-17-07
Fuz Rana, Dave Rogstad, Kenneth Samples, and Joe Aguirre

  • Discoveries
    • Does T-rexsoft-tissue discovery show link to birds?
      • Mary Higby Schweitzer et al., “Analyses of Soft Tissue from Tyrannosaurus rex Suggest the Presence of Protein,” Science 316 (2007): 277-80.
      • John M. Asara et al., “Protein Sequences from Mastodon and Tyrannosaurus Rex Revealed by Mass Spectrometry,” Science316 (2007): 280-85.
    • New method to detect extrasolar planets John T. Trauger and Wesley A. Traub, “A Laboratory Demonstration of the Capability to Image and Earth-like Extrasolar Planet,” Nature446 (2007): 771-73.
    • Theology/philosophy segment
      • Ken discusses the problem of evil in light of the Virginia Tech shooting
    • Call-in questions
      • Pete from Clear Brook, VA:
        • Have scientists determined population sizes from genetic mutations in hominids?
      • Chris from Mt. Arlington, NJ:
        • He asks a few questions about Gleason Archer’s views on the days of creation
        • What does RTB think of a young-earth taxonomic system called baraminology?
      • Roger from Portland, ME:
        • Are the Virginia Tech shootings surprising in light of moral relativism?
        • Roger also discussed RTB’s impact on his life
        • A couple more questions regarding the origin of life Kenny from Pensacola, FL:
        • What does RTB mean by “created kinds” in light of the young-earth explanation?

Creation Update #365
Show Title: Cosmic Design
Air Date: April 24, 2007
Fuz Rana, Jeff Zweerink, and Kenneth Samples
Discoveries

  • Has Lucy lost her luster?
    • Yoel Rak, Avishag Ginzburg, and Eli Geffen, “Gorilla-like Anatomy on Australopithecus afarensis Mandibles Suggests Au. afarensis Link to Robust Australopiths,” PNAS 104 (2007): 6568-72.
      • Resource
    • Who Was Adam? By Fuz Rana.
  • Earth's core as evidence of design
    • Bruce A. Buffett, “Taking Earth’s Temperature,” Science 315 (2007): 1801-02.
      • Resource
      • The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross

Theology/philosophy segment

  • Analogies of the Trinity
  • Jeff from Valley Forge, VA:
    • Quantum mechanics
    • Common descent paradigm
  • Roger from Portland, ME:
    • Does "the problem of evil" help us to develop our virtue and morality?
    • Would a change in DNA code parameters kill an organism?
  • Stan from Placentia, CA:
    • Recent fossilized rain forest find in Illinois

Creation Update #366
Exoplanet Discovery and Ten Questions for Christians
Air date: 5-01-07
Dave Rogstad, Jeff Zweerink, Kenneth Samples, Hugh Ross, and Joe Aguirre

Creation Update #367
The Big Three: Newton, Darwin and Einstein
Air date: 5-08-07
Hugh Ross, Dave Rogstad, Fuz Rana and Kenneth Samples

Creation Update #368
Nature’s “Bad” Designs
Air date: 5-15-07
Fuz Rana, Jeff Zweerink, and Joe Aguirre

  • Discoveries
    • Is the inverted retina evidence for bad designs in nature?
      • Kristian Franze et al., “Muller Cells Are Living Optical Fibers in the Vertebrate Retina,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA (May 15, 2007): 8287-92.
      • Michael J. Denton, “The Inverted Retina: Maladaptation or Preadaptation?” Origins and Design, Winter 1999, 11-17.
    • Narrower constraints on dark energy.
      • Adam G. Riess et al., “New Hubble Space Telescope Discoveries of Type Ia Supernovae at z *≥ 1: Narrowing Constraints on the Early Behavior of Dark Energy,” *Astrophysical Journal659 (April 10, 2007): 98-121.
        • Resources:
    • Function for junk DNA in opossum genome.
      • Tarjei S. Mikkelsen et al., “Genome of the Marsupial Monodelphis domestica Reveals Innovation in Noncoding Sequences,” Nature 447 (May 10, 2007): 167-78.
  • Call-in questions
    • Roger from Portland, ME:
      • Any other examples of genome comparisons besides elephant shark genome?
      • What is the error minimization distribution?
      • A question on the design of plate tectonics.
      • Are all planets in habitable zones tidally locked?
  • Email questions
    • Robert from Santa Rosa, CA:
      • What did Einstein mean when he said the cosmological constant was the “greatest blunder” of his scientific career?
    • Doug asks:
      • Whatever happened to cosmic strings? Weren’t they supposed to explain how galaxies formed?

Creation Update #369
More Evidence for Big Bang Universe
Air date: 5-22-07
Dave Rogstad, Jeff Zweerink, and Joe Aguirre

  • Discoveries
    • Does a dark matter ring discovery validate creation?
    • “Astronomers Find Ring of Dark Matter with Hubble Space Telescope,” NASA news release, May 15, 2007.
      • Resource:
        • The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross
    • Just how old is the universe?
      • G. Fritz Benedict et al., “Hubble Space Telescope Fine Guidance Sensor Parallaxes of Galactic Cepheid Variable Stars: Period-Luminosity Relations, Astronomical Journal133 (April 2007): 1810-27.
        • Resources:
          • The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross
          • Creation as Science, by Hugh Ross
          • Fine-tuning the cosmic distance scale.
          • Saurabh Jha, Adam G. Riess, and Robert P. Kirshner, “Improved Distances to Type Ia Supernovae with Multicolor Light-Curve Shapes; MLCS2k2,” Astrophysical Journal 659 (April 10, 2007): 122-48.
  • Call-in questions
    • Ed from Des Moines, IA:
      • He asks several questions on what scientists mean by standard or multiverse models and how they point to a singularity. The questions come in response to reading Frank Tipler’s book, The Physics of Christianity.
      • See Max Tegmark’s website for understanding multiverse explanations
    • Roger from Portland, ME:
      • Does the coin-flipping version of the gambler’s fallacy refute multiverse theory?
    • Joe from Bismarck, ND:
      • What does RTB think of the apparent new evidence (silica) for water on Mars?
        • Resource:
          • See RTB’s Mars overview
  • Email questions
    • Dave asks:
      • Since diamonds are supposedly the oldest rocks on Earth and contain Carbon-14, does that discount old-Earth arguments for dating methods?
    • Rob Gibson:
      • Is there a new cyclic universe model? Why, since the old one seemed more straightforward?
    • A couple of emailers ask what RTB thinks about Guillermo Gonzalez having been denied tenure at Iowa State University.
      • Resource:
        • The Privileged Planet, by Guillermo Gonzalez and Jay Richards

Creation Update #370
Neanderthals Did Not Interbreed with Humans
Air date: 5-29-07
Fuz Rana, Jeff Zweerink, Kenneth Samples, and Joe Aguirre

  • Discoveries
    • Studies show no human-Neanderthal interbreeding
      • Elizabeth Pennisi, “No Sex Please, We’re Neanderthals,” Science 316 (May 18, 2007): 967.
      • Patrick D. Evans et al., “Evidence that the Adaptive Allele of the Brain Size Gene Microcephalin Introgressed into Homo sapiens from an Archaic Homo Lineage,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences103 (November 28, 2006): 18178-83.
    • Are humans hard-wired to see design?
      • Paul Bloom and Deena Skolnick Weisberg, “Childhood Origins of Adult Resistance to Science,” Science 316 (May 18, 2007): 996-97.
    • Fuz Rana comments on the legacy of legendary chemist, Stanley Miller
  • Philosophy/theology segment
    • Ken discusses the philosophical implications of Jeff’s report on the origin of design recognition among children.
  • Call-in questions
    • Cole from Fort Worth, TX:
      • He asks several questions on the space-time theorem
    • Kenny from Pensacola, FL:
      • How do evolutionists account for hominids appearing more like gorillas than humans?
    • Otis from Houston:
    • Dave from Los Angeles:
      • A couple of questions on multiverse theory
    • Mark from Fullerton, CA:
    • Roger from Portland, ME:
  • Email question
    • Sam asks:

Creation Update #371
Stellar Research Shows Fine-Tuning
Air date: 6-5-07
Hugh Ross, Dave Rogstad, Kenneth Samples, and Joe Aguirre

  • Discoveries
    • M-dwarf stars not likely life-support candidates
      • Jack J. Lissauer, “Planets Formed in Habitable Zones of M Dwarf Stars Probably Are Deficient in Volatiles,” Astrophysical Journal660 (May 10, 2007): L149-L152.
        • Resources
    • Should science pursue expensive instruments built for limited research?
      • Geoff Brumfiel, “A Clash of Cosmologies,” Nature 447 (May 10, 2007): 122-23.
    • Why bother if the universe will soon end?
      • “Cosmologists Predict a Static Universe in 3 Trillion Years,” Case Western Reserve University press release, in Science Daily, May 24, 2007.
  • Philosophy/theology segment
    • Ken discusses the apologetic implications of pursuing truth in light of the popularity of conspiracy theories.
  • Call-in questions
    • Jeff from Valley Forge, PA:
      • What does RTB think of Paul Davies’ views on the anthropic principle?
        • Resource
          • The Creator and the Cosmos, 3rd ed., by Hugh Ross
    • Roger from Portland, ME:
      • Can Hugh comment on Ken Ham’s statement that “you weren’t there” at the beginning of creation?
      • What are some ways to illustrate the truth of the big bang to laypeople?
    • Morgan from Fayetteville, TN:
      • Why do some scientists (including those at RTB) say humans are ideally located to observe the universe?
  • Email question
    • Phillip Rhodes:
      • Can RTB elaborate on young-Earth statements about C14 in diamonds?
      • Resource

Creation Update #372
Not Much Gravity a Good Thing
Air date: 6-12-07
Hugh Ross, Fuz Rana, Kenneth Samples, and Joe Aguirre

Discoveries

  • Gravity wave detection instrument affirms big bang cosmology
  • B. Abbott et al., “Searching for a Stochastic Background of Gravitational Waves with the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory,” Astrophysical Journal 659 (April 20, 2007): 918-30.
  • Resources
  • New emphasis in origin-of-life research
    • Robert Shapiro, “A Simpler Origin for Life,” Scientific American, June 2007, 47-53.
    • Addy Pross, “Causation and the Origin of Life: Metabolism or Replication First?” Origins of Life and Evolution of the Biosphere 34 (2004): 307-21.
    • Robert Shapiro, “Small Molecule Interactions Were Central to the Origin of Life,” Quarterly Review of Biology, vol. 81, no. 2 (June 2006), 105.
    • Resources

Philosophy/theology segment

RTB announcement

  • Bob Stuart reminds listeners that the next term for Reasons Institute begins July 2

Call-in questions

  • Roger from Portland, ME:
    • How many realistic alternative models for the origin of the universe have not been eliminated by the LIGO results? Can Hugh name any viable alternative models?
    • Are some hot big bang inflationary models harmonious with Scripture and some not?
  • David from Los Angeles:
    • Is the multiverse idea testable? Does the Bible allow for the multiverse?
    • Resource
      • The Creator and the Cosmos,3rd ed.,by Hugh Ross

Email question

  • Steve Gann, a chemistry teacher:
  • Dan from Grandview, MO:
    • Can Hugh provide objective information for his claim that the items listed in Jeremiah 31: 38-40 have been fulfilled in consecutive order?
  • Brain Boothe:

Creation Update #373
Creation Explanation
Air date: 6-19-07
Hugh Ross, Fuz Rana, and Kenneth Samples

Discoveries

  • Rare Milky Way Hypothesis
    • F. Hammer e.al., “The Milky Way, An Exceptionally Quiet Galaxy: Implications For The Formation Of Spiral Galaxies”; The Astronomical Journal,662:322 – 334, 2007 June 10
      • Resource:
        • The Creator and the Cosmos,3rd ed.,by Hugh Ross
  • Neanderthals and Division of Labor
    • Steven L. Kuhn and Mary C. Stiner, “What’s A Mother To Do?, The Division of Labor among Neandertals and Modern Humans in Eurasia”;  Current Anthropology Volume 47, Number 6, December 2006

RTB announcement

  • Bob Stuart reminds listeners that the next term for Reasons Institute begins July 2

Call-in questions

  • Doug from Suburban, MD:
    • Michael Behe's new book, “Common Descent”
  • Terry from Gastonia, NC:
    • Comments on Michael Behe's new book
  • Kenny from Pensacola, FL asks about:
    • Human Origins and New Testament Manuscrpts
  • Roger from Portland, ME:
    • Asks about Genes and Covalent Thermodynamics

Creation Update #374
Searching for an Earth Twin
Air date: 6-26-07
Dave Rogstad, Jeff Zweerink, and Joe Aguirre

Discoveries

  • More data on Earth-like planets in habitable zone
  • W. von Bloh et al., “The habitability of Super-Earths in Gliese 581,” Astronomy and Astrophysics, May 25, 2007, http://arxiv.org/abs/0705.3758v1.
  • New details on solar system formation show fine-tuning
    • Richard A. Kerr, “Isotopes Suggest Solar System Formed in a Rough Neighborhood,” Science316 (May 25, 2007): 1111.
      • Resource:
        • The Creator and the Cosmos,3rd ed.,by Hugh Ross

RTB announcement:

  • Krista Bontrager reminds listeners that the next Reasons Institute term begins July 2

Call-in questions

Email questions

  • Samuel Fullman from San Marcos, TX:
    • Are there any plans for Hubble-like telescopes or radio telescopes to be sent out into deep space? If so, what will they allow us to see?

Creation Update #375
Cosmology, Yesterday and Today
Air date: 7-03-07
Hugh Ross, Jeff Zweerink, and Ken Samples

Discoveries

  • A New Kind of Star
    •  Jorde Jose et al., " The First Nova Explosions," The Astrophysical Journal, 662: L103-L106, 2007 June 20
  • Resource
    • The Creator and the Cosmos,3rd ed.,by Hugh Ross
  • An Amazing Star
    • Jonathan P. Williams and Eric Gaidos, “On the Likelihood of Supernova Enrichment of Protoplanetary Disks.” The Astrophysical Journal, 663: L33-L36, 2007 July 1
    •  Resources

Theology/Philosophy Segment

Creation Update #376
Did the Universe Have a Beginning?
Air date: 7-10-07
Jeff Zweerink, Dave Rogstad, and Joe Aguirre

Discussion

  • Analysis of the Kalam cosmological argument and other theories
  • Scholars referred to a presentation by James Sinclair
  • James D. Sinclair, “The Physical Substantiation of the Kalam Argument,” ppt presentation at Evangelical Philosophical Society, New Orleans Meeting, February 23, 2007.
    • Resources
        • The Creator and the Cosmos,3rd ed.,by Hugh Ross
        • Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose, "The Singularities of Gravitational Collapse and Cosmology," Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series A, 314 (1970), 529-48.

Call-in questions

  • Ronnie from Naples, FL:
    • Is there a way to resolve OE/YE debates over the first three days of creation given that these events took place during “nontime”?
  • Roger from Portland, ME:
    • Several questions on the multiverse, and a comment on young-Earth arguments

Email questions

  • Mark B.:
    • Could information arise accidentally in a type-I multiverse?
  • Robert Knox:
    • Are there any proposed time-frames for when the universe achieved infinite size?
      • Article referenced:
        • Martin A. Bucher and David N. Spergel, “Inflation in a Low-Density Universe,” Scientific American January 1999, 62-69.
  • Dan Morris from Ovid, MI:
    • Can you reconcile how we know that space dust, clouds, or whatever, aren’t a reason for any given standard candle’s light to appear dimmer to us, therefore giving a false estimate of its distance from Earth?
  • Blake from Dallas:
    • Given that the chances of a universe existing with a cosmological constant that permits life are only 1 in 10120, could these values have been any other way given that we have a sample size of one?

Creation Update #377
Why This Universe?
Air date: 7-17-07
Jeff Zweerink, Dave Rogstad, Kenneth Samples, and Joe Aguirre

Discussion

  • Analysis of an article in Skeptic magazine
  • Four explanations cited
      • One Universe Models
      • Multiple Universe (Multiverse) Models
      • Nonphysical Causes
      • Illusions
  • Robert Lawrence Kuhn, “Why This Universe? Toward a Taxonomy of Possible Explanations, Skeptic vol. 13, no. 2 (2007), 28-39.
  • Kuhn is creator and host of the PBS television series, Closer To Truth.
      • Resources:
        • The Creator and the Cosmos,3rd ed.,by Hugh Ross
        • Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose, "The Singularities of Gravitational Collapse and Cosmology," Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series A, 314 (1970), 529-48.
        • Read Jeff Zweerink’s ongoing series on multiverse theory
        • Listen to the July 10, 2007 episode of Creation Update

Call-in questions

  • Mark from Centennial, CO:
    • Does cloning include a new soul?
    • How do hermaphrodites fit into creation?
  • Roger from Portland, ME:
    • What is best current estimate of the actual universe after inflation?
    • Does the universe exhibit a rational, intelligent source behind it?
    • How does Occam’s razor apply in the multiverse?

Email questions

  • Frank R.:
    • Why does the sky seem to never end?

Creation Update #378
World View Thinking
Air date: 7-24-07
Dave Rogstad and Ken Samples

Discoveries

  • World View Thinking
  • Resource
  • Resources on Predestination
  • Resource on Gnosticism

Call-in questions

  • Ed from Des Moines IA:
    • Has anyone investigated the accuracy of the Gnostic bible as compared to the cannon of the Bible as we know it?
  • Todd from Dallas TX:
    • What is RTB's stance on general revelation and salvation? 
  • Michael from Salem OR:
    • What are RTB's thoughts on Predestination?
    • Michael recommends a new book, “The Case for the Real Jesus: A Journalist Investigates Current Attacks on the Identity of Christ, by Lee Strobel
  • Roger from Portland ME:
    • Will "The Theory Of Everything" explain why the Universe is so finely tuned?
  • Joe from Bismark ND:
    • Is God an Authoritarian or just a friend Friend?

Creation Update #379
Another Origin-of-Life Theory
Air date: 7-31-07
Fuz Rana, Dave Rogstad, Kenneth Samples, and Joe Aguirre

Discussion

  • Analysis of an article in Biology Direct hypothesizing the multiverse as a solution to the origin-of-life problem
      • Resources
        • Origins of Life,by Fazale Rana and Hugh Ross
        • The Creator and the Cosmos,3rd ed.,by Hugh Ross
        • Read Jeff Zweerink’s ongoing series on multiverse theory
        • Listen to the July 10 and July 17, 2007 episodes of Creation Update

Call-in questions

  • Odis from Belleville, TX:
    • What does RTB think of self-organization?
      • Resource
        • Robert Shapiro, “A Simpler Origin for Life,” Scientific American, June 2007, 47-53.
  • James from Phoenix:
    • Did cosmic rays bring about Ordovician extinctions?
  • Trey from San Diego:
    • Can information be added to DNA by pl.0asmids?
  • Ed from Des Moines, IA:
    • Does detection of dark matter refute naturalism?
  • Brad from Mesa, AZ:
    • How do biologists account for the origin and history of plant life?
  • Roger from Portland, ME:
    • Several questions, including: When did death and decay occur in relation to Adam’s sin?

Creation Update #380
The Naturalistic Worldview and Scientilfic Discovery
Air date: 8-07-07
Dave Rogstad, Fuz Rana & Kenneth Samples

Discussion

Call-in questions

  • Tres from San Diego, CA:
    • Moral Truth
  • Jason from Pennsylvania:
    • Young Earth Beliefs in the Church
  • Dennis from Dallas TX:
    • Space Energy Density
  • Roger from Portland, ME:
    • Hell Evolved?
  • Randy from Raleigh NC:
    • Multiverse

Creation Update #381
Testing Fundamental Assumptions
Air date: 8-14-07
Fuz Rana, Jeff Zweerink & Kenneth Samples

Discussion

  • Testing General Relativity Again
  •  Resources:
      • The Creator and the Cosmos,3rd ed.,by Hugh Ross
  • The Speculative Nature of Evolutionary Pathways
  • Testing Christianity's Truth-Claims

Call-in questions

  • Derek from Fairfax, VA:
    • Question about Evolution
  • Roger from Portland, ME:
    • Question about Universe Inflation
  • Peter from Clearbrook, VA:
    • Question about Big Bang
  • Otis from Houston TX:
    • Question about Big Bang
  • Dan from Kalamazoo, MI:
    • Question about Black Holes
  • Roger from Portland ME:
    • Question about Junk DNA

Creation Update #382
Spite Apparently Unique to Humans
Air date: 8-21-07
Hugh Ross, Dave Rogstad, Kenneth Samples, and Joe Aguirre

Discovery

  • Discussion of research demonstrating that animals don’t hurt one another just because they can.
    • Veronica Raymond, “What Makes Us Human? Spite.” ScienceNOW Daily News July 16, 2007
      • Resource
        • Hugh suggests reading Job 39 to see how animals serve humanity

Email questions

  • Dale from MI:
    • What should we think abo ut the Bible’s references to other gods?
  • Rob G.:
    • What caused the increase in oxygen before the Cambrian explosion?
  • Josh T.:
    • Does the cause of a planet’s retrograde present a problem for the big bang?
  • Mark from IL:
    • Is naturalism a simpler explanation for origins?
  • Corey from MN:
    • Is Lorentzian relativity more compatible with a Christian view of God than special relativity?
  • Jay from FL:
    • Is there any physical evidence for Noah’s flood?

Call-in questions

  • Gary from Lyndale, TX:
    • How can we know that our dating methods are reliable?
  • Roger from Portland, ME:
    • Given infinite time, what’s the probability of human contact with another universe?
    • What percentage of scientists believe in life after death? In psychokinesis?
  • Ed from Des Moines:
    • Question regarding how people come to faith as it relates to the book, “The Universe Next Door”

Creation Update #383
Microbes in Antarctic Ice
Air date: 8-28-07
Fuz Rana, Jeff Zweerink, and Joe Aguirre

Discoveries

  • DNA fragments discovered in Antarctic ice have implications for life
    • Kay D. Bidle et al., “Fossil Genes and Microbes in the Oldest Ice on Earth,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 104 (August 14, 2007): 13455-60.
  • Habitable planets around M-class stars not necessarily conducive to life
    • Jack J. Lissauer, “Planets Formed in Habitable Zones of M Dwarf Stars Probably Are Deficient in Volatiles,” Astrophysical Journal 660 (May 10, 2007): L149-52.

Introduction of Jacksonville, Florida, chapter members

Call-in questions

  • Tres from San Diego:
    • Does the anatomy of sea otters argue for evolution or creation?
  • Roger from Portland, ME:
    • Are some junk DNA elements evidence for evolution?
    • Is there empirical evidence for inflation prior to our universe’s inflationary period?

Creation Update #384
Can Scientists Create Life?
Air date: 9-04-07
Fuz Rana, Dave Rogstad, and Joe Aguirre

Discussion

  • Various recent news articles have described the likelihood of artificial life

Call-in questions

  • Kenny from Pensacola, FL:
    • What is the latest on Antony Flew? Any follow-up on Hugh’s recent interaction with Victor Stenger?
    • What is the use for an appendix in light of Genesis interpretations about dietary restrictions or changes?
  • Rob from Tracy, CA:
    • Are evolutionists making greater claims on the fossil record than the record warrants?
  • Roger from Portland, ME:
    • When does Fuz think life will truly be created in the lab?

Creation Update #385
Just-Right Timing of Oxygen on Early Earth
Air date: 9-11-07
Jeff Zweerink, Hugh Ross, Kenneth Samples, and Joe Aguirre

Discoveries

  • Oxygen content sufficient for complex life appeared at optimal time
  • Lee R. Kump and Mark E. Barley, “Increased Subaerial Volcanism and the Rise of Atmospheric Oxygen 2.5 Billion Years Ago,” Nature 448 (August 30, 2007): 1033-36.
  • Timothy W. Lyons, “Oxygen’s Rise Reduced,” Nature 448 (August 30, 2007): 1005-06.
  • New method to detect extraterrestrial life?
    • Zhiyong Suo et al., “Porphyrin as an Ideal Biomarker in the Search for Extraterrestrial Life,” Astrobiology 7 (November 4, 2007): 605-15.
    • Origins of Life, by Fazale Rana and Hugh Ross

Philosophy/Theology segment

E-mail questions

  • Doug:
    • How do we understand the darkness Job speaks of in chapter 38?
  • Donald C. from Houston:
    • Do we lose apologetic ground by lending credence to multiverse theory?
    • Resource
            • The Creator and the Cosmos,3rd ed.,by Hugh Ross
  • Anonymous emailer:

Call-in questions

  • Pat from Anchorage, AK:
    • He asks several questions about planet habitability around class M stars.
  • Roger from Portland, ME:
    • Several questions regarding multiverse theory and Occam’s razor (ontological simplicity vs. conceptual simplicity).

Creation Update #386
Testing Creation Ideas
Air date: 9-18-07
Hugh Ross, Fuz Rana & Kenneth Samples

Discoveries

  • Judaism, Christianity and Islam
  • Resource:

E-mail question

  • Chris From Colorado Springs, CO:
    • Asks about the meteorite that hit in Peru this weekend

Call-in questions

  • Samuel from San Marcos TX:
    • asks about Creating Life From Scratch.
  • Ted from Gaylesburg MI:
    • Wants to know where in the Bible is there a reference about the Earth being a Sphere?
  • Marge from RTB:
    • Has a question about Angels and Wings
  • Roger from Portland, ME:
    • Has another question about Multiverse Nullification.

Creation Update #387
Jupiter and Earth
Air date: 9-25-07
Dave Rogstad, Jeff Zweerink & Kenneth Samples

Discoveries

  • Jupiter and Earth
  • The Important Placement of Jupiter
    • Avi M. Mandell, et. Al., “Formation of Earth-like Planets During and After Giant Planet Migration”, The Astrophysical Journal, 660:823-844, 2007 May 1

Philosophy/theology segment

  • Rowing the Christian apologetic Boat
    • Resource:

A World of Difference: Putting Christian Truth-Claims to the Worldview Test, by Kenneth Samples

E-mail questions

  • Three e-mails:
    • Questions about Parallel Universes?

Call-in questions

  • Jim from Atlanta GA:
    • asks about the fine tuning of Earth
  • Todd from Dallas TX:
    • Has a question about General Revelation
  • Roger from Portland, ME:
    • Has questions about  General Revelation and Salvation.
  • Joe from Bismark ND:
    • Raises a question about Evolution and the Cambrian Explosion

Creation Update #388
Underlying Apologetic Issues
Air date: 10-02-07
Fuz Rana, Jeff Zweerink & Kenneth Samples

Discoveries

  • Deep Oxygen Pockets in the Earth
    •  University of Bonn, “Life-giving Rocks From A Depth Of 250 Kilometers”; Science Daily, September 9, 2007
    • Arno Rohrbach, et. al, “Metal Saturation in the Upper Mantle”, Nature, Vol 449\27 September 2007\doi:1038/nature06183
      • Resource:
        • The Creator and the Cosmos, by Hugh Ross
  • Junk DNA: A Fundamental Problem For Evolution

Philosophy/theology segment

  • Worldview Differences
    • Resource:

A World of Difference: Putting Christian Truth-Claims to the Worldview Test, by Kenneth Samples

E-mail questions

  • Alex, Goshen, N.S Canada:
    • What do you think of the opinion that Jesus could not sin?
  • Clifford, Toronto, Ontario Canada:
    • What do you know about the eyes (shape and Color) of Neanderthals, and what are the implications for human-neanderthal interaction if humans have “clear” eyes and Neanderthals have “dull” eyes?

Call-in questions

  • Tres from San Diego, CA asks:
  • Are lizards Dinosaurs?

Creation Update #389
Science and Faith Issues
 Air date: 10-09-07
Hugh Ross, Dave Rogstad & Kenneth Samples

Discoveries

  • Ice Age and Biblical Chronology
    • P.-H. Blard, et. al., “Persistence of full glacial conditions in the central Pacific until 15000 years ago”; Nature, Vol 449\4 October 2007/doi:10.1038/nature06142
  • Where’s All The Water?
    • Richard A. Kerr, “Is Mars Looking Drier and Drier For Longer and Longer?”; SCIENCE, VOL 317 21 September, 2007
    • Joanne Baker, “Water, Water, Not Everywhere?”; SCIENCE, VOL 317 21 September, 2007
    • A. S. McEwen, et. al., “A Closer Look at Water-Related Geologic Activity on Mars” SCIENCE, VOL 317 21 September, 2007
    • W. L. Jaeger, et. al., “Athabasca Valles, Mars: A Lava-Draped Channel System” SCIENCE, VOL 317 21 September, 2007

Philosophy/theology segment

  • Origin of Science
    • Resource:

A World of Difference: Putting Christian Truth-Claims to the Worldview Test, by Kenneth Samples

E-mail questions

  • Jay from Florida asks:
    • Where does RTB stand on dichotomous and trichotomous views?
  • Cody asks:
    • From nature, what can we know about it’s design and a designer?
  • Jason from Latrobe, PA. asks:
    • Could you give some specific verses that support the principle of Uniformaitarianism?

Call-in questions

  • Cole, Fort Worth TX:
    • Is Man Worthless after the Fall?
  • Von from Springfield MO:
    • When God used a Rainbow as a symbol that he wouldn’t destroy the Earth by flood again, did He mean a Global Flood or a Local Flood
  • Cathy from Westminister, CO:
    • Is the Scientific Method Biblilcal?
  • Kenny from Pensacola FL:
    • The meaning of “Good” in Genesis 1
  • Ken has two questions:

Creation Update #390
Origin-of-Life Speculations
Air date: 10-16-07
Hugh Ross, Fuz Rana, Kenneth Samples, and Joe Aguirre

Discoveries

  • Is there liquid water on Saturn’s moon, Enceladus?
    • Joseph N. Spitale and Carolyn C. Porco, “Association of the Jets of Enceladus with the Warmest Regions on its South-Polar Fractures,” Nature 449 (October 11, 2007): 695-97.
    • Dennis L. Matson et al., “Enceladus’ Plume: Compositional Evidence for a Hot Interior,” Icarus vol. 187, no. 2 (April 2007), 569-73.
  • Is the evolutionary “tree of life” ready to topple?
  • Eugene V. Koonin, “The Biological Big Bang Model for the Major Transitions in Evolution,” Biology Direct(August 20, 2007), 1-17.

Philosophy/Theology segment

  • Kenneth Samples discusses a Muslim letter to Christians urging peace

Call-in questions

  • Arlin from Ventura, CA:
    • Can single-celled organisms evolve into multicellular organisms?
    • A question on the RNA-world hypothesis
  • Roger from Portland, ME:
    • A question on the mechanism for Koonin’s hypothesis
    • A comment on the meaning of “worthless” in Romans 3:12
    • A question/comment on the credibility of Islam

E-mail questions

  • Steven from Westminster, CO:
    • Can Hugh elaborate on Scriptural support for the fixed physical laws and how young-earth creationists explain the texts?
  • Hilmar from Spain:

Creation Update #391
Did Neanderthals Speak?
Air date: 10-23-07
Dave Rogstad, Fuz Rana, and Joe Aguirre

Discoveries

  • Analysis of Neanderthal language capacity
    • Johannes Krause et al., “The Derived FOXP2 Variant of Modern Humans Was Shared with Neanderthals,” Current Biology 17 (November 6, 2007): 1-5.
    • Kerri Smith, “Modern Speech Gene Found in Neanderthals,” Nature news online (October 18, 2007): doi10.1038.
    • Johannes Krause et al., “Neanderthals in Central Asia and Siberia,” Natureadvanced online publication (2007): doi:10.1038/nature06193.
  • Will Martian “discovery” of life be the result of Earth contamination?
    • Christine Moissl et al., “Molecular Bacterial Community Analysis of Clean Rooms Where Spacecraft Are Assembled,” FEMS Microbiol Ecol61 (2007), 509-21.

Call-in questions

  • Otis from Houston:
    • Did Earth undergo multiple origin-of-life events?
  • John from Newark, NJ:
    • Does the MHC complex present a problem for Reasons To Believe’s human origins model?
  • Roger from Portland, ME:
    • Can mutation rates account for total genetic diversity? (reference to an earlier sheep study cited by Fuz)
    • Can scientists reassemble a cell after bursting the membrane?

Creation Update #392
Religion’s Effect on Health
Air date: 10-30-07
Dave Rogstad and Krista Bontrager

Call In Questions:

        • Peggy in Minneapolis, MN:
          • Are the oldest stars in the universe dim because the light has been traveling for a long time?
        • Joe in Bismark, ND:
          • How can I find RTB-minded people who live in my area so I can start a chapter?
        • Roger from Portland, ME:
          • Have you heard of a book called, Explore Evolution?


Creation Update #394
Smelly Lakes, String Theory, Multiverse
Air date: 11-13-07
Hugh Ross, Jeff Zweerink, and Joe Aguirre

 

Discoveries

  • Tracking human migration into the Americas
    • K. M. Walter et al., “Thermokarst Lakes as a Source of Atmospheric CH4 During the Last Glaciation,” Science318 (October 26, 2007): 633-36.
  • Does string theory account for inflation in the universe?
    • Mark P. Hertzberg et al., “Searching for Inflation in Simple String Theory Models: An Astrophysical Perspective,” arXiv:0709.0002v2 (September 3, 2007): 1-24.
      • Resource
        • The Creator and the Cosmos,by Hugh Ross

Email question

Call-in questions

  • Randy from Raleigh, NC:
  • Roger from Portland, ME:
    • Question on the fine-tuning of gravity
    • Can multiverse theory be tested inductively (via Occam’s razor)?
    • Did Christ die only for human beings in this universe (Hebrews 9)?

Creation Update #395
Is Complex Life Rare?
Air date: 11-20-07
Dave Rogstad, Jeff Zweerink, Kenneth Samples, and Joe Aguirre

 Discoveries

  • Analysis of habitable planets in our galaxy.
    • Christine Bounama, Werner Von Bloh, and Siegfried Franck, “How Rare Is Complex Life in the Milky Way?” Astrobiology7, no. 5 (2007): 745-55.
      • Resource:
        • The Creator and the Cosmos,by Hugh Ross
        • Origins of Life,by Fazale Rana and Hugh Ross
        • Rare Earth, by Peter D. Ward and Donald Brownlee
  • Does hydrogen gas in space thwart big bang?
    • Gerrit L. Verschuur, “High Galactic Latitude Interstellar Neutral Hydrogen Structure and Associated (WMAP) High Frequency Continuum Emission,” Astrophysical Journalpreprint, arXiv:0704.1125v2 (July 23, 2007), abstract.
      • Resource:
        • The Creator and the Cosmos,by Hugh Ross

Philosophy segment

  • Kenneth Samples discusses worldview considerations of evolution. Is unguided evolution a problem for naturalism?

Call-in questions

Email questions

  • Joe Smith from Moscow, Russia:
    • Could you please explain how general relativity and quantum mechanics are contradictory/mutually exclusive?
  • John from Raleigh, NC:
    • Where does our soul go when we are asleep?
  • Keith Harris:
    • Can Reasons To Believe comment on E. V. Koonin’s eternal inflation proposal as a solution to the origin of life?
    • Micheal Fink:
    • A question about a RTB's view about the Runaway Universe scenario.

Creation Update #396
The New Watchmaker Argument
Air date: 11-27-07
Dave Rogstad, Fuz Rana & Kenneth Samples

Discoveries

E-mail question

  • Mark, Medina, IL:
    • A question about Multiverse

Call-in questions

  • Roger from Portland, ME:
    • How do Scientists Reject Intelligent Design?
    • How does the genome of humans compare to chimps?
  • Randy From Raleigh NC:
    • Paley’s Argument & Multiverse
  • Rob from Tracy, CA:

Creation Update #397
Just Right Universe
Air date: 12-04-07
Hugh Ross, Jeff Zweerink & Kenneth Samples

Discoveries

  • “Super ‘Duper’ Earths?”
    •  Diana Valencia and Richard J. O’Connell, “Inevitability of Plate Tectonics On Super-Earths”; The Astrophysical Journal, 670: L45-L48, 2007 November 20,
      • Resource:
  • Unique Moon Rising?
    • N. Gorlova, et. al., “Debris Disks in NGC 2547”, The Astrophysical Journal, 670-516 535, 2007 November 20
      • Resource:
        • The Creator and the Cosmos, By Hugh Ross

Philosophy/theology segment

  • Taking Science on Faith

Call-in questions

  • Roger From Portland MN:
    • Comments on Multiverse.
  • Wayne from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
    • Why we age?
  • Ed, from Des Moines IA:
    • NanoTech Versatility
  • Randy, From Raleigh NC:
    • Multiverse Gap.
  • Rob from Tracy, CA
    • Star Formation.
  • Jay from Wichita, Ks:
    • Cold Fusion.

Creation Update #398
Divorce’s Impact/Hominid Behavior
Air date: 12-11-07
Dave Rogstad, Fuz Rana, and Joe Aguirre

Discoveries

  • Divorce takes toll on environment (as well as on humans)
  • unice Yu and Jianguo Liu, “Environmental Impacts of Divorce,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA (December 5, 2007), preprint, 10.1073/pnas.0707267104.
  • Hominid behavior distinct from that of humans
  • Charles A. Lockwood et al., “Extended Male Growth in a Fossil Hominin Species,” Science 318 (November 30, 2007): 1443-46.
  • “Neanderthal Children Grew Up Fast,” ScienceDaily (sciencedaily.com), retrieved December 4, 2007. 

Resource

Call-in questions

  • Roger from Portland, ME:
    • Given the great need for a credible scientific model from a Christian perspective, how can RTB’s model become more widely known?
    • What does RTB think about public, private, or homeschool options?
  • James from Lanesville, IN:
    • Do ice core studies rebut young-earth arguments? And how would a global flood impact ice cores?
  • Peter from Akron, OH:
    • How has Fuz’s work on “perfect imperfections” been received?
  • Kenny from Pensacola, FL:
    • A question on the multiverse hypothesis

Email questions

  • Larry from Wichita:
    • What is RTB’s take on the recent news story, “Human Evolution Seems to Be Accelerating”?
    • See Reasons To Believe’s Science News Flash, December 11, 2007
  • Robert D:
  • Greg M from Longmont:
    • How do you respond to someone who justifies his disbelief in God by asserting that (according to their perception of Christianity) if a person was born in (for example) China or Iran they are going to hell?

 

Creation Update #399
More Creation Model Evidence
Air date: 12-18-07
Hugh Ross, Fuz Rana, and Joe Aguirre

Discoveries

  • New measuring technique promises better accuracy in distance to stars
  • Laurent Loinard et al., “VLBA Determination of the Distance to Nearby Star-forming Regions. I. The Distance to T Tauri with 0.4% Accuracy,” Astrophysical Journal 671 (December 10, 2007): 546-54.
  • Globular cluster age consistent with big bang.
  • Brad M. S. Hansen, “The White Dwarf Cooling Sequence of NGC 6397,” Astrophysical Journal 671 (December 10, 2007): 380-401.
  • Is punctuated equilibrium supported by fossil records?
  • Gene Hunt, “The Relative Importance of Directional Change, Random Walks, and Stasis in the Evolution of Fossil Lineages,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 104 (November 20, 2007): 18404-08.

Call-in questions

    • RTB’s Bob Stuart reminds listeners of Reasons Institute’s winter term.
    • Kyle from Hamilton, Ontario:
      • Does a thought experiment on Newtonian mechanics explain the features of the universe? (In contrast to relativity)
    • Jeff from Lake Ozark, MO:
    • Chris from Charlotte, NC:
      • Are there some atheistic scientists who hold that the universe came into being from nothing?
      • Roger from Portland, ME:
        • Questions on:
          • Newtonian mechanics thought experiment
          • T Tauri star measurement
          • Do humans alone suffer heart attacks?
          • phylogeny