Earth/Moon DesignA Comment on Humility Theology
1/1/2002 The anthropic principle faces serious challenges from outside the disciplines of astronomy and physics. Many scholars in the humanities and social sciences fear that the anthropic principle will somehow legitimize false notions of human supremacy, justifying exploitation of the environment to the detriment of other species. A Critique of Victor Stenger's Paper – Intelligent Design: The New Stealth Creationism
2/8/2001 "Intelligent Design is the new buzz word for what used to be called 'creation science.' ” With the quote above as his summary statement, Victor Stenger, Professor Emeritus, University of Hawaii, seeks to discard the work of some of today’s great pioneering scientists. A Mega-Collision with Earth’s “Sister Planet”
4/23/2008 Of all the planets in the solar system, Venus most closely resembles Earth. Venus’s mass and radius are only 20% and 5% smaller, respectively. In addition, it orbits about 30% closer to the sun than Earth. A hypothetical observer outside the solar system might expect Earth and Venus to share an abundance of qualities in common. Aliens From Another World? Getting Here From There
4/1/2001 A rising challenge to Christianity, both within and beyond the borders of America, springs from the popular obsession with UFOs (unidentified flying objects) and ETI (extraterrestrial intelligent life). Ancient Oceans on Mars Reveal Design on Earth
8/8/2007 A question puzzling astronomers for many decades has been whether Mars ever had substantial liquid water. An idea put forth in 1991, based on two long lips of rock that resembled ancient shorelines, posited ancient oceans that covered roughly one third of Mars. Another Benefit for Life in Earthquakes
12/7/2007 Earthquakes are not particularly welcome by those who experience them (and Reasons To Believe would respond in a different manner in the event of a catastrophic event), nevertheless there are a number of very important benefits the planet derives from the processes that result in temblors. Anthropic Principle: A Precise Plan for Humanity
1/1/2002 Human beings climb. Always have, always will. First hills, then mountains, then pinnacles so high they're called "death zones." That's as high as legs could carry them, but not high enough. So people invented balloons, blimps, airplanes, and spacecraft, the higher the better—to a point. Big Collision, Beautiful Moon
11/1/2006 A demolition expert surveys the building designated for destruction. With one swing of the wrecking ball, he must bring down the building without scattering the debris off the property. Such a precise operation requires the right size wrecking ball hitting at just the right speed. Hitting too high only removes the roof; too low and the ground absorbs all the wrecking force. The possibilities for a failed demolition far exceed the ways to succeed. After exacting calculations, the wrecking ball scores a direct hit, transforming the building into an easily cleaned-up pile of debris. Biospheres Deemed Failures
7/1/2001 Two tests of space travelers’ ability to support themselves independent of Earth have taken place in the Arizona desert (see www.bio2.edu). In 1991 a team of eight adults were sealed inside a 3.15-acre “capsule” for a two-year stint. Black Holes, Singularities, and Wormholes
4/1/2001 Two tests of space travelers’ ability to support themselves independent of Earth have taken place in the Arizona desert (see www.bio2.edu). In 1991 a team of eight adults were sealed inside a 3.15-acre “capsule” for a two-year stint. Climatology Reveals Creation Clues
10/1/2001 By day, climatologist Kevin Birdwell seeks answers to mysteries of human history via climatological records. By night, he uses that research to enhance his teaching at a Christian college. Confirming the Moon's Vital Role
11/10/2008 Back in 1993, a research team led by French astronomer Jacques Laskar proved analytically that the tilt of Earth’s rotation axis is stabilized over long time periods thanks to Earth being orbited by a single moon whose mass is a substantial fraction of Earth’s Continental Landmass Growth and the Genesis 1 Chronology
10/8/2007 Thanks to a spectacular new discovery concerning the geophysical history of the earth, one more detail in biblical author Moses’ chronology of Earth’s creation history has been scientifically verified. The breakthrough yields yet more evidence for the divine inspiration of the Bible’s words and message. First, let me offer some personal background for this discovery. Coreless Terrestrial Planets
1/19/2009 It is now obvious to all planetary scientists that Earth possesses many apparently designed features that have enabled it to support life for billions of years, and to support advanced life in particular. As I described in last week’s Today’s New Reasons To Believe, two MIT planetary scientists added to the list of these features. Deep Core Tests for the Age of the Earth
7/1/2005 The clash between young-earth and old-earth creationists can seem bewilderingly technical at times. Is there any easy-to-understand scientific data for determining whether Earth is young or old? In recent months, new evidence has emerged that may be simple enough for everyone to understand, regardless of science background-as simple as counting tree rings. Design and the Anthropic Principle
1/1/1989 Summary: Human existence is possible because the constants of physics and the parameters for the universe and for planet Earth lie within certain highly restricted ranges. John Wheeler and others interpret these amazing "coincidences" as proof that human existence somehow determines the design of the universe. Design Evidences in the Cosmos (1998)
1/1/1998 Adapted with updates from the author’s books, The Fingerprint of God, second edition (Promise, 1991), The Creator and the Cosmos, second edition (NavPress, 1995), and Beyond the Cosmos (NavPress, 1996). References may be found in these books and in the reference addendum at the end of this paper. Design Feature Prevents Hard Snowball Earth
3/12/2008 Imagine the Antarctic glaciers extending over the whole Earth. Dating back to the early 1960s, scientists proposed just such a scenario, known as a “snowball Earth” hypotheses to explain various geological and geochemical data in the planet’s history. Design of the Solar System’s Gas Giants
8/11/2008 New understanding of the solar system by team of five theoreticians from three different continents has produced even more evidence for the design of the solar system’s gas giant planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) for the benefit of advanced life on Earth. The masses and orbits of the solar system’s four gas giant planets are crucial for life on planet Earth. Designed to Live, Designed to Die
1/1/2008 "Why don't we see new species emerging now?" Charles Darwin faced this question nearly 150 years ago when he proposed the theory of evolution. His answer–all Earth's habitats are full. Designed to Shake
4/1/2007 My family lives in one of the fastest-rising neighborhoods in the nation—not economically, but topographically. Our home rises by an average of 9 millimeters (1/3 inch) per year. Sometimes the elevation gain (via earthquake) seems a bit disturbing. Sometimes it's destructive. Earth Just Barely Large Enough
2/13/2008 All the recent talk about global warming highlights one critical characteristic of Earth that makes the planet habitable, namely plate tectonics. As I discussed two weeks ago, Venus and Earth are remarkably similar in terms of their size and composition. Earth's Carefully Crafted Crust
1/1/2000 Researchers have discovered still more indicators of divine design in Earth’s fine-tuned geophysical processes. These indicators belong to an intricate, life-essential cycle (called the carbonate-silicate cycle). This cycle compensates for the ongoing gradual increase in the sun’s brightness. Exotic Life Sites: The Feasibility of Far-Out Habitats
10/1/2001 People often joke about the certainty of death and taxes. Astronomers can add another certainty to that short list: Sooner or later someone will ask, “What do you think about the possibility of life out there?” Fine-Tuning Allows Essential Plate Tectonics to Take Off
2/20/2008 Last Christmas, my family flew back to the midwest in a Boeing 737. Getting an airplane to stay up in the air requires a tremendous amount of design, but most of the flight delivers all the excitement of a long bus ride. Fine-Tuning for Life in the Universe (2001)
1/1/2001 For life to be possible in the universe, several characteristics must take on specific values, and these are listed below. In the case of several of these characteristics, and given the intricacy of their interrelationships, the indication of “fine tuning” seems incontrovertible. Fine-Tuning For Life In The Universe (AUG 2006)
8/29/2006 For physical life to be possible in the universe, several characteristics must take on specific values, and these are listed below. In the case of several of these characteristics, and given the intricacy of their interrelationships, the indication of divine "fine tuning" seems incontrovertible. Fine-Tuning For Life In The Universe (DEC 2004)
3/22/2005 For physical life to be possible in the universe, several characteristics must take on specific values, and these are listed below. In the case of several of these characteristics, and given the intricacy of their interrelationships, the indication of divine "fine tuning" seems incontrovertible. Fine-Tuning for Life in the Universe (JUNE 2002)
6/25/2002 For physical life to be possible in the universe, several characteristics must take on specific values, and these are listed below.1 In the case of several of these characteristics, and given the intricacy of their interrelationships, the indication of divine “fine tuning” seems incontrovertible. Fine-Tuning for Life on Earth (2001)
1/1/2001 The environmental requirements for life to exist depend quite strongly on the life form in question. The conditions for primitive life to exist, for example, are not nearly so demanding as they are for advanced life. Also, it makes a big difference how active the life form is and how long it remains in its environment. Fine-Tuning for Life on Earth (JUNE 2002)
6/25/2002 The environmental requirements for life to exist depend quite strongly on the life form in question. The conditions for primitive life to exist, for example, are not nearly so demanding as they are for advanced life. Also, it makes a big difference how active the life form is and how long it remains in its environment. Fine-Tuning For Life On Earth (JUNE 2004)
6/8/2004 The environmental requirements for life to exist depend quite strongly on the life form in question. The conditions for primitive life to exist, for example, are not nearly so demanding as they are for advanced life. Also, it makes a big difference how active the life form is and how long it remains in its environment. Getting Water into the Mantle
9/5/2007 The date was February 22, 2007. The event was a NASCAR race at California Speedway in Fontana, CA. I stood in the stands with my oldest son as the green flag dropped. As the collective roar of 32,250 horsepower barreled down upon us, I stood amazed at how physically impacted I was—considering I had not moved. Global Warming
3/1/2007 Global warming is real. But its causes–therefore its solutions–are more complex than most people seem to realize. We tend to think Earth’s climate will always be optimal for human civilization if we just take good care of it. But nothing could be farther from the truth. When we put emotion and politics aside and take a rational look at our planet’s history, we see a different picture. Is Life Possible on a Moon?
12/10/2007 A team of American astronomers recently announced the discovery of the first known planet outside our solar system to spend its entire orbit within the “habitable zone.”1 When astronomers talk about a habitable zone for a planet they simply mean that the planet is orbiting within that distance from its star where surface liquid water would be possible–assuming the atmosphere of the planet is fine-tuned so as to trap the just right amount of heat from the planet’s star. Late Heavy Bombardment: Not So Sterile
6/24/2009 Fireworks, thunderbirds, thunderstorms, NASCAR races, earthquakes–each of these phenomena displays power, generally accompanied by loud noises. But they all pale in comparison to the fireworks that occurred early in Earth's history. Life Zones in Space
10/1/1999 Life is hardy, but it needs some basics—conditions which can only be found in systems of planets orbiting stars. No wonder these systems hold such fascination for scientists, for everyone! In October 1999, Science focused an entire edition on planetary systems. Magnetic Field of the Earth
5/4/2007 The earth’s magnetic field is critically important for at least two reasons: (1) it provides protection for life from high-energy particles originating from both cosmic rays and from our sun, and (2) it provides a Majestic Mountain Grandeur
1/21/2009 Does the universe end at the farthest reaches we can observe? If it doesn’t, then what characteristics does this realm beyond the observable universe exhibit? Metal Matters
4/1/2001 Uranium and thorium play a vital role in the plate tectonics and volcanism of planets. Consequently, the amount of these two metallic elements influences the ability of any planet to support advanced life. New Evidence for Life's Rapid Origin
1/1/2001 Recent research indicates that the Moon suffered intense asteroid and meteoroid bombardment impacting its entire surface some 3.9 billion years ago.1, 2 Because of the Moon’s proximity to Earth and because of Earth’s greater gravity, we can reasonably infer that Earth, too, suffered heavy bombardment at that time— an assault as much as thirty times more intense. Ode to Oxygen
4/1/2007 My seventh-grade science teacher asked the class to list “the three most essential needs of human life.” The “correct” answer—water, food, and sleep—illustrates how easily people take for granted the air we breathe, specifically its oxygen content. Most humans can live a few days without water, food, and sleep, and yet we can’t go more than a few minutes without oxygen. I understood that much in junior high, but at the time I had no idea that Earth’s oxygen-rich atmosphere represents—and facilitates—a miracle. Petroleum: God's Well-Timed Gift to Mankind
9/1/2004 I am old enough to remember the days when gasoline sold for $.26 a gallon. But, even at today's high prices, gasoline is a bargain compared to what it could cost if it were not so easily and abundantly accessible. Recent research by geologists and physicists reveals that humans are living at the best possible time in Earth's history for harvesting petroleum-a resource that helped launch and sustain advanced civilization. Petroleum: God's Well-Timed Gift to Mankind
7/1/2004 I am old enough to remember the days when gasoline sold for $.26 a gallon. But, even at today's high prices, gasoline is a bargain compared to what it could cost if it were not so easily and abundantly accessible. Recent research by geologists and physicists reveals that humans are living at the best possible time in Earth's history for harvesting petroleum-a resource that helped launch and sustain advanced civilization. Planet Formation: Problems with Water, Carbon, and Air
1/12/2009 Thanks to a study from two MIT planetary scientists, the rare planet doctrine now finds additional support. This is the conclusion that Earth has many unique, apparently designed features that enable it to support life and, in particular, advanced life. Planet Rotation Design
10/1/2007 Scientists have recognized for some time that the rotation rate of a planet must be fine-tuned to make advanced life on that planet possible. If the planet rotates too slowly, the temperature differences between day and night will become too extreme. If the planet rotates too quickly, the jet streams will become too laminar and too stable, causing parts of the planet to be too wet and the rest to be bone dry. Prehistoric Atmospheric Oxygen Levels
10/1/2008 Every part of human life experiences ups and downs. The stock market goes up and down just like my energy levels. As it turns out, the amount of life on Earth experiences similar changes. Probabilities for Life on Earth (2001)
1/1/2001 An Estimate of the Probability for Attaining the Necessary Parameters for Life Support Probabilities for Life on Earth (JUNE 2002)
6/25/2002 An Estimate of the Probability for Attaining the Necessary Parameters for Life Support Probability For Life On Earth (APR 2004)
5/6/2004 Probability Estimate for Attaining the Necessary Characteristics for a Life Support Body Search for Planets Draws a Blank
4/1/2001 Is the universe really rife with life sites, as Carl Sagan asserted? Research data continues to shape an answer to this question, but the weight of evidence falls, thus far, on the negative side. The ever-optimistic naturalist must work harder and more imaginatively to keep up appearances—and hope. Some Like It Hot—Especially the Continents
8/15/2007 I ran across an interesting article in Science Daily a few weeks ago. The article’s authors point to evidence that the vast majority of North America would reside under water if the rocks making up the continental crust were cooled to the same temperature as some of the oldest crust underneath Canada. Staving Off an Ice Age
4/1/2005 Global warming may not be all bad, and it may not be all that recent. Drilling deep into the ice of Antarctica and Greenland, scientists have found a different story, including some thought-provoking surprises.1 They see hints of a providential connection between global warming and civilization's development-not to mention survival. The Age(s) of the Continents
8/6/2008 The Hebrew phrase “tōhū wābōhū” provides the first description of Earth given in Genesis 1. Many English Bible translations render this description as “formless and void (or empty)”. The Hebrew words imply that Earth’s surface was a desolate, undistinguishable ruin. The Heavens Resound with a Message for Mankind
1/1/1999 Three astronomers have discovered yet another of the many delicate balances operating in our solar system, balances that protect life on this planet. Their investigation of planetary resonances (the intensification of gravitational effects resulting from orbital patterns and repeated, regular planetary alignments) indicates that without an Earth-Moon system just like ours, The Measurability of the Universe––a Record of the Creator’s Design
10/1/2000 If the universe were not measurable, scientific study would be impossible. Astronomy, biology, chemistry, cosmology, geology, physics, and the other disciplines of science would be no less quixotic than alchemy or astrology. Science would not—could not—shed much light in the cosmic darkness. Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
9/28/2007 One of the crucial tests in science (or any field, for that matter) for the validity of a theory or explanation is how well it stands up to the test of time. As more evidence is gathered, does this evidence support the theory (requiring only minor modifications), or does the evidence undermine key elements of the theory such that it is best abandoned altogether. Unique Moon Rising?
12/19/2007 Among all the moons in the solar system, Earth’s is unique in that it is so massive compared to the planet. The ratio of the Moon’s mass compared to Earth’s is almost 50 times larger than the next closest ratio of moon mass to planet mass (that would be Saturn’s moon Titan). What If There Were No Hurricanes?
1/1/2006 Those who have suffered through the recent North Atlantic hurricane season would probably prefer nothing more than an afternoon shower ever again. Why Does the Earth have Oceans?
11/18/2009 A few weeks ago, I posted a TNRTB describing the special circumstances in Earth's early history that ensured we had an adequate supply of osmium and iridium with which to develop a technological civilization. Further developments indicate that the carefully orchestrated events on early Earth played an even more critical role in establishing this planet's habitability. Why the Universe Is the Way It Is
1/1/2006 In the best-selling science book of all time, author Stephen Hawking explains that no human is content until he or she has complete answers to the following questions: "What is the nature of the universe? What is our place in it and where did it and we come from? Why is it the way it is?" Why We Need to Return to the Moon
5/28/2007 I vividly recall sitting up all night with a dozen other astronomy students as we watched live on television the first men walk on the moon. The Apollo missions were more than just television spectaculars, however. The Apollo program helped us solve the mystery of the moon’s origin and helped establish how amazingly designed the moon is for the support of advanced life on Earth. Our books The Creator and the Cosmos and Origins of Life tell the story. Earth/Moon DesignEarth/Moon Design |
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