Home › Resources › Publications › Reasons Newsletter › Reasons Newsletter - 2008 - September/October

Reasons Newsletter - 2008 - September/October

Why a Decaying Universe?

By Hugh Ross

It may seem ironic, but the same physical law that governs the decay process also makes engines work and physical life possible. The second law of thermodynamics, also known as the law of increasing entropy or simply the law of increasing decay, fundamentally has to do with heat transfer from hot bodies to cold.

The rate at which decay proceeds in the universe is extremely high. That may seem bad, but it’s not. If the rate of decay were any lower, galactic systems would trap radiation in such a manner that stars could not form. Starless galaxies would fill the universe. On the other hand, if the decay rate were slightly higher, no galactic systems would form at all. In either case there would be no “terrestrial ball” to serve as a home for life.

The extreme predominance of decay, or heat dissipation, not only makes Earth possible but also makes Earth a suitable home for physical life in countless ways. It impacts climatic conditions, chemical reactions, and plate tectonics, for example. What’s more, this level of heat flow makes possible all forms of work, including such basic life functions as respiration and digestion, even protein folding. In other words, without the constant and changeless operation of the second law of thermodynamics, physical life could not exist.

Ultimately, however, this law leads to dire cosmic consequences. British physicist William Thomson (known as Lord Kelvin) pointed out as early as 1851-52 that the universal dissipation of mechanical energy would inevitable lead to a complete diffusion of heat, the cessation of all motion, the exhaustion of potential energy, and a universal state of death.

This “heat death” follows from the simple fact that the flow of heat from hot bodies to cold eventually brings every bit of matter in the universe to the same temperature. At that point, heat flow everywhere ceases. Everything comes to a complete and final standstill, including consciousness itself. Therefore, if the universe is it, as in the sum total of reality, pessimism and despair represent the only reasonable responses to reality.

On the other hand, if the universe is not the sum total of all that’s real, then our existence may actually hold some meaning. If the “perfect world” people long for exists somewhere beyond this universe, then humanity’s hope, purpose, and destiny may be rooted in reality after all. Of course, the physical laws and dimensions of such a place would need to be different…

(adapted from Why the Universe Is the Way It Is)

 

Personal Experience

By Katie Galloway

“Well, do you believe in evolution?” Such was the typical reaction to the revelation that I was a Christian.
Welcome to Caltech, I thought as I took a deep breath.

Just a week into my graduate career in chemical engineering, I began appreciating my colleagues’ incredulity that I was both a serious scientist and an evangelical Christian. A number of them expected evangelicals to be backward simpletons who abhorred science as an abomination.

As an undergrad at UC Berkeley I’d experienced hostility toward my faith, yet the dogma at grad school felt thicker. Hardly a lecture went by without some beautiful, intricate natural system being lauded as “the product of billions of years of Darwinian evolution.”

I realized I needed to be better prepared to discuss science and faith with skeptics. Despite my doubts about evolution’s authority, I had no data to validate my concerns. Furthermore, fitting Genesis with science confused me. Then my mom gave me Origins of Life by Fazale Rana and Hugh Ross.

After reading it, not only did I gain better understanding of the origins of life and creation, but a curiosity awoke inside me. I wanted to know more about all of God’s creation. I studied the Bible and read about astronomy, geology, and evolutionary anthropology in an effort to synthesize a coherent worldview.

As I continued exploring God’s Word and world, I began understanding Scripture in a deeper way and seeing God’s goodness in creation. While my studies started as a mission to reach others through science apologetics, I realize that God uses my intellectual exploration to draw me close to him. Without this spiritual refreshment, I am unable to pour out his love to others.

I am grateful to the RTB team for enabling me to more fully experience God’s love through the revelation of his creation. Knowing and understanding the Truth fills my life with peace and with confidence that Jesus Christ is Lord and Creator. I will declare it wherever he leads me.

 

Addressing Resurrection Alternatives (Part Four)

By Kenneth Samples

The history of rock-and-roll abounds with legends regarding its biggest stars. The best known is the story that Elvis is alive, having faked his death in 1977 to escape the limelight. Another myth suggests that the real Paul McCartney died in 1966, and the man we now see as the iconic Beatle is actually an impersonator.

The general gist of these stories echoes two popular myths about another “celebrity” of his day, Jesus of Nazareth. In Jesus’ case, however, the myths arose centuries after his death, when validation of the facts would be more difficult. Nevertheless, that validation can still be reasonably and adequately accomplished.

The “Swoon” Hypothesis
Some skeptics suggest that Jesus did not actually die on the cross, but simply passed out. However, medical details included in the Gospel accounts provide significant indicators that death did occur. When the soldiers speared Jesus’ side, the executioners saw that his body’s blood and water had separated. He had already expired; so there was no need to break Jesus’ legs to hasten death. Furthermore, given the abuse Christ suffered from the earlier floggings it’s amazing he lasted as long as he did. The idea that he could have recovered fully and quickly enough to move a massive stone, overcome a contingent of Roman guards, and fool his followers is utterly preposterous on all counts.

The “Impersonator” Hypothesis
Another proposed resurrection alternative is that Jesus was impersonated by an unknown twin or other person. Huge credibility issues arise from the notion that an exact look-alike, with precisely studied words, voice, and gestures, could have pulled off a convincing deception—and only after, rather than during, Jesus’ years of ministry and growing popularity. If a fake were good enough to fool the disciples, he would have fooled those who wanted Christ dead, as well. And it seems doubtful they would have refrained from finishing him off once and for all.

Conclusion
Both these myths represent ad hoc hypotheses emerging from anti-supernatural presuppositions. No historian of Jesus’ era, Jewish, Roman or other, denied or even questioned his death. Yet when people insist that the natural realm is the sum total of reality, any natural explanation, no matter how strange or implausible, is preferable to acknowledging a miracle. Look for discussions of the last two resurrection alternatives in future issues of Reasons.

 

Feedback

RTB’s Customer Service Manager Michelle Young shares how Reasons To Believe has impacted her outspokenness for Christ.

At an outdoor café with my kids, I overheard a young man excitedly say to his friend, “I call it the awakening.” He went on to describe his experiences with channeling and his realization of an “unseen reality.” His older friend endorsed everything and recounted his own mystical experiences.

Prior to working for Reasons To Believe, regardless of my love for Christ, I would not have interjected myself into their dialogue. Rather, I would have succumbed to the sickening fear of being “ill-equipped.” This day, however, I asked to be invited into their conversation. The exchange offered opportunities to “test all things.” Though the young man attempted to offer valid answers for his “faith,” he was left with only subjective experiences. That is when I presented the truth of Christ.

I was able to give the reason for my faith and testable evidences. Everything from God’s big bang to the historical empty tomb. I can’t say what was the greatest blessing that day: planting the seeds of the Gospel or giving my own children the opportunity to hear that we really do have reasons to believe.

 

Stewardship: Monthly Giving Partners

Reasons To Believe receives some of its most consistent support through our monthly partners. These faithful Message of the Month (M.O.M.) partners in ministry allow RTB to continually provide compelling new evidence from the frontiers of research for faith in Jesus Christ. Such dependable monthly support also allows us to plan our outreach efforts more effectively.

We have recently introduced Smart Support—a new giving program for M.O.M. participants and other ministry partners. This convenient method of automatic giving allows contributors to have their regular gift drawn directly from their checking account or their credit or debit card each month. It’s a great way to provide consistent support for RTB impact.

RTB would love to include you in this important and faithful group. For more information call 800-482-7836 or use the response form included with this newsletter to request further details.

Already a M.O.M. member? Thank you for your commitment and faithfulness!


 
Contact Us Site Map Privacy Policy Security Web Site Design Orange County - Trinet Internet Solutions, Inc.