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Home › Resources › Publications › Reasons Newsletter › Reasons Newsletter - 2009 - September/October
Reasons Newsletter - 2009 - September/October
A Case for Divine DesignBy Fazale Rana “I saw the pale student of unhallowed arts kneeling beside the thing he had put together. I saw the hideous phantasm of a man stretched out, and then, on the working of some powerful engine, show signs of life, and stir with an uneasy, half vital motion.” In Mary Shelley’s cautionary thriller, burgeoning scientist Victor Frankenstein obsesses over discovering how to bring inanimate matter to life and eventually bestows life on a humanoid monster, only to later abandon it in disgust. Victor’s moral failings result in tragic deaths at the hands of his creature. It’s not clear who’s the true monster—Victor, his creature, or both. If there is a real life Frankenstein, he might well be Craig Venter. Possibly one of the most important scientists in recent years, Venter has little patience for the red tape and bureaucracy that characterize many scientific programs. Like the fictional Victor Frankenstein, he is a polarizing figure, much admired and much hated by people inside and outside the scientific community. Venter’s company, Synthetic Genomics, is devoted to creating artificial, nonnatural living microbes that demonstrate commercial utility. This work has generated a mixture of excitement and horror. Scientists like Venter claim that these novel life-forms will benefit humanity and go a long way toward resolving the energy and climate crises. But this endeavor raises questions. Should human beings “play God”? Many people, both theists and atheists, believe that if these researchers attain their goal, then there must be nothing special about any life. They’re prepared to say life’s origin could have easily taken place on the early Earth without God’s involvement. While the ongoing work by Venter’s team stands as a major milestone in the quest to “create” an artificial life-form, ironically, instead of supporting an evolutionary origin of life, this research demonstrates that life’s beginnings and transformation cannot happen apart from the work of an intelligent, purposeful agent. Scientists are not just rushing into the lab to throw nucleotides haphazardly into test tubes. Instead, they have devised a synthesis strategy with painstaking effort. Each stage of this process demands exact planning and execution, as well as knowledge of the intended outcome. For example, Venter’s team must identify the minimal gene set required for life’s existence before they can reengineer an artificial life-form from the top down. As they continue to hone in on life’s essential genes and biochemical systems, what’s most striking is the remarkable complexity of life even in its minimal form. And this basic complexity is the first clue that life requires a Creator. Resource: For more on Venter’s research and its consequences, look for Fuz’s next book, tentatively titled Life in the Lab, coming September 2010! Follow Fuz’s updates on Facebook (search: Fazale Rana).
By Invitation OnlyBy Hugh Ross and Kenneth Samples Many vampire tales—including Dracula— feature blood-sucking villains that cannot enter a house unless allowed in by one of the inhabitants. Thereafter, the vampire may come and go at will. This imagery aptly describes the relationship between residual UFO (RUFO) encounters and the demonic world of the occult. Participation with occult phenomena opens the door to UFO encounters and other experiences that carry negative consequences for a person’s overall health and vitality in this life and the next. Scripture expressly forbids involvement in any occult practices (Deuteronomy 18:10–12). UFO experiences involve such occult beliefs and practices as mediumistic “channeling” of alien entities, automatic writing, telepathy, teleportation, dematerialization, levitation, and psychokinesis.1 To engage in this hidden world is to seek knowledge—and power—apart from God’s intended and freely given revelation of truth. Occult practitioners submit themselves to spiritual authority other than God’s, with devastating results.2 Trance channeling most clearly reflects the occult. Scripture warns, “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them” (Leviticus 19:31). Theologian and apologist Ron Rhodes defines a channeler as “a person who yields control of his or her perceptual and cognitive capacities to a spiritual entity or force with the intent of receiving paranormal information.”3 If and when real contact is made, that link connects the person with “the powers of this dark world” (Ephesians 6:12). Because channelers allow entities to take over their minds and bodies, they are susceptible to, and may indeed become, oppressed or possessed by demons. This emphasis on danger and malevolence doesn’t mean that UFO experiences necessarily appear horrific. Some appear, at least initially, as uplifting encounters. But the apostle Paul warns that a messenger of darkness may “masquerade as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14–15). Demons are powerful and dangerous. But we need not feel hopeless or powerless in the face of their attacks or temptations. God’s power is greater. By His gracious provision, God makes His power available to humanity through Jesus Christ. Through Him, all occult invitations can be cancelled, totally nullified. References:
The Tricky Topic of Halloweenby Kenneth Richard Samples In terms of commercial sales, Halloween ranks second only to Christmas. But is this holiday an occult extravaganza or a harmless celebration? Halloween’s origins Halloween can be traced, in part, to the ancient Celtic winter festival “Samhain.” Around October 31, pagans commemorated the harvest, winter, and the physical cycle of death. Activities included placating trickster spirits with “treats.” But Christianity has also influenced Halloween. Its name comes from “All Hallows’ Eve,” referring to the evening before the celebration of All Saints’ Day (November 1). Viewing Halloween as only a pagan holiday is inaccurate. Believers need good reasoning to support convictions. Condemning Halloween on the basis of pagan origins commits the genetic fallacy, where something is evaluated solely in terms of its origin, without considering how it has changed over time.1 Does Halloween open a door to the occult? The occult world is real and energized by demonic powers. Christians must recognize and resist this realm. Spiritual beliefs and actions bear consequences in this world and the next. However, I distinguish a clear difference between the occult traditions of spiritism, magic, and divination and the modern customs of trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins, and bobbing for apples. The occult realm must be entered by human interest and initiative. General Halloween practices do not draw people into sinister activities. Personally, I find it hard to believe that trick-or-treating constitutes spiritistic racketeering. It seems difficult not to heartily treat a young child dressed up as “Optimus Prime” or “Hannah Montana.” Even the recognized Christian authority on cults and the occult, Walter Martin, said, “If Big Bird comes to my door, he’s definitely going to get a treat.” The intent here isn’t to engage in hairsplitting over potentially dangerous activities but rather to make logical and moral distinctions. If any Halloween practice is perceived as violating one’s conscience and commitment to biblical truth then that person should rightly and quietly abstain. Suggestions for Christians when it comes to Halloween
References: 1. T. Edward Damer, Attacking Faulty Reasoning, 3d ed. (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1995), 36–37. Resource: For more tips on using logic and reason to support moral choices, check out Ken’s podcast, Straight Thinking.
SupportOur scholar team has put together a new pocket-sized resource entitled, Passport: Traveler’s Guide to Our Solar System. It’s filled with fascinating facts and stunning design evidences observable in every part of our planetary complex, clear out to its farthest edge. You’ll receive a copy of Passport with our thanks for your financial support of RTB this month. Simply request it when you send your gift using the enclosed form. Thank you for partnering with us during this busy fall season of outreach.
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