2007 by david a. prentice logic and science in the study of origins by david a. prentice, m.ed.,...

2007 by David A. Prentice

LOGIC AND SCIENCE IN THE STUDY OF ORIGINS

LOGIC AND SCIENCE IN THE STUDY OF ORIGINS

By David A. Prentice, M.Ed., M.A.S.T.By David A. Prentice, M.Ed., M.A.S.T.


“In the beginning God created.”“In the beginning God created.”

A number of school districts across the nation have tried to include “intelligent design” -- the mere possibility that an intelligence could be

responsible for the universe -- in their curriculum.

A number of school districts across the nation have tried to include “intelligent design” -- the mere possibility that an intelligence could be

responsible for the universe -- in their curriculum.

Every single one of them has been forbidden by the courts to even mention the

possibility to students. The courts have decreed that we are an atheistic nation.

Every single one of them has been forbidden by the courts to even mention the

possibility to students. The courts have decreed that we are an atheistic nation.

WHICH PART OF GOD’S WORD IS UNDER THE GREATEST ATTACK?

WHICH PART OF GOD’S WORD IS UNDER THE GREATEST ATTACK?


Nationwide reports indicate that a high percentage of Christian students – some say over 70% -- abandon the Christian faith within

their first year of college.

The most common reason: they cannot respond to evolutionary claims that contradict their faith,

so they conclude Christianity is all a lie!

How many Christian youths are “ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you” (1 Pet. 3:15)?

Nationwide reports indicate that a high percentage of Christian students – some say over 70% -- abandon the Christian faith within

their first year of college.

The most common reason: they cannot respond to evolutionary claims that contradict their faith,

so they conclude Christianity is all a lie!

How many Christian youths are “ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you” (1 Pet. 3:15)?

DOES EVOLUTION MATTER?DOES EVOLUTION MATTER?


THE FASTEST-GROWING RELIGION IN AMERICA:

THE FASTEST-GROWING RELIGION IN AMERICA:

“NO RELIGION!”“NO RELIGION!”

A 2009 survey by Trinity College shows that those who call themselves

Christians have decreased to 76%, while “No religion” has increased to 15%.

A 2009 survey by Trinity College shows that those who call themselves

Christians have decreased to 76%, while “No religion” has increased to 15%.

The biggest drop has been in churches that have abandoned the Bible.

The biggest drop has been in churches that have abandoned the Bible.


This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own

selves… Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof…

Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds,

reprobate concerning the faith. (2 Tim 3:1-8)

Why such a decrease in many churches?Why such a decrease in many churches?

Is there a “form of godliness” in the shrinking churches?

Of course! They are churches!

Is there a “form of godliness” in the shrinking churches?

Of course! They are churches!

BUT HOW POWERUL IS THEIR GOD?BUT HOW POWERUL IS THEIR GOD?


As of 3/27/09, almost 12,000 American MINISTERS signed the “Clergy Letter Project” stating

that they believe in evolution.

As of 3/27/09, almost 12,000 American MINISTERS signed the “Clergy Letter Project” stating

that they believe in evolution.

1,049 congregations held “Darwin Day” in February.1,049 congregations held “Darwin Day” in February.

Their God either:1. Doesn’t care if he tells the truth about how everything began, 2. Lied about it on purpose, or3. Was not intelligent enough to tell the

truth until Darwin did it for him.

Having a form of godliness but denying its power!Having a form of godliness but denying its power!


EVOLUTION IS SCIENCEEVOLUTION IS SCIENCE

INTELLIGENT DESIGN AND CREATION ARE RELIGION


WHAT WE ARE CONSTANTLY TOLD:WHAT WE ARE CONSTANTLY TOLD:


HOW DO YOU

KNOW WHAT

YOU KNOW?Or at least what you think you know?

HOW DO YOU

KNOW WHAT

YOU KNOW?Or at least what you think you know?

????

???? ??

??


1. Personal Experience through the five senses. I know a bee sting hurts; I know how to ride a bike.

1. Personal Experience through the five senses. I know a bee sting hurts; I know how to ride a bike.

2. Reliance on Authority. I know the sun is 93 million miles away; Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.

2. Reliance on Authority. I know the sun is 93 million miles away; Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.3. Logic.

I know 2 million + 2 million = 4 million, even though I’ve never counted that high. I know I have a brain, even though I’ve never seen it.

3. Logic. I know 2 million + 2 million = 4 million, even though I’ve never counted that high. I know I have a brain, even though I’ve never seen it.

4. Feeling or Intuition. I know she’s the one for me; I know God has called me to the ministry.

4. Feeling or Intuition. I know she’s the one for me; I know God has called me to the ministry.

5. Wishful Thinking (you really want it to be true) I just know I’m going to win the lottery!

5. Wishful Thinking (you really want it to be true) I just know I’m going to win the lottery!

6. Bluffing (lying) - you try to persuade others for an ulterior motive. You should buy these tickets from me because I know this team is going to the Super Bowl this year; I know evolution is a fact!

6. Bluffing (lying) - you try to persuade others for an ulterior motive. You should buy these tickets from me because I know this team is going to the Super Bowl this year; I know evolution is a fact!

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “KNOW” SOMETHING?WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “KNOW” SOMETHING?WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “KNOW” SOMETHING?WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “KNOW” SOMETHING?


WHAT CAN YOU BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN OF?

WHAT CAN YOU BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN OF?

If someone tells you “There is no such thing as absolute truth,” ask them:

Are you absolutely sure?

If someone tells you “There is no such thing as absolute truth,” ask them:

Are you absolutely sure?

The concept that each observer creates his own reality is not scientific, but religious! It is a

fundamental part of Eastern philosophy (e.g., Hinduism), which assumes without proof that

there is no personal God who determines truth.

The concept that each observer creates his own reality is not scientific, but religious! It is a

fundamental part of Eastern philosophy (e.g., Hinduism), which assumes without proof that

there is no personal God who determines truth.


WHERE DID SCIENCE COME FROM?WHERE DID SCIENCE COME FROM?

Eastern ReligionsEastern Religions1. The physical universe is an illusion.1. The physical universe is an illusion.

RESULT: There is no point in

studying nature.

RESULT: There is no point in

studying nature.

2. There is no such thing as objective reality.2. There is no such thing as objective reality.3. Because of this, it is not possible to accurately measure the universe or know things about it with certainty.

3. Because of this, it is not possible to accurately measure the universe or know things about it with certainty.

Western ReligionsWestern Religions

RESULT: The Scientific Method.

RESULT: The Scientific Method.

1. The physical universe is real.1. The physical universe is real.2. There is such a thing as objective reality.2. There is such a thing as objective reality.3. It is possible to accurately measure the universe and know things about it with varying degrees of certainty.

3. It is possible to accurately measure the universe and know things about it with varying degrees of certainty.

Science owes its very existence to Western religious belief.

Science owes its very existence to Western religious belief.


Though Eastern religions say the universe is just an illusion, those

who claim to believe those religions still look both ways before they

cross the street.

They know those cars are really real!

Though Eastern religions say the universe is just an illusion, those

who claim to believe those religions still look both ways before they

cross the street.

They know those cars are really real!


EVOLUTION IS SCIENCEEVOLUTION IS SCIENCE



WHAT MOST PEOPLE THINK:WHAT MOST PEOPLE THINK:

BUT EXACTLY WHAT DO THE WORDS “CREATION” AND “EVOLUTION” IMPLY?

BUT EXACTLY WHAT DO THE WORDS “CREATION” AND “EVOLUTION” IMPLY?


TIME

EVOLUTION:Initial Disorganization

with later increase in complexity and unlimited diversification.


with later increase in complexity and unlimited diversification.

Evolutionary “Tree”All life came from one simple cell

Not just change, but change in the direction of increasing complexity.

Not just change, but change in the direction of increasing complexity.


2 GENERAL MODELS OF EVOLUTION:2 GENERAL MODELS OF EVOLUTION:

Materialistic (Atheistic) Evolution

Everything evolved by purely natural processes

Theistic Evolution

God used evolution as His method of creating

2 Specific Models About Evolution of Living Things:2 Specific Models About

Evolution of Living Things:

Neo-Darwinism: Evolution occurred slowly

and gradually.Many have abandoned this belief because of the fossil evidence.

Punctuated Equilibria: Evolution occurred in

sudden jumps.The biological evidence against

this belief is overwhelming.


1. In science, the word “Theory” is a very powerful

term. It means that an idea has been tested over

and over and has never failed a single test. Calling

an idea a Theory is a high compliment.

2. Evolution is not a scientific theory because it is

impossible to test! It is a HYPOTHESIS instead.

There is no way we could perform an exper-

iment to make apes evolve into humans. Likewise,

the “big bang” is not testable. It relies on

computer models rather than experimentation. It,

too, is a hypothesis rather than a theory.

BIG MISTAKE: saying “Evolution is only a theory.”



TIME

CREATION:CREATION:

Creationist “Forest”All life came from multiple complex ancestors.

Initial ComplexityInitial Complexitywith later deterioration and diversification within limitswith later deterioration and diversification within limits

Not just change, but change in the direction of decreasing complexity.Not just change, but change in the direction of decreasing complexity.


3 VARIATIONS OF CREATION:3 VARIATIONS OF CREATION:3 VARIATIONS OF CREATION:3 VARIATIONS OF CREATION:Recent Rapid Creation

(perhaps within the last 10,000 years)

The Gap Theory (creation and ruin in the distant

past, recent re-creation)

Progressive Creation or the “Day-Age” Theory

(creation spread out over billions of years -- really a theistic version of Punctuated

Equilibria evolution)

All are forms of Intelligent Design.


CONTRAST OF BASIC MODELS:CONTRAST OF BASIC MODELS:

CREATION:Initial Complexity

with later deterioration and diversification within limits

(complex to simple)


with later increase in complexity and unlimited diversification

(simple to complex)


CAN SCIENCE (AND SCIENTISTS) ALLOW US TO KNOW FOR SURE

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE UNIVERSE,

EARTH, AND LIFE?

CAN SCIENCE (AND SCIENTISTS) ALLOW US TO KNOW FOR SURE

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE UNIVERSE,

EARTH, AND LIFE?


REASONS TO BELIEVE OTHERS WHO TRY TO PERSUADE US OF WHAT THEY “KNOW”


IS IT BECAUSE:IS IT BECAUSE:

(1) They claim to have personal experience, OR(1) They claim to have personal experience, OR

OR are we willing to trust their (4) intuition, (5) wishful thinking, or (6) bluffing?


(2) They appeal to an authority we trust, OR(2) They appeal to an authority we trust, OR

(3) We have checked out their logic and found it trustworthy?(3) We have checked out their logic and found it trustworthy?


1. No living person has personal experience.

2. There are no eyewitness accounts except the

Bible, which is unacceptable to skeptics.

SO HOW DO WE “KNOW” ABOUT THE BEGINNING? Through LOGIC ONLY.





THE PREHISTORIC PASTTHE PREHISTORIC PAST


A FALSE CHALLENGE TO CREATIONISMA FALSE CHALLENGE TO CREATIONISM

“There is no evidence for creation.”“There is no evidence for creation.”

Such a statement shows a misunderstanding of what evidence is. Evidence is not “for”

one side or the other. In a court of law, the prosecution and the defense refer to the same evidence – they just interpret it differently. Likewise, both sides in the creation/evolution controversy use the same evidence, whether it be pieces of bone, rock strata, or the light from distant stars. We just interpret it differently.


Both sides look at the same evidence…

Both sides look at the same evidence…

We just start with different

logical premises to interpret it.

We just start with different

logical premises to interpret it.


1. INDUCTIVE.1. INDUCTIVE.

2. DEDUCTIVE.2. DEDUCTIVE.

THE TWO TYPES OF LOGICTHE TWO TYPES OF LOGIC

Look at many phenomena and try to discover a pattern that points to a general principle. Inductive logic tries to determine the most reasonable (most likely) conclusion.This is the heart of the scientific method.

Start with general principles accepted as true and apply them to specific cases.

Deductive logic tries to establish absolute truth, i.e., the conclusion MUST be true.

This is the basis of mathematics, NOT science.


CONTRASTING LOGICCONTRASTING LOGIC

The conclusions of inductive logic result from examination of observable phenomena

(a posteriori). They are testable.

The premises of deductive logic may come from inductive conclusions, or they may

just be statements accepted as self-evident (a priori). They are

not necessarily the result of testing.


Based on the deductive logic of the ancient Greeks, who believed that logic always leads to truth.

Testing was unimportant to them.

Based on the deductive logic of the ancient Greeks, who believed that logic always leads to truth.

Testing was unimportant to them.

SCIENCE” UNTIL THE MIDDLE AGES:SCIENCE” UNTIL THE MIDDLE AGES:

Most famous Greek philosopher: Aristotle (inventor of the logic still used today),

whose ideas were taught as fact for about 2,000 years throughout Europe,

west Asia, and Africa.

Most famous Greek philosopher: Aristotle (inventor of the logic still used today),

whose ideas were taught as fact for about 2,000 years throughout Europe,

west Asia, and Africa.


“Scientific” ideas of Aristotle TAUGHT AS FACT in European Universities for 2000 YEARS:

“Scientific” ideas of Aristotle TAUGHT AS FACT in European Universities for 2000 YEARS:

1. The earth is the center of the solar system.Falsified by Copernicus.

1. The earth is the center of the solar system.Falsified by Copernicus.

EXAMPLES OF INCORRECT CONCLU-SIONS BASED ON FAULTY LOGIC

EXAMPLES OF INCORRECT CONCLU-SIONS BASED ON FAULTY LOGIC

2. Heavier objects fall faster.Falsified by Galileo.

2. Heavier objects fall faster.Falsified by Galileo.

3. All objects possess an innate tendency to come to rest.Falsified by Newton.

3. All objects possess an innate tendency to come to rest.Falsified by Newton.


ARISTOTLE’S MOST BASIC MISTAKE IN LOGIC:

ARISTOTLE’S MOST BASIC MISTAKE IN LOGIC:

1. He reasoned that if the stars were different distances, they should display parallax.

1. He reasoned that if the stars were different distances, they should display parallax.

3. Therefore he decided “If I cannot see parallax then it does not exist.”

3. Therefore he decided “If I cannot see parallax then it does not exist.”

2. He could not detect any parallax. 2. He could not detect any parallax.

Assuming there was no parallax led him to be wrong about EVERYTHING ELSE!

Assuming there was no parallax led him to be wrong about EVERYTHING ELSE!


If I am at Mount Everest, then I am at the highest mountain in the world.

TRUE.THE CONVERSE:

If I am at the highest mountain in the world, then I am at Mount Everest.

ALSO TRUE.

A converse is ONLY reliable if there is an exact one-to-one match

between the “If” and “Then” parts.

Common Errors in Logic: ConversesCommon Errors in Logic: Converses


If I am at Victoria Falls, then I am at one of the largest waterfalls in the world.

TRUE.THE CONVERSE:

If I am at one of the largest waterfalls in the world, then I am at Victoria Falls.

FALSE.



PROPER LOGIC FLOWPROPER LOGIC FLOW

AT ONE OF THE LARGEST WATERFALLS

IF AT VICTORIA FALLS

IF AT NIAGARA FALLS

IF AT ANGEL FALLS

IF AT OTHER LARGE WATER-

FALL

IF AT KAIETEUR FALLS


If evolution is true, then the universe and life would exist.TRUE.

THE CONVERSE:If the universe and life exist, then evolution is true.

FALSE.

All teaching of “evolution only” in schools rests on the invalid use of a logical converse.

All teaching of “evolution only” in schools rests on the invalid use of a logical converse.

If I am at Victoria Falls, then I am at one of the largest waterfalls in the world.

TRUE.THE CONVERSE:

If I am at one of the largest waterfalls in the world, then I am at Victoria Falls.

FALSE.



UNIVERSE EXISTS

ATHEISTIC EVOLUTION CORRECT

THEISTIC EVOLUTION CORRECT

YOUNG-EARTH CREATION CORRECT

SOMETHING ELSE CORRECT

POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS FOR THE UNIVERSEPOSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS FOR THE UNIVERSE

OLD-EARTH CREATION CORRECT


EVEN WITH CORRECT LOGIC, FALSE PREMISES CAN LEAD TO FALSE CONCLUSIONS.

EVEN WITH CORRECT LOGIC, FALSE PREMISES CAN LEAD TO FALSE CONCLUSIONS.

All dogs bark. (Or, “If an animal is a dog, then it barks.”)

Fido is a dog.Therefore, Fido barks.

Not if

Fido is a

Basenji!

Not if

Fido is a

Basenji!

Basenjis do not bark.

Basenjis do not bark.

If any one of our premises is wrong, then our conclusion is unreliable.

If any one of our premises is wrong, then our conclusion is unreliable.


if P

then Q

To represent a syllogism graphically, anything inside the

inner circle (“if”) is automatically inside the outer circle (“then”).

To represent a syllogism graphically, anything inside the

inner circle (“if”) is automatically inside the outer circle (“then”).

if live in New

Orleans

live in La.

live in U.S.

live on earth

Syllogisms can also be chained (transitive logic).Syllogisms can also be

chained (transitive logic).

DEDUCTIVE LOGIC AND SYLLOGISMSDEDUCTIVE LOGIC AND SYLLOGISMSIf P is true, then Q is true. (Major premise)

P is true. (Minor premise)

Therefore, Q is true. (Conclusion)


POSTULATES - Premises that are taken as self-evident and accepted without proof.

POSTULATES - Premises that are taken as self-evident and accepted without proof.

Euclid’s Parallel Line Postulate says that for any line, there can be only one parallel line through a point not on the first line.

First line

Point not on the first line Only one parallel line

BUT IS IT REALLY SELF-EVIDENT? Riemannian and Lobachevskian geometry say that space is curved,

so there is no such thing as an infinitely long straight line in the sense that we understand “straight.”

BUT IS IT REALLY SELF-EVIDENT? Riemannian and Lobachevskian geometry say that space is curved,

so there is no such thing as an infinitely long straight line in the sense that we understand “straight.”

One says space is positively curved, so there are an infinite

number of parallel lines through a point not on a line.

The other says space is negatively curved, so there are

no parallel lines. All lines intersect at infinity.

EACH OF THE THREE IS THE BASIS OF A DIFFERENT VERSION OF GEOMETRY, BUT NONE CAN BE PROVEN. EACH OF THE THREE IS THE BASIS OF A DIFFERENT

VERSION OF GEOMETRY, BUT NONE CAN BE PROVEN.


IT TAKES ONLY ONE COUNTEREXAMPLE TO DISPROVE A PREMISE.

IT TAKES ONLY ONE COUNTEREXAMPLE TO DISPROVE A PREMISE.

“If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed which could not

possibly have been formed by numerous successive, slight modifications, my

theory would absolutely break down.”

Charles Darwin, The Origin of Species


BASIC PREMISES OF EVOLUTION AND CREATIONBASIC PREMISES OF EVOLUTION AND CREATION

LIKE THE POSTULATES OF GEOMETRY, NEITHER SET OF PREMISES CAN BE PROVEN. THEY MUST BE ACCEPTED BY FAITH AS SELF-EVIDENT.


Known as either NATURALISM, MATERIALISM, or ATHEISM.

1. Everything must be explainable by purely natural processes.

a. Atheistic evolution: There is no God. b. Theistic evolution: Since the Big Bang,

God has had little involvement with nature.

1. A supernatural intelligence created the universe. Though most things are explainable by natural processes, some things may not be.

This is as far as Intelligent Design goes; Creation specifies that the intelligence is God.

CREATION:CREATION:EVOLUTION:EVOLUTION:


EVERYTHING must be explainable by PURELY NATURAL PROCESSES.

(If something is a physical phenomenon, then it must have a physical cause.)

THE FUNDAMENTAL PREMISE OF EVOLUTION:THE FUNDAMENTAL PREMISE OF EVOLUTION:

But what if evolutionists find something that is NOT explainable by natural processes?

But what if evolutionists find something that is NOT explainable by natural processes?

Sure it is -- they just make up an expla-nation! And since they are smart enough to make up a clever story, therefore their

story must be true.


EVOLUTION: Natural Processes Only!EVOLUTION: Natural Processes Only!

"Even if all the data point to an intelligent designer, such a hypothesis is excluded from science

because it is not naturalistic."Immunologist Scott C. Todd in a letter to

Nature magazine, Sept. 1999

“... the theory of evolution itself [is] a theory universally accepted not because it can be proved by logically coherent evidence to be true but because the only alternative, special creation, is clearly incredible.”

D.M.S. Watson, “Adaptation,” Nature, Vol. 123 (1929), p.233


EVOLUTION: Natural Processes Only!EVOLUTION: Natural Processes Only! "We take the side of science in spite of the patent absurdity of some of its constructs, in spite of its failure to fulfill many of its extravagant promises of health and life, in spite of the tolerance of the scientific community for unsubstantiated just-so stories*, because we have a prior commitment, a commitment to materialism. “It is not that the methods and institutions of science somehow compel us to accept a material explanation of the phenomenal world, but, on the contrary, that we are forced by our a priori adherence to material causes to create an apparatus of investigation and a set of concepts that produce material explanations, no matter how counterintuitive, no matter how mystifying to the uninitiated. Moreover, that materialism is an absolute, for we cannot allow a Divine Foot in the door.”

Richard Lewontin, Billions and billions of demons, The New York Review, p. 31, 9 January 1997

* A reference to Rudyard Kipling’s 1902 book “Just-So Stories”* A reference to Rudyard Kipling’s 1902 book “Just-So Stories”


NECESSARY CHARACTERISTICSNECESSARY CHARACTERISTICS

GOD1. Only seen by what He does - INVISIBLE.

GOD1. Only seen by what He does - INVISIBLE.2. Established natural laws, so is not subject to those laws - SUPERNATURAL.

2. Established natural laws, so is not subject to those laws - SUPERNATURAL.

3. Preceded the universe - ETERNAL.3. Preceded the universe - ETERNAL.4. Influence extends throughout the universe - OMNIPRESENT.4. Influence extends throughout the universe - OMNIPRESENT.

5. Directly or indirectly responsible for everything that has ever happened - OMNIPOTENT.

5. Directly or indirectly responsible for everything that has ever happened - OMNIPOTENT.6. Nobody made Him - SELF- EXISTENT.6. Nobody made Him - SELF- EXISTENT.


What if there is no God? Then the universe would have to be the result of a series of forces,

processes, and events operating with no particular purpose for billions of years.

We could call the whole series “evolution,” “quantum fluctuation,” or “accident.” Let’s use the

term “Random Chance,” with the understanding that it represents the whole multibillion year series of

forces, processes, and events.

What characteristics would Random Chance have to have?

What if there is no God? Then the universe would have to be the result of a series of forces,

processes, and events operating with no particular purpose for billions of years.

We could call the whole series “evolution,” “quantum fluctuation,” or “accident.” Let’s use the

term “Random Chance,” with the understanding that it represents the whole multibillion year series of

forces, processes, and events.

What characteristics would Random Chance have to have?

IF THERE IS NO GOD, THEN WHAT?IF THERE IS NO GOD, THEN WHAT?


NECESSARY CHARACTERISTICSNECESSARY CHARACTERISTICS

GOD1. Only seen by what He does - INVISIBLE.

GOD1. Only seen by what He does - INVISIBLE.2. Established natural laws, so is not subject to those laws - SUPERNATURAL.




5. Directly or indirectly responsible for everything that has ever happened - OMNIPOTENT.6. Nobody made Him - SELF- EXISTENT.6. Nobody made Him - SELF- EXISTENT.

RANDOM CHANCE1. Only seen by what it does - INVISIBLE.

RANDOM CHANCE1. Only seen by what it does - INVISIBLE.2. Established natural laws, so is not subject to those laws - SUPERNATURAL.




5. Directly or indirectly responsible for everything that has ever happened - OMNIPOTENT.6. Nobody made it - SELF- EXISTENT.6. Nobody made it - SELF- EXISTENT.

It is logically necessary to believe in SOME sort of God-like entity.It is logically necessary to believe in SOME sort of God-like entity.





2. Since there could be no other natural processes besides evolution, evolution is the only possibility.

2. God is powerful enough to use any method he chooses, including instantaneous creation.







ARE THERE LIMITS TO SCIENCE?ARE THERE LIMITS TO SCIENCE?Imagine a scientist who decides to learn what’s in the ocean.

He makes a net 100 feet in diameter, with holes 2 inches across. He attaches the net to a 1 mile long rope,

then repeatedly drops it into the deep ocean from a ship.

Imagine a scientist who decides to learn what’s in the ocean. He makes a net 100 feet in diameter, with holes 2 inches across.

He attaches the net to a 1 mile long rope, then repeatedly drops it into the deep ocean from a ship.

His conclusion:EVERYTHING IN THE OCEAN IS AT LEAST 2 INCHES LONG AND

HAS FINS.(If my net can’t catch

it, it doesn’t exist.)

His conclusion:EVERYTHING IN THE OCEAN IS AT LEAST 2 INCHES LONG AND

HAS FINS.(If my net can’t catch

it, it doesn’t exist.)

His critics say, “You may be fishing in the wrong place, with the wrong net. There may be things in the ocean you can’t catch that way.”

His critics say, “You may be fishing in the wrong place, with the wrong net. There may be things in the ocean you can’t catch that way.”

His reply: “You’re being superstitious. All the scientific observation shows that I’m right.”

His reply: “You’re being superstitious. All the scientific observation shows that I’m right.”

He cannot prove that he is right (a universal negative), but the critics only need to produce one specimen to show that he is wrong.

He cannot prove that he is right (a universal negative), but the critics only need to produce one specimen to show that he is wrong.

Their response: “You’re placing all your faith in your net and your choice of location.”Their response: “You’re placing all your faith in your net and your choice of location.”


NO POSSIBILITY BUT EVOLUTION!NO POSSIBILITY BUT EVOLUTION!

“Biologists must constantly keep in mind that what they see was not designed, but rather evolved.”

"What Mad Pursuit: A Personal View of Scientific Discovery," by

Francis Crick (Nobel Prize winner for co-discovery of the structure of DNA)

In other words, “Our minds are made up. Don’t try to

confuse us with the facts.”

In other words, “Our minds are made up. Don’t try to

confuse us with the facts.”





2. Since there could be no other natural processes besides evolution, evolution is the only possibility.

2. God is powerful enough to use any method he chooses, including instantaneous creation.

3. Since evolution has never been seen in human history, it must be very slow. The universe and earth have to be billions of years old.

3. Creation does not automatically require a specific age.

a. Recent Creation: The earth is prob- ably less than 10,000 years old. b. Gap Theory & Progressive Creation:Because evolutionists must know what

they are talking about, the earth has to be billions of years old.










4. Because a worldwide flood would cut billions of years off the time needed to produce the fossil record, there can never have been a worldwide flood.

4. The Flood. a. Recent Creation: One worldwide flood. b. Gap Theory: Two worldwide floods. c. Progressive Creation: No worldwide flood.



THE FOUNDATION OF EVOLUTION:Uniformitarianism.

This is the UNPROVABLE geological assumption that everything happens by slow, gradual, uniform processes. (“The present is the key to the past.”)

There can never have been a worldwide flood.

THE FOUNDATION OF EVOLUTION:Uniformitarianism.

This is the UNPROVABLE geological assumption that everything happens by slow, gradual, uniform processes. (“The present is the key to the past.”)

There can never have been a worldwide flood.

The Bible warns us: First of all you must understand this, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own passions and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things have continued as they were from the beginning of creation. They deliberately ignore this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago, and an earth formed out of water and by means of water, through which the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. (2 Peter 3:3-7 RSV)



EVOLUTION:EVOLUTION: CREATION:CREATION:



5. Similarities between living things are due to common ancestry or chance.

5. Similarities between living things belonging to different kinds are due to common design.




DO SIMILARITIES SHOW COMMON

ANCESTRY?

DO SIMILARITIES SHOW COMMON

ANCESTRY?






5. Similarities between living things are due to common ancestry or chance.

5. Similarities between living things belonging to different kinds are due to common design.



6. Scientists are the final authority in everything. Which scientists? The ones that agree with you! (At least until they change their minds next week.)

6. Authority.a. Recent Creation: The Bible is the final authority in everything.b. Gap Theory: The Bible is the final authority on most things, except the age of the earth and the origin of death.c. Progressive Creation: The Bible is the final authority only on some spiritual matters.




IS IT BECAUSE:IS IT BECAUSE:

(1) They claim to have personal experience, OR(1) They claim to have personal experience, OR



(2) They appeal to an authority we trust, OR(2) They appeal to an authority we trust, OR

(3) We have checked out their logic and found it trustworthy?(3) We have checked out their logic and found it trustworthy?










THE PREHISTORIC PASTTHE PREHISTORIC PAST

But if any one of our premises is wrong, our logic is unreliable!

But if any one of our premises is wrong, our logic is unreliable!


SUMMARY OF BASIC PREMISESSUMMARY OF BASIC PREMISES

EITHER SET OF PREMISES MUST BE ACCEPTED BY FAITH AS SELF-EVIDENT. EITHER SET OF PREMISES MUST BE ACCEPTED BY FAITH AS SELF-EVIDENT.


2. Impossibility of any process besides evolution.

2. Possibility of other processes besides evolution.

1. Possibility of supernatural involvement.

1. Impossibility of supernatural involvement. Natural processes only.

3. Earth must be billions of years old.

3. Earth could be any age.

4. Impossibility of a worldwide flood.

4. Possibility of a worldwide flood.

5. Impossibility of design. Similarities must be due to common ancestry or accident.

5. Similarities may be due to common design.

6. Scientists are the final authority in our knowledge of nature.

6. God is the final authority in everything.

WHICH MAKES MORE SENSE TO YOU?WHICH MAKES MORE SENSE TO YOU?


IS IT LOGICAL TO BELIEVE IN EVOLUTION?IS IT LOGICAL TO BELIEVE IN EVOLUTION?IF man evolved from apes,

your brain evolved from an ape brain.

IF man evolved from apes,

your brain evolved from an ape brain.

IF your brain evolved from an ape brain,

your logic

evolved from

ape logic.

IF your brain evolved from an ape brain,

your logic

evolved from

ape logic.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IT EVOLVED RIGHT?

Maybe you’re not even asking the right questions!

HOW DO YOU KNOW IT EVOLVED RIGHT?

Maybe you’re not even asking the right questions!

Evolution is only logical if you are a modified ape.Evolution is only logical if you are a modified ape.


APE WISDOMAPE WISDOM

What is the meaning of bananas?

What is the meaning of bananas?


How can you be absolutely sure about ANYTHING?

How can you be absolutely sure about ANYTHING?

1. While your senses are at least somewhat reliable, there is always some uncertainty.

1. While your senses are at least somewhat reliable, there is always some uncertainty.

The only way to reach absolute certainty would be if you had an absolutely reliable authority to TELL you what’s really true. Absolute certainty could only come from

God, not science.

The only way to reach absolute certainty would be if you had an absolutely reliable authority to TELL you what’s really true. Absolute certainty could only come from

God, not science.

2. Logic can lead to incorrect conclusions.2. Logic can lead to incorrect conclusions.3. Your intuition can be wrong.3. Your intuition can be wrong.


CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

Despite what courts say, evolution and creation/intelligent design are both logical

systems based on unprovable assumptions.

Teaching made-up stories that depend on the absence of intelligent design is no more scientific, or less religious,

than teaching alternatives that depend on the presence of intelligent design.

Despite what courts say, evolution and creation/intelligent design are both logical

systems based on unprovable assumptions.

Teaching made-up stories that depend on the absence of intelligent design is no more scientific, or less religious,

than teaching alternatives that depend on the presence of intelligent design.


WHAT MOST PEOPLE THINK:WHAT MOST PEOPLE THINK:

Evolution is science...Evolution is science...

Creation is religion.Creation is religion.

Not true. There are religious and scientific aspects to both creation and evolution.

Not true. There are religious and scientific aspects to both creation and evolution.


THINGS WE CAN TEST SCIENTIFICALLY:THINGS WE CAN TEST SCIENTIFICALLY:1. Overall trends and tend- encies in nature.

2. Observable processes.3. Processes and events

that left direct evidence.

THINGS WE CAN’T:THINGS WE CAN’T:1. Who or what started the universe, and was

there a motive? 2. Morality and meaning. 3. Specific details: the names of the first humans,

what they wore, what they liked to eat, etc.


HOW TO SET UP MODELSHOW TO SET UP MODELS

Use the basic ideas of Initial Disorganization versus Initial Complexity

to make predictions in as many areas as possible:

Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Paleontology, Geology, etc.

Whichever set of predictions better fits what we observe is much more likely to be correct.


Big Bang Steady StateTHERMODYNAMICS -

1st Law PREDICT DENY DENY2nd Law PREDICT DENY DENY

INERTIA PREDICT DENY N/A

Neo-Darwinism Punct. Equil.FOSSIL RECORD

Clearcut systematic PREDICT DENY PREDICT gapsGENETICS

Variation only within PREDICT DENYDENY limitsMutations destructive PREDICT DENY DENYReproduction only of PREDICT DENY DENY same kindLife only from life PREDICT DENY DENY

VESTIGIAL ORGANS FEW OR NONE MANY MANYEMBRYONIC RECAPITULATION DENY PREDICT PREDICT

CREATIONCREATION EVOLUTION EVOLUTION CREATIONCREATION EVOLUTION EVOLUTION

PREDICTIONS OF CREATION AND EVOLUTIONPREDICTIONS OF CREATION AND EVOLUTION


THE SCIENTIFIC METHODTHE SCIENTIFIC METHODTHE SCIENTIFIC METHODTHE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

1. Define the problem. What do you want to know?

(E.g. “Does music affect how plants grow?”)

2. Gather information about the subject.

(AUTHORITY)

3. Formulate a hypothesis.

4. Devise an experiment to test the hypothesis.

5. Observe the results of the test. (EXPERIENCE)

6. Draw a conclusion (INDUCTIVE LOGIC) and report

your results so others can repeat the test.


Present + Repeatable + Observable = SCIENCE

Past + Non-Repeatable +

Eyewitness Account = HISTORY

Past + Non-Repeatable + No Eyewitnesses

= BELIEF


How Scientific Knowledge IncreasesHow Scientific Knowledge IncreasesHow Scientific Knowledge IncreasesHow Scientific Knowledge Increases

1. Start with a problem or question.

2. Formulate a hypothesis.

3. Test the hypothesis by experimentation, following

the scientific method.

4. If your hypothesis is falsified, you learned

something!

5. If your hypothesis seems to be confirmed, report

your results (in a peer-reviewed journal) so

others can repeat the test and check your work.

But what if you But what if you can’t can’t do experiments?do experiments?But what if you But what if you can’t can’t do experiments?do experiments?


SETTING UP MODELS OF THE UNOBSERVABLESETTING UP MODELS OF THE UNOBSERVABLESETTING UP MODELS OF THE UNOBSERVABLESETTING UP MODELS OF THE UNOBSERVABLE

IF YOU WERE BLIND:IF YOU WERE BLIND:IF YOU WERE BLIND:IF YOU WERE BLIND:

Would you think an elephant was like a wall, a spear, a snake, a tree, a fan, or a rope?

Would you think an elephant was like a wall, a spear, a snake, a tree, a fan, or a rope?


A Model is used to help us a get a mental A Model is used to help us a get a mental picture of something that cannot be picture of something that cannot be

directly observed because it is:directly observed because it is:

A Model is used to help us a get a mental A Model is used to help us a get a mental picture of something that cannot be picture of something that cannot be

directly observed because it is:directly observed because it is:

Too fast or too slowToo big or too small

Too far awayPast or future

etc.

Too fast or too slowToo big or too small

Too far awayPast or future

etc.

A model is not necessarily testable.Both evolution and creation are models or

hypotheses – NOT theories.

A model is not necessarily testable.Both evolution and creation are models or

hypotheses – NOT theories.


LAWS OF SCIENCE:LAWS OF SCIENCE:LAWS OF SCIENCE:LAWS OF SCIENCE:Gravity, thermodynamics, planetary motion, etc.Gravity, thermodynamics, planetary motion, etc.Gravity, thermodynamics, planetary motion, etc.Gravity, thermodynamics, planetary motion, etc.

1. Derived from observation. If exceptions ever observed, the law must be corrected.

2. Accurately predict the behavior of the systems they describe.

3. Can often be expressed mathematically.

tells us how strong the force of gravity is, but doesn’t tell us why gravity exists in the first place.

tells us how strong the force of gravity is, but doesn’t tell us why gravity exists in the first place.

A law of science simply describes what happens, without trying to explain why it happens.

For instance, the law of gravity

A law of science simply describes what happens, without trying to explain why it happens.

For instance, the law of gravity

Fgrav = G m1 m2

d2


SUMMARYSUMMARYSUMMARYSUMMARY

A HYPOTHESIS is a tentative explanation for

something observed in nature.

A THEORY is a hypothesis that has been thoroughly

tested by many experiments. It is an attempt to

explain WHY something happens.

A LAW has also been tested by many experiments

(usually for many years). It describes WHAT

happens, without trying to say WHY it happens.

A MODEL is a description, object, drawing, set of

equations, etc. that helps us get a mental picture

of something we cannot directly observe.


1. In science, the word “Theory” is a very powerful

term. It means that an idea has been tested over

and over and has never failed a single test. Calling

an idea a Theory is a high compliment.

2. Evolution is not a scientific theory because it is

impossible to test! It is a HYPOTHESIS instead.

There is no way we could perform an exper-

iment to make apes evolve into humans. Likewise,

the “big bang” is not testable. It relies on

computer models rather than experimentation. It,

too, is a hypothesis rather than a theory.




Why Neither Creation Nor Evolution Qualifies as a Law of Science or a Scientific Theory:

Why Neither Creation Nor Evolution Qualifies as a Law of Science or a Scientific Theory:

1. Neither has ever been observed. 2. Neither enables us to make accurate

predictions about SPECIFIC future events.

3. There is no way to perform experiments to test what might have happened in the prehistoric past.

4. Either idea can be modified to account for any possible observation. Neither is falsifiable.

Creation and Evolution should be considered models or hypotheses to guide future investigation.

Creation and Evolution should be considered models or hypotheses to guide future investigation.


WHO?

WHO?

WH

AT?

WH

AT?

WH

AT

NO

T?

WH

AT

NO

T?

HO

W?

HO

W?

GO

D?

GO

D?

HOW TO TELL SCIENCE FROM STORYTELLINGHOW TO TELL SCIENCE FROM STORYTELLINGHOW TO TELL SCIENCE FROM STORYTELLINGHOW TO TELL SCIENCE FROM STORYTELLING

1. WHO said they saw it? Can I trust them?

1. WHO said they saw it? Can I trust them?

2. WHAT did they actually see?

2. WHAT did they actually see?

3. WHAT are they NOT telling me?

3. WHAT are they NOT telling me?

4. HOW could I test this to see if it’s true?

4. HOW could I test this to see if it’s true?

5. What does GOD have to say about it?

5. What does GOD have to say about it?HOW DO YOU

KNOW THAT?


For more information, contact

David Prentice, M.Ed., M.A.S.T.

www.originsresource.org

or

email: [email protected]

For more information, contact

David Prentice, M.Ed., M.A.S.T.

www.originsresource.org

or

email: [email protected]

2007 by david a. prentice logic and science in the study of origins by david a. prentice, m.ed.,...

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