June 15, 2004, Vol.4, No.12.
Two new articles every two weeks.
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us.
THIS ISSUE: "Design
Demands a Designer" (see
below)
and "Reasons Why I Believe
in God"
Series: Evidence for Faith
Design Demands a Designer
guest article by Wayne S. Walker
"He alone spreads out the heavens, and treads on the
waves of the sea." (Job 9:8).
In our last article we began an
examination of the evidence which helps to confirm our faith
in the existence of God. We saw that something cannot come from
nothing. Since there must be a first cause which is adequate
to produce the effect that we see -- the existence of the universe
-- it is more reasonable to believe that mind or intelligence,
specifically the God of the Bible, is eternal rather than lifeless,
impotent matter.
Another piece of evidence that we must consider in our quest
is the fact that the universe shows signs of design and purpose.
Again, we are faced with a couple of choices in trying to explain
this fact. Either this amazing design is the result of blind
chance or it is the result of divine planning. Surely all can
agree that nature everywhere exhibits orderly structures and
processes. It is not absolute chaos. For example, there is design
in the heavens. Our universe is immense. It is estimated that
it would take over 100,000 light years just to cross our own
galaxy, with light traveling at 186,000 miles per second or over
five trillion miles per year. Yet, in spite of their innumerability,
differences, and distances, the stars, the planets, the other
heavenly bodies, and even the galaxies themselves all work in
such perfect order that we can reckon our time by them and can
predict where they will be millions of years from now if the
universe still exists then.
Also, there is design on the earth. Our wonderful world, with
the perfect timing of it revolution around the sun and rotation
on its axis, the exact degree of tilt on its axis, the water
evaporation and condensation cycle, the movement of the winds
from the equator and back, and the ocean currents, runs like
one giant piece of clockwork. In addition, there is design in
animal and plant life. The dependence of the flowers on bees
for reproduction and of the bees on flowers for food is one of
the most amazing adaptations in nature, and it is difficult to
imagine how it could have occurred by mere chance. Finally, there
is design in man. The human eye is more complex than the finest
telescope or camera available. Man cannot make an optical instrument
of any kind that is as efficient as the eye.
Design demands a designer. A story is told about the great
scientist Isaac Newton, who was a believer. One day he had obtained
a new planetarium when a friend who was an atheist walked in.
The friend, after remarking how ingenious the miniature model
of the solar system was, asked who made it. The physicist replied
that it just happened. The unbeliever scorned him. Newton responded
that if one had to believe that if one was forced to the conclusion
that a mere model of the solar system had to have a designer,
then the original upon which it was based must also have a designer,
a a fact which his friend did not seem to believe.
The order of the universe leads us to exclaim, "The heavens
declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork."
(Psalm 19:1). The design of the earth causes us to conclude,
"The earth is the LORD's and all its fullness; the world
and those who dwell therein." (Psalm 24:1). Order in nature
helps us to understand that "God saw everything that He
had made, and indeed it was very good..." (Genesis 1:31).
And design in the human body makes us say with David, "I
will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made..."
(Psalm 139:14). As we sometimes sing, "For the beauty of
the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from
our birth over and around us lies, Lord of all, to Thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise." (Folliot S. Pierpoint).
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