In my last post I talked about some of the principles governing the universe that point to a greater power.  This time, let’s build on those foundations…

Chemistry & Biology:  Atoms and molecules grouped together to form solids, liquids, and gases.  Chemicals make up everything we eat, drink, breathe, and every material thing in the universe.  The rules for how the atoms and molecules combine make logical sense.  They follow a natural order with ionic and covalent bonding.  These individual components of matter can be subdivided to smaller particles:  electrons, protons, neutrons and even smaller proteons, quarks and other tiny constituents still to be discovered.  Science has figured out how to make polymers and plastics in every shape and many forms but we have not figured out how to make iron, wood or a steak without using nature as the manufacturer.  The energy it would take to convert one element to another element is incredibly great, the process is most often cost prohibitive.  The elements and molecules cooperate in living systems to form functional cells, circulatory systems, DNA, allowing for growth, reproduction, energy to live and so many more complex biological processes.  Humans need protein as nourishment, other animals and plants fulfill this need.  Proteins are biopolymer chains of amino acids.  These chemicals are produced within living systems efficiently, naturally, with no extreme effort required.  Yet, if humans try to replicate the chemical or biological processes in a laboratory, it at times proves to either be impossible or it takes too much time and energy.  If protein and other biopolymer synthesis was cheap, it could mean the end of world hunger, drastically changing the face of our global economy.  Theories proposing that amino acids and more and more complex organic chemicals formed in the primordial soup of an early earth do not seem to take into account the chemical and biological laws that work against this happening randomly.  If we cannot make these biochemicals effectively today with all the ways our societies have found to harness the power of nature, why would it just occur all on its own millions of years ago without a Creator or Designer?

Genetics and Evolution:  We understand how DNA serves as the genetic code, encrypting life, a blue print for every species.  Scientists have cloned life in a lab but they did it using a living species, tapping into the reproductive process.  We understand how our bodies function, but when those functions cease to work, can doctors always apply the right techniques to resume the life processes?  If a human goes without oxygen for a long time and dies, why doesn’t pumping the person up with a supply of oxygen restore them.  Life, being alive, is much more than simply the sum of the biological and chemical reactions.  There is energy, drive and consciousness that define human life beyond that which is purely physical.  Science gives irrefutable evidence that evolution is valid.  There are also starts and stops.  One evolutionary branch may reach an end (think Dinosaurs) while another has many sub-branches (think dogs, with the added help of selective breeding).  There are also complex systems that would require multiple evolutionary changes to be self-sustaining until various related components join together to be functional (ex. The eye).  Some systems suggest non-reducible complexity.  Purely random mistakes in the genetic sequence leading to a survival benefit replicated generation to generation is not a convincing sole argument for the development of more and more complex, sophisticated, living systems.  What makes more sense is evolution with a “Divine Push” now and then.  Like an artist using paint strokes to create a masterpiece, God could use evolution as the medium by which to achieve His creation.  God wanted diversity and beauty, by pushing evolution here and there, He got it.  We see it everywhere.  Eventually God wanted to endow His creation with some of His own properties, emotional intelligence, the ability to understand, and to love, not just survive.  God adds a soul into His homo sapien evolutionary product.  God grants Adam and Eve this “something extra” which separates humans from the animals and establishes us as God’s Children.       

These are some big subjects to consider in such an abbreviated way. I’ve certainly over simplified the topics but hope I’ve given some ‘high-level” rationale for how science can support faith in God.

Thanks for reading and considering these ideas.  I’d love to hear what you think.