I am reading a book right now that includes data about DNA strands. It is written through the eyes of a coder. I cannot relate to the math, but the explanation helps me to contemplate the amazingly complex designs in cells, etc. This author is one of many over the past several decades who has discarded belief in natural selection because it is antithetical to the recent outpouring of discoveries. Apparently the scientific community is quite divided over this. I suppose once you make room for a designer, many other things get set into motion. Inscrutable things begin to unfold with clarity.
On the cellular level there is such sophisticated design that it would be inconsistent (lame) to deny a designer. Seriously. It seems easy to fall into an argument about design which removes any possibility of supernatural intervention in the sciences because we are obsessed with denial of overlap in design and faith. But is this really the way it must be?
The author is Perry Marshal from his book Evolution 2.0. You may enjoy his scientific and mathematical conclusions regarding design on a cellular level: “It’s not slow or gradual; it’s fast. It’s not accidental; it’s organized. It’s not purposeless; it’s adaptive. Natural selection isn’t the star of the show; Natural Genetic Engineering is.”
And then, concerning DNA’s complexity: “If you stretched one strand of human DNA end to end, it would be 6 feet (1.8 meters) long. But it is folded into a space so small that it is literally a trillion times denser than any hard drive. Plus the cell easily reads it whenever necessary. How is this possible?…The folding of DNA inside the nucleus of the cell is fractal. A unique mathematical pattern places folds within folds within folds so that, unlike your headphone cord, DNA strands don’t tangle.”
My point? I am not a mathematician nor a scientist, but there are so many things causing upheaval right now that assumptions are being challenged and mountains of data are upsetting the apple cart of the old guard of the scientific community. Watch for it. This is ramping up because so much is at stake concerning who will be in the driver’s seat concerning social, political, religious influence, and grant dollars.
One great challenge is that all three – science, philosophy, and faith – have become political and opportunistic. Death and taxes. Death and oppression are always with us. Just saying.
I believe our struggles in harmonizing science and philosophy and faith stem from our human limitations to put it all together. It seems entirely plausible, and likely, that all three will visibly converge harmoniously at a point in the future. Perhaps sooner than we think.
Pure science? Proven philosophy? Authentic faith?
“For You formed my inward parts and You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in secret, and skillfully formed in the depths of the earth. Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were allotted for me, when as yet there was not one of them.” – Psalm 139:13-16
It is little wonder that the Creator asks Job the question “where were you?” – Job 38:4
√ Do you believe science and faith are compatible?
√ In what ways is the power of macro and micro science lost on you or your friends because of presupposition?
√ Do you believe the darwinian arguments continue to be compelling?
√ Do you have an intact and expanding sense of wonder?
Pondering with you,
Dave and Burnadette