15Nov 2019 by Post

Phillip Johnson: A Fond Farewell

ACLU, Arkansas, Barry Lynn, Darwinism, David Berlinski, Eugenie Scott, Evolution, Faith & Science, Festschrift, Firing Line, Florida State University, Intelligent Design, Kenneth Miller, Michael Behe, Michael Kinsley, Michael Ruse, Phillip E. Johnson, philosophy of biology, Richard Dawkins, The Problem of War, William F. Buckley Jr.
Editor’s note: Phillip E. Johnson, Berkeley law professor and author of Darwin on Trial and other books, died on November 2. Evolution News is sharing remembrances from staff, friends, and Fellows of Discovery Institute. Philosopher of biology Michael Ruse, cherished by ID proponents as a longtime friendly antagonist, is the author of The Problem of War: Darwinism, Christianity, and their Battle to Understand Human Conflict and other books. Professor Ruse directs the Program in History and Philosophy of Science at Florida State University. I have just learned of the death of Phillip Johnson. We were very much on different sides of the IDT [intelligent design theory] debate, but I think I can truly say that our intellectual (and faith) disagreements made no difference to our personal respect and (dare I say) affection. Phil was born…
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15Nov 2019 by Post

“Genomic Perfection” Versus “Cellular Survival”

cell, cellular survival, cleaning robots, DNA, DNA integrity, DNA lesion, DNA repair, environmental mutagens, genome, genomic perfection, Intelligent Design, mutations, passenger mutations, quality control mechanisms, Science (journal), WALL-E
Here is a thought-provoking hypothesis in this week’s Science about “genomic perfection” versus “cellular survival.” From “Cellular survival over genomic perfection“ (open access): The high number of passenger mutations, equivalent to 1000 to 10,000 per genome, in normal cells raises questions regarding why DNA quality control mechanisms have failed to limit mutagenesis. Perhaps a somewhat counterintuitive perspective can be considered: If DNA quality control pathways monitor and preserve DNA integrity too strictly, it could be detrimental to cellular survival. The repair of DNA lesions has a cost: It requires time and cellular resources. If every DNA lesion in a cell were repaired, avoiding mutations altogether, the cellular cost associated with performing that repair would have to increase in direct proportion to the amount of damage. In conditions of high DNA damage — through exposure to…
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13Nov 2019 by Post

The Works of Jesus in the Nicene Creed

Apologetics, ApologeticsGuy, Christianity, Cross, Evidence, history, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Mikel del Rosario, New Testament, Resurrection, The Nicene Creed, theology, Theology and Christian Apologetics, Tomb
By Mikel Del Rosario Jesus: The Essential Works What are the essential truths Christians believing about the things Jesus did? As defenders of the faith, we need to know which beliefs about Jesus’ deeds are essential and why we should believe them. I had a conversation with my mentor Darrell Bock about this on an episode of the Table Podcast focusing on the works of Jesus mentioned in the Nicene Creed—a collaborative statement of essential Christian beliefs crafted in 325 AD. This creed was based on the Apostle’s Creed and various Scriptures. Early creeds are a good reminder that the essentials of the Christian faith were not just made up recently but actually go back to the earliest memories of Jesus and the teachings of his official spokespeople. Let me…
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13Nov 2019 by Post

Memorial Symposium for Phillip Johnson

Center for Science & Culture, Discovery Institute, Douglas Axe, First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, Intelligent Design, Jonathan Wells, Michael Behe, Paul Nelson, Phillip E. Johnson, scholars, scientists, Stephen Meyer, U.C. Berkeley
Following a private memorial service on November 23, Discovery Institute is pleased to host a brief public symposium in honor of the late Phillip E. Johnson — U.C. Berkeley law professor and Center for Science & Culture program advisor, who passed away earlier this month. You are invited to join us at the First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley from 4:00–5:30 pm on Saturday, November 23, to hear brief (10–15 minute) tributes from intelligent design scientists and scholars who have been directly impacted by Phil’s life and have since become the ID torch-bearers for our generation. Among those speaking will be Stephen Meyer, Michael Behe, Jonathan Wells, Douglas Axe, Paul Nelson, and others. The presenters will share their unique perspectives on the impact of Phil’s work and subsequent growth of the ID research program in their respective fields of research. There is no…
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12Nov 2019 by Post

Original, Incisive, Brilliant: Victor Davis Hanson on Berlinski’s Human Nature

celebrities, Culture & Ethics, David Berlinski, endorsements, Evolution, groupthink, Hoover Institution, human nature, intellectuals, linguistics, mathematics, military history, philosophy, physics, Stanford University, Uncommon Knowledge, Victor Davis Hanson
I’ve already had my say on David Berlinski’s new book, Human Nature. Now come the celebrity endorsements! I mean the endorsements from celebrity intellectuals. For the courage and clarity of his own writing, Victor Davis Hanson is a hero to me. Here’s what he has to say about Berlinski: Polymath David Berlinski’s appraisal of a transcendent human nature is really a military history, a discourse on physics and mathematics, a review of philosophy and linguistics, and a brilliant indictment of scientific groupthink by an unapologetic intellectual dissident. Read it and learn something original and incisive on every page. Yes, true. Hanson is a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, and the author of The Second World Wars and other books. More to come. Photo: David Berlinski on Uncommon…
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11Nov 2019 by Post

Book Review: Time for Truth: Living Free in A World of Lies, Hype, and Spin

1. Does Truth Exist?, Apologetics, Atheism, Book review, Christianity, Culture, Evidence, Faithful Thinkers, Legislating Morality, Culture & Politics, Luke Nix, Postmodern Relativism, Reasons, Theology and Christian Apologetics, Time for Truth by Os Guiness, truth
By Luke Nix Introduction “Time for Truth: Living Free In A World of Lies, Hype, and Spin” by Os Guinness has been on my reading list for several years now. It is a relatively short book, so I popped it in my bag to read during downtime on a trip to see family. By the time I had made it through the first chapter, I wished that I had made time to read it sooner! In today’s cultural and political climate that seems to twist and spin reality to fit certain narratives, it is vital that people be able to distinguish between truth from falsehood. The history of the East demonstrates the implications of denying truth as an accurate reflection of reality. In “Time for Truth,” sociologist Os Guinness takes the…
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09Nov 2019 by Post

You Might Be a Deist

Apologetics, Bellator Christi, Brian Chilton, Christianity, Deist, God, Impersonal God, miracles, Personal God, theology, Theology and Christian Apologetics
By Brian Chilton Atlanta native Jeff Foxworthy made a name for himself as a stand-up comedian doing a routine called “You might be a redneck.” Some of these classic one-liners include, “If you have a set of salad bowls and they all say Cool Whip on the side, you might be a redneck … If you have ever been accused of lying through your tooth, you might be a redneck … If you ever use your ironing board as a buffet table, you might be a redneck.” Foxworthy is a masterful comedian. A theological system known as deism is no laughing matter. Deists hold that God is transcendent but is impersonal and has no dealings with the world. Therefore, deists deny such things as special revelation (that God can communicate…
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09Nov 2019 by Post

The Devil’s Delusion with Dr. David Berlinski

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Podcast: Play in new window Frank interviews one of his favorite authors, the provocative and articulate Dr. David Berlinski. Dr. David Berlinski is an author, thinker, professor, and self-described secular Jew, who with wit and elegance dismantles the assumptions and assertions of Darwinists and other atheistic materialists in his interviews and his books. Berlinski has his Ph.D. from Princeton University, has taught at Stanford and Rutgers, and is a fellow at the Discovery Institute (along with frequent guest Dr. Stephen Meyer). He lives in Paris but did this interview from Los Angeles where he was for an interview with Ben Shapiro. Join Frank for a far-reaching discussion with Dr. Berlinski who is incapable of being boring. If you want to send us a question for the show, please email us…
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06Nov 2019 by Post

How to Work through Doubt and Uncertainty

Apologetics, Christianity, Christians, Doubts, faith, Matthew Slama, Philosophy of Science, Questions, Religious community, science, Scientific community, Scientist, Theology and Christian Apologetics, TwinCitiesApologetics
By Matthew Slama In the guide to Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement from JCGM, it defines uncertainty as meaning doubt. It specifically defines uncertainty of measurement as meaning doubt about the validity of the result of a measurement. I recently presented at a technical conference on methods of computing measurement uncertainty and was thinking about the applicability of these concepts to other areas of knowledge. We don’t see doubt and uncertainty in science the same as we do in religion. In religion, it is often viewed as a bad thing. But in science, it is often viewed as a good thing. The reason for this is in scientific endeavors; you are trying to achieve an end result – knowledge. In the scientific community, when one realizes that there is uncertainty,…
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21Oct 2019 by Post
Why Are We Losing Them When They Leave For College?

Why Are We Losing Them When They Leave For College?

Apologetics
Editor’s Note: The following article was written by A.P. auxiliary staff writer, Kevin Cain, who holds degrees from Freed-Hardeman University (B.S., M.Min.) and the Doctor of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law. A former Briefing Attorney of The First Court of Appeals, his current practice focuses on litigation at the trial and appellate levels in both State and Federal Courts.] We took her to Bible class. We took her to worship services regularly. We took her to countless youth events, trips, and activities. She was baptized at camp when she was 14. I thought we did everything right before she left for college. We did what the preachers and elders said we should do when it comes to raising our sweet daughter. And yet, when she left home for…
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