William Paley’s Argument: Intelligent design requires an intelligent designer.

Premise 1: The Anthropic Principle verifies that there are hundreds of specific and detailed perimeters, ratios, and natural laws in the universe that could not have come about by random chance processes, or coincidence. Most ratios if manipulated with any slight deviation then life on earth, and the universe would cease to exist.

Premise 2: The objective data of perimeters, ratios, and natural laws can be empirically tested using the scientific method.  

Conclusion: Therefore based on this repeatable observed scientific evidence the Anthropic Principle verifies that the universe has an intelligent designer.

The Bible is not a science book, but when the Bible speaks about science it is always extremely accurate. All the scientific insights in the Bible give a correct detailed account to what we currently know in science. The Bible doesn’t contradict science or natures laws as some critics have stated, but only supports it. Moreover, the Bible has never once been found to contradict any scientific insight, or logical theory. The Definition of science according to Webster’s New World Dictionary states, “1. Based on, or using the principles and methods of science; systematic and exact.” (Guralnik 533) If the Bible is truly God’s word as it claims to be then it would never conflict with science, because theoretically all science was made by God. Moreover, any science that conflicts with the Bible should be reexamined, because God’s word is truth.

“Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” (Albert Einstein)

The Anthropic Principle & Cosmology:

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”  (Psalm 19:1)

Astronomer George Greenspan wrote, “As we survey all the evidence, the thought insistently arises that some supernatural agency, or rather, Agency must be involved. Is it possible suddenly, without intending to, we have stumbled upon scientific proof of the existence of a Supreme Being? Was it God who stepped in and so providentially crafted the cosmos for our benefit?” (Deem)

Here are only a few factors required to sustain life on our planet.

·        Correct location in the galaxy.

·        Within galactic habitable zone.

·        Orbiting main sequence.

·        G2 dwarf star.

·        Protected by gas giant planets.

·        Within circumstellar habitable zone.

·        Nearly circular orbits.

·        Oxygen rich atmosphere.

·        Correct Mass.

·        Orbiting large moon.

·        Magnetic field.

·        Plate tectonics.

·        Ratio of liquid water & continents.

·        Terrestrial planet.

·        Modern rate of rotation.

·        Liquid water to support active biosphere & complex creatures. (Privileged Planet)

“If an attempt to estimate the probability of obtaining this combination of factors researchers have developed equations assigning a conservative 1-10 value to each factor deemed necessary for advanced life. Every element has to be there at the same time you have to multiply the probabilities and you get one thousandth of one trillionth, (1,000,000,000,000) and you compare that to the 100 billion stars in the galaxy. On their face value these probabilities are speaking. What they are telling us is that this can’t happen.” (Bijan Nemati, Jet Propulsion Physicist)  

To view all the perimeters, factors, laws, and ratios required to sustain life on our planet outlined by Hugh Ross an astronomer and astrophysicist then click on the following link:

Anthropology:

“They were driven out from among men, They shouted at them as at a thief. They had to live in the clefts of the valleys, In caves of the earth and the rocks.” (Job 30:5-6)

Archaeology:

Hundreds of Biblical cities have been excavated since archaeology has become a scientific discipline. There has never been any contradiction to any Biblical excavation. Every account of specific kings, cities, people, and customs are extremely accurate. Here are only ten examples of Luke’s accuracy researched by historian Colin Hermer.

“Classical scholar and historian Colin Hermer chronicles Luke’s accuracy in the book of Acts verse by verse. With painstaking detail, Hermer identifies 84 facts in the last 16 chapters of Acts that have been confirmed by historical and archaeological research. Luke accurately records: 1. The natural crossing between correctly named ports. (Acts 13:4-5) 2. The proper port (Perga) along the direct destination of a ship crossing from Cyprus. (Acts 13:13) 3. The proper location of Lycaonia. (Acts 14:6) 4. The unusual but correct declension of the name Lystra. (Acts 14:6) 5. The correct language spoken in Lystra- Lycaonian. (Acts 14: 11) 6. Two gods known to be associated- Zeus and Hermes. (Acts 14:12) 7. The proper port, Attalia, which return travelers would use. (Acts 14:25) 8. The correct order of approach to Derbe and then Lystra from the Cilician Gates. (Acts 16:1) 9. The proper form of the name Troas. (Acts 16:8) 10. The place of a conspicuous sailors’ landmark, Samothrace. (Acts 16:11)” (Geisler and Turek-256)

Astronomy:

The Bible states there are innumerable stars in the universe. Only until recently with the invention of the telescope have scientists been able to discover the innumerable stars in the universe, but the Bible has proclaimed that fact ever since Moses wrote Genesis approximately 3400 years ago.

“Blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.” (Genesis 22:17)

Atomic Fission:

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.” (2 Peter 3:10, Questions of Origins)

Biology:

The Bible supports Biology and the fundamental law of Biogenesis. This law states that all life comes from preexisting life. This is consistent with the Biblical model of creation which states that God created every living creature according to their kind. This is what is observed in science therefore Evolutionary science contradicts the belief that man spontaneously developed from random molecules, or that fish turned into reptiles millions of years ago.

And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth. And there was evening, and there was morning the fifth day.” (Genesis 1:20-23)

Geology, spherical Earth, Mountains at the bottom of the sea:

“He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.” (Isaiah 40:22)

Mountains were not discovered on the bottom of the oceans until the last century. “The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head.  To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O Lord my God.” (Jonah 2:5, 6, Questions of Origins)

Hydrologic Cycle:

 “He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries.” (Psalm 135:7)

Meteorology, the Jet Stream:

“The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again.” (Ecclesiastes 1:6-7, Questions of Origins)

Oceanography, Ocean Currents:

“This is what the Lord says he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters.” (Isaiah 43:16, Questions of Origins)

Paleontology:

Dinosaurs are also mentioned in the Bible. "Look at the behemoth, which I made along with you and which feeds on grass like an ox. What strength he has in his loins, what power in the muscles of his belly! His tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are close-knit. His bones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like rods of iron. He ranks first among the works of God, yet his Maker can approach him with his sword.” (Job 40:15-19, Questions of Origins)

Physics, Subatomic Particles:

“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” (Hebrews 11:3, Questions of Origins)

Second Law of Thermodynamics known as Entropy:

“In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded.” (Psalms.102:25-26)

Work Cited

Bible Gateway.com. 1995-2006, New International Version, 21 Dec 2007, <http://www.biblegateway.com>

Clarifying Christianity. “Science and the Bible.” 1998. Dec 21, 2007.  <http://www.clarifyingchristianity.com/science.shtml>

Deem, Rich. “God and Science.org.” June 21, 2007.  Quotes from Scientists Regarding Design of the Universe. Dec 21, 2007.  <http://www.godandscience.org/ apologetics/quotes.html>

Geisler L Norman, Turek, Frank. I don’t have enough faith to be an atheist. Good News Publishers: Wheaton, Illinois, 2004.

Guralnik, David B. Webster’s New World Dictionary. World Publishing Co: New York, 1973.

Privileged Planet. Dir. Lad Allen. Scientists: Guillermo Gonzalez, Jay Richards. 2004. DVD. Regency Publishing, Inc.

Question of Origin. Dir. Jim Tetlow. Scientists: Malcolm Bowden, Mark Eastman, Duane Gish, Richard Milton, Chris Missler, Gary Parker. 2004. DVD. Eternal Productions.