Posted on 11/07/2016 8:46:21 PM PST by Coleus
HISTORY OF OUR PLANET
Our Earth has been dubbed by some as the Goldilocks Planet with a just-right sun and a just-right moon in a just-right galaxy. What most people do not realize is how radically Earth has changed since it first formed and what kinds of physical steps transformed the lifeless ball into our home today. Earth has the capacity to support more than 7 billon people and even more billions of other creatures. Many suggest that Earths life sustaining features are amazing coincidences that just fell into place. Hugh says evidence and logic compel him to challenge such a notion based on the following:
We live on an amazing planet; a world like no other we know. The world that we know and enjoy is the result of a very long history of astronomical, physical, geological, chemical, and biological events. Without that long, complex history we would not have our present-day world, shares Hugh. As researchers continue to investigate the history of our planet, the more astonishing the story of our existence becomes. The earth was created for habitability for redemption of billions of humans within thousands of years.
WHY WE ARE HERE
Hugh says, The Bible tells us that the more we investigate the record of nature, the more evidence we will find for Gods existence, for his handiwork in preparing the natural realm for our benefit, and for his purposeful involvement in our lives. God planned our His works of redemption before he started His works of creation. Therefore, all of creation makes sense in the context of a real world beyond the one we now occupy. According to Hugh, The purpose of our existence on Earth is to know our good God and to make Him known. In addition to the organization of cosmic, planetary, and life history of our existence, the direction and human history also fits this redemptive plan and purpose.
If bacterial life or some other less environmentally sensitive life-form exists beyond Earth, it may simply reflect the Creators enjoyment in creating, shares Hugh. The Bible speaks of angels and spiritual beings God created to serve His purposes. Some of them joined Lucifers rebellion, but most remained loyal to their Maker. God has given them access to our earthly realm and a capacity to interact with humans, to some degree. Given their presence and his, I can say we humans are not alone, reveals Hugh.
Hugh wants to equip Christians to engage, rather than withdraw from or attack, educated non-Christians. One of the approaches Ive developed, with the help of my RTB colleagues, is a biblical creation model that is testable, falsifiable, and predictive. He integrates all 66 books of the Bible with all the science disciplines as a way to discover and apply deeper truths. 1 Peter 3:15*16 sets his ministry goal, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience."
FINDING GOD
Hugh found Christ in college. His study of the Big Bang Theory led him to believe in the existence of a creator, but he didnt know which of the holy texts was historically and scientifically accurate. After reading the Bible, he was persuaded of the truth of its words. He was convinced the discoveries of science supported the truth of the Bible. He eventually founded Reasons to Believe in 1986 to bring the scientific evidence for Christianity to light. Hugh leads a team of scholars who keep tabs on the frontiers of scientific research with the goal of demonstrating that sound reason and scientific discoveries support rather than erode confidence in the God of the Bible.
There are more stars than grains of sand on a beach. Next time you’re at a beach, pick up one single grain of sand and look at the beach while telling yourself that that grain of sand is the only one with life on it.
You’ll laugh.
Sorry, couldn't resist. :-P
Nice try. Slide the 40 billion year evolution fraud in the back door. Yes, God did create the planet with its myriad exquisitely precise systems, but he spoke them into existence, fully functional and fully inhabited, in just six twenty-four hour days.
Lisa created life and Lutherans at 1:34
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJhwwP5wa34
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There are that many stars?
That episode is a reenactment of the Sumerian Enlil-Enki story! Lol!
Yep, out of the likely trillions of stars there are some that harbor life, on those, the inhabitants are bound to think “Gee, I must be special.”
It’s just a matter of probability.
"The exquisite balance of Ammonia and Methane (without which life would be IMPOSSIBLE) in our atmosphere and the paradisical temperatures of around -220 °C couldn't be a coincidence." He explained to the assembly of his fellow creatures. Wiping his brow with one of his many tentacles, he continued: "Indeed, our planet is in the 'Goldilocks' zone for habitability."
Regards,
Clever... But, you don’t know. Is there life on a grain of sand? On a star? Nowhere but here so far... How many angels can dance on the face of that grain of sand?
I see God as bountiful. So I figure there's lots of life everywhere. And as far as angels go... maybe they get to be as big or little as they want. So there's no one answer, except that they're always dancing...
Your point?
Good Lord!!
I read 10 to the 24th power!!!
In the observable universe!!!
I’m gonna keep my mouth shut as to how many I thought there were. It’s too embarrassing.
Yours?
Galaxies like grains of sand.
H/t Brian Aldiss
I know, right? If it’s clear, go outside and look up right now while you feel like this, it’ll blow your mind. Its one of the funnest parts of amateur astronomy.
Bring a pair of binos too, if you have them.
What is truly sad and downright depressing is that even if there is life “out there,”(I’m not talking bacterial, but intelligent life) there is probably very little chance of ever interacting with it. Since nothing travels faster than light, and even at light speed it would take years and years to get to the closest of our stellar neighbors that the whole life exists/doesn’t argument is moot.
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