Needless to say, I agree with Jastrow!
Science has no answer for the "origin" of anything. It can never "see" beginnings, for the simple reason that empirical science is based on direct observation — from "inside" the system of which scientists are parts and active participants — and no scientist was ever around to "observe" the beginning of life on Earth or anywhere else.
And yet it seems many scientists have a quasi-religious commitment to the idea of "spontaneous chemical reactions" as fully accounting for the origin of life (from "pure" matter) and its development ("evolution") here on earth. The fact that this is ultimately an untestable hypothesis doesn't bother them in the least — it is simply taken as an act of faith.
Indeed, science has tried to test this hypothesis, called abiogenesis. So far, no luck. And I predict unless a non-material factor (mind, intelligence, information) is taken into consideration, the origin of life and its evolution cannot be explained in principle. A further problem is that many scientists regard mind, intelligence, information as mere epiphenomena of physical processes — evidently another act of faith. But that expectation leads exactly nowhere.
In comparison, it appears to me that belief in a Supreme Creator of Life is more rational than belief in spontaneous, clever chemicals being drawn into living, active form by the edicts of "blind," that is to say purposeless natural selection.
There is a way to understand that there is "evidence" that we can observe that validates our faith in the Supreme Being, Who is Creator and sustainer of Life. As Romans 1:20 puts it:
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:FWIW. Great post, dear spirited! Thank you so very much!
"God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth" are the words of Jesus in John 4:24. In this comment, Jesus clearly is defining reality. In His worldview, God is real; Spirit is real; "those who worship" in the physical realm are real; and the intersection of the spiritual and physical "worship in spirit" is real.
Therefore, if reality is comprised at least of the subsets "spirit" and "physical", then the greater realm of reality is "spirit", since that is the nature of God (God is Spirit).
Your poor, mechanistic evolutionist is left denying a good portion of reality. That is one reasom they must deny mind, intelligence, identity, for it touches on the subject of spirit. And, sad for their lives, they will eventually realize that they must deny love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness for these are all fruit of the Spirit.
In their search for the meaning of Life, their presuppositions have forced them to deny life itself.