Intelligent Design - Part I

I researched and wrote a booklet titled Mind Over Matter: an Introductory Guide to the Intelligent Design Theory. This material is copyrighted. I will be posting the booklet in the span of five or six blog entries.

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Chapter One

Defining Intelligent Design

Imagine that you are serving as a juror in a murder trial. As the prosecuting and defense attorneys prepare to present their evidence, the judge announces that only the defense attorney can present evidence in favor of the defendant. Will you hear an accurate and complete presentation of the evidence? Of course not! Yet, this is exactly the situation that students experience today as teachers are silenced in the classrooms from presenting scientific evidence that refutes the theory of evolution.

The purpose of this guide is to introduce students to the intelligent design theory – the scientific alternative to evolution. This guide will

Ø Discuss what the intelligent design theory is – and is not
Ø Briefly trace the history of the design argument
Ø Discuss methods used to detect intelligent design
Ø Give examples of design
Ø Address evolutionists’ arguments against the intelligent design theory.

What is the theory of intelligent design?

The question every person eventually asks is “how did life begin?” The three possibilities that explain the origin of life are

Ø Natural laws
Ø Chance
Ø Intelligent design.

The evolutionary theory says that natural laws and chance alone created life (Harris and Calvert 2003). Intelligent design, “the science that studies signs of intelligence” (Dembski 2003a, p 1), says that life can be a result of all three possibilities – natural laws, chance, and design. To demonstrate how these possibilities can work together, consider what happens when someone tosses a coin. The decision to toss a coin is an act of intelligence. How the coin falls is according to a natural law – the law of gravity. The result of the coin toss (heads or tails) is left to chance (Harris and Calvert 2003).

According to Harris and Calvert (2003), many scientists have concluded – based on studying and observing the complexity in the natural world – that intelligent action best explains the origin of the universe.

While intelligent design looks for signs of intelligence in objects, it does not identify the designer’s purpose (Dembski 2003a).

Is the Theory of Intelligent Design the Same as Creationism?

We understand that designed objects – such as cars – have a designer. When we observe objects in nature that show signs of design, we can reasonably conclude that these designed objects have a designer, too. Many identify this designer as God. Does this then imply that the intelligent design theory is the same as creationism – a theory that identifies the designer as God? Although many scientists today claim that intelligent design theory is creationism, it is not.

The intelligent design theory does not name the designer (Luskin 2001). Intelligent design is not a religion, and does not refer to religious texts such as the Bible. Creationism defends a literal interpretation of the Genesis account of creation and supports a young Earth theory. The intelligent design theory does not (West 2002). In Uncommon Dissent, Dembski defines creationism as “a literal interpretation of Genesis in which God through special acts of creation brings the biophysical universe into existence in six literal twenty-four hour days, somewhere in the last several thousand years” (2004b, p xxiii).

The following illustrates the differences between creationism and intelligent design:

Creationism
Identifies designer as God
Defends literal interpretation of Genesis
Supports young Earth model

Intelligent Design
Does not identify designer
Makes no reference to religious texts
Accepts an older Earth model

Why are evolutionists labeling the intelligent design theory as “intelligent design creationism”? Ronald Numbers, University of Wisconsin historian of science, is critical of the intelligent design theory; however, he explains that mislabeling intelligent design as intelligent design creationism is the “easiest way to discredit intelligent design” (West 2002, p 1).

Has intelligent design always been sharply criticized by scientists? In the next chapter, we will briefly trace the history of intelligent design and answer this question.

Do Unto Others

You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to be familiar with a popular phrase parents often repeat to their children: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This is a paraphrase of what Jesus tells His followers: “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). What we see practiced most often in the world is “Do unto others as they do unto you” – a retaliatory attitude.

Understanding the general concept of how Christians are to treat others, I was surprised to read an Internet message that claimed Christianity is evil and the catalyst of all that is wrong in the world. Perhaps this attitude should not surprise me, considering all that is done and said in the name of religion, God, or Christianity. But these things (such as the so-called Christian Crusades) are a misrepresentation of how God wants His children to behave.

So what does God expect from me as a Christian?

Jesus said that we are “blessed” when we are reviled and persecuted, when people say false evil things about us for His sake (Matthew 5:11). We need to realize that being a Christian will result in some form of persecution, because this is how people treated Jesus, His apostles, the early Christians, and the prophets before them. I learned many years ago that when a Christian publishes on the Internet messages related to God or the Bible, it won’t be long before the name-calling and attacks begin.

It’s not easy to endure mistreatment. How do we react to those who curse us? Jesus says, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). The Greek word translated “love” is “agape,” and it does not refer to a “feeling” but rather action. When we love our enemy, we are willing to do good things for them. Jesus is the ultimate example. “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-9).

Loving those who love us is easy. Jesus said even sinners do this. It doesn’t take any degree of personal character to love those who love us; however, to love and do good for those who hate and mistreat us takes strength and character.

We are to forgive others. Many families and friendships are torn apart by long-held grudges. When we refuse to forgive others, God refuses to forgive us. “But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:15). Many years ago I read a story about a couple whose only son was murdered. Without having ever talked to their son’s murderer, the couple announced that they had “forgiven” this young man for taking their son’s life. While we should always be ready to forgive and hold no ill will towards anyone, forgiveness does require repentance. “Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him” (Luke 17:3-4).

Even if the one who sins against us doesn’t repent nor seek forgiveness, we are still to treat them – at worst – like an enemy, and LOVE them. The apostle Paul said that we are to live peaceably with all men as much as it depends on us (Romans 12:18). We can only do so much to make peace and attempt to reconcile failed relationships. But when all is said and done, we are still to follow Jesus’ example of love and sacrifice even for those who hate us.

“Getting even” or “teaching someone a lesson” were common attitudes I not only witnessed but participated in when I was a child. Wanting to strike back at someone who has hurt us can be a natural reaction. But God tells a Christian that vengeance is His. “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard [or provide] for good things in the sight of all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:17, 19).

How do we react to someone who is unkind? Do we snap back? Quoting from Proverbs, Paul writes, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head” (Romans 12:20). One New Year’s Eve, I drove to the grocery store to pick up a few things for a party. I pulled into a parking spot and noticed that a man suddenly stopped his car behind me. As I got out of my car, he began yelling and cussing at me. Apparently I took a parking spot that he was planning to pull into, but I didn’t see him waiting for it. Instead of yelling back, I calmly apologized and told him that I didn’t see him there. I then offered to back out and let him have the parking space. He was stunned. There was silence for a moment, and then he said, “No, that’s OK. Happy New Year,” and he drove away. Obviously he was expecting a fight. Sometimes saying the right thing in the right way brings unexpected, yet pleasant, results. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver” (Proverbs 25:11). But not always! No matter what someone else’s reaction is, a Christian must not respond in a hateful manner.

Paul tells us, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10). Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good – not just for those who are nice to us or believe as we do – but to all men, with an emphasis on our Christian brothers and sisters.

Whenever I hear someone say that Christians are “evil,” I remember all that God teaches us to be….

Love our enemies
Do not seek revenge
Bless those who curse us
Pray for those who spitefully use us
Do good to those who hate us
Give food and drink to our enemies in need
In general, treat others like we want to be treated.

God's code of ethics far surpasses anything man could ever create himself. Far from being evil, treating others as God says is crucial to the well-being of humanity.

The Deceptive Heart

"Again, the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the children of Israel: Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue thread in the tassels of the corners. And you shall have the tassel that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the Lord and do them, and that you may not follow the harlotry to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined, and that you may remember and do all My commandments and be holy for your God'" (Numbers 15:37-40).

Have you ever tied a string around your finger to help you remember to do something? A piece of string may have no connection whatsoever to what we need to remember; however, a simple recognition of the string reminds us of something important we need to accomplish. Our string-around-the-finger reminder is probably a modern-day version of the tassel sewn onto a garment. But the children of Israel had a much more significant and important task to remember than a daily errand: they were to remember all of God's commandments and to do them.

The reason the Israelites needed a reminder is so that they wouldn't do what they were "inclined to do." In other words, man tends to do what he wants to do while forsaking what God has asked him to do. We see examples of this every day, sometimes in our own lives. God also tells us that "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9). The heart represents our emotions. Emotionalism is not a reliable guide. We cannot trust our emotions to do what's right because feelings are deceptive. I remember when gospel singer Amy Grant divorced her first husband. She claimed that although she knows "the heart is deceitful above all things," she just knew that God had released her from her marriage. Amy relied on her emotions rather than God's word to decide whether or not she had a right to divorce her husband, and, as best as I know, she reached the wrong conclusion.

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 16:25). When man relies on his emotions, the way "seems" right but often is not. Instead, we are blessed if we trust and hope in the Lord (Jeremiah 17:7). Today, we have God's word to remind us of His will and to encourage us to follow His way and not our own. "Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105).

Do We Really Believe?

As I was reading in the book of Numbers yesterday, I was amazed (again) how the Israelites complained so much while on their way to the promised land. I couldn't help but wonder if we are guilty of the same complaints against God.

"And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, 'If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! Why has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword? [...] Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?'" God brought the Israelites out of a horrible situation and promised them something better - a land that flowed with milk and honey. Yet they had no confidence that God would provide. They complained constantly about God's provisions - or in their minds, the lack of. Do we do the same? Do we complain about what we don't have instead of being thankful for what we do have? Has God ever brought us out of a difficult situation, and all we could do was complain about the outcome because it wasn’t exactly as we had hoped?

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23). Do we believe God is faithful regarding His promises? Or do we often waver in our hope?

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). When we are tempted, do we complain to God that He hasn't done enough? Do we blame God when we fall to temptation, or do we acknowledge that we are tempted and drawn away by our own lusts (James 1:14)?

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Do we truly believe our sins are forgiven, or do we fret and beat ourselves up even after we have confessed and repented? Do we have a difficult time forgiving others whom God has forgiven?

I don't want to be like the Israelites, doubting God’s faithfulness and complaining about His provisions, because this made God angry! God never lies, God’s promises never fail. Do we really believe this?

What Does Your To-do List Look Like?

We’ve all probably seen the media portrayal of the average American housewife. She begins her morning with a brisk game of tennis at the country club. The rest of her day is spent shopping and eating lunch with friends. At home, she kicks up her feet, watches her favorite soap operas while squeezing the centers of chocolates in a Whitman’s Sampler box. Or perhaps she spends her day lounging in her pajamas, talking on the phone with friends while shushing her noisy kids in the background. Does either of these scenarios describe your day?

The world’s perception of a housewife, or homemaker, is far different than the way our Creator designed this very important role. The word “homemaker” conjures up an image of an unintelligent, lazy woman who is incapable of doing anything else with her life. A “career” as a homemaker is on the bottom rung of life’s ladder to success. But what should a homemaker’s purpose be and what should she do with her time? A godly homemaker’s to-do list may look something like this:

• Willingly work with hands (Proverbs 31:13).
• Bring food from afar (Proverbs 31:14).
• Provide food for household (Proverbs 31:15).
• Carefully consider purchases (Proverbs 31:16).
• Help the needy and poor (Proverbs 31:20).
• Provide clothing for family (Proverbs 31:21).
• Watch over household (Proverbs 31:27).

Fulfilling a Purpose

The worthy woman in Proverbs 31 has a purpose. She is busy with activities far different than the fictitious homemaker we see on television. The godly woman does not "eat the bread of idleness." Instead, her schedule begins before the sun comes up and extends beyond the night – an expression that indicates a strong work ethic.The Scriptures emphasize the woman's role as a wife, mother, and worker in the home and warn of the danger of living a sedentary or hyper-recreational life.

Paul’s description of the older widow in 1 Timothy 5:9-10 and subsequent instructions for younger widows are very revealing. The older widow is known for her good works, has raised children, lodged strangers, washed the saints’ feet, and relieved the afflicted. She has “diligently followed every good work” (verse 10). Younger widows are encouraged to remarry, have children, and manage the house. Far from wandering aimlessly around the house, the godly homemaker finds purpose in taking care of her family and serving others.

Taking a Break

Being an industrious homemaker does not necessitate eliminating recreational activities. And how active we are may depend on our physical health. While hobbies and activities shared with friends often provide a much-needed break from housework, a godly woman is not called to a life of non-stop recreation. Managing a home requires time, hard work, and motivation.

Women are motivated to become homemakers for a variety of reasons. Some may view staying at home as an opportunity to spend an inordinate amount of time on hobbies or pleasure. The flexibility a homemaker enjoys can also be a curse when it tempts her to become lazy. Paul describes such a woman when referring to the plight of some younger widows: “And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not” (1 Timothy 5:13). When my children were little, I had a neighbor who was the epitome of Paul’s description. She literally roamed from house to house in our neighborhood on a daily basis while plates of half-eaten meals sat on her family room floor.

Understanding the Proper Motivation

What is the godly woman’s motivation for becoming a homemaker? The Proverbs 31 woman seeks to “do good” for her husband and to “watch over the ways of her household.” This indicates a motivation driven by her love for her family and a desire to serve others. We, too, should pursue our daily tasks with the same motivation. Ultimately, we strive to be productive in our homes because we are serving the Lord (Colossians 3:23).

The role of homemaker blesses a woman with an opportunity to serve. However, if we are not careful, we may find ourselves spending hours running the recreational circuit instead. God has chosen women to fulfill a wonderful and much needed role in this life. Are we making God's choices ours?

How to Enjoy Life More

This world is not our home; but while we are passing through, we can make our journey more enjoyable. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer almost 13 years ago, my perspective on life changed. The experience helped me learn how to make the most of the time I do have here on Earth.

Savor the Simplest Things

Have you ever considered the trip to your mailbox as the highlight of your day? While I was recovering from surgery and undergoing chemotherapy, I learned to savor my daily walk to the mailbox. The walk accomplished more than retrieving the mail: it allowed me time to savor my surroundings. I no longer moved ferociously to the mailbox, ignoring everything in my path. I became aware of how the elements of God’s creation filled my senses: the scent of fresh air, the coolness of a breeze. When we take time to appreciate the majesty of God’s creation, we learn to appreciate what God has done for us. This must be how David felt when he wrote, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?” (Psalm 8:3-4).

See the Good in People

We are not to ignore or condone sin, but too often we engage in unfair criticism of others. Have you noticed that people who habitually criticize others seem miserable? Perhaps that’s because their critical heart has created a skewed view of the world. If we see only what is lacking in another’s character, we often fail to appreciate the kindness others show toward us. Looking for the good in others teaches us to trust and prevents us from exalting ourselves too highly.

Look for the Good in a Bad Situation

Consider how Paul viewed his situation in 2 Corinthians 4:8-18: "We are hard-pressed [. . .] yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed." In his darkest days, Paul recognized that all was not lost.

Paul prayed three times for God to remove the thorn from his flesh, but God chose not to do so. Instead of blaming God for his disappointment, Paul chose to see how he benefited from God’s denial: "lest I should be exalted above measure..." The thorn in Paul’s flesh helped him remain humble. Sometimes our requests are denied or our plans thwarted. Instead of wallowing in our disappointment, we need to look for the opportunities and blessings our disappointments bring.

Be Thankful

When we cultivate a heart of gratitude, we are less likely to think about what we don’t have. Christians are instructed to “give thanks always for all things to God the Father” (Ephesians 5:20). When we pray, we are to replace anxiety with gratitude (Philippians 4:6). Counting our blessings results in a merry heart, and a merry heart “does good like medicine” (Proverbs 17:22). This medicine doesn’t require us to use a credit card, cash, or check!

Meditate on These Things

We often feel miserable because we have allowed ourselves to focus on everything that we believe is negative in our lives. Paul offers the solution: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8). When we meditate on the good, our journey on Earth becomes a little more enjoyable until we experience the ultimate joy in heaven with our Father.

Girl Power: Every Woman has it!

Long before the ‘90s female pop group the Spice Girls popularized the phrase “girl power,” the feminist movement sought empowerment for women. One way the movement seeks empowerment for women is by challenging (or obliterating) the roles of men and women in society. What feminists fail to realize is that every woman already possesses power. That power exists apart from her holding a high-profile corporate position or exchanging her role with that of a man. That power is exerted through a woman’s influence. A godly woman has the power to change hearts, homes, and the world around her.

Women of the Bible

Throughout Bible history, we see women who exhibited a powerful influence over the lives of others – some for good, some for evil. Eve - the very first woman created - influenced her husband to sin, and the consequences her sin continue to effect women even today.

Abigail – a woman of understanding
In the Old Testament, Abigail is described as a “woman of good understanding.” She held no prestigious position in society and referred to David as “lord” and herself as his “maidservant,” yet this meek and humble woman stopped the future King of Israel from committing murder! In 1 Samuel 25, God tells us how Abigail humbled herself before David and pleaded (not nagged) with David to listen to her. Instead of berating David or tearing him down as a man, Abigail reminded David that he is the man who fights the battles of the Lord. In return, David respected Abigail and eventually made her his wife.

Eunice and Lois – raising a servant of God

In the New Testament, Timothy’s mother Eunice and grandmother Lois taught him God’s word from his youth, influencing Timothy to become a faithful servant of God and preacher to the lost. Paul tells us that Timothy knew the Scriptures from his childhood. A woman fulfilling her role as a mother has a wonderful opportunity to teach her children from youth about God and His word, thus influencing her children to develop characteristics that are in tune with God’s will.

Delilah: a Bad Influence on her Husband

Another woman of influence, Delilah, sought to tear down and destroy her powerful husband Samson. Far from the positive influence Abigail had over David, Abigail negatively influenced Samson to reveal the secret of his strength. Delilah employed childish tactics that eventually wore out Samson’s patience. She cried and played “the victim” by claiming her husband did not love her. She nagged him daily until Samson could no longer take it. To his demise, Samson revealed the secret of his strength, and Delilah delivered Samson’s secret into the hands of evil men.

“Curse God, and die!”

During Job’s difficult days, his wife encouraged him to curse God. Rather than supporting and uplifting her husband, Job’s wife asked her husband to do the unthinkable. Instead of reminding Job that he serves a powerful God, Job’s wife pleaded with him to abandon the only One who could make things right.

What kind of influence are we exerting on our husbands, families, and those we come in contact with on a daily basis? Are we like Delilah, nagging and trying to make others feel guilty in order to get our way? Are we like Job’s wife, encouraging others to abandon God during difficulties? Or are we like Abigail, humbly and meekly reminding others to do what is right?