Podcast appearances and mentions of william dembski

On this ID The Future, Wikipedia co-founder Larry Sanger joins hosts Andrew McDiarmid and Nathan Jacobson to delve into his personal evolution from longtime skeptical philosopher to belief in God. After falling out of faith in his teens, Sanger became a committed skeptic and agnostic, adhering to the principle of methodological skepticism for decades as he evaluated traditional arguments for the existence of God and found them wanting. And while Sanger was unconvinced by the claims of "new atheists" like Richard Dawkins and Daniel Dennett, he found himself drawn to the arguments of intelligent design scientists like Stephen Meyer, Michael Behe, and William Dembski. In this first half of a conversation, Sanger recounts his fascinating intellectual journey while unpacking the intelligent design arguments he found most convincing along his journey. This is Part 1 of a two-part interview. Look for Part 2 in a separate episode. Source

Design Arguments Part 2 Show NotesIn episode 82 we started our discussion on Design Arguments and got up to the start of the 19thC.  Later in that century the argument was turned on its head by Darwin and his Origin of Species. We discuss this and move on to modern creationism (a little) and Intelligent Design (a lot), selecting by our design – not at random - two more chapters from the 50 Arguments for Faith book which is heavy on Intelligent Design. Links: The 50 Arguments for Faith book: “Evidence for God: 50 Arguments for Faith from the Bible, History, Philosophy and Science” by Mike Licona and William Dembski.  (It can be found on Amazon.) Frances mentioned this by a practising Jew who rejects the Intelligent Design concept of irreducible complexity:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3721655/ Doubts Aloud Links:Please give feedback and ask questions using:  doubtsaloud@gmail.com

Our 2024 year-in-review theme for this special broadcast is From Unbelief to Belief. We feature clips from selected episodes in 2024 discussing the problem of unbelief and the hope we have in Christ of overcoming unbelief, in our own lives and the lives of those we know and love. Some of the guests featured on this special edition of the Profile include Dr. Darrell Bock, Dr. Doug Groothuis, Alisa Childers, Dr. Jamie Dew, Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez, Dr. William Dembski, Dr. Jana Harmon, Dr. Gary Habermas, and J. Warner Wallace. As we come to the closing days of 2024, we ask you to consider a tax-deductible donation to Watchman Fellowship to help make our weekly podcasts possible. You may donate at www.watchman.org/give or become a regular monthly supporter at www.patreon.com/WatchmanFellowship. If you prefer to send a check, please make it payable to Watchman Fellowship and indicate your support for Apologetics Profile Podcast. Our address is:     Watchman Fellowship, Inc.     PO BOX 310     Arlington, Texas 76004Related Links: Access additional Watchman Fellowship resources related to today's podcast: Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Bart Ehrman by Dr. Rhyne Putman: www.watchman.org/Ehrman Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman, Jr.: www.watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Deconstruction by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Deconstruction Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Divine Hiddenness by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Hiddenness Watchman Fellowship's complete Profile Notebook demo video: www.watchman.org/Demo Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/notebook. Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Show NotesWe start with the next chapter selected by the randomiser in our 50 Arguments for God book.  “Can We Be Certain That Jesus Died on a Cross? A Look at the Ancient Practice of Crucifixion” We agree that the answer is Yes, and enjoy ourselves on the way.  Then we move on to another random chapter which is on how our planet is ideal for doing astronomy – “Designed for Discovery”.  This leads to a wider discussion on Design Arguments. We look at their history and cover Aquinas, Hume and Paley, but run out of time at the start of the 19thC. Links: The 50 Arguments for Faith book: “Evidence for God: 50 Arguments for Faith from the Bible, History, Philosophy and Science” by Mike Licona and William Dembski.  (It can be found on Amazon.) The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on Hume and The Argument from Design:https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/hume-religion/#ArgDesAnd on Design Arguments generally:https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/teleological-arguments/#Int Doubts Aloud Links:Please give feedback and ask questions using:  doubtsaloud@gmail.com 

On this ID the Future from the archive, intelligent design pioneer William Dembski unpacks one of his chapters in The Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith: Exploring the Ultimate Questions about Life and the Cosmos, which Dembski co-edited with Joseph Holden and episode host Casey Luskin. Dembski discusses why intelligent design better explains the latest […]

On this ID the Future from the archive, intelligent design pioneer William Dembski unpacks one of his chapters in The Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith: Exploring the Ultimate Questions about Life and the Cosmos, which Dembski co-edited with Joseph Holden and episode host Casey Luskin. Dembski discusses why intelligent design better explains the latest scientific evidence better than blind material processes can. He also talks about ID's cultural implications. Source

Bob gives an overview of the Intelligent Design landscape, focusing on three of its leading members: Michael Behe, William Dembski, and Stephen Meyer. He explains what ID is, some of its major concepts, and tackles some common objections.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:Stephen Meyer talking about the return of the God hypothesis.Short video on the bacterial flagellum.BMS ep. 111 Winston Ewert on applying computer science to ID.Dembski talking about 2nd edition of The Design Inference.Two ID scholars critically assess the "origin of life" research.Casey Lunkin on the changing scientific view of "junk DNA."The link to Monetary Metals.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Dr. Craig reviews an article by William Dembski on the relationship between Scientific Materialism and Woke ideology.

Winston Ewert is a computer scientist and mathematician with numerous publications in the Intelligent Design (ID) field, including co-authored works with William Dembski. He joins Bob to discuss his recently published essay (a chapter in a collection) on the algorithmic model of the human mind.Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:The YouTube version of this interview.The website featuring the new book, and a blog post referring to Winston's particular chapter.Winston Ewert's website.Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

In this episode, host Michael Egnor speaks with Dr. William Dembski, a senior fellow at Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture, about his essay titled “Artificial General Intelligence as an Idol for Destruction.” Dembski argues that the belief in the imminent arrival of artificial general intelligence (AGI) is unachievable and destructive. He points out that while AI has made Read More › Source

In this episode, host Michael Egnor continues a conversation with Dr. William Dembski, a senior fellow at Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture, about the relationship between the mind and the body. Dembski argues that if information is considered fundamental rather than matter, it dissolves the mind-body problem. He suggests that information is not constrained by the speed of Read More › Source

"What are the chances of that happening?" we often say or hear whenever something remarkable or out of the ordinary takes place. When we use that phrase, we are invoking the design inference, even though we may not exactly call it that. Our guest again this week, philosopher, mathematician and senior fellow at Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture Dr. William Dembski shares with us how his more formalized design inference is indeed rooted in simple, everyday inferences we all make. But he also how it fits into the laws of probability, information theory, and specified complexity as well, making it a rigorous formal argument applicable for intuiting design in the physical cosmos and biology. We further discuss his new, second edition of his landmark 1998 book, The Design Inference.William A. Dembski, a noted mathematician and philosopher, is a Founding and Senior Fellow with Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture and a Distinguished Fellow with the Institute's Walter Bradley Center for Natural and Artificial Intelligence. His most recent books relating to intelligent design include Being as Communion: A Metaphysics of Information (2014), Evolutionary Informatics (2017, co-authored with Robert Marks and Winston Ewert), and the second edition of The Design Inference (2023, co-authored with Winston Ewert). For more info, visit BillDembski.com.Related Links: Free access to some related Watchman Profiles: Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: watchman.org/Agnostic Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Naturalism by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Naturalism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Scientism by Dr. Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Scientism Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

On this episode, host Michael Egnor speaks with Bill Dembski about the concept of information and its role in understanding the mind-body relationship. Dembski explains that information is a verb, representing the narrowing of possibilities and the constraining of contingency. He discusses how information can be understood in different contexts and how it relates to concepts such as meaning and communication. Read More › Source

For centuries Western natural philosophy, theology and the scientific tradition widely accepted that the physical cosmos and life within it was the creation of God. Arguably one of the most influential works which usurped the belief in God as the Creator was Charles Darwin's 1859 publication On the Origin of Species. It undoubtedly provided many with the intellectual framework for atheism, naturalism, and materialism. But in the late 20th and early 21st century, the concept of intelligent design has made a cultural comeback. This week and next we sit down with Dr. William Dembski, one of the leading founders and proponents of the Intelligent Design movement, to discuss his new, second edition of his landmark 1998 book, The Design Inference.William A. Dembski, a noted mathematician and philosopher, is a Founding and Senior Fellow with Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture and a Distinguished Fellow with the Institute's Walter Bradley Center for Natural and Artificial Intelligence. His most recent books relating to intelligent design include Being as Communion: A Metaphysics of Information (2014), Evolutionary Informatics (2017, co-authored with Robert Marks and Winston Ewert), and the second edition of The Design Inference (2023, co-authored with Winston Ewert). For more info, visit BillDembski.com.Related Links: Free access to some related Watchman Profiles: Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: watchman.org/Agnostic Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Naturalism by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Naturalism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Scientism by Dr. Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Scientism Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

"What are the chances of that happening?" we often say or hear whenever something remarkable or out of the ordinary takes place. When we use that phrase, we are invoking the design inference, even though we may not exactly call it that. Our guest again this week, philosopher, mathematician and senior fellow at Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture Dr. William Dembski shares with us how his more formalized design inference is indeed rooted in simple, everyday inferences we all make. But he also how it fits into the laws of probability, information theory, and specified complexity as well, making it a rigorous formal argument applicable for intuiting design in the physical cosmos and biology. We further discuss the new second edition of his 1998 landmark book The Design Inference. A noted mathematician and philosopher, William A. Dembski is a Founding and Senior Fellow with Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture and a Distinguished Fellow with the Institute's Walter Bradley Center for Natural and Artificial Intelligence. His most recent books relating to intelligent design include Being as Communion: A Metaphysics of Information (2014), Evolutionary Informatics (2017, co-authored with Robert Marks and Winston Ewert), and the second edition of The Design Inference (2023, co-authored with Winston Ewert).   Bill's Personal Website - https://billdembski.com/ Book: Second Edition of https://www.discovery.org/store/product/the-design-inference/ Free Four-Page Profiles from Watchman Fellowship! https://www.watchman.org/scientism/ProfileScientism.pdf https://www.watchman.org/Naturalism/ProfileNaturalism.pdf https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/atheismprofile.pdf   Podbean enables our podcast to be on Apple Podcasts and other major podcast platforms.  To support Good Heavens! on Podbean as a patron, you can use the Podbean app, or go to https://patron.podbean.com/goodheavens.  This goes to Wayne Spencer. If you would like to give to the ministry of Watchman Fellowship or to Daniel Ray, you can donate at https://www.watchman.org/daniel. Donations to Watchman are tax deductible.

For centuries, Western natural philosophy, theology, the scientific tradition widely accepted that the physical cosmos and life within it was the creation of God. Arguably one of the most influential works which usurped the belief in God as the Creator was Charles Darwin's 1859 publication On the Origin of Species. It undoubtedly provided many with the intellectual framework for atheism, naturalism, and materialism. But in the late 20th and early 21st century, the concept of intelligent design has made a cultural comeback. This week and next we sit down with Dr. William Dembski, one of the leading founders and proponents of the Intelligent Design movement, to discuss his new second edition of his landmark 1998 book, The Design Inference.  A noted mathematician and philosopher, William A. Dembski is a Founding and Senior Fellow with Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture and a Distinguished Fellow with the Institute's Walter Bradley Center for Natural and Artificial Intelligence. His most recent books relating to intelligent design include Being as Communion: A Metaphysics of Information (2014), Evolutionary Informatics (2017, co-authored with Robert Marks and Winston Ewert), and the second edition of The Design Inference (2023, co-authored with Winston Ewert). Bill's Personal Website - https://billdembski.com/ Book: Second Edition of https://www.discovery.org/store/product/the-design-inference/ Free Four-Page Profiles from Watchman Fellowship! https://www.watchman.org/scientism/ProfileScientism.pdf https://www.watchman.org/Naturalism/ProfileNaturalism.pdf https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/atheismprofile.pdf   Podbean enables our podcast to be on Apple Podcasts and other major podcast platforms.  To support Good Heavens! on Podbean as a patron, you can use the Podbean app, or go to https://patron.podbean.com/goodheavens.  This goes to Wayne Spencer. If you would like to give to the ministry of Watchman Fellowship or to Daniel Ray, you can donate at https://www.watchman.org/daniel. Donations to Watchman are tax deductible.

In my many years of studying and defending Intelligent Design (ID), I have noticed at least nine common mistakes made by critics. These errors disallow a proper evaluation of ID theories as scientific explanations. Much of the ink spilled in opposition to ID can be erased by noting these fallacies. Most if not all of these mistakes are mentioned in Stephen Meyer's stellar defense of ID, called Return of the God Hypothesis (Harper One, 2021). 1. Critics of ID claim that genuine science is intrinsically naturalistic, and thus ignore the history of science in the West, which was decisively influenced by a Christian worldview. That is, they assume methodological naturalism, which automatically freezes out the design inference. 2. They dismiss ID arguments because they are offered by religious people. This is the ad hominem fallacy and begs the question, another fallacy. 3. They place ID explanation in the category of bogus supernaturalism, such as fairies, gnomes, goblins, etc. This is the fallacy of guilt by association. Fairies, gnomes, and goblins explain nothing and there is no evidence of their objective existence. 4. If a naturalistic explanation is not available (such as for the origin of life on earth or the Cambrian explosion), instead of considering a design explanation, they claim that it is only a matter of time until a naturalistic explanation is found. Give us time, they ask, while not considering the ID explanation before them. This commits the fallacy of begging the question. To those who remember checking, this is the “post-dated check fallacy.” I will have the funds in the future. Trust me. But future funds can purchase nothing, let alone a sufficient explanation. 5. They misstate ID theories and then attack a straw man (fallacy). Lawrence Kraus and Richard Dawkins accuse Stephen Meyer of wrongly stating that natural selection is “random” in the sense of being haphazard. But Meyer meant “random” in the sense of undesigned. There is a mechanical logic to natural selection that is not random; but on naturalistic grounds, the elements that went into natural selection occurring at all (such as the irreducibly informational aspects, which naturalists cannot explain) are undesigned and random in that way. 6. They claim that if ID explanations are allowed, this will introduce a “divine foot in the door” (Richard Lewontin) which will wreck science (somehow). This is the straw man fallacy, since Stephen Meyer and William Dembski have articulated ID as a bona fide scientific theory. 7. They make the accusation that ID appeals to “the god of the gaps.” They substitute the “matter of the gaps” assumption (begging the question on naturalism) and deny that ID gives a bona fide explanation based on hard evidence and reliable means of argumentation (usually inference to the best explanation or Bayesian probability considerations). This is the straw man fallacy. 8. They offer alternatives to ID that end up assuming unexplained information, such as the RNA world and inflationary-string multiverse theory. If so, they have not eliminated the original explanation by naturalistic devices. 9. They present naturalistic explanations that are full of extraneous explanatory entities, such as the multiverse theory. This violates the principle of simplicity in explanation. As I state in Christian Apologetics: Criterion 8. Worldviews should not appeal to extraneous entities or be more complex than is required to explain what they propose to establish.[i] These nine mistakes are commonly advanced by critics of ID, but there may be other general errors in evaluation. Any fair evaluation of ID should shun these nine mistakes and assess the various ID theories on their own merits. Groothuis, Douglas. Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith (pp. 50-51). InterVarsity Press. Kindle Edition. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The new edition is out!!! Dr. William Dembski boldly addresses his critics, namely Dr. Elsberry writing for the National Center for Science Education. As mentioned, Dr. Dembski's book, "The Design Inference: Eliminating Chance Through Small Probabilities" now has a brand new second edition—it has been thoroughly updated, so don't miss out on it!

Don't be the one to miss out on this amazing interview! Intelligent Design is science and the newly updated Design Inference proves it. Dr. Ewert is back for another interview where he summarize the newest updates to the book that he co-authored with Dr. William Dembski. He also answers objections and shares what readers can look forward to. This short 12 minute interview is packed with important information you won't want to miss!

How do we know that life is designed? Would it surprise you to know that it can be done mathematically? You see, things like biological systems, specified complexity, and probabilistic hurdles leave no reasonable explanation for life as we know it without a creator. But are atheists and skeptics willing and able to address these hurdles without attributing them to so-called "chance"? In this week's podcast episode, Frank interviews Dr. William "Bill" Dembski, one of the founders of the modern-day intelligent design movement, who has an impressive academic background in philosophy, mathematics, and theology and sits on the Board of Directors at the Discovery Institute. In this thought-provoking episode, Bill and Frank team up to discuss the second edition of Bill's book (co-authored by Winston Ewert) 'The Design Inference: Eliminating Chance Through Small Probabilities', which lays out the mathematical way to detect design in nature. During their conversation, Bill and Frank will answer questions like: What is a design inference and what happens when you apply it to biology? Why did Bill take a 10-year hiatus from his career in academia? How did the use of mathematics to detect design expose the president of Stanford University as a cheat? What do cells and DNA reveal about the complexity of life? What are the challenges that materialists face when trying to explain the origin of life? What are some of the flaws in Richard Dawkins' argument for 'Climbing Mount Improbable'? What do monkeys and Shakespeare have in common?   As you'll hear in this episode, it isn't just a religious position that supports the existence of an intelligent designer. Objections to design, such as the argument from ignorance, are not valid when the design inference is applied correctly. How do we know that life is designed? Because the numbers just don't lie! To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It's the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry. You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE. Purchase ‘The Design Inference' (2nd Edition): https://a.co/d/bfwaDUT Connect with Bill online: https://billdembski.com/

Is there an empirical method to determine whether a system is the product of chance or design? On this ID The Future, physicist Brian Miller concludes a two-part conversation with Dr. William Dembski about a new updated second edition of his classic book The Design Inference. In many ways, the 2nd edition of The Design Inference is a brand new book. Dr. Dembski teases out what is new and updated, and he also discusses what it was like to team up with software engineer Winston Ewert on the project. He even gives us a sneak preview of his next book, covering the conservation of information. This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation. Source

Hailed as "sparklingly original" and an "important contribution", mathematician William Dembski's 1998 book The Design Inference gave the modern design hypothesis a firm empirical footing and quickly inspired demonization and dismissal from disgruntled Darwinists. Twenty-five years later, Dembski's arguments stand firm, and a second edition with fresh analysis and insight is now available to a new generation of truth seekers. On this ID The Future, physicist Brian Miller invites Dr. Dembski to take us back to the 1980s to tell us the story of how The Design Inference came to be. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Look for Part 2 next! Source

Are life and the universe products of chance, necessity, or design? In anticipation of a new updated second edition of his classic book The Design Inference, out this month, today's ID the Future from the archive features Rice University synthetic organic chemist James Tour and intelligent design pioneer William Dembski concluding their discussion about the origin and role of information in living things. Here in Part 2, Dr. Dembski tackles questions from Dr. Tour's audience on topics like information theory, probability theory, the origin of life, evolution, the multiverse hypothesis, and Dembski's contributions to the theory of intelligent design. This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation. Source

What is information? How does it run the show in biology? In anticipation of a new updated second edition of his classic book The Design Inference, out this month, today's ID the Future from the vault features Rice University synthetic organic chemist James Tour and intelligent design pioneer William Dembski discussing information theory, information as a meaningful reduction of possibilities, Shannon information versus specified information, and how natural selection has come to function as a God substitute for many scientists, despite the lack of evidence. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Source

What is information? How does it run the show in biology? In anticipation of a new updated second edition of his classic book The Design Inference, out this month, today's ID the Future from the vault features Rice University synthetic organic chemist James Tour and intelligent design pioneer William Dembski discussing information theory, information as a meaningful reduction of possibilities, Shannon information versus specified information, and how natural selection has come to function as a God substitute for many scientists, despite the lack of evidence. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Source

Is the world a meaningless churning of random intersecting events or a beautiful place of genius that reveals the reality of God as the ultimate Genius?  Dr. Jonathan Witt joins The Denison Forum Podcast to discuss this central question of his book, A Meaningful World: How the Arts and Sciences Reveal the Genius of Nature When we encounter, discover, or help to create things in our world that express the unmistakable qualities of depth, harmony, clarity, and elegance, how do we explain them? What are they pointing us to?  From great literature to music, to mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics, the majestic fingerprints of an all-powerful, good and majestic creator are all around us—if we have the eyes, ears, and heart to receive them.  It just may be that breathtaking beauty and order will lead us to the greatest discovery of all. Topics Introducing Dr. Jonathan Witt | 00:00 Dr. Witt's journey of faith | 03:42 Why do the beliefs of Darwin, Dawkins, and similar thinkers hold so much sway in our culture? | 10:03 How did Christianity influence the rise of modern science? | 15:19 What's the difference between science and scientism? | 21:11 Post-pandemic, should we “trust the science”? | 22:04 Why Dr. Witt wrote A Meaningful World | 25:19 How Hamlet reveals God (The four characteristics of genius) | 28:58 What does genius mean? | 38:16 How does human genius reflect God's genius? | 39:38 How does elegance reveal God's genius? | 43:33 How does mathematics reveal God's genius? | 50:48 How can a loving, genius God allow pain? | 54:49 Where can listeners learn more about Dr. Witt? | 1:00:43 Resources Read the prologue to A Meaningful World. Download the unedited transcript (PDF). Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. A Meaningful World: How the Arts and Sciences Reveal the Genius of Nature, Dr. Jonathan Witt The Discovery Institute Center for Science & Culture Return of the God Hypothesis: A conversation with Dr. Stephen Meyer, The Denison Forum Podcast Your Designed Body, Steve Laufmann and Howard Glicksman The Wonder of Water, Michael Denton About Dr. Jonathan Witt Jonathan Witt, PhD, is Executive Editor of Discovery Institute Press and a senior fellow and senior project manager with Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture. His latest book is Heretic: One Scientist's Journey from Darwin to Design (DI Press, 2018) written with Finnish bioengineer Matti Leisola. Witt also authored Intelligent Design Uncensored (IVP, 2010) with William Dembski, and A Meaningful World: How the Arts and Sciences Reveal the Genius of Nature (IVP, 2006) with Benjamin Wiker. He is also the author of The Hobbit Party: The Vision of Freedom That Tolkien Got, and the West Forgot (Ignatius, 2014), written with Jay Richards. Witt is also the lead writer and associate producer for Poverty, Inc., winner of the $100,000 Templeton Freedom Award and recipient of over 50 international film festival honors. He also scripted three other documentaries that aired widely on PBS and were translated into multiple languages for airing in countries around the globe: The Privileged Planet (written with Lad Allen), The Birth of Freedom, and The Call of the Entrepreneur. Additionally, he scripted two Acton Media DVD curricula carried by Zondervan, including Effective Stewardship, and he served as the lead writer for The PovertyCure DVD Series and the PovertyCure initiative, which includes a content-rich website, more than a million Facebook followers, and a network of 400+ poverty-fighting organizations from around the world. Witt also has provided editing or deep editing work for several successful books, including three New York Times bestsellers. Before returning to work full time again with Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture, Witt served as the managing editor for the news and commentary site The Stream, and as a research fellow for the Acton Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Witt's academic essays have appeared in various periodicals and he has been interviewed by numerous regional and national radio programs. He is a regular annual speaker for Discovery Institute's summer seminar on science and culture and has spoken at universities on a range of topics connected to political and economic freedom, cultural renewal, and the arts. Witt previously served as a tenured professor of literature and writing at Lubbock Christian University. He has a Ph.D., with honors, in English and Literary Theory from the University of Kansas. About Dr. Mark Turman Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today's culture. About Denison Forum Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.  

What challenges do Christian students face while studying science in high school and college? Is there academic freedom to study, research, or teach about the scientific debate over Darwinian evolution and intelligent design? Dr. Casey Luskin joins the show to make a case for intelligent design, help you navigate the challenges to being a Christian in a scientific field, and answer your science and faith questions related to intelligent design. Dr. Luskin is a scientist and an attorney. He holds a PhD in Geology from the University of Johannesburg and a law degree from the University of San Diego. He works as Associate Director of the Center for Science and is a California-licensed attorney, practicing primarily in the area of evolution-education in public schools and defending academic freedom for scientists who face discrimination because of their support for intelligent design. Dr. Luskin co-edited with William Dembski and Joseph Holden "The Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith: Exploring the Ultimate Questions About Life and the Cosmos."

Scientific Evidence for Intelligent Design, How Mutations Fail To Invent and The  Remarkable Coincidences in Photosynthesis. ACU Sunday Series.  Stephen Meyer Investigates Scientific Evidence for Intelligent Design (Lecture 1) Michael Behe Exposes How Mutations Fail To Invent Michael Denton Remarkable Coincidences in Photosynthesis   Stephen Meyer Investigates Scientific Evidence for Intelligent Design (Lecture 1) https://youtu.be/C5Z6h_RVhIw Discovery Science Visit https://www.discoveryu.org/courses/meyer for the full course. For the first time, you can have living room access to over seven hours of teaching by intelligent design pioneer Stephen Meyer in a brand-new online course. A favorite of students young and old(er), Meyer will delight both as he explores the scientific evidence for intelligent design (ID) found in physics, cosmology, biology and the chemical origin of life. Join Stephen as he investigates the scientific evidence for intelligent design in the origin of life, the development of biological complexity, and physics and cosmology. In 42 short video lectures, Meyer explores the scientific basis for the theory of intelligent design—the idea that key features of life and the universe are best explained as the product of an intelligent cause rather than an unguided process. In this course, Meyer will guide you through the major concepts and information presented in his path breaking books Signature in the Cell and Darwin's Doubt, as well as previewing some of the material about physics and cosmology in his book The Return of the God Hypothesis. Each video lecture is accompanied by a short quiz, and a special digital certificate of completion is offered for those who finish the course. For more about the course visit https://www.discoveryu.org/courses/meyer. Check out these videos as well: Information Enigma: Where does information come from? https://youtu.be/aA-FcnLsF1g Michael Behe Investigates Evolution & Intelligent Design (Lecture 1) https://youtu.be/XCTTy0ylf7A Stephen Meyer Shatters The Myth Of The Multiverse (Science Uprising EP4) https://youtu.be/WR51OrawqIg ============================ The Discovery Science News Channel is the official Youtube channel of Discovery Institute's Center for Science & Culture. The CSC is the institutional hub for scientists, educators, and inquiring minds who think that nature supplies compelling evidence of intelligent design. The CSC supports research, sponsors educational programs, defends free speech, and produce articles, books, and multimedia content. For more information visit https://www.discovery.org/id/ http://www.evolutionnews.org/ http://www.intelligentdesign.org/ Follow us on Facebook and Twitter: Twitter: @discoverycsc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discoverycsc/ Visit other Youtube channels connected to the Center for Science & Culture Discovery Institute: https://www.youtube.com/user/Discover... Dr. Stephen C. Meyer: https://www.youtube.com/user/DrStephe... The Magician's Twin - CS Lewis & Evolution: https://www.youtube.com/user/cslewisweb Darwin's Heretic - Alfred Russel Wallce: https://www.youtube.com/user/AlfredRW...   Course Overview Join philosopher of science Stephen Meyer as he investigates the scientific evidence for intelligent design in the origin of life, the development of biological complexity, and physics and cosmology. In 42 short video lectures, Meyer explores the scientific basis for the theory of intelligent design—the idea that key features of life and the universe are best explained as the product of an intelligent cause rather than an unguided process. In this course, Meyer will guide you through the major concepts and information presented in his pathbreaking books Signature in the Cell and Darwin's Doubt, as well as previewing some of the material about physics and cosmology in his book The Return of the God Hypothesis. Each video lecture is accompanied by a short quiz, and a special digital certificate of completion is offered for those who finish the course. About the Professor Stephen C. Meyer received his PhD from the University of Cambridge in the history and philosophy of science. A former geophysicist with ARCO and professor of philosophy at Whitworth University, he currently directs the Center for Science and Culture at the Discovery Institute in Seattle. He is author of the New York Times-bestseller Darwin's Doubt (2013) as well as Signature in the Cell (2009) and The Return of the God Hypothesis (forthcoming in 2021). Recommended Texts and Resources You are encouraged to dig deeper into the topics explored in this course by consulting the following books and resources: Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design (book) Darwin's Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design (book) Debating Darwin's Doubt (book) Signature of Controversy: Responses to Critics of Signature in the Cell (book) Explore Evolution: The Arguments for and against Neo-Darwinism (book) The Return of the God Hypothesis (book) DarwinsDoubt.com (website) The Information Enigma (video) The Intelligent Design Collection—Darwin's Dilemma, The Privileged Planet, Unlocking the Mystery of Life (videos) Course Outline Unit 1: Evidence of Intelligent Design in the Origin of Life Introduction to Course. What is intelligent design, and why is it controversial? In this first lecture, Meyer introduces the topic of intelligent design. Darwin's Challenge to Intelligent Design. What does evolution mean? Meyer explains adaptation and explains how Darwin's theory challenges the idea of intelligent design. Theories of the Origin of Life in the Nineteenth Century. Darwin conceived of the origin of life happening possibly in a “warm little pond.” Meyer explains the state of origin of life research at Darwin's time and later. Oparin's Theory of the Origin of Life. Meyer delves into Alexsandr Oparin's theory on the origin of life, put forward in 1936. Learn about evolutionary abiogenesis and the experiment that sought to prove it. The Amazing Complexity of Proteins. What do proteins look like? How has science progressed in its understanding of these basic building blocks of life? Meyer traces the work of protein scientists in the 1930s up through the 50s. What is the importance of a protein's shape? And how is this shape determined? The Role of DNA. How did our understanding of the cell change in the 1950s and 60s? Meyer discusses the discovery of the stable double helix structure of DNA and the key scientists involved. The DNA Enigma. Meyer examines Francis Crick's sequence hypothesis and then goes on to delve into the question of code and biological information, explaining what he calls “the DNA enigma.” What Kind of Information Does DNA Contain? Meyer explores types of information, explains mathematical Shannon information, and discusses what kind of information Francis Crick, Richard Dawkins, and Bill Gates see in life's code. Explanations for the Origin of Life: Chance. Could the information in the cell come about by chance? Today, learn the history of origin of life research from the 1950s to the present. What is prebiotic soup, anyway? Explanations for the Origin of Life: Self-Organization. Can self-organization explain the origin of biological information? In this lesson, learn about Dean Kenyon and his idea of ‘biochemical predestination' of amino acids. How does DNA fit into this whole picture? 2 Explanations for the Origin of Life: Pre-Biotic Natural Selection. What is prebiotic natural selection? Listen in as Dr. Meyer examines Oparin's hypothesis and modern attempts to reconcile evolution with the origin of life. Introduction to Intelligent Design. Meyer recounts his introduction to the design hypothesis and his quest to shape it into a rigorous scientific argument as he explores historical science methods. Objections to Intelligent Design: Is Intelligent Design Science? Meyer responds to a key philosophical objection to intelligent design. Objections to Intelligent Design: Argument from Ignorance? Some critics claim design proponents make an argument from ignorance. Is this true? Meyer discusses the intelligent designer of the gaps objection and illustrates why it is not applicable. Objections to Intelligent Design: RNA World, pt 1. Is it possible to avoid the cell's chicken and egg problem? Listen in as Meyer discusses the RNA world scenario. Can genetic information and biochemically relevant functions be present without either DNA or protein? Objections to Intelligent Design: RNA World, pt. 2. Can the RNA world scenario overcome the information problem? Listen in as Dr. Meyer analyzes this popular proposal. Objections to Intelligent Design: RNA World, pt. 3. Have scientific developments “overtaken Meyer's book” as Stephen Fletcher claims? Listen in as Meyer examines Fletcher's supposed evidence. Objections to Intelligent Design: Junk DNA. Critics claim that junk DNA disproves intelligent design. Meyer takes on this objection. Unit 2: Evidence of Intelligent Design in the Development of Life Another Information Problem in the History of Life. Is the origin of life the main problem with the materialistic evolutionary account of origins? Meyer delves into the modern evolutionary synthesis. Is information a problem here too? The Cambrian Explosion. What does the fossil record reveal about life's history? Meyer discusses how Darwin found the Cambrian explosion particularly striking and puzzling. The Mystery of the Missing Fossils: The Burgess Shale. Darwin tried to propose an explanation for the mystery of the missing fossils. But have later discoveries confirmed his predictions? Meyer introduces a 1909 discovery – the Burgess Shale. The Mystery of the Missing Fossils: The Chenjiang Fauna. Meyer details a fossil find with great diversity: the Cambrian era Chenjiang fauna. 3 What Does It Take to Build an Animal? Meyer discusses the process of how to get a Cambrian animal. Challenges to the Neo-Darwinian Mechanism: Combinatorial Searches, pt. 1. What does combinatorial search mean? And how would the neo-Darwinian mechanism produce the new genetic information needed to build new animals? Challenges to the Neo-Darwinian Mechanism: Combinatorial Searches, pt. 2. How hard is it to get a new protein? Meyer does the math, further examining the efficacy of the neo-Darwinian synthesis. Challenges to the Neo-Darwinian Mechanism: Developmental Mutations and Gene Regulatory Networks. It's a catch-22: random mutation and organism development. Meyer gets beyond the numbers and uncovers the challenges posed for NeoDarwinism by developmental mutations and developmental gene regulatory networks. Challenges to the Neo-Darwinian Mechanism: Information beyond DNA. Do protein folds and developmental gene regulatory networks pose the biggest problems to Neo-Darwinism? Meyer discusses a third devastating challenge to evolution. He also discusses new evolutionary theories proposed to overcome it. The Positive Case for Intelligent Design, pt. 1. Can one make a positive case for intelligent design using accepted methods of reasoning? Meyer examines inductive, deductive and abductive reasoning, and lays out what intelligent design proponents need to demonstrate to make a strong case for design. The Positive Case for Intelligent Design, pt. 2. Meyer applies historical scientific methods to evaluate potential causes of the Cambrian explosion. The Positive Case for Intelligent Design, pt. 3. Meyer discusses genetic algorithm computer programs, the reason why the random mutation/natural selection mechanism is doomed, and why intelligence uniquely can account for functional information. Responding to Critics: Charles Marshall. Paleontologist Charles Marshall challenged Meyer's arguments in Darwin's Doubt, and here Meyer responds. Response to Critics: Dennis Venema and Deborah Haarsma. Meyer evaluates an objection to his book from theistic evolutionists Dennis Venema and Deborah Haarsma. Can evolution's mechanism of natural selection acting on random mutations account for new protein folds? And what does the evolution of nylonase demonstrate? Responding to Critics: Lawrence Krauss and Richard Dawkins. Meyer responds to atheists Lawrence Krauss and Richard Dawkins. 4 Who Is the Designer? Who is the designing intelligence? Was it an alien? Or a transcendent being? Meyer addresses this question, distinguishing between evidence from biology that merely points to mind, and separate evidence that may shed light on the identity of the designer. Unit 3: Evidence of Intelligent Design in Physics and Cosmology One Man's Journey. Meyer recounts the story of an astronomer's journey from atheism to intelligent design. What do the stars reveal? What Is Fine-Tuning? Meyer discusses the laws and constants of physics, highlighting striking examples of fine-tuning. How Do We Recognize Design? Meyer discusses William Dembski's theory of design inferences, and applies that to fine-tuning. Weak Anthropic Principle and Natural Law. Meyer gives an overview of the weak anthropic principle and natural law as explanations for fine-tuning. The Multiverse, pt. 1. Meyer describes a popular explanation for fine-tuning and the two cosmological models physicists employ. The Multiverse, pt. 2. Meyer analyzes the multiverse theory. How does it stack up against intelligent design? The Multiverse, pt. 3. Meyer delves deeper into universe generating mechanisms and what they require. Who Is the Designer? In this final video lecture, Stephen Meyer shares his thoughts on this important question.     Michael Behe Exposes How Mutations Fail To Invent (Science Uprising EP6) https://youtu.be/_ivgQFIST1g Discovery Science Are chance mutations really “the key to our evolution” like they claim in the X-Men films? Or are there strict limits to what mutations can accomplish, limits that point to the need for an overarching designer and the failure of Darwinian evolution to create fundamentally new things? Be sure to visit https://scienceuprising.com/ to find more videos and explore related articles and books. In this episode of Science Uprising, we'll take a look at the real evidence for the supposed powerhouse of evolution. The featured expert is biochemist Michael Behe of Lehigh University, author of the books Darwin's Black Box, The Edge of Evolution, and Darwin Devolves. Well-known scientists have been preaching a materialistic worldview rather than presenting the public with all the evidence. We are here to change that. The objective scientific evidence does not prove our universe is blind and purposeless. It does not show we are simply meat machines. It does not prove that evolutionary mechanisms can completely account for the diversity of life on earth. This is what THEY want you to think. Think for yourself and make an informed decision. Are you ready? The uprising has begun. In a lecture, Phillip Johnson cited physicist Richard Feynman on a scientist's obligation to be honest — not only with himself or in other scientific contexts but, not one bit less, when speaking to the lay public. “You should not fool the laymen when you're talking as a scientist.” That such a thing would need to be said is itself revealing. What's more, Feynman insisted, you should “bend over backwards to show how you may be wrong.” The comments are taken from a Commencement address by Feynman in 1974 at Caltech. Johnson, a founding father of modern intelligent design, was so moved by this that he said “I wish it could be set to music.” As far as I know it hasn't been set to music. But the idea is a major theme in the new Science Uprising series. Scientists fool themselves and they fool non-scientists, not about dry technical details with no special significance, but about matters that bear on huge, life-altering world picture issues. One example is the role of mutations in evolution. That is the topic of Episode 6 of Science Uprising, “Mutations: Failure to Invent.” It's out now; see it here: The Alternative Perspective The idea that random genetic mutations lead to wondrous, creative innovations is so influential that it forms the premise of a movie franchise, X-Men, that has grossed $6 billion worldwide over the past couple of decades. That's a lot of “fooling the laymen”! The alternative perspective would be open to the possibility of creative evolution requiring intelligence guidance. The producers of the X-Men movies aren't scientists. However, the science media have done their best to mislead about the work of real scientists, including National Academy of Sciences member Richard Lenski. We're all victims of that hype, including Hollywood moviemakers. Dismantling the hype about Lenski occupies biochemist Michael Behe for a significant part of his recent book, Darwin Devolves. Super-Challenges Not Super-Powers As Professor Behe explains in Science Uprising, the Long-Term Evolution Experiment conducted by Lenski has demonstrated not the creative power of unguided evolution but the occasional benefits of devolution, of breaking or disabling genes. That's the opposite lesson from the one drawn by media such as the New York Times in reporting on Lenski's efforts. “Think about it,” says the masked narrator of Science Uprising, against the backdrop of poignant images of people suffering from genetic illnesses, “significant mutations don't create superpowers. They create super-challenges. Sometimes those mutations are even life-threatening.” Check out some of our other videos: Information Enigma: Where does information come from? Information drives the development of life. But what is the source of that information? https://youtu.be/aA-FcnLsF1g Science Uprising Episode 1 - Reality: Real vs. Material Has science proven we are all just matter? Or does reality extend beyond what we can see and touch? https://youtu.be/Fv3c7DWuqpM Bijan Nemati: Rare Earth https://youtu.be/vn3YpOWCrc4 Check out other videos from this playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list... Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/Discover...     Michael Denton Remarkable Coincidences in Photosynthesis -- ID The Future Podcast https://youtu.be/12i2RKct5RM Discovery Science On this episode of ID the Future, we listen in on a few minutes from a lecture given by CSC Senior Fellow Michael Denton. We've all heard of the importance of photosynthesis as an oxygen creating process. In this segment, Denton explains the “remarkable set of coincidences” which makes the creation of oxygen through photosynthesis possible. From the specific energy of visible light to the unique properties of water, this degree of improbability screams DESIGN. For more and to download this episode go to: https://www.discovery.org/multimedia/... For more on how the cosmos is designed for life, watch Discovery Institute's documentary Priviledged Species, featuring Michael Denton, at http://privilegedspecies.com/. The ID The Future (IDTF) podcast carries on Discovery Institute's mission of exploring the issues central to evolution and intelligent design. IDTF is a short podcast providing you with the most current news and views on evolution and ID. IDTF delivers brief interviews with key scientists and scholars developing the theory of ID, as well as insightful commentary from Discovery Institute senior fellows and staff on the scientific, educational and legal aspects of the debate. You've heard the hype, now learn the truth. Subscribe to the podcast Intelligent Design: The Future. Exploring issues central to the case for intelligent design from the Big Bang to the bacterial flagellum and beyond. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/i... ============================ The Discovery Science News Channel is the official Youtube channel of Discovery Institute's Center for Science & Culture. The CSC is the institutional hub for scientists, educators, and inquiring minds who think that nature supplies compelling evidence of intelligent design. The CSC supports research, sponsors educational programs, defends free speech, and produce articles, books, and multimedia content. For more information visit https://www.discovery.org/id/ http://www.evolutionnews.org/ http://www.intelligentdesign.org/ Follow us on Facebook and Twitter: Twitter: @discoverycsc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discoverycsc/ Visit other Youtube channels connected to the Center for Science & Culture Discovery Institute: https://www.youtube.com/user/Discover... Dr. Stephen C. Meyer: https://www.youtube.com/user/DrStephe... The Magician's Twin - CS Lewis & Evolution: https://www.youtube.com/user/cslewisweb Darwin's Heretic - Alfred Russel Wallce: https://www.youtube.com/user/AlfredRW...  

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (01/30/23), Hank answers the following questions:In comparing William Dembski's view on the age of the earth to the progressive creationist Hugh Ross, what is your view?How could the Devil tempt Jesus?Can you clarify your statement that on the cross, Jesus suffered more than the cumulative sufferings of all humanity?What is your opinion of the Watchers in the movie Noah? I don't see them mentioned in the Bible.In Genesis chapter 6, are the sons of God angels who procreated with women?How do you relate the name Elohim and Psalm 82:6, with the sons of God in Genesis chapter 6?

On this ID the Future, mathematician William Dembski and host Eric Anderson explore whether design detection tools shed any light on the recent chess scandal involving world chess champion Magnus Carlsen and American grandmaster Hans Moke Niemann. Did Niemann cheat in a match where he beat Carlson, as some have claimed? There is no smoking gun in the case, so how might one determine if cheating occurred? At first glance the problem might seem far removed from the design detecting rules and tools Dembski laid out in his Cambridge University Press monograph The Design Inference. But actually there is some intriguing overlap. Is there a way to dig into the chess data and determine whether Niemann secretly used a computer chess engine to Read More › Source

On this ID the Future, mathematician and philosopher William Dembski shares with host Eric Anderson about a revised and updated edition of Dembski's pioneering 1998 Cambridge University Press book, The Design Inference. Dembski says he stands by that work and his early contributions to intelligent design theory, but adds that he has learned a lot more in the intervening years, particularly from his work with Robert J. Marks and Winston Ewert at the Evolutionary Informatics lab. Lessons from that and other work, Dembski explains, will enrich the new edition. What light do these design-detecting methods shed on modern evolutionary theory? Tune in as Dembski explains. Source

Anyone who has read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings can gather that their author hated tyranny, but few know that the novelist who once described himself as a hobbit “in all but size” was—even by hobbit standards—a zealous proponent of economic freedom and small government. There is a growing concern among many that the West is sliding into political, economic, and moral bankruptcy. In his beloved novels of Middle-Earth, J.R.R. Tolkien has drawn us a map to freedom.Several books ably explore how Tolkien's Catholic faith informed his fiction. None until now have centered on how his passion for liberty and limited government also shaped his work, or how this passion grew directly from his theological vision of man and creation. The Hobbit Party fills this void. Jonathan Witt and Jay Richards bring to The Hobbit Party a combined expertise in literary studies, political theory, economics, philosophy, and theology.Jonathan Witt, PhD, is Executive Editor of Discovery Institute Press and a senior fellow and senior project manager with Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture. His latest book is Heretic: One Scientist's Journey from Darwin to Design (DI Press, 2018) written with Finnish bioengineer Matti Leisola. Witt also authored Intelligent Design Uncensored (IVP, 2010) with William Dembski, and A Meaningful World: How the Arts and Sciences Reveal the Genius of Nature (IVP, 2006) with Benjamin Wiker. He is also the author of The Hobbit Party: The Vision of Freedom That Tolkien Got, and the West Forgot (Ignatius, 2014), written with Jay Richards.Subscribe to our podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 57– Show Notes We start with methodological naturalism and whether rejecting can be scientifically legitimate, as this is the next chapter in our 50 Arguments for God book. Chapter title: “The Scientific Status of Design Inferences”. We discuss the argument in the chapter for rejecting methodological naturalism when it comes to the ‘science' of Intelligent Design. For us the boundaries of this ‘methodological naturalism free-zone' is the problem.This leads us on to considering if methodological naturalism doesn't apply in science or in life. God is seen as intervening in the Bible. What are the implications? Is this what we see in the world? What about the idea that we might have heard in school assembly - we are God's or Jesus's hands and feet?Links:The book by Thom Stark that we mentioned: “The Human Faces of God” by Thom Stark and John Collinshttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Books-Thom-Stark/s?rh=n%3A266239%2Cp_27%3AThom+Stark And “Evidence for God: 50 Arguments for Faith from the Bible, History, Philosophy and Science” by Mike Licona and William Dembski. https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Evidence+for+God%3A+50+Arguments&i=stripbooks&crid=2JZMR7RRQTQ9P&sprefix=evidence+for+god+50+arguments+%2Cstripbooks%2C108&ref=nb_sb_noss Doubts Aloud Links:Please give feedback and ask questions using : doubtsaloud@gmail.com Join the Facebook Group discussions:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1023280847835278/ Meet us all in person again at the monthly “Unbelievable Christian and Skeptic Discussion Group” in central London, see:https://www.meetup.com/Unbelievable-Christian-and-Skeptic-Discussion-Group-London

Cries for unity are common among evangelicals. "Who cares what it says on the sign, as long as you love Jesus," say many who long for a church without unnecessary divisions that can sometimes cause such pain within the body of Christ. Amen! But, while it is tragic to see a lack of unity where it should be had, it is certainly tragic to pretend theological unity where it cannot exist. How should Christians think about this? Jude will help us with that answer. From the speaker: I AM THE SUM OF MY PARTS . . . God has moved in my life through a number of powerful men and women of God from whom I have benefited greatly. There is nothing new under the sun, as it is said. For that reason, much of what you hear in these lectures is not unique to me. Most of it was likely gleaned from other sources. I want to be transparent about that and share my sources. In terms of biblical scholarship, I have been blessed by the work of Harold Hunter (my father), Craig Keener, David Allen, Malcom Yarnell, Tom Schriner, Johnathan Pritchett (with whom I co-host Trinity Radio), F.F. Bruce, Adam Harwood (with whom I have co-authored), Steve Gregg (with whom I have worked), and Bruce Ware. As for Christian apologetics, William Lane Craig (with whom I have lectured), Michael Licona (a personal friend), Gary Habermas, Norman Geisler, J.P. Moreland, William Dembski, Michael J. Murray, James White, Alvin Plantinga, and a host of others have impacted my thinking. Because I have been so impressed with the structure, organization, and delivery of his own audio commentary, I personally made request to Steve Gregg (who has served as a visiting professor for Trinity) that I might follow his model. In fact, he was delighted with the idea that I might largely follow his teaching outline. Why then, with so much great scholarship already available, would I want to add my voice? There are three reasons. First, I can imagine no more worthy endeavor than to study and proclaim the truths of scripture. Second, though I admire greatly the men listed above, I do not agree with any of them on all things. Third, God has blessed me with a humble audience that does not listen to these other voices. I hope that you will benefit from this passing on of knowledge.

On today's ID the Future, philosopher of science Paul Nelson explores an intriguing tension in the thinking of famous scientist and science popularizer Carl Sagan concerning his agnosticism shading into atheism on the one hand, and on the other hand his embrace of certain ideas consistent with the theory of intelligent design. As Nelson is quick to clarify, if Sagan had lived to see the rise of the contemporary intelligent design movement, he probably would have rejected it, particularly its theistic implications. And yet, Nelson says, Sagan's thinking and arguments laid out in his Gifford lectures and in his science fiction novel Contact strongly support the idea that intelligent design can be detected. Nelson goes further, saying that if we Read More › Source

n this ID the Future intelligent design pioneer William Dembski unpacks one of his chapters in The Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith: Exploring the Ultimate Questions about Life and the Cosmos. Source

n this ID the Future intelligent design pioneer William Dembski unpacks one of his chapters in The Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith: Exploring the Ultimate Questions about Life and the Cosmos. Source

On this ID the Future intelligent design pioneer William Dembski unpacks one of his chapters in The Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith: Exploring the Ultimate Questions about Life and the Cosmos, which Dembski co-edited with Joseph Holden and episode host Casey Luskin. The chapter, “Why Intelligent Design Matters,” focuses on ID's cultural implications. Dembski notes that atheists use mindless evolution to provide a God-free explanation for life and the universe. Intelligent design checks that move, showing that blind material processes couldn't have created many things in nature, much less the cosmos itself. Intelligent design is the better explanation. What about the idea that an alien created, say, the first life on Earth (intelligent design without the need for God)? Read More › Source

On today's ID the Future, philosopher William Dembski and host Casey Luskin explore the relationship between science and faith. What is science? What is faith? How does Christianity define faith? Dembski explains that faith in the Judeo-Christian tradition is not the opposite of reason; at the same time, faith possesses a relational component—trust in a just, gracious, and reasonable God—that goes beyond mere assent to propositions. As for science, Dembski describes it as a careful search for truths about the natural world, including truths about key elements such as the birth of our fine-tuned universe and the origin of living things. Dembski says that he is convinced that scientific discoveries, unshackled from atheistic blinders, point strongly to intelligent design as Read More › Source

On today's ID the Future, philosopher William Dembski and host Casey Luskin explore the relationship between science and faith. Source

On today's ID the Future, philosopher William Dembski and host Casey Luskin explore the relationship between science and faith. Source

On today's ID the Future intelligent design pioneer William Dembski tells the story of his rocky journey into and out of higher education, the reasons for his sabbatical from the ID movement, his recent success as an entrepreneur, and his recent return to intelligent design work. Along the way Dembski bats down a mistaken rumor about his sabbatical. The occasion for his conversation with host Casey Luskin is the recent anthology Dembski and Luskin contributed to and helped edit, The Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith: Exploring the Ultimate Questions about Life and the Cosmos. Source

Episode 148 – Truth and Proof – Part 8 – Purpose and Design Welcome to Anchored by Truth brought to you by Crystal Sea Books. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The goal of Anchored by Truth is to encourage everyone to grow in the Christian faith by anchoring themselves to the secure truth found in the inspired, inerrant, and infallible word of God. Script: That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. Ecclesiastes, Chapter 12, verses 13 and 14, New Living Translation ******** Hello! I’m Victoria K. Welcome to Anchored by Truth brought to you by Crystal Sea Books. We’re excited to be with you as we continue our series we’ve called “Truth and Proof.” This series is all about helping our listeners think carefully about their faith. Specifically, we want people to understand that the Christian faith is not a belief system that requires its followers to abandon their brains when they surrender their hearts to Jesus. Far from it. Jesus told his followers that they were supposed to love God with all their heart, soul, strength, and mind. Yet, all too often today we are told that we must choose between faith and reason or between faith and science. But that’s a false dichotomy. And today to help us explore the solid foundation of logic and reason that supports Christianity we have RD Fierro in the studio. RD is an author and the founder of Crystal Sea Books. RD, on Anchored by Truth, we often cover the fact that the world’s demand is not only unnecessary but it is also unreasonable, don’t we? RD: We certainly do and the reason we do is because that demand gets circulated almost continuously in the popular culture and media. And even many Christians are taken in by it. The idea that people must abandon their confidence in logic, reason, and science if they want to be faithful Christians is practically a pillar of every show that purports to discuss issues that pertain to the origin of the world and cosmos. It’s become such a staple of modern philosophy that it serves as a great illustration of the old aphorism that if you tell a lie often enough people will begin to accept the lie as the truth. Our culture has completely lost sight of the fact that some of the greatest minds of the last 2,000 years – including scientists who founded major branches of modern science were devout Christians. Gottfried Leibnitz and Sir Isaac Newton who invented calculus were Christians. So, was Johann Kepler who articulated the major laws of planetary motion. Ditto for Robert Boyle who is regarded as the first modern chemist and the founder of modern chemistry. And Carolus Linnaeus who is credited with establishing the modern taxonomic system was also a Biblical creationist. The list goes on and on. VK: The point is that many people today regard Christians as being almost simple minded. But nothing could be further from the truth. RD: I agree. 10, 20, or 30 years ago we lived in a culture that readily accepted Christianity even if some individuals did not. 50 years ago you would even find some support for the Christian world view taught in grade schools and high schools because the truth of Christianity was widely accepted. But those days are long behind us. Our broader culture is not only not receptive to Christianity, but also it is outright intolerant of it. And some elements of our society are vehemently hostile. We have entered one of those periods of history where Christians can no longer be complacent. The opposition to Christianity enters every home, every day if in no other way through the internet and the so-called mainstream media outlets. Arguments against the validity of Christianity are all around us. If we do not actively prepare to counter them, first within our homes and then in our communities, the fabric of our society will continue to erode. VK: But the good news is that it does not have to be that way, does it? We have the truth on our side. But we must equip ourselves to be able to present that truth. It is not up to us to change anyone’s heart. That’s God’s job. Our job is just to be able to witness to the truth in gentle and respectful ways. RD: Yes. The good news is that the truth is on our side – and that’s what we have been reviewing in this series. We called this series “Truth and Proof” because the first task we undertook was to demonstrate that absolute truth exists. And then we have proceeded to show the lines of reasoning that support the proof of that truth. VK: And many of the ideas that we have been discussing fall within the larger umbrella of what is termed apologetics. Simply put, apologetics is a defense of the Christian faith. And thus far in our series we have gone over two apologetic approaches: a metaphysical approach to apologetics and a cosmological approach to apologetics. And anyone who would like to review those approaches in detail can simply listen to earlier versions of the “Truth and Proof” series on their favorite podcast app. Today’s lesson is the 8th in this series and we anticipate that there will be two more episodes in this series after todays. That will make a total of 10 episodes in the Truth and Proof series. So, today we want to move on to another apologetic approach – the teleological approach. RD: Right. In our last couple of lessons we discussed the cosmological argument for the existence of God. It’s the first of the commonly used arguments, but probably not the one used the most in the media, in books, or in casual conversation. The argument most likely to be used is the Teleological Argument – better known as the argument from “Intelligent Design.” “Teleological” comes from the Greek word telos, meaning “end, or purpose.” “In brief, the teleological argument reasons from design to an intelligent Designer: • All designs imply a designer. • There is great design in the universe. • Therefore, there must be a Great Designer of the universe. In his Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics Norman Geisler put it this way: “Any time we have seen a complex design, we know by previous experience that it came from the mind of a designer. Watches imply watchmakers; buildings imply architects; paintings imply artists; and coded messages imply an intelligent sender. VK: Geisler went on to say, “the greater the design, the greater the designer. Beavers make log dams, but they have never constructed anything like the Golden Gate Bridge. A thousand monkeys sitting at typewriters for millions of years would never produce Hamlet by accident. Shakespeare did it on the first try. The more complex the design, the greater the intelligence required to produce it.” RD: Well, having written a few things myself I’m not sure if Shakespeare necessarily did it on the first try but it certainly didn’t take him millions, thousands, or hundreds of years. The point is that only an intelligent being can form letters into words, words into sentences, sentences into paragraphs, paragraphs into books, books into libraries. Yet, the complexity of Hamlet is miniscule when compared to the genetic code. The genetic code, which is really the genetic message, contained in one amoeba equals the information in 1,000 sets of encyclopedias. There is no such thing as simple life! We see evidence of incredibly sophisticated and complicated design in the micro-universe of the genetic code, but we also see it in the macro-universe of the solar system, the stars, and the galaxies. VK: There is a principle that is sometimes referred to as the anthropic principle. The Greek word, “anthropos, means human being. The anthropic principle states that the universe was fitted from the very first moment of its existence for the emergence of life in general and human life in particular. If there were even the slightest variation in the conditions of the universe, even to a small degree, no life of any kind would exist. In order for life to be present there is an incredibly restrictive set of demands that must be present in the universe – and they are. All of our empirical observations tell us this. Not only does the scientific evidence point to a beginning of the cosmos, but it points to a very sophisticated high tuning of the universe from the very beginning that makes human life possible. For life to be present today, an incredibly restrictive set of demands must have been present in the early universe. RD: And this evidence of design is well recognized by scientists. Astrophysicist Robert Dicke said “that in fact it may be necessary for the universe to have the enormous size and complexity which modern astronomy has revealed, in order for the earth to be a possible habitation for living beings.” Astronomer Alan Sandage states that “the world is too complicated in all of its parts to be due to chance alone. I am convinced that the existence of life with all its order in each of its organisms is simply too well put together. Each part of a living thing depends on all its other parts to function. How does each part know? The more one learns . . . the more unbelievable it becomes unless there is some kind of organizing principle – an architect.” Likewise, the mass, the entropy level of the universe, the stability of the proton, and innumerable other things must be just right to make life possible. VK: Even Stephen Hawking who was not a friend of Christianity said “There may only be a small number of laws, which are self-consistent and which lead to complicated beings like ourselves who can ask the question: What is the nature of God?” And Albert Einstein seems to have almost anticipated Hawking’s question when he wrote “The harmony of natural law . . . reveals an intelligence of such superiority that, compared with it, all the systematic thinking and acting of human beings is an utterly insignificant reflection.” RD: And writer, broadcaster, professor, “astrobiologist,” cosmologist, and physicist Paul Davies – who typically indicates his religious belief as “undecided” – wrote in 1989, “There is for me powerful evidence that there is something going on behind it all. . . . It seems as though somebody has fine-tuned nature’s numbers to make the Universe. . . . The impression of design is overwhelming.” VK: But understandably and predictably just because the universe contains an abundance of evidence of being designed there are those who don’t accept the testimony of the evidence. The arguments against intelligent design come from those who don’t believe in an intelligent designer. For them the answer to the question of how things came to be as they are is, of course, evolution. One point of Charles Darwin’s work was to establish that random purposeless natural processes can substitute for intelligent design. Darwin wrote in The Origin of Species that he was convinced that natural selection was the main mechanism responsible for the evolution of life from simple forms to complex forms. RD: And writer and Oxford zoologist Richard Dawkins begins his book The Blind Watchmaker with the statement “Biology is the study of complicated things that give the appearance of having been designed for a purpose.” His book’s title challenged the work of William Paley (1743-1805) who used the analogy of a watchmaker to support the teleological argument for the existence of God which argues from the evidence of design to the necessity of a designer. Paley built on the arguments of Socrates, Plato, Philo, and Aquinas, and believed that the complexity of the world implies a great designer. Paley studied the physical world for evidence of purpose. He concluded that a designing intelligence was responsible for the features of the natural world, and he identified this intelligence with the God of Christianity. His argument for design was published in 1802 as Natural Theology: Evidences of the Existence and Attributes of the Deity, Collected from the Appearances of Nature, and his work remains a foundational pillar of the debate over “Intelligent Design.” VK: Dawkins and Tufts philosopher/sociologist Daniel Dennett are among the most visible, most vocal, and most angry of the atheists who have in the last few decades led an attack on the existence of God. Dawkins’ attitudes are summarized in this statement recorded in the April 9, 1989 New York Times: “It is absolutely safe to say that, if you meet somebody who claims not to believe in evolution, that person is ignorant, stupid, or insane.” Some people have observed that as a scientist Dawkins is mediocre but as an apologist for atheism he is unparalleled. So, that opens up the question why do so many prominent scientists resist and reject God? RD: Simply put, scientists in our day and age have a profound bias toward materialism. In other words in their world view the only thing that exists is matter. Now this is not true of all scientists by any means. There are many fine, competent scientists who are not only outstanding scientists in their fields but also strong Biblical creationists. But, in this case, the exception identifies the rule. And one of the most amazing things about this situation is that science itself, that is the objective pursuit of the acquisition of knowledge about our universe through disciplined study, does not require that they be philosophical materialists. But most are either by individual bias or indoctrination through our education system. And even more amazingly many of them recognize this bias and the fact that is unnecessary for scientific purposes. Why don’t you read that quote from Harvard evolutionary biologist and geneticist Richard Lewontin: VK: Lewontin wrote: “We take the side of science in spite of the patent absurdity of some of its constructs, in spite of its failures to fulfill many of its extravagant promises of health and life, in spite of the tolerance of the scientific community for unsubstantiated just-so stories, because we have a prior commitment, a commitment to materialism. It is not that the methods and institutions of science somehow compel us to accept a material explanation of the phenomenal world, but, on the contrary, that we are forced by our a priori adherence to material causes to create an apparatus of investigation and a set of concepts that produce material explanations, no matter how counterintuitive, no matter how mystifying to the uninitiated. Moreover, that materialism is absolute, for we cannot allow a Divine Foot in the door.” RD: So, let’s compare Lewontin’s statement with the statement we heard earlier from the opening of Richard Dawkins book The Blind Watchmaker. Dawkins said “Biology is the study of complicated things that give the appearance of having been designed for a purpose.” So, Dawkins acknowledges that the evidence for design exists in nature. He just doesn’t like the conclusion that the evidence leads to. So, Dawkins observes the evidence, acknowledges where it leads, but then changes direction because he doesn’t like the destination. Lewontin simply says out loud the forbidden truth that this change of direction isn’t necessary according to the rules of science. Rather, it comes about because the individual persons – or persons – just don’t like the thought that the presence of design also means the presence of a Designer. So, instead of acknowledging that Designer the materialist, the scientist, adopts conventions and rules that exclude, in Lewontin’s words, “a Divine Foot in the door.” VK: Yikes. I don’t know whether that’s sad, scary, or both. RD: Probably both, but at a minimum the one thing that such an a priori commitment is not is “scientific.” And a great many scientists have recognized this. For instance Michael Denton who is a British-Australian author and biochemist wrote a book in 1985 entitled Evolution: A Theory in Crisis. Evolution: A Theory in Crisis was published the year before Dawkins Blind Watchmaker. Well, those books set off a sort of chain reaction of other books where the debate about the presence of design in nature received a lot of attention. In effect, what we saw in several publications was an extended presentation of the teleological argument for the existence of God. VK: For instance, in 1991 Berkeley law professor Phillip Johnson wrote a book called Darwin on Trial. Johnson’s book was so compelling that the debate about design in nature and supernatural Designer was forever changed. Johnson wrote “In brief, what makes me a ‘critic of evolution’ is that I distinguish between naturalistic philosophy and empirical science, and oppose the former when it comes cloaked in the authority of the latter.” Johnson’s critics retreated into the defensive posture of “specialized scientific knowledge” inaccessible to a legal scholar, but many of these were the same champions of evolution who had previously argued for its simplicity. Johnson answered the critics in 1995 with Reason in the Balance, subtitled “The Case Against Naturalism in Science, Law, and Education.” RD: And Johnson quickly gained support from biochemist Michael Behe who wrote Darwin’s Black Box in 1996. Behe explained the intricate interactions of cellular components and molecular mechanisms, showing that biological systems are irreducibly complex. This means that systems are “composed of several well-matched, interacting parts that contribute to the basic function, wherein the removal of any one of the parts causes the system to cease functioning.” Behe asserted that any irreducibly complex system cannot be produced by slight, successive modifications of a precursor, because any precursor to the system would be, by definition, non-functional. VK: So, when Behe [BEE-HEE] pointed out that irreducibly complex systems could not be produced by a series of minor changes in a biological organism he was effectively pointing out that Darwin criticism of his own theory was valid. In The Origin of Species Darwin wrote a chapter entitled “Difficulties of the Theory.” It happened to be chapter 6. In that chapter Darwin offered some comments on the evolution of the eye which have been widely quoted since he wrote them. Darwin said this about his own theory. Now, remember, this is Charles Darwin talking about his own conclusion that the eye could have evolved through a Darwinian type series of steps. Darwin wrote: “To suppose that the eye with all its inimitable contrivances for adjusting the focus to different distances, for admitting different amounts of light, and for the correction of spherical and chromatic aberration, could have formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest degree.” RD: Darwin went on, of course, to give an explanation of how he thought it could have happened. But Behe took Darwin’s argument apart by showing that Darwin speculated on how the eye and vision might have happened but Darwin never considered the most fundamental question, i.e., how did vision happen? Darwin looked only at the anatomy – which was all he could look at because 19th century science had no knowledge of biochemistry as we have it today. But in his book Behe, went through the dozens of biochemical changes that are involved in a photon of light striking the retina and this enabling the brain to form an image. After walking us through the very complicated biochemistry of vision Behe says this: “To Darwin, vision was a black box, but after the cumulative hard work of many biochemists, we are now approaching answers to the question of sight. . . . Each of the anatomical steps and structures that Darwin thought were so simple actually involves staggeringly complicated biochemical processes that cannot be papered over with rhetoric. . . . Anatomy is, quite simply, irrelevant to the question of whether evolution could take place on the molecular level. So is the fossil record. Neither do the patterns of biogeography matter, nor those of population biology, nor the traditional theory for rudimentary organs or species abundance. . . Until recently, however, evolutionary biologists could be unconcerned with the molecular details of life because so little was known about them. Now the black box of the cell has been opened, and the infinitesimal world that stands revealed must be explained.” VK: So, what Behe was pointing out was that the appearance of design in nature wasn’t just apparent in the anatomical structures that we can see, that Darwin could see, but in the very molecular chemistry that comprises those structures. Again, design isn’t just present in the big structures of the universe – the stars and galaxies – but in the very tiniest ones as well. And how can you have design anywhere at any level without a Designer? You can’t. RD: Right. And if vision is a dramatic example of a biological system that can’t arise in the absence of design the clotting system that is present in blood is even more dramatic. For a clot to form over a cut and stop an animal from bleeding to death even more biomolecular steps are involved than in vision. But the clotting system only works a system. Miss one step and clots never form. The blood clotting system was designed. It had to be. It could not arise in an evolutionary fashion because any animal that didn’t have the entire system would die before it could randomly pass along any of its genes. VK: Well, before we close for today let’s mention one more book that participated in the design debate. A mathematician and philosopher William Dembski published his book The Design Inference in 1998. Dembski saw a possible flaw in Behe’s work. So, he strengthened the concept of irreducible complexity to include a minimal complexity condition, stating that “this condition says that the system cannot be simplified and still retain the level of function needed for selective advantage.” Dembski defined intelligent design as the science that studies signs of design, and he notes that intelligence leaves behind a characteristic trademark or signature – what he calls specified complexity. RD: Right. Dembski and others have looked for signs ranging from the microscopic to the telescopic. As we mentioned at the start of today’s episode, not only do biological systems show the signs of intelligent design, but also the universe in general displays the “anthropic principle” – that the cosmos is precisely designed for the emergence and sustenance of life, and especially human life, on earth. In the simplest terms, “the cosmos gives evidence of design.” VK: The irresistible conclusion from this line of reasoning is that the evidence of design is present throughout the universe. It’s present in the cosmos. It’s present in the cell. It’s present in our consciousness. You cannot have design anywhere without a Designer. And in the universe doesn’t just have design in a few places. It has it everywhere. RD: Right. Biochemist, atheist, and co-discoverer of DNA, the late Francis Crick, began studying biochemistry in the 1940’s as a way to disprove the existence of God. But, in fact, what he discovered was that there was an irreducibly complex information system at the heart of all life. Crick was a phenomenal scientist but he wrong about God. His materialistic presuppositions prevented him from acknowledging the very truth that his own work pointed out. But this shouldn’t surprise us. Romans, chapter 1, verse 20, has been pointing out this problem with human nature for 2,000 years. VK: That verse says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Crick believed there is no God, but God has the final word. Psalm 14, verse 1 says, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” Well, we hope everyone will join us next time as we continue this fascinating discussion about the arguments and evidence that demonstrates that there is a firm basis in logic and reason for our Christian faith. This sounds like a time to go to God I prayer. Today let’s listen to a prayer for all those around the world who suffer for their faith. We should all take time to regularly pray for God’s mercy and favor to be with them. ---- PRAYER FOR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS VK: We’d like to remind our audience that a lot of our radio episodes are linked together in series of topics so if they missed any episodes or if they just want to hear one again, all of these episodes are available on your favorite podcast app. To find them just search on “Anchored by Truth by Crystal Sea Books.” If you’d like to hear more, try out crystalseabooks.com where “We’re not famous but our Boss is!” (Bible Quote from the New Living Translation) Ecclesiastes, Chapter 12, verses 13 and 14, New Living Translation

Today's ID the Future is Part 2 of a recent live webinar with Eric Cassell fielding questions about his new book, Animal Algorithms: Evolution and the Mysterious Origin of Ingenious Instincts. He and host Casey Luskin explore the engineering wonders of web-spinning spiders and their extraordinary silk, and the challenge of transforming solitary insects into social insects (with their complex and interdependent caste systems) via a blind step-by-step evolutionary process, and the many thousands of genetic changes required. What does Cassell consider the best explanation? He invokes design theorist William Dembski's work with No Free Lunch theorems to argue that blind processes are a no-go for explaining their origin. From there Luskin opens the webinar up to questions from the Read More › Source

This ID the Future brings in protein scientist Douglas Axe to discuss his contribution to a new book, The Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith. Axe and host Casey Luskin discuss Axe's thinking on the design intuition, the evidence that it's triggered almost universally in small children when they observe things like dragonflies or fresh-baked cookies, and why he's convinced that this intuition is a rational one rooted in our true sense of what sorts of things require know-how for their creation. For those who retort “Science!,” Axe has some of that to offer as well. As he tells Luskin, he led an experiment at a lab in Cambridge, England, on the abilities and limits of an enzyme to evolve. The research findings Read More › Source

Mind Matters is published by the Walter Bradley Center for Natural and Artificial Intelligence, but who is Walter Bradley, and why does the Center bear his name? Listen in as Robert J. Marks and William A. Dembski discuss Bradley's involvement in the Intelligent Design movement, share stories about his boldness of faith in academia, and talk about why they published… Source

Where Does The Evidence Lead. Documentary on Intelligent Design.  https://youtu.be/bGuigCiPyL4 Canary Kim A look at molecular machines and the complexity of the cell. "If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed, which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down." Charles Darwin, "On the Origin of Species", ch.6 "Organs of Extreme Perfection"   ABOUT Where Does the Evidence Lead was created for classroom, group, and individual study. It is based upon the content of Unlocking the Mystery of Life and examines both Darwinian evolution and the scientific case for intelligent design. Six modules (eight to fourteen minutes in duration) each present a specific facet of the debate over the theories of materialistic evolution and design. They feature leading ID scientists and scholars including Stephen C. Meyer, Paul Nelson, Jed Macosko, Michael Behe, Scott Minnich, Dean Kenyon, William Dembski, and Jonathan Wells. Since its release in 2003, Where Does the Evidence Lead has been successfully utilized in classrooms and home study in the United States and the United Kingdom. In 2004, Texans for Better Science Education sent thousands of free copies of the DVD to public high schools throughout the state. A year later, Truth in Science implemented a similar distribution program to secondary schools in England. Each module of Where Does the Evidence Lead is a stand-alone presentation. Collectively, they present a comprehensive case for intelligent design based upon evidence from molecular biology and genetics. While most of the material in has been adapted from Unlocking the Mystery of Life, there is new content and footage contained in each module. Modules include: Part 1 LIFE: THE BIG QUESTIONS A new challenge to the theory of natural selection. Part 2 WHAT DARWIN DIDN'T KNOW Exploring the complexity of the living cell. Part 3 MOLECULES & MOUSETRAPS Molecular machines that defy Darwin's theory. Part 4 HOW DID LIFE BEGIN? Why chance cannot explain the origin of life. Part 5 THE LANGUAGE OF LIFE DNA genetic information, and life on Earth. Part 6 THE DESIGN INFERENCE The scientific evidence for intelligent design.

MEANING - The world certainly appears to be designed. Are appearances deceiving? Discover new twists to this old argument. Featuring Richard Swinburne, Bede Rundle, Steven Weinberg, William Dembski, Francisco Ayala, Michael Shermer, and Freeman Dyson.