Origins of LifeOrigins of Life

Biblical and Evolutionary Biblical and Evolutionary Models Face OffModels Face Off

How Life AroseHow Life Arose

• Life arose from nonliving matter in a Life arose from nonliving matter in a prebiotic soup.prebiotic soup.

• The chemicals in the early Earth’s The chemicals in the early Earth’s oceans became life’s building blocks oceans became life’s building blocks when lightning struck the water.when lightning struck the water.

• Stanley Miller (1953) conducted an Stanley Miller (1953) conducted an experiment showing how chemical experiment showing how chemical reactions could produce amino acids.reactions could produce amino acids.

Stanley Miller’s Experiment:Stanley Miller’s Experiment:

Hydrothermal VentsHydrothermal Vents

• Life could have emerged near these Life could have emerged near these submarine hot springs, in which submarine hot springs, in which seawater seeps through cracks in the seawater seeps through cracks in the bottom until the water comes close bottom until the water comes close to hot magma... to hot magma...

Hydrothermal VentsHydrothermal Vents

• ……The water is superheated and expelled The water is superheated and expelled forcibly, carrying a variety of dissolved forcibly, carrying a variety of dissolved molecules from the superheated rocks.”molecules from the superheated rocks.”

• These molecules react and form amino These molecules react and form amino acids and other essential ingredients for acids and other essential ingredients for life.life.

——Integrated Principles of ZoologyIntegrated Principles of Zoology. . Twelfth Twelfth EditionEdition, 27., 27.

Problems with Stanley Problems with Stanley Miller’s ExperimentMiller’s Experiment• ““Miller’s experiments have been Miller’s experiments have been

criticized in light of current opinion criticized in light of current opinion that the early atmosphere on earth that the early atmosphere on earth was quite different from Miller’s was quite different from Miller’s strongly reducing simulated strongly reducing simulated atmosphereatmosphere.” .”

——Integrated Principles of ZoologyIntegrated Principles of Zoology. . Twelfth EditionTwelfth Edition, 27., 27.

Hydrothermal Vents—Sites Hydrothermal Vents—Sites of Life’s Origins?of Life’s Origins?• A team led by Stanley Miller concluded A team led by Stanley Miller concluded

that the same conditions that produce that the same conditions that produce the necessary amino acids and/or the necessary amino acids and/or nucleotides also destroy them.nucleotides also destroy them.

—Stanley L. Miller and Jeffrey L. Bada, —Stanley L. Miller and Jeffrey L. Bada, “Submarine Hot Springs and the Origin “Submarine Hot Springs and the Origin of Life,” in of Life,” in NatureNature 334 (1988), 609-611 334 (1988), 609-611

Where’s the Soup?Where’s the Soup?• ““The significance of the isotopic enhancement of The significance of the isotopic enhancement of

12c [carbon-12] in the very old kerogen in the 12c [carbon-12] in the very old kerogen in the Isua rocks in Greenland is that Isua rocks in Greenland is that there never was a there never was a primordial soupprimordial soup and that, nevertheless, living and that, nevertheless, living matter must have existed abundantly on Earth matter must have existed abundantly on Earth before 3.8 billion years ago.”—Hubert P. Yockey, before 3.8 billion years ago.”—Hubert P. Yockey, “Comments on ‘Let There Be Life: Thermodynamic “Comments on ‘Let There Be Life: Thermodynamic Reflections on Biogenesis and Evolution’ by Reflections on Biogenesis and Evolution’ by Avshalom C. Elitzur,” in Avshalom C. Elitzur,” in Journal of Theoretical Journal of Theoretical BiologyBiology 176 (1995). 176 (1995).

Richard Dawkins Writes:Richard Dawkins Writes:

• ““Darwinian evolution proceeds merrily Darwinian evolution proceeds merrily once life has originated. But how does once life has originated. But how does life get started?”life get started?”

• ““I watch from the sidelines with engaged I watch from the sidelines with engaged curiosity, and I shall not be surprised if, curiosity, and I shall not be surprised if, within the next few years, chemists within the next few years, chemists report that they have successfully report that they have successfully midwifed a new origin of life in the midwifed a new origin of life in the laboratory…laboratory…

Richard Dawkins ContinuesRichard Dawkins Continues

• ……Nevertheless it hasn’t happened Nevertheless it hasn’t happened yet, and it is still possible to maintain yet, and it is still possible to maintain that the probability of its happening that the probability of its happening is, and always was, exceedingly lowis, and always was, exceedingly low—although it did happen once!”——although it did happen once!”—Richard Dawkins, Richard Dawkins, The God DelusionThe God Delusion, , 164, 165.164, 165.

Can Science Detect Can Science Detect Evidence of Intelligent Evidence of Intelligent Design (ID)?Design (ID)?• Science routinely deals with phenomena Science routinely deals with phenomena

that are not directly observable, such as that are not directly observable, such as forces, fields, and subatomic particles.forces, fields, and subatomic particles.

• Scientists infer the properties and monitor Scientists infer the properties and monitor the effects of unobservable causes the effects of unobservable causes indirectly by examining observable indirectly by examining observable macroscopic phenomena and effects macroscopic phenomena and effects directly with their senses. directly with their senses.

Scientific Fields that Seek to Scientific Fields that Seek to Detect Intelligent DesignDetect Intelligent Design• AnthropologyAnthropology

• ArchaeologyArchaeology

• S.E.T.I. (Search for Extraterrestrial S.E.T.I. (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence)Intelligence)

• Francis Crick’s and Leslie Orgel’s Francis Crick’s and Leslie Orgel’s directed panspermia directed panspermia (Francis Crick and (Francis Crick and Leslie E. Orgel, “Directed Panspermia,”Leslie E. Orgel, “Directed Panspermia,” IcarusIcarus 19 (1973), 341-346). 19 (1973), 341-346).

Supernatural Intelligent Supernatural Intelligent DesignDesign

• By extension, life’s appearance on By extension, life’s appearance on Earth resulting from a supernatural, Earth resulting from a supernatural, extra-universal Intelligence should extra-universal Intelligence should also be detectable and testable. also be detectable and testable.

• How can this idea be tested?How can this idea be tested?

What is a Scientific Model?What is a Scientific Model?

• The schematic description of a set of The schematic description of a set of phenomena that accounts for its phenomena that accounts for its observed and inferred features. observed and inferred features.

• It’s a scenario that offers reasonable It’s a scenario that offers reasonable explanations for the entire origin and explanations for the entire origin and history of a particular system in nature, history of a particular system in nature, as well as for its relationship to other as well as for its relationship to other phenomena. phenomena.

Reason to Believe (RTB)Reason to Believe (RTB)

• A science-faith organization that A science-faith organization that highlights ways that recent scientific highlights ways that recent scientific discoveries support Christianity.discoveries support Christianity.

• The science team consists of The science team consists of astronomer Hugh Ross, astronomer astronomer Hugh Ross, astronomer Jeff Zweerink, and biochemist Fazale Jeff Zweerink, and biochemist Fazale Rana.Rana.

RTB Creation ModelRTB Creation Model

• The proposed creation model derives The proposed creation model derives its framework from the biblical its framework from the biblical description of God’s creative activity. description of God’s creative activity.

• The process of building this model is The process of building this model is ongoing. ongoing.

• Refinements continue taking place as Refinements continue taking place as new information and insight becomes new information and insight becomes available. available.

RTB Creation ModelRTB Creation Model

• The model begins with the collation The model begins with the collation of data from all relevant Scripture of data from all relevant Scripture passages, not just Genesis 1 and 2. passages, not just Genesis 1 and 2.

• The statements touching on God’s The statements touching on God’s creative activity are integrated and creative activity are integrated and interpreted. interpreted.

• All plausible interpretations are All plausible interpretations are evaluated for internal consistency. evaluated for internal consistency.

RTB Creation ModelRTB Creation Model

• The interpretation that best fits the The interpretation that best fits the biblical data is then recast in biblical data is then recast in scientific terms, rendering the Bible’s scientific terms, rendering the Bible’s creation account testable.creation account testable.

RTB Creation ModelRTB Creation Model

• Empirical scientific evidence Empirical scientific evidence supports a “Day-Age” interpretation supports a “Day-Age” interpretation of the creation accounts found in the of the creation accounts found in the Bible.Bible.

• The Hebrew word for “day,” “Yom,” The Hebrew word for “day,” “Yom,” can be translated as a long period of can be translated as a long period of time.time.

• Denies that macroevolution occurs.Denies that macroevolution occurs.

RTB Creation Model CoversRTB Creation Model Covers

• The universe’s originThe universe’s origin

• The first life’s originThe first life’s origin

• The origin of animalsThe origin of animals

• Humanity’s originHumanity’s origin

The Universe’s OriginThe Universe’s Origin

• God declares that He brought into God declares that He brought into existence the entire physical existence the entire physical universe—matter, energy, and all the universe—matter, energy, and all the space-time dimensions associated space-time dimensions associated with matter and energy (“In the with matter and energy (“In the beginning…”—Genesis 1:1). beginning…”—Genesis 1:1).

The First Life’s OriginThe First Life’s Origin

• The frame of reference shifts to the The frame of reference shifts to the narrator's vantage point to the surface narrator's vantage point to the surface of Earth above the water but below the of Earth above the water but below the cloud layer.cloud layer.

• Genesis 1:2 describes the initial Genesis 1:2 describes the initial conditions of primordial Earth: its conditions of primordial Earth: its surface was dark, covered with water, surface was dark, covered with water, empty of life, and unfit for life.empty of life, and unfit for life.

Predictions Concerning the Predictions Concerning the Early Earth’s ConditionsEarly Earth’s Conditions

• The early earth was shrouded in The early earth was shrouded in darkness (as Genesis 1 states).darkness (as Genesis 1 states).

• The early Earth was unsuitable for The early Earth was unsuitable for life’s existence. life’s existence.

Predictions Concerning the Predictions Concerning the Early Earth’s ConditionsEarly Earth’s Conditions• Early in Earth’s history, its atmosphere Early in Earth’s history, its atmosphere

underwent a dramatic transformation, underwent a dramatic transformation, which enabled light to reach the surface which enabled light to reach the surface of the planet such that day and night of the planet such that day and night could be differentiated by an observer on could be differentiated by an observer on the planet’s surface.the planet’s surface.

• The surface of the earth was completely The surface of the earth was completely covered with water.covered with water.

Origins of Life PredictionsOrigins of Life Predictions

• Evidence will indicate that life appeared Evidence will indicate that life appeared early in Earth’s history (while the planet early in Earth’s history (while the planet was still in its primordial state).was still in its primordial state).

• Life will prove to have originated under Life will prove to have originated under and persisted through hostile conditions and persisted through hostile conditions on early earth.on early earth.

Origins of Life PredictionsOrigins of Life Predictions

• Evidence will show that life Evidence will show that life originated abruptly (seemingly out of originated abruptly (seemingly out of nowhere & within a narrow, if not nowhere & within a narrow, if not instantaneous, time window).instantaneous, time window).

• Earth’s first life forms will display Earth’s first life forms will display substantial complexity. substantial complexity.

Origin of Life PredictionsOrigin of Life Predictions• Life in its minimal form will prove to Life in its minimal form will prove to

biochemically complex.biochemically complex.

• Life’s biochemistry will display hallmark Life’s biochemistry will display hallmark characteristics of design.characteristics of design.

• The first life forms on Earth should be The first life forms on Earth should be qualitatively different from life-forms that first qualitatively different from life-forms that first came into existence on creation days three, came into existence on creation days three, five and six. five and six.

Predictions Concerning the Predictions Concerning the Early Earth Confirmed Early Earth Confirmed

• Genesis 1 depicts the early Earth’s Genesis 1 depicts the early Earth’s surface as being “a seething surface as being “a seething desolate mass, covered with boiling desolate mass, covered with boiling waters.”—Henry H. Halley, waters.”—Henry H. Halley, Halley’s Halley’s Bible Handbook: An Abbreviated Bible Handbook: An Abbreviated Bible CommentaryBible Commentary, 20, 20thth ed., rev. ed., rev. (Chicago: Halley, 1955), 60.(Chicago: Halley, 1955), 60.

““The Earth was Desolate”The Earth was Desolate”

• Science confirms that the early Earth Science confirms that the early Earth was desolate. was desolate.

• Scientists call this period of Earth’s Scientists call this period of Earth’s history the Hadean Era, after Hades, history the Hadean Era, after Hades, the Greek word for hell.—Fazale the Greek word for hell.—Fazale Rana and Hugh Ross, Rana and Hugh Ross, Origins of LifeOrigins of Life, , 38.38.

““Darkness Covered…”Darkness Covered…”

• Darkness did indeed cover the Earth Darkness did indeed cover the Earth since the Earth used to have a much since the Earth used to have a much thicker atmosphere.thicker atmosphere.

• This thick atmosphere prevented the This thick atmosphere prevented the Sun’s light from reaching the Earth’s Sun’s light from reaching the Earth’s surface.surface.

““Let There Be Light…”Let There Be Light…”

• Astronomers currently think that a Astronomers currently think that a Mars sized object struck the early Mars sized object struck the early Earth when the Earth was only 30 to Earth when the Earth was only 30 to 50 million years old, reducing the 50 million years old, reducing the Earth’s atmosphere’s thickness.—Earth’s atmosphere’s thickness.—Robin M. Canup, “Simulations of a Robin M. Canup, “Simulations of a Late Lunar-Forming Impact,” Late Lunar-Forming Impact,” IcarusIcarus 168 (April 2004): 433-456.168 (April 2004): 433-456.

““Over the Waters…”Over the Waters…”

• Scientific data indicates that the early Scientific data indicates that the early Earth’s oceans became permanent Earth’s oceans became permanent around 3.9 billion years ago, and for the around 3.9 billion years ago, and for the first third of Earth’s history thereafter, first third of Earth’s history thereafter, oceans dominated Earth’s surface.oceans dominated Earth’s surface.

—Peter D. Ward and Donald Brownlee, —Peter D. Ward and Donald Brownlee, Rare Earth: Why Complex Life is Rare Earth: Why Complex Life is Uncommon in the UniverseUncommon in the Universe, 202., 202.

Life Appeared SuddenlyLife Appeared Suddenly• ““Most major animal phyla appear in the Most major animal phyla appear in the

fossil record within a few million years at fossil record within a few million years at the beginning of the Cambrian period. the beginning of the Cambrian period. This This appearance has been called the “Cambrian appearance has been called the “Cambrian explosion” because before this time, fossil explosion” because before this time, fossil deposits are mostly devoid of any deposits are mostly devoid of any organisms more complex than single celled organisms more complex than single celled bacteriabacteria.”—.”—Integrated Principles of ZoologyIntegrated Principles of Zoology. . Twelfth EditionTwelfth Edition (New York: McGraw-Hill, (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2004), 32.2004), 32.

Life Contains Information Life Contains Information (DNA)(DNA)

• ““The software stored and sold on a The software stored and sold on a compact disc resulted from the compact disc resulted from the design of a software engineer.”design of a software engineer.”

• ““The great works of literature began The great works of literature began first as ideas in the minds of writersfirst as ideas in the minds of writers—Tolstoy, Austen, or Donne.”—Tolstoy, Austen, or Donne.”

Life Contains Information Life Contains Information (DNA)(DNA)

• ““What, then, should we make of the What, then, should we make of the presence of information in living presence of information in living organisms?”—Stephen C. Meyer, organisms?”—Stephen C. Meyer, Signature in the CellSignature in the Cell, 16., 16.

Conclusion and ResourcesConclusion and Resources

• Origin of life evidence is more compatible Origin of life evidence is more compatible with a biblical model than a naturalistic with a biblical model than a naturalistic model of life’s origins.model of life’s origins.

• Origins of Life: Biblical and Evolutionary Origins of Life: Biblical and Evolutionary Models Face Off Models Face Off (2004), by Fazale Rana (2004), by Fazale Rana and Hugh Ross.and Hugh Ross.

• Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design (2009), by Evidence for Intelligent Design (2009), by Stephen C. Meyer.Stephen C. Meyer.