Evolution's Five Fundamental Assumptions--Are They Scientific or Philosophical? Part Two

Assumption Two:  Order Evolved from Disorder *

The second of evolution’s five foundational assumptions is that the matter and energy exploding from the big bang self-organized—by pure chance—into a precisely structured yet incredibly complex universe, which eventually birthed the earth. But can the theory be demonstrated scientifically—or, like the first assumption (“something came from nothing”), is it a philosophical statement about science? If the latter is true, we have yet another reason to reject naturalistic evolution and to consider the only other alternative—creation by intelligence with purpose (design).

There are two obstacles to the evolutionary paradigm that the order and design observable in the universe evolved out of chaos and disorder in the aftermath of the big bang. First is the fact that there are no know laws of physics that explain how this could have happened, which is why many secular astrophysicists and cosmologists opt for the “multi-universe” theory. (We saw in the previous blog article that there is absolutely no scientific evidence to support this theory). The second problem is the inability of the evolutionary scenario to explain what is called the Anthropic Principle.  

The Anthropic Principle points out that the entire universe was “fine-tuned” from the very beginning of its existence to support live on earth.  Depending on the researcher, there are several dozen fundamental constants, precise physical parameters, in place throughout the universe that are essential not only for the universe to exist, but for life to exist on earth. In particular, if the physics of the universe differed even minutely, life on earth would be impossible.  A few examples include:

1.    If the structure of the atom differed in terms of ratio of the masses of protons to electrons, molecules could not form.

2.    If the force of gravity slowed the expansion of the universe even slightly (1 part in 10⁶⁰), it would have been impossible for galaxies and our solar system to have formed.

3.    If the speed of light were slightly faster or slower, other constants in the universe would be altered, making any kind of life impossible.

4.    If the centrifugal force of planets rotating around the sun did not balance exactly with gravitational forces, the planets would not remain in orbit.

5.    If the sun were much larger or closer, water would boil away and the earth would be too hot to support life. If the sun was farther away or much smaller, the earth would be a frozen wasteland.

6.    If the chemical composition of the earth’s atmosphere were different, the atmosphere would be poisonous to virtually all life forms.

7.    If the sea-to-land mass ratio, depth of the oceans, and the earth’s cloud cover were different, the earth’s ability to store and release heat would change dramatically.

These are only a few of the many necessary constants in place throughout the universe and here on earth. If any of these parameters were absent or altered even slightly, the universe as we know it would not exist—nor, of course, life on earth. How did all these fundamental constants come to be in such perfect equilibrium? Secular cosmologists argue that the order, structure, and apparent design in the universe and here on earth are merely a cosmic accident, a product of pure chance.  But what is the chance of that happening accidentally? Oxford physicist Roger Penrose calculated the odds against “all these constants having just the right values are one followed by trillions and trillions more zeros than there are elementary particles in the universe.” In other words, the chance of all these constants accidentally being in place is—impossible.

The only other explanation for the existence of a universe perfectly fine-tuned for life on earth is an intelligent, intentional designer—creation. It appears infinitely more probably that the universe was designed from the beginning to sustain life—in particular, life on earth. It is irrational and statistically outrageous to assume that all of the fine-tuned factors that fashioned and maintains an orderly universe, and resulted in life on earth, just accidentally fell into place. If the cosmos were designed, there must be a Designer—God. This is exactly what the Bible reveals. Proverbs 3:19-20 and 8:22-30 clearly testify that the beauty and order of the earth was the product of intentional design by God’s eternal wisdom.  Moreover, Scripture further testifies that this Designer has reveal Himself through creation (Rom. 1:20). Thus, the Anthropic Principle has become one of the most compelling arguments for the existence of a personal creator God.

Dan Story

www.danstory.net

*  This and the other blogs in this series are copyrighted material and cannot be reproduced electronically or in print. But feel free to link this blog to your own website, blog, or Facebook. I have also developed these arguments more fully in my book The Christian Combat Manual (AMG Publishers), and my sources are documented there.