DOES GOD EXIST? TODAY

August 14, 2024August 13, 2024

Komodo Dragons and Dinosaurs

Komodo dragons can give us a clue to ancient carnivores. Many atheists and denominational creationists make incorrect assumptions, as we have heard members of both groups say the Bible claims there was no death until Adam and Eve ate the “forbidden fruit.” That is simply not true because you can’t eat anything without something dying. When talking with kids, I often use the fun statement, “When you eat a mouthful of corn, you just murdered a plant.” That is not actual murder, but the point is that death is a part of eating. Topsoil consists of minerals and organic material that came from things that died, including insects and all kinds of animals.

The Genesis statement refers to spiritual, not physical, death. We have pointed out in our materials that Genesis 1:1-3 describes Earth’s preparation for human habitation. By the end of those three verses, you have a planet with everything humans would need, including coal, oil, topsoil, and the minerals essential for life on land. God provided an ecosystem that could produce all those things. The dinosaurs produced massive amounts of organic matter buried in an anaerobic environment to produce coal. Carnivores were necessary to control the herbivores, and they had to efficiently kill multi-ton herbivores.

Recent studies of the Komodo dragon have shown that even today, we have an animal with the equipment of the ancient carnivores. Komodo dragons can grow up to 10 feet (3 m) long and kill water buffaloes weighing more than 1,000 pounds (450 kg). Studies of Komodo dragon teeth show that they have a thin iron protective coating along the cutting edges and tips to keep them sharp. Because iron oxidizes, the iron in long-dead dinosaurs is no longer detectable, but studies indicate that T. rex probably had the same tooth design.

God designed carnivores to maintain the biological balance needed on a healthy planet. Komodo dragons give us a clue about the design features of carnivorous dinosaurs.

— John N. Clayton © 2024
Reference: Komodo dragon in wikipedia.org

August 13, 2024August 12, 2024

Coprolites Teach Us About the Past

In my fossil collection, I have several varieties of coprolites – better known as petrified dinosaur poop. Because they are petrified, they have no odor and leave no residue, but coprolites teach us about the past. I used them in teaching earth science in high school and in my lectureships and class lectures. I would lick a coprolite in front of the class to demonstrate that fossilization replaces organic material with rock. I always got the expected reaction from the kids, and it was a demonstration they didn’t forget.

On a more serious note, coprolites teach us about the past. My collection includes several coprolites from a large plant-eating dinosaur. You can look at a coprolite with magnification or examine a slice of the coprolite under a microscope. The coprolite from the plant-eater is 100% plant material with no animal material. I have another specimen that is just the opposite. It was excavated from the lower intestinal tract of a T. rex fossil and contains no plant material. Instead, it has teeth, bones, and even skin, proving that it came from a meat-eating dinosaur.

So what do coprolites teach us about the past life on Earth? Clearly, some dinosaurs were herbivores (plant eaters), and some were carnivores (meat eaters). In Williams, Arizona, a museum named “Poozeum” contains over 7,000 coprolite specimens from George Frandsen’s collection. These have come from various places and tell us a lot about the history of the dinosaur age.

Denominational attempts to explain how Noah got dinosaurs on the ark fail miserably when it comes to the facts, including coprolites. We have pointed out that the literal meaning of the words in Genesis 1 tells us that God used natural methods to produce the coal, oil, and other resources He knew we would need. Dinosaurs existed before humans as part of the process of producing and maintaining an environment that gives us the resources we need today.

For further information, go to doesgodexist.tv and view video number 30, in which you can see the two examples of coprolites I use in my presentations.

August 12, 2024August 11, 2024

Tornadoes Are Not the Wrath of God

Some people try to tell us that tornadoes are God’s retaliation against humans for not obeying Him. Atheists and skeptics often say that disasters disprove the existence of a loving and all-powerful God. Now, we are seeing some preachers and religious periodicals saying that God is spiteful and taking it out on humans. This is not only a denial of scientific fact, but it contradicts the nature of God as revealed in the Bible. Catastrophes such as tornadoes are not the wrath of God.

The science behind tornadoes is well understood. They are a natural response to Earth’s changes and human abuse of what God has given us. A tornado happens when hot air becomes trapped under a layer of cold air. Hot air rises, and the Coriolis Effect of the Earth’s spin causes the rising column of air to spin as well.

How can hot air get under cold air? There are several causes, but the main one is the Sun heating Earth’s surface. Dark surfaces can get very hot. Several years ago in Oklahoma, I saw a weatherperson fry an egg on the hood of her car on a scorching day. Hundreds of square miles of blacktoped parking lots and plowed-up land guarantee rising air masses. Older native Americans who lived in Tornado Alley told me that they had never seen a tornado as a child, and their native language had no word for it, although they did have a word for dust devils.

The Bible clarifies that Jesus does not bring destruction, and tornadoes are not the wrath of God. Peter tells us God “..is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 ). Repentance is simply thinking differently. It does not always mean we must confess some great sin–although that could be the case. “Repent and be baptized” in Acts 2:38 means thinking differently, and Peter spoke those words to a large crowd. Romans 8:28 says, “In all things, God works for the good of those who love Him.” James 1:13 tells us that God tempts no one with evil.

If God zapped us every time we made a mistake, the planet would have no humans in a matter of minutes. Tornadoes are not the wrath of God. They are mainly a product of human abuse and carelessness. Building flimsy structures in areas prone to tornadoes is asking for trouble. Not managing the use of what God has given us has caused catastrophic damage and loss of life. Let us work on using the things God gave us more intelligently as we understand that God is a God of love (1 John 4:16) and forgiveness (John 3:16).

August 9, 2024August 8, 2024

The Bernoulli Effect and Flying Slowly

We have marveled at the ability of birds to reach incredible speeds and make quick turns. However, the greatest challenge is flying slowly. The wing shape allows flight, as air traveling along the top surface moves faster than air on the wing bottom. This is an application of a principle of physics known as the Bernoulli effect.

The Bernoulli effect says that when air moves rapidly, it exerts minimum pressure at right angles to the direction of the motion. You can demonstrate that with a simple experiment. Place two identical books on a table with a small space between them. Lay a piece of paper over the top of the two books and blow through the channel between them. The paper will collapse because the pressure of the moving air is lower than the air pressure above the paper. Blow hard, and the paper will collapse rapidly. Blow slowly, and the paper will bend down a little.

Airplane wings use this principle to get lift. As the plane moves faster, the lift increases, and the plane can rise. When the plane slows down, there is less lift, and the plane decreases its altitude. Birds do the same thing but have a unique design feature that allows slow flight. This special structure called a bastard wing or alula enables them to stay aloft even when flying slowly.

The alula consists of several feathers attached to the first digit of the wing bones. By moving that digit, the bird can separate the feathers of the alula from the rest of the wing, creating a slot that helps channel air over the wing. This enhances lift and allows the bird to stay aloft when flying slowly, such as when landing. When a bird seems to hover, the Bernoulli effect created by the alula design gives them that ability. Humans have not found a way to duplicate all the designs of the bird wing, so hovering is still a challenge for modern aircraft.

Much of what engineers know has come from studying the design God built into His creatures. Birds continue to teach us a lot about flying in various applications, including slowly flying. (See Romans 1:20.)

August 8, 2024August 7, 2024

Persecution of Christians Today

One of Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous paintings is “The Last Supper.” This beautiful painting shows Jesus and His disciples at the Passover meal described in Mathew 26:26-29. While da Vinci’s work might not be theologically perfect, it is a classic work of art. At the 2024 Olympic opening ceremony in Paris, we saw an example of the persecution of Christians today.

The opening ceremony featured boats carrying 6500 athletes down the Seine River. On the banks of the river, 300,000 spectators watched as the ceremony was broadcast worldwide. The boats passed under bridges featuring entertainers from Lady Gaga to Gojira to Marina Viotti. Music groups and dancers ranged from heavy metal to opera.

One of the bridges featured a parody of da Vinci’s great painting with drag queens ridiculing Jesus and the disciples. The French reporter Gabrielle Cluzel wrote, “Since when do we need an excuse to spit on Christians?” This is a part of a global attack on faith by skeptics and atheists. It is interesting that this attack was on Christianity. Why did the Olympic planners not choose Mohammed and his many wives? The answer is obvious – the French were trying to avoid violence. Since the followers of Jesus are supposed to “turn the other cheek,” they figured an attack on Christianity was safer.

In July 2024, our local congregation had a booth at the two-day city fair in Dowagiac, Michigan. I was working the booth on the first day of the fair when a gang of a dozen or so teenagers on bicycles came by our booth. They figured an old man in a church booth was an easy target, and they began a jeering, abusive display ridiculing belief in God. I responded by challenging them to a public debate with a microphone. I offered to show them evidence that God exists and that the Bible is His word. They decided they weren’t ready to publicly debate a retired science teacher.

Those who say there is no perse c ution of Christians today are simply out of touch with what is happening in the world. The Olympic opening ceremony with the drag queens mocking “The Last Supper” demonstrates how wrong they are.

August 7, 2024August 6, 2024

Blaming God for the Problems of Today

People are often blaming God for the problems of today. That shows a misunderstanding of who God is and what He does. In Matthew 24:4-13, Jesus described what we see today. He said, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things will happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom…” The things Jesus described are happening today, and they are caused by humans.

In the Old Testament, God handled rebellion by removing His protective hand from His people. In New Testament times, the events leading to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. were the result of military actions by humans. In today’s world, God is not causing Putin to attack Ukraine or Hamas and Hezbollah to attack Israel. God did not cause COVID. It is unreasonable to expect God to step in to stop human greed and selfishness, and He should not be expected to prevent the results of sexual practices He warned humans not to avoid.

God’s promise to Christians is that eventually, He will do away with all of the consequences of human selfishness and greed. That even includes the pain and suffering we all endure in this physical life. Revelation 21:1-7 pictures this beautifully, describing the creation of the New Heaven and New Earth: “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and He will live with them… He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” It’s time to quit blaming God for the problems of today and turn to Christ to receive the joy of life now and hope for the future.

August 6, 2024August 6, 2024

The Tip of a Boulder

Several years ago, I was mowing the grass at our meeting house and noticed a rock sticking up where I intended to mow. The mower blade nicked it when I went over it. Our members had been taking turns mowing, and I wondered why no one had bothered to move the rock. I asked the maintenance guy if it was okay if I dug the rock out and filled the hole with dirt so we wouldn’t keep hitting it. He just smiled and said, “Have at it.” I learned that the “rock” was the tip of a boulder.

Here in Michigan, we have rocks and boulders carried in by glaciers in the past. When I went to work with the shovel, I learned this was more of a job than I thought. By the time I got to the bottom of the boulder, I had dug an enormous hole and needed to use my truck to pull it out of the hole.

This story reminds me of people. I recently talked with a neighbor about a neighborhood issue and noticed a tear rolling down his cheek and a clenched fist at his side. Our conversation stopped, and I asked him if he was okay. I learned that his wife had just left him for another man, and the neighborhood issue was just the tip of the boulder he was dealing with.

In 1 Corinthians 5, we read about a congregation where one member was cohabiting with his father’s wife (not his mother). The congregation not only tolerated the situation but was “puffed up,” meaning they were laughing it off. That sin was a rock everyone could see, and Paul said that even the pagans could see it. The rest of the letter in 1 Corinthians shows a boulder of problems. In chapter 11, verses 18-30, we read of division, selfishness, drunkenness, and a bunch of people who were ”weak and sickly.”

In America today, we have violent protests, corruption in our government, racism, profanity in our movies and music, and no fixed standard of morality. Those are just the tip of a boulder that has become very large. Even many churches have become entertainment venues instead of promoters of God’s will. This is the tip of a boulder that is a lack of belief in God and in the Bible as a guiding force for life. You can’t read Galatians 3:28 or study John 4:5-43 and not see that God calls us to be one in Him.

John the Baptist said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Get ready for the coming of the Lord” (John 1:23). This ministry is saying very much the same thing. We urge the world to understand that we are on a road to disaster. The rocks of division, immorality, and war are just the tip of a boulder that must be removed.

August 5, 2024August 3, 2024

Tumbleweed Life

One of the most ingenious methods of spreading seeds in the natural world is the design and function of the tumbleweed. These plants exist in dry places where there is a lot of wind. The tumbleweed life is challenging.

The tumbleweed design deals with two big problems. The first is that the plant must be structured so that the part of the plant with the seeds has a low mass so the wind can move it. The second requirement is that the framework holding the seeds must be designed to attach to something in a place where the seeds can germinate.

If you have been around tumbleweeds, you know not to grab them or allow them to bump into you. The tumbleweed’s framework is covered with sharp edges, so once it strikes something, it stays put until the seeds are dispersed and the rainy season has started.

The typical design of plants involves seeds or roots being planted in soil and drawing nourishment to produce leaves, blooms, and fruit. In arid desert areas, fertile soil is a rarity, yet tumbleweeds, with their unique design, continue to thrive, overcoming this significant challenge.

In human relationships, we can draw a parallel. Some people live a tumbleweed life with sharp edges and no roots. They exist in empty spaces, hurting anyone they touch. This destructive nature of a ‘tumbleweed life’ underscores the importance of being rooted in the positive values of Christ and His teachings. Not putting down roots is a sure way to tumble, and rooting oneself in Christ can provide the stability and the best that life has to offer.

August 2, 2024July 30, 2024

Christian Minimalism

One of the earmarks of Christianity is the level of involvement it calls for. When someone asked Jesus Christ what the greatest commandment is, He replied, “Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart and with ALL your soul and with ALL your mind.” This is actually a quote from Deuteronomy 6:5 and is unpopular in our world today. Our culture expects Christian minimalism and has coined labels to denigrate Christian involvement in life.

So-called “Christian nationalism” is called evil and destructive. Christian involvement in the military has been suppressed based on it being too exclusive. Issues such as gender transformation, abortion, and gay lifestyle choices are promoted and held in esteem in America today. The government shuts down any attempt by Christians to point out the consequences of these choices. The media and politicians apply words such as “extreme” to anyone who is identified as having Christian values.

It is essential to point out that no one following the teachings of Christ would advocate for Christianity being part of any political persuasion. Jesus made a clear declaration that His followers would “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7, Jesus tells His followers to love their enemies, turn the other cheek, and to go the second mile. Christians might not agree with someone else’s choice, but Jesus forbids any physical action against that individual.

What bothers those who attack Christianity is the level of commitment that Christianity promotes. One of the great parables that Jesus taught tells of a man going on a business trip who gives three servants things to take care of while he is gone. One gets five units, one two units, and the other one unit “according to their ability.” When the man returns, the one given five units and the one given two units receive the same praise because they have used what they were given. The man with one unit receives condemnation because he buried his talent and didn’t use it. (See Matthew 25:14-30.)

Instead of Christian minimalism, committed Christians will give 100% to promote the teachings of Christ. This upsets the media and politicians, who then try to destroy Christianity, and that is happening in America. At the same time, there are some who call themselves “Christian” but want to be minimal in their involvement. They ask questions like: “Do I have to attend?” “How much do I have to give?” “What is the minimum I can do?”

We don’t ask, “What is the minimum I must do to have a good marriage?” We neither ask, “What is the least I can do to be a good parent, a good soldier, a good teacher, etc?” Why is our culture so opposed to those who act on 100% constructive action? The answer is that politicians, the media, and the skeptics want us to practice Christian minimalism because they feel threatened when Christians live out their faith 100%.

August 1, 2024July 30, 2024

Voting for the Lesser of Two Evils

“Render to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar and to God what belongs to God” (Matthew 22:21). “Let every soul be subject to the government that is over him, for no authority can exist without the permission of God” (Romans 13:1). I have said for many years that I hoped the day would come when I could vote for a politician instead of voting for the lesser of two evils. It doesn’t look like that is ever going to happen.

The passages we quoted are about a corrupt and immoral political system. The Roman government sanctioned prostitution and the wanton destruction of human life. Unwanted babies were thrown into the trash, and the abuse of women was constant, including rape. Racial and religious prejudice were built into the system, establishing classes of people. Paul could use that system to avoid scourging because he was a Roman citizen (Acts 22:25-29). The fact that America has become a secular nation opposing God and His Word doesn’t change the fact that Christians must do what the Bible calls them to do.

Jesus did not oppose the political system, even paying taxes so no one could accuse Him of being political. (See Matthew 17:24-27). Romans 13:3 says that Christians have no reason to fear rulers. Verse 6 tells Christians to pay taxes and to honor and respect authority. In Acts 4:18-20, Peter and John were commanded not to teach in the name of Jesus, but the people commanding this were the religious leaders of the Jews, not the government. Peter and John told the religious leaders, “Whether it is right in God’s eyes to listen to you rather than to Him, you must decide” (See verse 19).

Our government allows us to select our political leaders, even if it means voting for the lesser of two evils. Whatever you think, be sure to understand you are voting in accordance with civil law. This is an individual matter, not something where the Church should take a political position. No one can tell you how to vote, nor should the Church be political in its message. While we “render to Caesar that which is Caesar’s,” we must remember that each of us has a commission to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world. (Read Mark 16:15-16.)