IN THIS ARN-ANNOUNCE:

On the Origin and Design of the Universe, lecture by Michael Strauss
On the Origin of the Cosmos, an interview with Michael Strauss

We are pleased to announce two new ARN videos with Dr. Michael Strauss, Associate Professor of Physics, University of Oklahoma. Many different theories about the origin of the universe and our world have been proposed for as long as humans have been able to reason. However, in the last few decades scientists have made a number of observations that have led to an unprecedented understanding of the origin and complexity of the universe. For the first time in the history of humanity, we have knowledge about the birth and design of the universe that is based on scientific inquiry rather than on fabricated myths or speculation.

In this lecture recorded on the Santa Barbara campus of the University of California, Professor Strauss reviews the scientific evidence regarding the origin of the universe. He explains why the Big Bang model is the best model of the beginning of the universe given the current scientific data. Strauss also discusses the physical parameters of the universe that have allowed the universe to exist and provide an environment for supporting life. The "anthropic principle" refers to the observation that these physical parameters seem to be astonishingly well tuned to allow life to exist. The theological implications of both the big bang and the anthropic principle are discussed. The lecture concludes with an extensive question and answer session with the audience.

The second video is an exclusive interview with Dr. Strauss who is respected both in the National Laboratories where he conducts research in experimental elementary particle physics, and the university classroom where he has received many teaching awards. In this interview recorded at UC Santa Barbara, Strauss tackles a number of provocative questions relating to the origins and design of our universe. He relates how the evidence pointing to an expanding universe and a moment of creation troubled many scientists in the Twentieth century. As a result of mounting evidence for the beginning of the universe and the exquisite fine-tuning of natural laws and physical parameters necessary for life, most of these scientists have come to acknowledge a “superintellect” behind it all.

To order your copy of the lecture video with Michael Strauss go to : http://www.arn.org/arnproducts/php/video_show_item.php?id=21

To see the list of questions addressed in the interview, order your copy of the interview video with Michael Strauss go to : http://www.arn.org/arnproducts/php/video_show_item.php?id=22

What Darwin Didn’t Know

Geoffrey Simmons, M.D.
2004 (Paperback edition), Harvest House Publishers, 318 pp.

The lawyers and philosophers got the Intelligent Design movement rolling in the early 1990’s. Next the mathematicians and biologists joined in, quickly followed by the chemists and physicists. This past year several medical doctors have joined the fray revealing why Darwinian “just so” stories fail to explain the fantastic complexity of the human body. Howard Glicksman, M.D. recently started a monthly web column at ARN exposing why the step-by-step theories of Darwinian evolution can not account for the complex interdependencies of the human body. Now Geoffrey Simmons, M.D. catalogs over 80 examples of purposeful design in the human body that defy explanation by the Darwinian process of chance mutation and natural selection.

Darwin might have thought twice about publishing his theories if he’d had access to today’s medical and microbiological discoveries. Drawing on years of research, Dr. Simmons demonstrates that the almost infinite complexity of the human anatomy simply could not have developed by chance.

For example:

The great thing about Simmons’ book is that you don’t have to have a biology degree to understand it. It’s written for the layman and includes helpful drawings, diagrams and photos to illustrate his points. At the end of the preface Simmons states that he once asked Carl Sagan why he thought humans could have developed into such complex beings through mere evolution. Sagan’s answer simply stated, was “six billion years.” Simmons concludes “I thought he was wrong then, and I know he’s wrong now.” He then ends the book claiming “I am not a theologian, nor do I pretend to be. I’m merely a collector and analyzer of biological and medical facts. The data, as I see it, points directly to an Intelligent Designer, much like a car speaks for an automaker, a souffl for a chef, and a play for a playwright. Alternative explanations may yet be found or proposed, but the theory of evolution cannot satisfy what the facts demand.”

Endorsements:
“Geoffrey Simmons makes Darwinism’s sleight of hand plain to see.”
—from the foreword by William Dembski, Ph.D., Baylor University, author of The Design Revolution

“In What Darwin Didn’t Know, Dr. Simmons gives a marvelous, entertaining, physician’s–eye view of the intricate functioning of the human body. The relentless detailing of biological elegance and complexity overwhelms facile Darwinian stories as a tidal wave overwhelms a beach.”
—Michael J. Behe, Ph.D., professor of biochemistry, Lehigh University, and author of the best selling book Darwin’s Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution

“Several years ago the prestigious peer–reviewed journal Science carried a research article titled ‘Did Darwin Get It All Right?’ The subtitle answered the question with a ‘No.’ There is a tide of data mounting against the Darwinian (though not necessarily Darwin’s) concept that randomness can explain the wonder of life. In What Darwin Didn’t Know, Geoffrey Simmons converts that tide into a tidal wave of evidence. In his book, Simmons treats us to the respect for the complexity of life he has gained as a doctor with 35 years of experience. His frontline experience with the challenges of maintaining life has given him insights that armchair and laboratory biologists never have.”
—Gerald Schroeder, Ph.D., author of The Science of God, MIT–trained nuclear physicist and earth and planetary scientist

“Sit back and enjoy as Dr. Simmons leads you on an exhilarating romp through your own anatomy. Journey past your taste buds. (Did you know they’re in your throat, too?) Explore the complexity of reproduction. Celebrate the miracle of your birthday. Examine the differences between man and ape. And in the end, be prepared to confront the overwhelming evidence against Darwin’s explanation for your existence.”
—Dr. Jed Macosko, professor at the University of New Mexico and molecular biologist

To view the table of contents, read chapter 1, or order What Darwin Didn’t Know, go to http://www.arn.org/arnproducts/php/book_show_item.php?id=68

Darwin’s Proof: The Triumph of Religion over Science

Cornelius G. Hunter
2003 (Paperback edition), Brazos Press, 168 pp.

I had the opportunity recently to chat with Cornelius Hunter in his home in Cameron Park, California in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada about 40 minutes from Sacramento. His first book, Darwin’s God, was an instant success and I wanted to find out where this relatively unknown name in the origin controversy had come from. Hunter came across as a man deeply motivated by ideas. With a household of children and friends enjoying the warmth of a wood burning stove and a cup of hot apple cider, we talked about his journey from a successful high tech career in Silicon Valley to his recent Ph.D degree in molecular biophysics. We also talked about his personal journey from atheism to Christian theism, and his recent experience with a local school district when he presented a scientific critique on how the evidence for evolution was being misrepresented in their biology textbook. Like many of his colleagues in the ID movement, he was not raised as a Bible-believing fundamentalist, but rather has been on a personal and scientific journey that started from the Darwinian worldview. But having been on both sides, Hunter now realizes the Darwinian Evolution is not a scientific theory, or even a compelling theory. It is a religious philosophy that has found a home in science.

At first glance, the subtitle of Hunter’s new book, Darwin’s Proof: The Triumph of Religion over Science, might lead you to believe it is the rantings of some Fundamentalist about how the Bible is superior to science. However, his thesis is the exact opposite. He argues that it is evolution rather than ID that makes the strongest religious assumptions.

In his first book Hunter’s focus was a scientific and historical critique of Darwinism. In this book he addresses both the scientific and historical shortcomings, as well as the philosophical and theological shortcomings of Darwinism. He explains why he finds Christian theism a more satisfying theology, and Intelligent Design a better fit with the scientific evidence as well as a better framework from which to conduct scientific research.

Many readers new to the origins debate will also find his appendix helpful which contains an easy reference guide to "Faulty Arguments for and against Evolution." If you find yourself debating classmates at school or engaged in an online forum debate on the topic, you will want to read this section first and avoid the grief of arguing down a dead end path, no matter which side of the debate you find yourself on.

Endorsements:
The most perceptive analysis of the Darwinian controversy I have seen. Hunter teaches you a wealth of recent biological findings and, in a nuanced way, looks at the conclusions that can be fairly drawn.
– Lawrence Johnston, University of Idaho

To view the table of contents, read excerpts from the book, or order Darwin’s Proof, go to http://www.arn.org/arnproducts/php/book_show_item.php?id=67

Biola University has taken an active interest in the ID movement for the past 10 years hosting several important events including the Mere Creation conference in 1996, the After Materialism conference in 1999, the RAPID conference in 2002. In April of this year new Biola Masters of Arts degree in Religion and Science is hosting the Intelligent Design and the Future of Science conference. The conference will kick off Thursday April 22 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel with a Banquet Dinner and lively cast of speakers including Phillip Johnson, Bill Dembski, Steve Meyer, David Berlinski and ID critics Michael Ruse and William Provine.

The conference will have special sessions for science teachers and educators, in addition to tracks that focus on biochemistry, astrophysics, psychology, and philosophy. The complete list of speakers reads like the who’s who of Intelligent Design:

Phillip Johnson David Berlinski Michael Ruse William Provine Lee Strobel Steve Meyer Bill Dembski Craig Hazen Tom Woodward Robin Collins Hugh Ross Fuz Rana Fred Heeren Mike Behe Fritz Schaeffer

Jonathan Wells Paul Nelson Jed Macosko Mike Keas John Campbell Roger DeHart Craig Rusbult Richard Weikhart John West Kirk Durston Kyler Kuhn Jay Richards Guillermo Gonzales Garry DeWeese Nancy Pearcey

Earle Fox Denyse O’Leary JP Moreland John Bloom Marcus Ross Walter Bradley Jerry Bergman Francis Beckwith John Calvert Joe Francis Angus Mengue John Reynolds Chris Grace John Bracht and more…

With this kind of lineup, the conference is sure to sell out soon. To learn more about the conference or to register now go to http://www.biola.edu/id/index.cfm

---

---

---

---

---