In 1859, when Darwin published his book The Origin of Species, scientists thought of cells as something like microscopic balls of jelly.....and--much like ancient peoples--tended to believe that such "simple" life magically popped into existence.
Today we know differently. As Nancy Pearcey writes: "Each cell is akin to a miniature factory town, humming with power plants, automated factories, and recycling centers. In the nucleus is a cellular library, housing blueprints and plans that are copied and transported to factories, each of which is filled with molecular machines that function like computerized motors. These manufacture the immense array of products needed within the cell, with the processes all regulated by enzymes that function as stopwatches to ensure that everything is perfectly timed....The outside surface of the cell is studded with sensors, gates, pumps, and identification markers to regulate traffic coming in and out......Each cell has an automated 'rapid transit system' in which certain molecules function as tiny monorail trains running along tracks to whisk cargo around from one part of the cell to another. Other molecules act as loading machines, filling up the train cars and attaching address labels. When the train reaches the right 'address' in another part of the cell, it is met by other molecules that act as docking machines, opening them up and removing the supplies."
*Nancy Pearcey, Total Truth, p.185f; also see notes 16, 17 and 18 on p.416-17
This is just a glimpse into the complex workings of the "simplest cell"....and none of these machines occur naturally by themselves in nature. Rather they are only produced by living cells.
With all of our intense efforts and advanced technologies, we still cannot build a single living cell and create life. We are not even close to doing this from scratch.
To think that life came into being without a Creator stretches the imagination.
RESOURCES
My Class "Life Isn't Simple":
*MP3 Audio (45 minutes)
*PowerPoint Slideshow: When you click on this link, you will note the option at the top to "Open with Google Slides" or you may open with MS PowerPoint or OpenOffice Impress (which is free).
*Class Handout
*I recommend opening the audio and using the PowerPoint Slideshow as you listen (and/or the handout).
RESOURCE LINKS FOR THE CLASS:
*Cooper, Brad. "DNA EVIDENCE FOR GOD: Resources for Study"
*The entire 16-week course may be found here: "HOW TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN CHRIST THAT CHANGES THE WORLD (Apologetics 101: A Cumulative Case)"
INTRODUCTORY
Videos
The following videos give a glimpse of the incredible complexity of a living cell:
*Harvard University. "The Inner Life of the Cell." (3 minutes).
*Discovery Institute. "Journey Inside the Cell." (3 1/2 minutes).
*Discovery Science. "Amazing Flagellum: Michael Behe and the Revolution of Intelligent Design" (3 1/2 minutes).
*Discovery Science. "The Workhorse of the Cell: Kinesin" (3 1/2 minutes).
*Discovery Science. "ATP Synthase: The Power Plant of the Cell" (3 1/2 minutes)
*Illustra Media: "Origin: Probability of a Single Protein Forming by Chance."
*TED Talk: "The Inner Life of the Cell" with David Bolinsky (10 minutes)
*MoreThinking: "Inner Life of the Cell (Full Version - Narrated)" (8 minutes).
*Illustra Media: "Unlocking the Mystery of Life." Watch for FREE here (in 12 parts).
*Illustra Media: "ORIGIN: Design, Chance, and the First Life on Earth."
INTERMEDIATE
Videos
*Tour, James. "Dr James Tour speaking about evolution" (34 minutes). A world-class biochemist who is among the very few in the world who synthesizes molecules and then creates molecular machines.
*Kenyon, Dean. "On the Origin of Life: An Interview with Dr. Dean Kenyon" (54 minutes).
*Rana Fuz and Michael Ruse. "The Origin of Life: Evolution vs. Design [Full Debate]" (2 1/2 hours).
*Rittenhouse, Jon. "Probability of Simple Cell Spontaneously Forming - Rittenhouse" (10 minutes).
*Gauger, Ann. "Causal Circularity in Biology" by Dr. Ann Gauger (May 31, 2019, Waidhofen / Thaya)" (30 minutes).
*Gauger, Ann. "Causal Circularity in Biology" by Dr. Ann Gauger (May 31, 2019, Waidhofen / Thaya)" (30 minutes).
Articles (& Book Chapters)
*Rochford, James M. "The Origin of Life."
*Miller, Jeff. "The Law of Biogenesis [Part I]." This lengthy Apologetics Press article has an excellent section on the history of the law of biogenesis (that life does not come from non-life but only from pre-existing life).
*Geisler, Norm and Frank Turek. I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be An Atheist, Chapter 5: "The First Life: Natural Law or Divine Awe" (p.137-168).Books
*Overman, Dean L. A Case Against Accident and Self-Organization (in Kindle, hardcover and paperback).
*Rana, Fazale. The Cell's Design: How Chemistry Reveals the Creator's Artistry (in Kindle and paperback).
ADVANCED
Videos
*"The Origin of Life: The Inside Story" (84 minutes) by James Tour
*"The Origin of Life: Evolution vs. Design [FULL DEBATE]" (2 1/2 hours) with Michael Ruse and Fuz Ranae.
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