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Black box: a system whose inner workings are unknown.
Scientists use the term "black box" for a system whose inner workings are unknown. To Charles Darwin and his contemporaries, the living cell was a black box because its fundamental mechanisms were completely obscure. We now know that, far from being formed from a kind of simple, uniform protoplasm (as many nineteenth-century scientists believed), every living cell contains many ultra sophisticated molecular machines.

Does natural selection account for complexity that exits at the molecular level?
How can we decide whether Darwinian natural selection can account for the amazing complexity that exists at the molecular level? Darwin himself set the standard when he acknowledged, "If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down."

Irreducibly complex systems: systems that seem very difficult to form by successive modifications.
Some systems seem very difficult to form by such successive modifications -- I call them irreducibly complex. An everyday example of an irreducibly complex system is the humble mousetrap. It consists of (1) a flat wooden platform or base; (2) a metal hammer, which crushes the mouse; (3) a spring with extended ends to power the hammer; (4) a catch that releases the spring; and (5) a metal bar that connects to the catch and holds the hammer back. You can't catch a mouse with just a platform, then add a spring and catch a few more mice, then add a holding bar and catch a few more. All the pieces have to be in place before you catch any mice.

Natural selection can only choose among systems that are already working so irreducibly complex biological systems pose a powerful challenge to Darwinian theory.
Irreducibly complex systems appear very unlikely to be produced by numerous, successive, slight modifications of prior systems, because any precursor that was missing a crucial part could not function. Natural selection can only choose among systems that are already working, so the existence in nature of irreducibly complex biological systems poses a powerful challenge to Darwinian theory. We frequently observe such systems in cell organelles, in which the removal of one element would cause the whole system to cease functioning. The flagella of bacteria are a good example. They are outboard motors that bacterial cells can use for self-propulsion. They have a long, whip like propeller that is rotated by a molecular motor. The propeller is attached to the motor by a universal joint. The motor is held in place by proteins that act as a stator. Other proteins act as bushing material to allow the drive shaft to penetrate the bacterial membrane. Dozens of different kinds of proteins are necessary for a working flagellum. In the absence of almost any of them, the flagellum does not work or cannot even be built by the cell.

Constant, regulated traffic flow in cells is an example of a complex, irreducible system.
Another example of irreducible complexity is the system that allows proteins to reach the appropriate sub cellular compartments. In the eukaryotic cell there are a number of places where specialized tasks, such as digestion of nutrients and excretion of wastes, take place. Proteins are synthesized outside these compartments and can reach their proper destinations only with the help of "signal" chemicals that turn other reactions on and off at the appropriate times. This constant, regulated traffic flow in the cell comprises another remarkably complex, irreducible system. All parts must function in synchrony or the system breaks down. Still another example is the exquisitely coordinated mechanism that causes blood to clot.

Biochemistry textbooks and journal articles describe the workings of some of the many living molecular machines within our cells, but they offer very little information about how these systems supposedly evolved by natural selection. Many scientists frankly admit their bewilderment about how they may have originated, but refuse to entertain the obvious hypothesis: that perhaps molecular machines appear to look designed because they really are designed.

Advances in science provide new reasons for recognizing design.
I am hopeful that the scientific community will eventually admit the possibility of intelligent design, even if that acceptance is discreet and muted. My reason for optimism is the advance of science itself, which almost every day uncovers new intricacies in nature, fresh reasons for recognizing the design inherent in life and the universe

It seems to me that some people try their best to misunderstand certain parts of the Bible. The Lord's supper is explained in simple words that anyone could understand if they did not want to prove someone wrong. This memorial is a masterpiece of Godly wisdom. If Jesus had told the apostles to build a gigantic stone edifice to remember him by, it would have eventually deteriorated. Even the Egyptian pyramids are crumbling away. But this memorial which Jesus instituted will be the same as long as man exists here in physical form. But every facet of it has been denied and argued about.

Some say that one may partake of it at any day or time as rarely as is desired. Not so. Acts 20:7 plainly tells us when the disciples came together to break bread. That is our inspired example and must be followed. Some say it must be grape juice and others say it must be fermented grape wine. That is a foolish argument. Jesus refers to it in three scriptures (Matthew 26:29, Mark 14:25, Luke 22:18) as simply "fruit of the vine and makes no distinction as to whether fermented or not. Our duty to fulfill His commands is done in either case. There are perhaps other reasons one would prefer to stay clear of the fermented juice, but there is no scripture showing either way.

I've known people to argue and insist that unleavened bread must not contain salt! Where on earth could they have come up with that? Salt is certainly not leaven. And the only recipe for unleavened bread is found in Leviticus chapter 2 and it insists that it must contain salt!

And then there are those who believe each member should drink from the same container, which is just as foolish as the others mentioned. Space will not permit a good analysis of this subject, but I will try and cover it next time.

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."

"I don't care to belong to a club that accepts people like me as members"

"Behind every successful man is a woman, behind her is his wife."

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Household of Faith Ezine is published every two weeks beginning in September, 2001. Materials in this are gleaned and compiled by the editor, Joel Hendon. Our purpose is to help present items of interest to those who would learn more of God's word.

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Copyright © 2007 Joel Hendon