Disease Season

 This blog writer was recently struck by the effects of two microorganisms—influenza and pneumonia at the same time. The germs so weakened him that he suffered a fall and became a hospital resident for 36 hours following a call to “911.” It was a painful and humbling experience. We were reminded of humanity’s constant vulnerability to disease. 

Our study in the Gospel of Luke uncovers many passages in which Jesus, the Great Physician, manifested one of His primary planetary missions—the ministry of healing. Luke describes over a dozen divine healing episodes. Of course, as the “beloved physician,” author Luke was also acutely aware of bodily healing. Luke’s gospel contains accounts of 13 divine healings by Jesus,—from blindness, lameness, fever, and other events, ranging from microorganism infections to paralysis, demon possession, and even death. The Son of God healed many types of diseases. These diseases are endemic to the human condition.  They include diseases caused by microorganisms in addition to classic definitions of disease—disorders of structure or function in any living organism.

In our study of Scripture, it is apparent that the disease state extends to deep time within the timeline of humanity’s existence. If we study Gen. 1:2 we might interpret “without form” as a chaotic condition. In God’s timetable, divine creation events soon restored order to the chaos described in Gen. 1:2. We wonder if viruses, bacteria, and disorders of structure or function were precursors of historic disease conditions.

Man’s largely winning battle against disease has resulted in the startling human  population explosion since 1800, from one billion to almost 8 billion. Together with agricultural, nutritional, hygienic, and energy innovations, the Creator has enabled humanity to solve human problems of long standing. The battle against disease, however, is still being waged.

Our recent hospital stay reminded us of the startling rise in hospital and medical technology, including the newest medicines and the skill manifest by medical doctors. When we returned home we were overcome with gratitude to God for modern medical technology, not to mention the healing ability of the body itself. We are reminded of improved COVID immunity for which we are thankful. This is an example of the linkage between science and faith!

           

Fission or Fusion?

 The Creator of All Things conceived the dimensions of time, space, matter, and energy when He brought the universe (the heavens and the Earth) into existence (Genesis 1:1). In our contemplative, devotional moments we may marvel at the reality of each dimension of our existence. Our current post discusses the plentiful energy within matter. Gifted scientist Albert Einstein conceived of matter and energy as “two sides of the same coin” according to his famous equation e = mc2:  energy = mass times the square of the speed of light (a VERY large quantity).   

Fission and fusion have been linked with discussions about energy for many years. The concept of energy has been a part of our science knowledge for centuries. Energy has been defined as the “capacity for doing work.” Students deal with the topic of energy early in their study of science. Our civilization could not function without a plentiful supply of energy. 

Atomic fission is the opposite of fusion. In each of the two processes the composition of atomic nuclei is altered to create energy. A tiny bit of the atom’s mass is converted into huge amounts of energy in both processes.  

In 1945 the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were each struck by an atomic bomb developed by US scientists. The atomic bomb had been under secret development by our scientists for several years beginning in 1939. A neutron strikes and splits a uranium nucleus, forming smaller atoms. In this process tremendous quantities of energy are released. The energy release is the basis for the destructive power of the atomic bomb. Subsequently, scientists conceived a way of capturing the atomic energy for peaceful purposes: heating water and generating a different sort of energy—electricity—a staple of power to operate our factories and accomplish tasks in our homes. There are many nuclear power plants in the world generating electricity. Before important discoveries concerning electricity several hundred years ago, most work was accomplished manually by humans.

In fusion, smaller atoms such as hydrogen are chemically combined to produce larger atoms such as helium. Our Sun produces light and heat by a fusion reaction. Once again, a tiny amount of mass is converted into huge quantities of energy. The term mass/energy equivalence relates to the truth of the previous statement.

Just as the secrets of atomic fission were discovered slowly, first in theory, then applied to real phenomena, the secrets of fusion are still being discovered. Our gain of scientific knowledge of man’s use of fusion is slow and laborious. In the last decade of my teaching career there was a flurry of fascination with so-called “cold fusion.” If fusion could be achieved successfully without applying enormous heat and pressure—that would be a monumental discovery for the benefit of humanity!

In December 2022 US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm made the startling announcement of a major scientific breakthrough. Scientists had performed an experiment in which more energy was produced by a fusion experiment than was originally supplied to the experimental apparatus. What could be better than generating more energy than we contribute? The promise of cheap energy which does not generate carbon pollution as do fossil fuels holds great promise for mankind. The caveat appears to be that, even if amazing fusion technology is possible, a practical solution appears many decades away. There is no guarantee that useful fusion technology is probable.

Understanding the two methods of energy generation may be difficult for the non-scientist. But it is not difficult for the non-scientist to understand two facts related to the downside of both fission and fusion: (1) Fission: Even for peaceful purposes of electricity generation there is danger of a nuclear meltdown with release of harmful radioactive substances. In addition, the nuclear weapons arsenals of many of the world’s countries is beyond comprehension. The cost of development of nuclear bomb technology has been staggering. (2) Fusion: Several world nations have collaborated on fusion research in the mountains of Italy. The US share is $3.9 billion; other nations contribute about $20 billion. Moreover, the laser energy needed to achieve fusion is still currently many times the fusion energy produced. The optimism that we have achieved a stunning breakthrough may be misplaced. 

The Creator has endowed human scientists with the ability to discover and utilize a wealth of energy resources. Man’s ability to discover multiple sources of energy and use them for our benefit is one of many evidences of God’s love for humanity. 

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (I John 3:1a NIV) God lavishes us with love not only in the realm of theological faith but also in the realm of science.

      

   

More Planet Earth Dynamism

In recent weeks Earth residents have been reminded of many dynamic planetary events which generated not only wonder, but also discomfort and even tragedy. Volcanoes, earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes may rank at the top of this spectrum. Not far behind are blizzards (such as a noteworthy blizzard many US states are experiencing as I write), cold waves, heat waves, floods, and droughts. We might ask, “Is Planet Earth a place of tragedy, or a place to thrive?” The range of tragedies is very broad. Degrees of thriving also occur at different levels along a broad spectrum. Humanity may either thrive or experience tragedy depending on how he responds to ever-present natural hazards.    

Weather observers on Planet Earth have published references to Hawaiian volcanoes since late November 2022: Mauna Loa had just awakened to activity. Since then, volcanic activity has diminished, but other dynamic earth processes have been active. For example, an earthquake in California recently generated concern for residents of that state. A 6.4 magnitude earthquake rocked a region of Northern California. In late September 2022 powerful Hurricane Ian struck South Florida, crossing the peninsula from west to east. It claimed 146 lives in the state as the strongest hurricane since the 1935 Labor Day hurricane. Florida residents are still in “clean-up” mode. In mid- December the southern US coped with several tornadoes in five states. Our planet has been rocked by similar disasters since Old Testament times and long before. 

The Apostle Paul described what was probably a hurricane in Acts 27:14 while his ship was caught in a tempestuous wind while sailing by the island of Crete. Job’s children perished in a “great wind,” probably a tornado, from across the wilderness (Job 1:19). Job 36-37 describes a variety of weather events: whirlwinds, lightning, thunder, mighty downpours, snow, and ice. The OT books of Amos and Zechariah specifically mention a historic earthquake in the days of Uzziah. Of course, even Christ himself referenced the Mesopotamian flood as did the authors of Hebrews and Peter. Verses in Psalm 104:32 and Psalm144:5 suggest “smoking mountains,” probably volcanoes. as works of God. Other Bible passages characterize our Creator as the author of many mighty natural wonders.  

What scientific laws governed and still govern these planetary phenomena? Answer: There are at least two laws—the Law of Entropy, and the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics. The laws are related, but they do not mean exactly the same thing. The 2nd law states that energy only flows from high states of energy to lower states of energy. For instance, a container of hot water left in a cold room will always cool to the temperature of the room—never the other way around. There are many examples from the standpoint of organization or order in physical systems. In this example the Law of Entropy quantifies heat flow in recognizable scientific units to affirm that physical systems always tends toward more, not less disorder. In other words, entropy (disorder) increases. The 2nd Law speaks of the natural tendency of physical systems to run downhill.

In the world of planetary geologic and meteorological phenomena there is a wealth of knowledge where we can apply the principles of entropy and the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics. The term thermodynamics applies to the relationships between heat and other forms of energy. When God created the Heavens and the Earth (Gen. 1:1) He also established physical laws governing our planet. Such laws control weather, geologic processes, and all physical systems originated by the Creator. The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics produces some outcomes that Earth residents find unpleasant. Examples are listed in our first paragraph.

Our Planet Earth has existed for millions of years as a solid celestial body. The history of Planet Earth clearly indicates that geologic and meteorological processes have provided desirable volcanic recycling and beneficial water recycling events still prevalent on Earth to this day. These processes and many others allow life to exist and thrive on our unique planet.

Are these ancient processes in keeping with the will of The Creator? Our response is an unequivocal, “Yes.” According to Genesis 1-2 God pronounced His creation “good or very good” on six different occasions. The 2nd Law is the foundation of a marvelous divine physical operating system. Our Creator designed our planetary operating systems for the ultimate benefit of humanity. Generally, humanity thrives on our planet. This planet, however, is not our permanent, eternal home—a topic more appropriately addressed by theologians.     

  

Dynamic Volcanic Wonders

 In our last post we discussed YouTubes where we access almost unlimited information on the wonders of animal life on our planet. In this post we highlight another recent planetary phenomenon—the regular onset of dynamic volcanism occurring in our 50th state, Hawaii. In recent weeks Mauna Loa has awakened from one of its frequent rest states. It is periodically active as are many Hawaiian volcanoes.

In one of our early posts we spoke about “Dynamic Planet Earth.” Linked below is our 2008 post:

http://jasscience.blogspot.com/2008/08/dynamic-planet-earth.html

In the above post we referred to volcanoes as an example of Earth’s dynamic processes. The term dynamic conveys forceful, powerful, and energetic. In the past few weeks, news of a recent volcano eruption on the Big Island of Hawaii has been widely publicized. We searched for YouTube entries and research articles on Hawaiian volcanoes and volcanoes in general. The Hawaiian Islands were formed by a succession of undersea volcanic eruptions. The archipelago was formed within a huge tectonic plate, the Pacific Plate, an irregular-shaped chunk of the Earth’s crust sliding horizontally over a “hot spot.” The moving crust resembled a “conveyor belt” as it received intermittent surges of molten magma rising from hot spots far beneath the surface in the rock mantle. The Hawaiian Islands archipelago originated in this manner over a few million years.

Shortly after the mid-20th century, theorists proposed that crustal plates migrated over  layers of the rock mantle. This idea was described initially as “continental drift” and later became known as “plate tectonics.” Alfred Wegener in the early 20th century first proposed the revolutionary idea that sections of Earth’s crust moved slowly over the planetary surface. At the time he did not fully understand what caused sections of our planet’s continents to “drift.”

In the 1960s I first became aware of the nascent theory of plate tectonics—a proposal that has gained more credibility over the decades. Tectonic is a Greek word related to building. One image of our planet’s surface may be described as a group of reassembled, ancient building blocks. The blocks have slowly moved across the Earth’s surface only a few centimeters per year. Evidence from ancient fossil deposits and magnetism (paleomagnetism) preserved in the rocks give clues of an exceedingly complex and ancient process.  

Our contemporary belief in plate tectonics demonstrates how science knowledge has proliferated. Plate tectonics phenomena are on a par with revolutionary discoveries in many fields of historic science. There are many historic discoveries, including early knowledge of plate tectonics introduced in the 1960s. Many discoveries utilized past knowledge to discover and apply new knowledge. 

Plate tectonics is one example. Ideas about convection currents had been proposed for several hundred years. Convection currents occur in gases and liquids owing to unequal heating. Convection currents also occur slowly in solids such as the Earth’s rock mantle. They produce mantle plumes of hot magma. Convection is one of the three primary means of heat travel. Moving molecules cycle heat energy from warm regions to cooler regions. 

    Mantle convection and plate tectonics provide a general framework for understanding tectonic physics. Transport of heat from the interior of the earth drives solid state convection. Plate tectonics is a direct consequence of this convection.

(Sciencedirect article, 2003)

Decay of radioactive elements in Earth’s mantle supplies most of the heat necessary to drive convection in the solid mantle. Volcanoes at Earth’s surface ultimately benefit all humanity. Apart from some disastrous effects of volcanism (humans are gifted with wisdom to avoid the harmful effects of volcanism), these dynamic events have occurred for millions of years on Planet Earth. Volcanic events produce beneficial soil fertility and hundreds of mineral resources for our modern burgeoning population. 80% of Earth’s surface is volcanic in origin.

God has created Earth for the ultimate benefit of humanity. Dynamic events such as volcanoes are evidence of our planet’s beneficial recycling mechanisms. In Holy Scripture we discover many examples of the Creator’s wisdom, power, and providence. “Now therefore, our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name.” I Chroncles 29:13 (NKJV).

 

             

    

YouTubes and Youth Faith

 Our unusual blog title needs explanation. YouTube users watch billions of hours of YouTubes each day. YouTube is a video-sharing website which can be accessed by computers and mobile phones. YouTube contents range widely from nature and wildlife  to advertising, music, sports, travel, science, and an abundance of other subjects.

Some senior citizens hardly understand what modern social media platforms are, not to mention what they can accomplish. Social media platforms are a mixed blessing. Who can fault or criticize our ready access to information? We live in the ‘information age.’ However, much of this information is beneficial or useful in our modern day. YouTube is the second most common website on the internet, second only to Google.

This blogger has utilized a desirable social media venue which helps my grandson exult in various forms of wildlife. When his father needs uninterrupted quality time to complete online graduate work, he drops his son off at our house. Our 5-year old grandson has completed the ‘dinosaur stage’ of his interest. Currently he is fascinated with living creatures inhabiting our planet - snakes, lizards, cheetahs, sharks, and spiders, to name a few. YouTube videos to the rescue! He often enters our home with the words, “You know what I want to see.” Yes, we know what he wants to see. The Google search feature quickly accesses multiple video events from our natural world. Talented photographers feature action shots of animals and insects on the hunt for food to sustain their existence. Inter-species animal fights are part of the normal course of events in our natural world. They are preludes to food acquisition. Some nature lovers find this trait disturbing. 

To the contrary, animal predation is not beyond the creative wisdom of God expressed in the Old Testament Book of Job. In Chapter 38, the Lord inquires of Job “Do you hunt the prey for the lioness and satisfy the hunger of the lions when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in a thicket? Who provides food for the ravens when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?” (Job 38:39-41 NIV)

When I remind my grandson of the intricate beauty of nature’s designed features and marvelous functionality, even at his age it is not difficult for him to understand such traits could not have designed themselves. It took a Master Designer to produce these features. The Master Designer is the God of Creation! Usually a single YouTube feature on animals highlights only a single species of 1.7 million classified living species. Millions more species have been divinely created but remain unclassified.

The YouTube videos feature masterful close-up and distant photography of wildlife. My grandson has learned to appreciate the intricate design features of many animals and plants. One commentator remarked that YouTube is not merely part of social media but also a social media behemoth. Secular YouTube videos highlight the wonders of the natural world and offer strong intuitional support for belief in God’s existence and creative power. Below we link two past blog posts in which we discussed various ways Christian parents may promote God-awareness even in our young children. 

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2016/06/divine-credibility-for-children.html

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2017/03/youth-sciencefaith-apologetics.html

“The Bible teaches that God created animals. They aren’t the product of fortuitous natural processes any more than humans are. Genesis 1:24-25 says that God created the animals, from the beasts of the field to the creeping insects. Scripture even tells us that the breath of life resides within them. (Gen. 7:15).” (Barrett Duke writing in a Montana Southern Baptist Convention publication: 10 Biblical truths about animals.) 

Our God experienced joy in creating all things (Genesis 1:31a NIV). Our trust is in the Living God “who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (I Timothy 6:17b). 

Wokeism, Science, and Faith

 Among words that first appear and become popular in our society are words that currently engender scorn or repulsion. The term “woke” may have started as a praiseworthy description but is now used insultingly as language and culture constantly evolve. The terms woke or wokeism fall into the latter category. We will discuss wokeism later in this post as it links to abortion and transgenderism. 

Several social issues earn a wide spectrum of approval or disapproval. The first term, abortion, has been discussed tirelessly using the same means of persuasion. Advocates for abortion—the termination and removal of embryonic or fetal life in the womb—repeatedly use the same arguments. For example, abortion proponents relentlessly reference “a woman’s right to choose.” Another phrase popular in our culture is “My body, my choice!”

The first phrase uses the words choose or choice to cast abortion in a favorable light. When women are characterized as having the right to choose, some are impressed with the positive flavor of the argument. After all, we make voting choices as citizens of a democracy including voting in national elections every other year. Grammatically, the verb “choose” in the expression “woman’s right to choose” is an intransitive verb.  The right to choose what? It does not have an object. Do we have the right to choose to end the life of another person, including an undeveloped embryo or fetus?

Many books have been written on the subject of human rights. Famous documents such as the US Constitution and even the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) discuss human rights. Our Creator bestows human rights in the sense that He created all things. God imparts rights to humans because He created our physiological existence. A fundamental right is not a right to practice abortion, but rather, the right to preserve our physiological existence—life itself. The practice of abortion is, therefore, contrary to our God-given inalienable rights.

With respect to abortion, many proponents cast abortion not only as a right, but also as a desirable women’s health practice. In the face of the horror of the abortion procedure, it is inconceivable that this issue has become foremost in the political campaigns of many US politicians and party members. In the face of the scientific evidence for the wonder of genetics and our current knowledge of prenatal development, the wokeism supporting the concept of abortion is painfully out of place in our society. We should remind our fellow citizens about the inspirational and instructive scripture in Psalm 139: “…For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well; My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance…” vv 13-16a (ESV)

Another social issue our society currently wrestles with is the woke endorsement of 

transgenderism toward which a startling number of political leaders and ordinary citizens have become aggressively supportive. In addition, some professional medical organizations have become highly supportive of gender confused and gender variant persons and the medical treatments offered. According to Scripture, there is no reason to contemplate the validity of the transgender phenomenon. Genesis 1:27 states: God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them (ESV). (See also Genesis 5:2 and Matthew 19:4-6.) Scripture offers instruction on matters of gender and its creation in the mind of God.

The transgender and gender incongruence issue is even more complex than the abortion issue because it relates to choices made by post-natal or mature humans. In contrast, abortion affects innocent pre-born human subjects whose existence depends upon the tender care provided by a human “caretaker.” Most Christians find the issues of abortion and transgenderism disturbing and shocking. 

Wokeism challenges science in the area of abortion and transgenderism. Scientific truth is not affirmed by abortionists who remove embryonic and fetal tissue in the womb call the tissues “the products of conception.” Embryonic and fetal life and its development is a miracle of the Creator. Likewise, human gender originates in the mind of God.

Our blog posts have promoted the subject of science as it affirms faith and belief in the God of Creation. Popular exhortation to “Follow the Science” has become “a cultural mantra.” A quotation by Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, illustrates the misuse of the “Follow the Science” mantra: “The science is clear: the current restrictions on (medical abortion medication) are medically unnecessary. For two decades, restrictions have only created additional barriers for patients seeking abortion care. It is critical that the FDA follow the science and lean into facts to ensure that all people can access a safe and legal abortion without obstacles.” 

Our posts have promoted real and true science as it supports scriptural faith. There are many examples of fake and pseudo-science. Let us ask God for wisdom to recognize true science and understand true scriptural faith.    

       

   

Reprise of Autumn

 The familiar query “What is your favorite season?” rings out once more over our land. Perhaps the question is more often asked during autumn than in any other season. Autumn is a personal favorite season for this blogger, but spring wins the day for 36% of the populace. Autumn was second with 27% when the question was last posed by Gallup in 2005. Scripture has many references to all four seasons. The wonders of seasonal variation described in Scripture provide many lessons — devotional, descriptive, and explanatory.

The Eastern Iowa countryside where we recently took residence is currently alive with features of the autumn harvest. The corn and soybeans have dried down and will be harvested before long. It is easy to exult in a passage such as Acts 14:17: “Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” (NIV)

Alert, perceptive residents notice many fascinating outcomes of the approach of autumn. When the baseball playoffs and World Series arrive shadows are cast on the playing field in unfamiliar configurations. The angle of the sun at noon from the horizon is always highest as the sun traces a great circle on the ecliptic each day. This is termed solar noon. It diminishes from June 22 to December 22—from about 72 degrees in June to 49 degrees in September to 26 degrees in December. (These figures relate to conditions at about 41 degrees N. latitude, a latitude where I resided in my last six residences.) These facts could provoke curiosity from our young baseball fans. It is visually difficult for players to pass from sunlight to shadow.

Diminished sun angles link with shortened day lengths, lengthened nighttime, later sunrises, earlier sunsets, and gradually falling temperatures during autumn harvest season. Linked below is a past blog post where we discussed these phenomena in more detail:

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2016/11/autumns-temporary-decline.html

An early post mentioned other fascinating autumn manifestations including autumn color, animal behavior, a reminder of natural cycles, and thanksgiving for God’s providence:

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2008/10/autumn-and-early-rains.html

Another post reinforces our thankfulness and wonder at the average 55 degree temperature drop during the year at 41 degree N. lat., our allure at the “land of the midnight sun,” and our sense of wonder at the Creator’s plan who supplied for us all things to enjoy.

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2017/10/sustained-by-seasons.html

We reminded readers of the Earth’s axial tilt of 23.5 degrees, a key to understanding the beneficial conditions on this planet. We quoted the well known verse in Genesis 8:22: “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” (NIV):

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2015/08/adapting-to-seasons.html

Finally, what if the earth had no seasons at all? Life on Planet Earth would be barely recognizable. The presence of seasons is vital in sustaining our enormous population of 8 billion souls. We suggest readers thank the Heavenly Father for designing Planet Earth to possess seasons. Our lives depend on this fact.

https://jasscience.blogspot.com/2017/10/earth-without-seasons.html