Stars, Cells, and God

Join biochemists Fazale “Fuz” Rana and Robert DiSilvestro as they discuss discoveries with theological and philosophical implications pointing to the reality of God’s existence. Did life originate through evolutionary processes on the primordial Earth or through the handiwork of a Creator? In this episode Fuz and Robert critique one of the latest proposals from origin-of-life researchers for how proteins originated in the prebiotic world. In their analysis, Fuz and Robert show that a creation model best explains life’s origin. Links and Resources: Origins of Life: The Protein Folding Problem All Over Again? Origins of Life: Biblical and Evolutionary Models Face Off by Fazale Rana and Hugh Ross

Join biochemist Fazale “Fuz” Rana and astrophysicist Hugh Ross as they discuss new discoveries with theological and philosophical implications pointing to the reality of God’s existence. Young-earth creationists argue that the buildup of mutations quickly causes genomes to deteriorate, driving organisms to extinction. This process of genetic entropy occurs on a timescale of 6,000–10,000 years, indicating that Earth and life on Earth cannot be billions of years old. Drawing from recent work in genetics, biochemist Fuz Rana explains why this young-earth argument fails. Little Red Dots (LRDs) are compact objects that are the emerging cores of large galaxies seen during the cosmic dawn (early stages of the universe). They were thought to challenge several big bang creation models because they were too bright. This challenge was based on the assumption that all their light came from stars. Spectra of LRDs show much of the light comes from gas spiraling into growing supermassive black holes at LRDs’ centers. This conclusion well fits big bang models where many first-to-form stars are hundreds of times the Sun’s mass. Links and Resources: Estimating the Proportion of Beneficial Mutations That Are Not Adaptive in Mammals The Rise of Faint, Red AGN at z > 4: A Sample of Little Red Dots in the JWST Extragalactic Legacy Fields Is the Big Bang Theory in Trouble? A Matter of Days Dinosaur Blood and the Age of the Earth

Join astrophysicists Hugh Ross and Jeff Zweerink as they discuss new discoveries with theological and philosophical implications pointing to the reality of God’s existence. Dimethyl sulfide in a planet’s atmosphere has been widely cited as an unambiguous signature of life on the planet. However, the discovery of dimethyl sulfide in a comet, in the interstellar medium, and in laboratory photochemical experiments shows nonbiological pathways for the manufacture of dimethyl sulfide and other organosulfurs. Thus, the James Webb Space Telescope’s discovery of such organic compounds on exoplanets can’t prove life exists on another planet. The seeds of big bang cosmology were planted nearly 100 years ago, and it stands as the reigning cosmology model for the last 60–70 years. What many people may not realize is that the mathematical foundation for the big bang rests on an approximation needed to solve Einstein’s equations of general relativity. Over the last 20 years, a growing group of scientists have argued that more accurate solutions that don’t utilize the approximation provide a better model of the universe while simultaneously removing the need for dark energy. We describe the basics of this new model and discuss the apologetics implications. Links and Resources: Carbon-Bearing Molecules in a Possible Hycean Atmosphere Abiotic Production of Dimethyl Sulfide, Carbonyl Sulfide, and Other Organosulfur Gases Via Photochemistry: Implications for Biosignatures and Metabolic Potential Evidence for Abiotic Dimethyl Sulfide in Cometary Matter On the Abiotic Origin of Dimethyl Sulfide: Discovery of DMS in the Interstellar Medium Dark Energy May Not Exist: Something Stranger Might Explain the Universe Supernovae Evidence for Foundational Change to Cosmological Models

Join biochemist Fazale “Fuz” Rana and astrophysicist Jeff Zweerink as they discuss new discoveries with theological and philosophical implications pointing to the reality of God’s existence. Fuz discusses the work of Chinese scientists who have identified the functional significance of the [genetic?] fusion event that seemingly generated human chromosome 2. This insight validates a key prediction of the RTB human origins model and adds credibility to the Bible’s description of humanity’s creation. Jeff explains why scientists and engineers increasingly look to nature for inspiration to “build a better mousetrap.” Virtually every airplane in existence has a vertical tail that keeps the airplane on a straight line without rolling or spinning on its vertical axis. A recent study of how birds fly without a vertical tail reveals the sophisticated system of sensors, reflexes, and materials used to achieve “rudderless” flight. Far from a kludge job, such sophistication points to the work of a Creator who designed birds with this remarkable ability. Links and Resources: Incomplete Lineage Sorting of Segmental Duplications Defines the Human Chromosome 2 Fusion Site Early During African Great Ape Speciation Bird-Inspired Reflexive Morphing Enables Rudderless Flight Birdlike Robot Flies Steady Without a Vertical Tail Thinking About Evolution, chapter 22, “Is the Watchmaker Really Blind?” by Fazale Rana

Join astrophysicists Hugh Ross and Jeff Zweerink as they discuss  new discoveries with theological and philosophical implications pointing to the existence of God. Hugh explains that the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Collaboration has released redshift and position measurements on 3,855,000 galaxies and 857,000 quasars in the redshift range 0.1–2.1. Analysis of this database shows that gravity alternatives to general relativity on large cosmic size scales are negligible and provides stronger evidence for a time-varying dark energy equation of state. The analysis also yields the best measure to date of the cosmic matter density, thereby affirming a feature of cosmic creation. Jeff discusses how scientists over the past 10–15 years have discovered a tension between measurements of the Hubble constant from the early universe compared to the late universe. If found to be a real discrepancy, such a tension could point to new physics and a greater understanding of the development of the universe. A new study with data from James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) affirms the validity of the late Hubble constant measurement, strengthening the case for a legitimate discrepancy. Links and Resources: DESI 2024 VII: Cosmological Constraints from the Full-Shape Modeling of Clustering Measurements Modified Gravity Constraints from the Full Shape Modeling of Clustering Measurements from DESI 2024 Hubble Constant Tension Resolution Resolving Hubble Constant and Creation Tension Universe Expansion Study Confirms Challenge to Cosmic Theory JWST Validates HST Distance Measurements: Selection of Supernova Subsample Explains Differences in JWST Estimates of Local H0

Join biochemist Fazale “Fuz” Rana and OB/GYN Christina Cirucci as they discuss regret, desisting, and detransitioning among people who receive gender-affirming care. How often do people change their minds after they transition to the opposite gender? What motivates that change of mind? Can gender transitioning be fully reversed? Warning: This content may include explicit material. Viewer discretion is advised. The intention is not to offend but to provide information. Proceed only if you are comfortable with conversations regarding gender-affirming care, gender reassignment surgeries, and detransitioning. Disclaimer: Reasons to Believe is expressing our Christian beliefs on the issues of gender identity in the intersection of science and faith, as it’s an important discussion and many people have valid questions. This research showcases the expertise of select members of the RTB Scholar Community on matters of gender identity. RTB is not offering medical or other professional advice. People need to consult with their own physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, etc. We want to see everyone make informed, educated decisions. Links and Resources: Gender Identity White Papers: Learn to Defend Biblical Sexuality with Gentleness and Respect

Discover the fascinating world of ancient DNA and its implications for the age of Earth. Learn why fossil DNA evidence doesn't support a young Earth perspective. Meanwhile, explore how mussels inspire innovative biodegradable solutions to combat plastic pollution. Scientists are bioengineering bacteria to decompose harmful pollutants, showcasing nature's potential in environmental stewardship. Delve into the intersection of science, technology, and faith, raising profound questions about existence and sustainability.

DNA Data Storage In this episode, biochemist Fazale Rana discusses one of the latest advances in DNA data storage technology and explains how this insight adds to the evidence that a Creator played a role in the origin and basic design of life. Most Hunted Particle The most sought-after particles in the universe are axions, the leading candidate to comprise most of the universe’s dark matter. A team of physicists led by Dion Noordhuis has shown that the best place to look for axions is around rapidly spinning neutron stars, where scientists believe axion clouds reside. Current radio telescopes may be able to detect the mystery particles, a discovery that would bolster the evidence for a big bang creation model. Links and Resources: Parallel Molecular Data Storage by Printing Epigenetic Bits on DNA Axion Clouds Around Neutron Stars Dark Matter Particles

In this episode, biochemist Fazale Rana and OB/GYN Christina Cirucci discuss the safety of gender-affirming care, including gender reassignment surgeries. •What do these procedures entail? •Are there benefits to these procedures? •What are the complications? •How should Christians respond to someone who is considering these types of operations? Warning: This content may include explicit material. Viewer discretion is advised. The intention is not to offend but to provide information. Proceed only if you are comfortable with conversations regarding gender-affirming care and gender reassignment surgeries. Disclaimer: Reasons to Believe is expressing our Christian beliefs on the issues of gender identity in the intersection of science and faith, as it’s an important discussion and many people have valid questions. This research showcases the expertise of select members of the RTB Scholar Community on matters of gender identity. RTB is not offering medical or other professional advice. People need to consult with their own physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, etc. We want to see everyone make informed, educated decisions. Reference: The Truth About Transgenderism—What Scripture, Science, and Medicine Say

Rabbi Elie Feder, a professor at CUNY specializing in mathematics and religious studies, and Rabbi Aaron Zimmer, a former commodities trader with a physics background now exploring science and religion, dive into fine-tuning and the multiverse. They discuss how the universe's specific constants suggest a purposeful design rather than randomness. The guests debate the implications of multiverse theories, challenge human-centric views on extraterrestrial life, and explore the philosophical questions surrounding intelligent design.