Stars, Cells, and God

Join astrophysicists Hugh Ross and Jeff Zweerink as they discuss discoveries with theological and philosophical implications that point to the reality of God’s existence.

“Little Red Dots” (LRDs) are emerging galaxy cores seen during the cosmic dawn. They were thought to challenge some big bang creation models because they’re too bright. This challenge assumed that nearly all their light came from stars. A high-sensitivity JWST spectrum of The Cliff, the brightest known LRD, shows no significant metal lines, meaning stars can’t explain its light. Instead, the data matches dense, absorbing gas falling into a supermassive black hole (SMBH), which supports big bang models where SMBHs formed early in cosmic history.

It may seem like a bizarre concept, but scientists have tried to find out whether our universe is a big simulation. Evidence for the idea is ambiguous, plus mathematical developments over the last century seem to rule out the possibility. Recent research in quantum gravity suggests that our universe can’t be explained by algorithms operating on axioms (the basis of every simulation). This non-algorithmic component aligns well with the biblical description of the universe and humanity as the products of supernatural creation.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

A Remarkable Ruby: Absorption in Dense Gas, Rather Than Evolved Stars, Drives the Extreme Balmer Break of a Little Red Dot at z = 3.5

Is the Big Bang Theory in Trouble?

Physicists Prove the Universe Isn’t a Simulation After All

Consequences of Undecidability in Physics on the Theory of Everything

Join biochemist Fazale “Fuz” Rana and astrophysicist Jeff Zweerink as they discuss discoveries with theological and philosophical implications that point to the reality of God’s existence.

Researchers from Europe discovered that differences in the Neanderthal and modern human versions of the gene PIEZO1 led to an incompatibility between the mother and the fetus of second-generation (and beyond) hybrids. This incompatibility could have contributed to Neanderthal extinction. In this episode, biochemist Fuz Rana explains this reproductive barrier and explores its implications for the biblical view of human origins.

A recent study of mice reveals an elegant process at work in the brain (mouse brain studies help scientists understand how the human brain works) that impacts anxiety levels. We may think anxiety arises from our thoughts, but the cell structures that determine anxiety levels are part of the immune system at work in the central nervous system. Astrophysicist Jeff Zweerink discusses how research indicates that anxiety might be considered a disease rather than a proper functioning of our minds. It resonates with Paul’s admonition to the Philippians to not be anxious but to take our concerns before God, the reliever of all anxiety, to receive his peace.  

I think we need something like this to make the mouse/human connection.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

A Maternal-Fetal PIEZO1 Incompatibility as a Barrier to Neanderthal-Modern Human Admixture

 

Your Anxiety May Be Controlled by Hidden Immune Cells in the Brain

 

Defective Hoxb8 Microglia Are Causative for Both Chronic Anxiety and Pathological Overgrooming in Mice

Join biochemist Fazale “Fuz” Rana and astrophysicist Jeff Zweerink as they discuss theological and philosophical implications that point to the reality of God’s existence.

Researchers from France and Spain claim that they have discovered evidence that Neanderthals were using pieces of ochre (some shaped like crayons) to color surfaces and tools. If Neanderthals made art, does that mean they were like us? Does that mean humans aren’t unique, as the Bible teaches? In this episode, Fuz Rana turns a critical eye on these claims, demonstrating why this claim fails to displace humans as the crown of creation.

Revenge, even just thinking about it, often feels good. However, a growing body of scientific evidence shows how revenge activates regions of your brain in the same way as taking drugs. This recognition should motivate effort to avoid any activity that arouses our emotions beyond a desire for true justice. More importantly, the science also shows that the most effective deterrent to the craving for revenge is a strikingly biblical idea—forgiveness. 

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Evidence for Symbolic Use of Ochre by Micoquian Neanderthals in Crimea

Bad Brains

The Neural Systems of Forgiveness: An Evolutionary Psychological Perspective

A Pilot Study of Motive Control to Reduce Vengeance Cravings

Join astrophysicist Jeff Zweerink and Dr. Latha Christie, senior scientist with the government of India, as they discuss theological and philosophical implications that point to the reality of God’s existence.

Many skeptics claim that there is no scientific evidence for God, and many Christians claim the scientific evidence for God is overwhelming. Perhaps the conflict doesn’t reside in the science but in the worldview that we bring to account for the scientific data. Join us in this episode as a former skeptic describes aspects of her journey from skepticism to seeing abundant scientific evidence for the truth of Christianity.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Beyond the Boundaries of Science: Exploring the Cosmic Story

Join biochemist Fazale “Fuz” Rana and astrophysicist Jeff Zweerink as they discuss new discoveries with theological and philosophical implications that point to the reality of God’s existence.

A research team discovered that most life on Earth came from explosive bursts of species diversification, known as adaptive radiations. In this episode, Fuz Rana explains how this insight supports RTB’s creation model for life’s history and discusses why it challenges materialistic evolution.

Jeff Zweerink explains how the origin of life on Earth continues to defy a naturalistic explanation. Rather than simply throw up our hands and say, “God did it!”, he invites us to investigate what science can say about knowledge gaps and how we might address them. More significantly, by understanding these challenges, Christians can bring a biblical understanding of how God works in creation to propose fruitful scientific models—models that not only respect Scripture but also help us make meaningful progress in understanding the origin of life.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Rapid Radiations Underlie Most of the Known Diversity of Life

 

The Math Says Life Shouldn’t Exist, But Somehow It Does

 

The Unreasonable Likelihood of Being: Origin of Life, Terraforming, and AI