Planetary Fine-Tuning and Ancient Chinese Language Point to the Truth of the Origins of Life

     Despite widespread disagreement of those in the sciences, it seems several realities in the sciences point toward the reality of a Being fitting Scripture’s description of God. One subset of such realities is evidence of fine-tuning regarding the origins of life in the cosmos generally, on the earth specifically, and in earth’s history both non-human and human.

    Dr. Drake originally postulated vast numbers of planets in the cosmos being suitable for life. Though many followed in supporting him, numbers regarding planets capable of life plummeted as greater information of the universe is gained. Earth seems an immeasurable anomaly. Fine tuning regarding Jupiter for example. If Jupiter was smaller, it’s gravitational protection of earth would be lost. Yet if more massive (or closer), earth’s orbit would move beyond what supports life. The relative exception of the number of metal-rich stars in the Milky Way is another example of fine-tuning.

    Fine-tuning for life on earth specifically includes life requiring limited amounts of beneficial poisons such as arsenic, iron, chlorine, potassium, etc., which earth has. Additionally, life’s origin requires amino acids and nucleotides. But the presence of oxygen and ultraviolet radiation prevents synthesis. And, all options for earth’s early condition had either or both of these, which explains  the lack of evidence for prebiotics theorized by naturalistic approaches. Further, no amino acids, nucleotides, or even building blocks of nucleotides have been discovered in space (there are certain regions where oxygen and ultraviolet radiation might be absent). 

    Further, the Miller-Urey experiment has been hailed as “proof” of abiogenesis, yet the fact that highly-

trained scientists from varying fields designed and carefully regulated the conditions involved contradict the conclusion that chemical evolution is reasonable and no intelligent mind  was necessary for the beginning of life from non-life.Besides, the building block of life produced are a far cry from life itself. Take the fine-tuning of the complexity of the earliest life. Parasites need 250 functioning gene products, photosynthetic bacteria need over 2,000. And it’s not merely life’s origin requiring fine-tuning, but its sustaining as well. For example, certain sulfate-reducing bacteria transform certain poisons into mineable and useable materials for humanity (zinc, lead, silver, etc.). Even plate tectonics, which are required to maintain proper planetary temperature due to the sun’s light and heat on its surface, requires at least seven other finely tuned factors regarding the core, abundances of certain elements, planetary size ratios, magnetic and gravitational particulars, etc. As Dr. Ross keenly observes, “Each new discovery and more detail to the picture of an intentional, anticipatory, carefully orchestrated plan—a plan that prepared earth for life, which prepared earth for humans.” (Creation as Science, p. 147).

    Archaeological evidence also agrees with the biblical account supported through other sciences. One example involves writing more ancient than the Old Testament (ca. 2700BC). Hundreds of Ancient  Chinese characters aptly depict creation of life paralleling the Bible’s account. For example, characters for create, covet, garden, and more reveal peculiar similarities. Create involves characters for speak/breathe, dust, life/living, and walk. Covet is constructed from a woman and two trees (the most ancient form shows her turning from one tree to the other). Garden involves dust, breathe, two persons (one coming from the side of the other), and an enclosure.  There are hundreds of instances like this. Though none of the evidences presented briefly here are likely sufficient in themselves, they begin to reveal a cumulative case which will grow as one honestly investigates.

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*For information regarding Chinese language and God in Ancient China, see Chan Kei Thong with Charlene L. Fu, Finding God in Ancient China: How the Ancient Chinese Worshiped the God of the Bible (Zondervan, 2009); Ethel Nelson and Richard E. Broadberry, Genesis and the Mystery Confucius Couldn’t Solve (Concordia Publishing House, 1994); and Ethel Nelson, Richard E. Broadberry, and Ginger Tong Chock, God’s Promise to the Chinese (Read Books Publishers, 1997).