I recently watched a spell binding interview about the marvels of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). The interviewee was describing how DNA is like software that directs the activity of just about every known living organism. He said DNA coding tells organisms how to perform and directs them to do what they do so that they can become what they need to be. In other words, DNA coding is to an organism as a program is to a computer.

This particular scientist believed that he and his colleagues were on the doorstep of breaking into the DNA code and creating “synthetic” organisms that would change everything about the way our world will evolve out of this modern age. His gentle mannerisms and voice all assured me that he was not the mad scientist of a B-rated movie.

I am intentionally not telling you his name because I believe this interview could have taken place with many reputable scientists with some variation on the particular discovery being highlighted. I am clearly not a scientist, and I believe what this expert said about DNA is true and accepted as such in the scientific community without debate. But I also expect that – just like every other discovery we humans have ever made – what we are seeing is part of the story and not the whole story. My suspicion is that additional research, over time, will yield findings that are as unimaginable today as DNA was to Darwin. I think it is interesting that science always “gets it” but only to a point. Somehow there is always another breakthrough discovery around the corner.

As the interview concluded the question was asked, “Do you believe in God?” The scientist looked at the camera and with a smug little grin he said “No.” The interviewer asked “So you think 95% of the world’s population is wrong?” He twisted his grin and shrugged his shoulders.
I am always amazed when an intelligent person concludes that the details of creation were a random event in space and time. Statistical theory teaches that if you flip a coin an infinite number of times you will get an equal number of heads and tails. So how can anyone conclude that the billions of decisions that had to be made to create the human body, as well as the supporting ecosystems and astrological systems, were the result of random acts all going in one single, correct direction? That is astounding to me and it is a belief that takes more faith than I can find in my soul.

Believing that organisms and the DNA code that drives them is a random act is equivalent to believing that one day when the trash man is dumping trash into a truck it will form into a computer that is programmed and ready to go. For me, the wonder of organisms and the power of DNA coding are proof positive that there is a very intelligent designer in this universe who orchestrated the decisions and created the processes that give us life. I have never looked at anything that was beautifully complex without thinking about its designer. This is how we know things come into existence – by design – and we all marvel at the process.

As a Christian, I believe the designer of the universe is a God who not only creates but also loves and cares about each created life. Billions of right decisions in the creation process seem to support the belief that life has value, purpose, and a meaning beyond itself. I can find faith to believe in this God because He gives meaning to life; His reality is reinforced through my observations and experiences of everyday life.

Before Jesus walked the earth the Psalmist wrote, “Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.” (Psalm 139:14) The complexity of the human body has long been observed and appreciated. Assigning its creation to a random act leaves us in the hands of a faceless fate for the next decision. I would prefer to trust the hands and heart of a loving God. I know He has a proven track record of creative and wonderful decisions.

 

Feel free to forward this article.