by Bill Nugent
Article #138
Michael Behe, Ph. D., professor of biochemistry at Lehigh University and author of Darwin’s Black Box has lectured on the fact that single celled organisms such as bacteria are not only complex but their complexity is irreducible. Irreducible complexity means that if just one component of a complex system is missing then that system is nonfunctional.
Dr. Behe claims that the first living cell had to form all at once or not at all. He maintains that it is impossible for a cell to form piece by piece because none of the cell’s parts can function without the others. If a cell bio-chemical, such as DNA, somehow formed by random collisions of atoms it would not last long. The DNA would immediately dissolve because it had no other cell structures to protect it. The fruit of all the amazing (and statistically impossible) chemical coincidences that randomly formed a long chain DNA molecule would be instantly lost.
Dr. Behe used the illustration of a mousetrap. A mousetrap consists of a small board, a spring, a bar, a lever, a bait holder and bait. If any part is missing, it won’t function. It won’t perform the simple function of catching a mouse. Now try to imagine a mousetrap forming randomly in nature. By a bizarre coincidence erosion from an iron deposit yields a steel spring attached to a curved steel bar. this naturally formed mechanism somehow, by blind chance becomes attached to a piece of wood. Another piece of metal washes up and gets attached to it and acts like a lever to hold the spring open but since there’s no bait holder or bait the system cannot catch any mice and the whole thing simply rusts away into oblivion.
A cell nucleus, mitochondria, protoplasm and other organelles are far more complex than any mousetrap. Each of these cellular organelles, along with their unfathomable complexity of proteins, RNA, DNA and other biochemicals must form simultaneously and then be assembled immediately. For any person to teach that this happened by random, unguided processes enters into the realm of unscientific speculation and storytelling.
The concept of irreducible complexity is not limited to the analysis of single celled organisms. Every organ system in every living thing is seen to be irreducibly complex. For instance, the wings of an insect, so exquisitely formed as a miniature flying machine with perfect size, surface area and musculature are useless unless all parts are present and fully formed.
The principle of irreducible complexity applies to the retractable fangs, venom bladder, venom ducts and mouth musculature of a rattlesnake. Partial formation of the fang and poison system of the snake would be disadvantageous and such a freakish, partially formed poisonous snake would be eliminated by natural selection. Therefore a very large number of favorable genetic mutations must occur simultaneously to form a complete fang and bladder system. This is a statistical impossibility.
Early in the 20th century researchers irradiated fruit flies in order to cause genetic mutations and bring evolutionary change. Fruit flies have short life spans and many generations can be observed in a short period. The radiation only produced deformed fruit flies and the experiment was abandoned. Famous evolutionist, Richard Goldschmidt, irradiated generations of Gypsy moths and only got dead or deformed moths.
I chuckle when I read of the excitement at NASA over the recent discovery of the evidence that water once existed on Mars. Some secularists even express faith that life could have formed on Mars because water was there. Knowing what scientists have discovered about the complexity of “simple” microorganisms, any speculation that life could have formed randomly in water on Mars is just wishful thinking on the part of those who reject God as creator.
Dr. Behe has shown through his elucidation of irreducible complexity that life could not have formed randomly. The foundation of Darwinian evolution is therefore totally destroyed. This is just one more proof that there is an intelligent designer of life. The intelligent designer is God.
God has spoken to humanity. His revelatory words are recorded in the Bible. The Bible has the ring of truth because it is confirmed by archeology, history, science and manuscript evidence. It is also confirmed by the many predictive prophecies contained in its pages that are authentically and verifiably fulfilled. The natural and supernatural backing of the Bible’s claim to be inspired by God is convincing. The Bible is in a class by itself and no other alleged holy book has anything like the mountain of evidence that confirms that the Bible is inspired by God.
Steps to salvation:
Jesus said “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7).
Prayer to receive salvation:
“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).
To receive the salvation that Jesus purchased for us at the terrible cost of His suffering and death on our behalf I invite you to pray this simple prayer:
“Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for sending Jesus, the promised Messiah, to die for my sins. I admit that I am a sinner. I repent of my sins and I ask for your forgiveness on the basis of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I ask you to fill me with your Holy Spirit to empower me to serve you under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, Amen.”
If you prayed this prayer in the humble sincerity of your heart then you have received everlasting life, which includes power to live right in this life and entrance into heaven in the afterlife!