COMPUTERS
In a new BBC television series, "The Thin Blue Line", Mr Bean is now a senior constable. In a recent programme (May 2003) his chief detective tries to impress him with the wonders of computer technology - able to turn up vital evidence to solving crime. Later in this episode the detective expresses his frustration because he cannot get any life out of his computer. A junior utters some obscure technical jargon and the detective asks him what he means, to which the junior replies - "put the plug in". The detective shamefacedly puts the plug in, and his computer springs into life.
Now the computer and its programs were exactly the same before he put the plug in, as they were after he put the plug in. What was missing? - The power supply.
COMPUTER ESSENTIALS
A home desk-top 'PC' computer requires a screen, a keyboard, a system box and programs. Inbuilt programs to tell it what to do with programs fed into it from CDs. So some programs interpret other programs. With all that in place - hopefully - the computer will work.
The programs are the product of millions of man hours of thought and effort by computer programming buffs. Amazing technology but of no use at all unless the computer plug is inserted into the wall socket. Without electrical current it is DEAD !
ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE ESSENTIALS
We oldies remember a quiz programme where the only clue given was whether an object was animal, vegetable or mineral. The teams were allowed only "Twenty Questions" to which the answers would be either "yes" or "no". Minerals are distinguished from animals and vegetables in that they do not have life.
MODEL OF DNA
DNA is essential to the existence of animals and vegetables. All animals and vegetables have DNA. DNA is like a complex computer program. Part of the DNA is called RNA. The RNA interprets the DNA. The same DNA does different things in different circumstances. The same DNA can direct the formation of a finger nail and in another situation direct the formation of the heart. Amazingly complex. Stupendously brilliant. Far more brilliant than any computer program, but DNA needs a "power supply".
A dead man can be identified by his DNA because the dead person's DNA is exactly the same before the point of death as it is after the point of death. What is missing? LIFE !
DNA is not life !
We are told that it is theoretically possible to take DNA from a dead person and place it in a woman's egg to produce a cloned being. This relies on the egg being alive. DNA will not work in isolation. It needs life to make it function. The Bible says God provides life:
Acts 17: 24,25 God, who made the world and everything in it, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; Neither is he worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he gives to all - life, and breath, and all things;
WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT ?
Life is one of the many forces that scientists cannot understand. They do not know what light is, neither do they understand what gravity and magnetism are. They can do calculations to predict how they will perform but no scientist knows what they are.
In magnetism like poles repel and unlike poles attract each other. How can things be separated by space with no physical connection and yet influence one another? According to atomic theory electrons spin around nuclei like the earth circles the sun. The atom is supposed to be 99% space. Electrons repel each other but are attracted by protons in the nuclei. Protons repel each other but are held together in the nuclei by some unknown force.
MODEL OF AN ATOM
[Editor's comment: This must not be taken as being every physicist's understanding of an atom]
The Bible says that the Lord Jesus holds all the universe together.
Colossians 1:17 ... all things are held together* by him.[* Greek: sunistaw sunistao]
Imagine if he withdrew his sustaining power. Everything would go puff ! On this subject the apostle Peter said:
2 Peter 3:10 ... the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night; in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat, also the earth and the works that are on it will be consumed by fire.
The world is in such a mess - morally bankrupt - why does he not end it all now?
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord ... is longsuffering towards us, not wanting any to perish, but that everyone should come to repentance.
After death we will be judged
Hebrews 9:27 ... it is arranged for men to die once, followed by the judgment:
Jesus died for you so that you need not perish.
Romans 6:23 .. the wages of sin is death; but God's gift is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
He wants you to believe in him and be baptised in water so that you will not perish.
Mark 16:15 .. he said to them, Go into all the world, and preach the good message to all creation. 16 He who believes and is immersed in water will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be damned.