Stars, Cells, and God

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

Join biochemist Fazale “Fuz” Rana and physicist and theologian John Bloom as they discuss archaeological finds with philosophical implications that point to the reality of God’s existence.

Since the 1970s, critical and skeptical academic scholars have vigorously challenged Old Testament historical accounts with archaeological evidence that appeared to contradict the biblical narratives. This episode examines recent archaeological and historical evidence showing that this pessimism is unfounded, and Christians can indeed have confidence in the Bible’s history.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, Master of Arts–Science and Religion

Gezer’s Carbon Finally Speaks: Solomonic City After All

Dating Ancient Manuscripts Using Radiocarbon and AI-Based Writing Style Analysis

Xenophon’s Cyaxares: Uncle of Cyrus, Friend of Daniel

The Chronology of Gezer from the End of the Late Bronze Age to Iron Age II: A Meeting Point for Radiocarbon, Archaeology, Egyptology, and the Bible

City of David

Drawing of David’s Jerusalem

St John Fragment–Greek P 457 image

The Natural Sciences: A Student’s Guide

Join biochemist Fazale “Fuz” Rana and astrophysicist Hugh Ross as they discuss DNA survival in fossils and how mussels can help civilization. These discoveries carry theological and philosophical implications alluding to the reality of God’s existence.

Scientists have discovered that a small region of the human genome, dubbed HAR123, is unique in humans compared to other mammals, including chimpanzees. This sequence impacts neural development and explains humans’ unique capacity for cognitive flexibility. In this episode, biochemist Fuz Rana explains how this discovery supports the biblical view of human nature and identity.

Dates of oxygen isotope changes in Earth’s oldest zircons correlate with times our solar system crossed the Scutum-Centaurus and Perseus spiral arms. This correlation implies that dense interstellar clouds of gas and dust in those spiral arms disturbed the Oort Cloud, sending giant comets toward Earth. Their impacts may have stirred Earth’s interior, speeding up plate tectonics and the supercontinent cycle, thus preparing Earth more quickly for humans and global civilization.

LINKS & RESOURCES:

An Ancient Enhancer Rapidly Evolving in the Human Lineage Promotes Neural Development and Cognitive Flexibility

From the Grain to Galactic Scale; Milky Way Neutral Hydrogen and Terrestrial Zircon Oxygen Support Coupling of Astrophysical and Geological Processes Over Deep-Time

Improbable Planet