RTB’s blog Today’s New Reason to Believe has certainly evolved since its first post, but what hasn’t changed is TNRTB’s consistent and faithful production of articles that integrate the latest scientific news with the Christian worldview. The writers—Hugh Ross, Fazale Rana, Jeff Zweerink, and most recently Anjeanette Roberts (along with a myriad of guest authors)—have touched on tricky subjects—like bad designs in nature, human suffering, Bible difficulties, end-times, and global warming—all with gentleness and respect. Now the delivery of such articles will shift, starting in July, when all of the writers launch individual blogs where they’ll be able to write more frequently, post more quickly, and engage more with readers. (More details on this transition was disclosed in Monday’s article.) Let’s take a look back on TNRTB’s most popular posts and what they taught us about science and faith:

Top 10 TNRTBs of All Time

1. “Why Would God Create Mosquitoes?” by Fazale Rana

Mosquitoes cause a significant amount of very real human suffering. The mosquito that harbors the malaria parasite causes 247 million people a year to contract the disease, of which about 1 million die. Mosquitoes also spread yellow fever, dengue fever, Rift Valley fever, and the West Nile virus. Why would God create mosquitoes, indeed? Readers who wondered this very question made this article the most-viewed TNRTB of all time.

2. “Lost Civilization beneath the Persian Gulf Confirms Genesis History of Humanity” by Hugh Ross

In almost every culture and religion of the world lies a story of a lost civilization. The ubiquitous nature of these stories, accounts, and legends lends credence to the possibility that in the early days of humanity’s history a relatively advanced civilization was indeed lost. Now, a research paper published in Current Anthropology provides scientific evidence for such a lost ancient civilization.

3. “From Noah to Abraham to Moses: Evidence of Genealogical Gaps in Mosaic Literature, Part 1” and “Part 2” by Daniel Dyke and Hugh Henry

Biblical genealogies have often been used to attempt to calculate a date for creation, which is then cited as support for a young earth. But, as visiting scholars Daniel Dyke and Hugh Henry explain, sound reasons exist for viewing these genealogies as meaningful, though incomplete, records. And with incomplete records, all efforts to build a creation timeline are futile.

4. “Have Quantum Physicists Disproved the Big Bang?” by Hugh Ross

Since early 2015, the media have been abuzz with the story that two quantum physicists have “corrected” Einstein’s theory of general relativity to demonstrate that the big bang never happened. These physicists claim the universe might have existed forever. Does this mean that one of Christianity’s core beliefs (“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”) has been falsified? Hugh offers four reasons to doubt the vanquishing of the big bang.

5. “What about Global Warming?” by Jeff Zweerink

Global warming evokes strong emotions and reactions from many different camps. The debate often occurs in only the political realm with the scientific evidence entering to support a specific agenda, causing controversy and distrust between differing groups. But, as Jeff explains, we can diffuse the rancor by allowing the scientific data to speak first, and then determining the course of action that best benefits humanity.

6. “Exodus: Turning Water into Blood” by Daniel Dyke and Hugh Henry

Pharaoh’s first refusal to free the Israelite slaves initiated a series of terrifying plagues that started with the mighty Nile River turning into blood. It is, of course, possible that God performed a supernatural miracle and literally turned the water of the Nile into blood—but does the biblical text support this conclusion?

7. “When Did Mitochondrial Eve and Y Chromosomal Adam Live?” by Fazale Rana

Using mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosomal DNA to characterize genetic variability of people around the world, recent studies suggest that humanity’s origin was much earlier than thought (250,000 to 350,000 years ago, rather than less than 100,000 years ago). These results pose a possible challenge to the biblical account of human origins.

8. “Ten Plagues of Exodus” by Daniel Dyke and Hugh Henry

Traditional Bible interpretations have held that God used supernatural power to bring about the 10 plagues described in Exodus. However, with the dramatic advances of medical research and other sciences in the twentieth century, experts began to see similarities between natural phenomena and scriptural descriptions of the plagues.

9. “Blood Moons: An End-Times Sign? Part 1” and “Part 2” by Hugh Ross

Many look for the appearance of blood moons to predict the coming of the end-times (Joel 2:31). In this two-part series, Hugh addresses the scientific, historic, and biblical concerns about getting caught up in end-times prophecies.

10. “Is a Global Flood Scientifically Possible?” by Jeff Zweerink and Kirby Hansen

Christians have long debated the extent of the flood recorded in Genesis 6–9. Was it a local flood, a global flood, or a universal flood? One interesting aspect of the answer relates to a more specific question: Does Earth have enough water to cover the whole planet?

Subjects: Testimonies, Two Creation Model, Worldviews

Chek out more from Reasons to Believe @ Reasons.org

About The Author

Dr. Hugh Ross

Reasons to Believe emerged from my passion to research, develop, and proclaim the most powerful new reasons to believe in Christ as Creator, Lord, and Savior and to use those new reasons to reach people for Christ. I also am eager to equip Christians to engage, rather than withdraw from or attack, educated non-Christians. One of the approaches I’ve developed, with the help of my RTB colleagues, is a biblical creation model that is testable, falsifiable, and predictive. I enjoy constructively integrating all 66 books of the Bible with all the science disciplines as a way to discover and apply deeper truths. 1 Peter 3:15–16 sets my ministry goal, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience." Hugh Ross launched his career at age seven when he went to the library to find out why stars are hot. Physics and astronomy captured his curiosity and never let go. At age seventeen he became the youngest person ever to serve as director of observations for Vancouver's Royal Astronomical Society. With the help of a provincial scholarship and a National Research Council (NRC) of Canada fellowship, he completed his undergraduate degree in physics (University of British Columbia) and graduate degrees in astronomy (University of Toronto). The NRC also sent him to the United States for postdoctoral studies. At Caltech he researched quasi-stellar objects, or "quasars," some of the most distant and ancient objects in the universe. Not all of Hugh's discoveries involved astrophysics. Prompted by curiosity, he studied the world’s religions and "holy books" and found only one book that proved scientifically and historically accurate: the Bible. Hugh started at religious "ground zero" and through scientific and historical reality-testing became convinced that the Bible is truly the Word of God! When he went on to describe for others his journey to faith in Jesus Christ, he was surprised to discover how many people believed or disbelieved without checking the evidence. Hugh's unshakable confidence that God's revelations in Scripture and nature do not, will not, and cannot contradict became his unique message. Wholeheartedly encouraged by family and friends, communicating that message as broadly and clearly as possible became his mission. Thus, in 1986, he founded science-faith think tank Reasons to Believe (RTB). He and his colleagues at RTB keep tabs on the frontiers of research to share with scientists and nonscientists alike the thrilling news of what's being discovered and how it connects with biblical theology. In this realm, he has written many books, including: The Fingerprint of God, The Creator and the Cosmos, Beyond the Cosmos, A Matter of Days, Creation as Science, Why the Universe Is the Way It Is, and More Than a Theory. Between writing books and articles, recording podcasts, and taking interviews, Hugh travels the world challenging students and faculty, churches and professional groups, to consider what they believe and why. He presents a persuasive case for Christianity without applying pressure. Because he treats people's questions and comments with respect, he is in great demand as a speaker and as a talk-radio and television guest. Having grown up amid the splendor of Canada's mountains, wildlife, and waterways, Hugh loves the outdoors. Hiking, trail running, and photography are among his favorite recreational pursuits - in addition to stargazing. Hugh lives in Southern California with his wife, Kathy, and two sons.



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