The James Webb Space Telescope continues to make the news as new findings surprise, and even confound, the secular astronomers interpreting the data (remember, facts don’t exist by themselves. All facts are interpreted based on one’s presuppositions). But what do we make of recent headlines such as, “Stunning JWST image proves we were right about how young stars form”? (Actually, this is nothing new . . . it’s just the latest chapter in the same rehashed star-formation story from evolutionists!)
Well, this is where understanding the difference between observational and historical science is so crucial. Just reading the headline gives the impression that the evolutionary view of star formation has been confirmed or “proven,” but let’s dig into the details.
This telescope observed 12 stars with jets of material all pointing in “roughly the same direction.” This implies that the stars are spinning in the same direction. That’s the observational science, and the article details, it’s a “phenomenon that has long been assumed, but never observed before.”
Now the astronomers interpreting the data will apply their evolutionary worldview—that’s historical science. Historical science is not directly testable, observable, or repeatable because it deals with questions about what happened in the past to produce the evidence we observe in the present. Since we weren’t there in the past to directly test or observe it and since we can’t repeat the past, historical science relies on interpreting the evidence in the present through a specific worldview lens.
So the evolutionary interpretation of these jets of material is this: As a colossal cloud of gas begins to collapse in on itself to form a star, its rotation increases. . . . This spinning causes a disc of dust and gas to form around the young star at the centre of the cloud, feeding material into the cloud itself. The powerful magnetic fields in the disc then create jets of material that blast away from the star along its spin axis, so we can use these jets to measure the direction of a young star’s spin.
This interpretation assumes the big bang and evolutionary ideas based on naturalism, regarding the formation of stars. Our astronomer, Dr. Danny Faulkner, explains the evolutionary perspective this way: Astronomers who are committed to naturalistic origins must hypothesize the birth of stars in the universe today. That is because the lifetimes of many stars are less than the supposed 13.8-billion-year age of a big bang universe, and so these stars cannot date from the beginning of the universe. Where do secular astronomers think stars can form? There are many clouds of gas within the galaxy that have a composition that matches that of stars well, so most astronomers think that the gravity of these clouds causes the clouds to collapse, fragmenting into many protostars. If the stars come from the same cloud of gas, then the stars ought to share common characteristics, such as composition. Another similarity that stars forming from a cloud ought to share is a common spin orientation (yes, stars, including the sun, spin). This similar orientation has long been a theory, but a new study provides what many astronomers think is the first evidence of the same orientation of forming stars. The theory of star formation suggests that forming stars have jets of material emanating in opposite directions along their poles of rotation. A new JWST image of a region of the constellation Serpens thought to be the location of star formation shows the alignment of several jets from stars thought to be forming. If confirmed, this could be evidence of the recent, common origin of these stars. However, keep in mind that evidence could be interpreted in other ways too.
So, with all that in mind, consider this: did the scientists actually witness this supposed formation process? No! You need to realize that no one (other than God) saw these stars form. In fact, contrary to the “clickbait” headlines we usually see in the news, scientists have never seen a star form in space. Again, it’s the interpretation of the data based on their worldview, believing that stars are forming in gas and dust clouds and believing these clouds surrounding the star had a role in the star’s formation. Also note that these images are static, meaning they don’t show any change over time. Rather, the images are being interpreted in terms of their naturalistic beliefs about star formation.
But could there be another explanation for why these 12 stars appear to be spinning in the same direction? Well, when we apply the biblical worldview, we understand that stars didn’t evolve or form gradually from collapsing gas clouds over millions of years. They were created by God when he spoke on day four of creation week. So, yes, God could’ve created these stars all spinning in the same direction, or perhaps, there’s more to understand about these stars as astronomers continue digging into the data the JWST is returning to us.
Nonetheless, stars that are aligned in terms of their rotation are not a problem for an all-powerful God. Also, it’s important to note that just because dense gas is observed around a star, this does not automatically mean that the gas has anything to do with the formation of the star. From a biblical-creation perspective, it’s possible that God simply created the clouds of gas and dust at the same time the stars were created, thousands of years ago.
When we see claims in the news about evolutionary ideas being confirmed (or so-called “proved”), it’s important that we separate the actual data from the interpretation—in other words, the observational science from the historical science.
Here’s what our rocket scientist, Rob Webb, shared with me about the big “takeaway” from this study: Overall, as a Christian, the main takeaway from these spectacular images of the heavens should be to praise the almighty Creator that we serve. If you think about it, it’s actually quite sad that unbelievers when studying the heavens completely miss all that beauty! As an analogy, it’s like someone analyzing the reasons for specific colors of a painting, like trying to figure out why green is green, why blue is blue, and so on—rather than taking a step back and simply admiring the beauty of the painting and giving honor to the painter who painted it. So when I look at images of the Serpens Nebula that show jets of material blasting away from stars, I see order, design, and beauty—and ultimately the glory of our powerful God and his handiwork. Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”
on July 1, 2024 Featured in Ken Ham Blog
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@sree251 Scientists use the movement of pendulums to provide evidence that the Earth is rotating. A pendulum is a weight hanging from a fixed point so that it can swing freely back and forth. When you move the base of the pendulum, the weight continues to travel in the same path. Leap years have one extra day added to February.
This day-night spin has carried you around under the sun and stars every day of your life. And yet you don't feel Earth spinning, because you and everything else – including Earth's oceans and atmosphere – are spinning along with the Earth at the same constant speed.
The Earth's spinning motion can be proved by observing star's position over a night. Due to Earth's spinning motion, the stars in sky appear to move in circular motion about the pole star.
The Earth's spinning motion can be proved by observing star's position over a night. Due to Earth's spinning motion, the stars in sky appear to move in circular motion about the pole star.
You are playing into the hands of science, the religion of atheism. Perception is reality. When Adam ate the fruit from the tree of knowledge, he lost the innocence of one who lived in the grace of God. This is the biblical story portraying our transition from being part of nature to a state of separation from it.
What am I? This is the question of one lost in a wilderness, abandoned, and left to fend for oneself. Science is the knowledge acquired in the University of Hard Knocks, the school of life that provides a painful education for survival in the wilderness: the material world of science. This is where the Earth spins, and the sun shines from 93 million miles away. This is where we have been condemned to live out our lives over and over again as human beings for all eternity.
So, please don't tell me that this hell of an existence is real.
You are playing into the hands of science, the religion of atheism.
The lens of perception can be warped by many factors. These factors include genetic predispositions, past experiences, prior knowledge, emotions, preconceived notions, self-interest, and cognitive distortions. For example, if you perceive an itch when there isn't anything there to cause it, and then you scratch, your perception guided your behavior, not reality.
Some say that leaders should challenge their own perceptions and encourage others to do the same. This can be done by seeking input from a trustworthy source, the Bible. That's hardly atheism.
The lens of perception can be warped by many factors.
True. The fundamental warp is from the tree of knowledge.
These factors include genetic predispositions, past experiences, prior knowledge, emotions, preconceived notions, self-interest, and cognitive distortions. For example, if you perceive an itch when there isn't anything there to cause it, and then you scratch, your perception guided your behavior, not reality.
Genetic disposition? You are speaking thru the lens of science. Do you think that Jesus would accept your explanation and be subjected to the lens of perception that you are looking thru?
Some say that leaders should challenge their own perceptions and encourage others to do the same. This can be done by seeking input from a trustworthy source, the Bible. That's hardly atheism.
Be serious. The Bible is a book of Jewish scripture. Looking thru the lens of science is bad enough. Looking thru the lens of science with one eye, and the lens of Jewish scripture with the other would be combining two separate and opposing paradigms. The person who walks down two roads go nowhere.
@sree251 It's too bad that you don't understand that Biblical creation account includes all known scientific elements: Time, Space, Matter, & Energy. These elements are reflected in the following descriptions: Time – “In the beginning…”; Space – “God created the heavens…”; Matter – “…and the earth.”; Energy – “Then God said, “Let there be light.”
The fundamental warp is not from the tree of knowledge. It is from uneducated men's perception of the Bible for which they know nothing about. Otherwise they wouldn't make such ridiculous statements.
It's too bad that you don't understand that Biblical creation account includes all known scientific elements: Time, Space, Matter, & Energy. These elements are reflected in the following descriptions: Time – “In the beginning…”; Space – “God created the heavens…”; Matter – “…and the earth.”; Energy – “Then God said, “Let there be light.”
"In the beginning" is time? Of course, you can put it that way because that is how our language conveys our perception the past. Time in physics is a measurable physical dimension in terms of nanoseconds and light years. Are you telling me that the folks who wrote the biblical scripture a couple of thousand years ago including those who translated it in the 15th century understood time as Newton understood it in the 17th century when physics emerged in the scientific revolution? The people (Moses?) who wrote Genesis did not view the sun or moon as Galileo did. Our perception of physical reality went through fundamental paradigmatic changes. Reality changes as perception shifts.
At any rate, you made a good attempt at preaching the bible. I am a preacher also. My mission is to liberate us from all paradigms of knowledge before Adam ate that apple and lived as one with God. There was no separation then when life was eternal: a state without any sense of time, space, and matter. Imagine, living without a body, no disease, no need for food, no risk of injury, no death.
The fundamental warp is not from the tree of knowledge. It is from uneducated men's perception of the Bible for which they know nothing about. Otherwise they wouldn't make such ridiculous statements.
The tree of knowledge is a clear symbol of our loss of innocence. God did not create us to live in the USA, the greatest nation at the frontier of knowledge that gave us the most formidable military power mankind has ever known. Our track record is not one of love for our neighbors but incessant war and killing of people all over the world.
@sree251 I'm embarrassed that you even call yourself a preacher. None of your teachings match the Bible so please don't call yourself that. All you do is make fun of the Bible and it's teachings so don't call you yourself a preacher. You teach falsely.
I'm embarrassed that you even call yourself a preacher. None of your teachings match the Bible so please don't call yourself that. All you do is make fun of the Bible and it's teachings so don't call you yourself a preacher. You teach falsely.
This response of yours mirrors that of the Jerusalem High Priest's who viewed Jesus contemptuously. He held himself with high regard as an authority on the law of God. Don't berate me. Debate me. Can you do that?
@sree251 don't compare yourself to Jesus. Don't boast when you clearly know nothing about scripture. You don't know how to debate. You can't, because you have no knowledge of the Bible and twist it, that is clear. Just because people know their Bible doesn't mean they regard themselves highly as an authority. You're just upset because you've been called out and exposed for the false teacher you are. If anybody boasts of authority it's you, yet nothing you say matches with the Bible and that's what counts.
@sree251 You berate yourself. Truth hurts and you have no answer you're a good excuse for it. You cannot call yourself a Christian if you don't even know your Bible.
I was not comparing myself to the Jesus of your belief. I was comparing you to the High Priest's sense on authority on Jewish scripture. He was the doctor of the law who couldn't get to heaven and blocking others from going there.
Don't boast when you clearly know nothing about scripture. You don't know how to debate. You can't, because you have no knowledge of the Bible and twist it, that is clear. Just because people know their Bible doesn't mean they regard themselves highly as an authority. You're just upset because you've been called out and exposed for the false teacher you are. If anybody boasts of authority it's you, yet nothing you say matches with the Bible and that's what counts.
The Christian Bible is a Jewish scripture book containing the story of Jesus. My authority is not even on the story of Jesus but on the teaching ascribed to the person of Jesus. Debate me on that teaching. Try it. It would do us both good. "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)
Does that mean Jesus, the Son of God, will be in our midst? Christians, like you, would say yes.
I am not a theist; nor am I an atheist. So, what is the meaning of that verse (Matthew 18:20)?
You berate yourself. Truth hurts and you have no answer you're a good excuse for it. You cannot call yourself a Christian if you don't even know your Bible.
I am not a Christian. I am a lapsed Catholic. I know enough of the Bible. I studied Catholic theology when I trained for the Jesuit priesthood and dropped out.
