A Supermassive Black Hole Like No Other, But Optimal for Life

I have a problem with the Star Wars movies. Each saga film opens with the famous words, "In a galaxy far, far away." We astronomers……

Fine-Tuning

Fine-Tuned India-Asia Collision Cools Earth for Human Habitation

Earth has experienced many tectonic plate collisions throughout its history. By far the most dramatic collision began 50 million years ago and continues to this……

Fine-Tuning

Helium Hydride Detection Affirms Big Bang Creation Model

Astronomers' unusual but effective means of detecting helium hydride has generated excitement among researchers by helping to account for the "missing helium hydride" in big……

Big Bang Theory

No Nearby Nasty Supermassive Black Holes

Medical doctors tell us that it is not good for our health and wellbeing to possess a pot belly. They warn us, too, that the……

Fine-Tuning

Family Traits of Secular Naturalism, Part 1

Belief systems, like family members, often share recognizable features or traits. In that sense one can determine what a belief system is about by observing……

Secularism

How to Address Christian Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy among Christians is a serious issue. At minimum, it's a huge turnoff for believers and unbelievers alike. In situations where people are actually victimized……

Ethics

Is Sunday a “Pagan” Day of Worship?

With the recent observance of Easter, I'm reminded of an exchange I had with a reader concerning when Christians should worship. About a year ago……

Seventh-Day Adventism

Thoughts on the Movie, Tolkien

British thinker and writer J. R. R. (John Ronald Reuel) Tolkien (1892-1973) is one of the most beloved fantasy authors ever. As author of The……

Famous People

Finding Water Everywhere in the Search for Life

What comes to mind when you think of water? Personally, water reminds me of some of my favorite activities: canoeing down the spring-fed rivers of……

Life on Other Planets

First Image of a Black Hole

When Albert Einstein first proposed his general theory of relativity, it transformed the way scientists thought about space and time. Specifically, the theory predicted that……

Laws of Physics

The Perils of Space Travel

If only space travel were as easy as depicted in Star Wars or Star Trek! Traveling a few thousand times the speed of light onboard……

UFOs & Extraterrestrials

Will Science Become “Useless”?

In his book A Universe from Nothing, Lawrence Krauss makes no bones about his belief that science provides great contributions to our fundamental knowledge. By……

Theology

Are Religious Experiences Valid?

When people ask me how I became a follower of Christ, I am always struck with a sudden mixture of ecstasy and caution. My story……

God’s Genuine Love for All

Does God genuinely and savingly love everyone? Many theologians say no. However, there are good and substantial biblical reasons to think that God not only……

How Bacteria Train Our Immune System

When I was growing up, I learned to fear microorganisms. As a child I remember always being concerned about catching a sore throat because the……

Journey from the Center of a Young Earth, Part 1: Epistemology

We've all had journeys of various kinds. Sometimes the conceptual ones are the toughest. They're fraught with uncertainty, fear, even peril-but the rewards of a……