A Targeted Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Found Nothing, Part 2

Despite efforts to detect signals from selected Kepler objects that might indicate an intelligent source, no such signs have been found. Part 2 of this article series explains why a null result should not be surprising and why, if naturalism is true, additional searches have a negligible chance of success.

Climate Change and the Past

A Targeted Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Found Nothing, Part 1

The goal of NASA’s Kepler satellite mission is to find planets that could host extraterrestrial life and possibly even intelligent life. Hundreds of “Kepler objects” have been detected so far. A research team attempted to detect signals from selected Kepler objects that might indicate an intelligent source, but no such signs were found. This two-part article series explains why a null result should not be surprising and why, if naturalism is true, additional searches have a negligible chance of success.

Unearthing the Ancient Near East

The ancient world, particularly those places mentioned in the biblical accounts, continues to fascinate and polarize people. RTB recommends using careful thinking when newsworthy archaeological finds are touted as either support for or against Scripture. Good questions to ask include: “How was the research conducted and documented?” and “Have other scholars verified the results?” and “Have any journals published the research related to the discovery?”

Israel’s Sojourn in Egypt—And How it Affects Calculation of a Creation Date, Part 2

Many of the arguments for a young Earth and universe rely on Bishop James Ussher’s biblical chronology. We continue this series that explains good reasons to doubt the reliability of Ussher’s work because of his treatment of Israel’s sojourn in Egypt.

On the Record with RTB Visiting Scholars

Guest writing duo Hugh Henry (physicist) and Daniel Dyke (theologian) have been penning articles for RTB for a while now, but earlier this year they spent time at RTB headquarters as part of our Visiting Scholar Program. During that time, they not only worked hard on future TNRTBs, they also lent their expertise to RTB’s ever-growing video library. Click on the links below to see how Hugh and Dan spent their time as visiting scholars.

Israel’s Sojourn in Egypt—And How it Affects Calculation of a Creation Date, Part 1

Many of the arguments for a young Earth and universe rely on Bishop Ussher’s biblical chronology. However, we assert that there are good reasons to doubt the reliability of Ussher’s work because of his treatment of Israel’s sojourn in Egypt.

Do Scientists Accept the Results of the ENCODE Project?

In the fall of 2012, the ENCODE Project reported that at least 80 percent of the human genome consists of functional sequences. A number of scientists have criticized the ENCODE conclusions, yet there are some scientists, such as molecular geneticist John Mattick, who accept and defend them.

More Evidence for Constant Constants

Over the last decade, RTB scholars have written numerous articles highlighting discoveries that demonstrate the constancy of the laws of physics. Discoveries demonstrating this characteristic of the universe affirm the Bible’s description of creation (e.g. Jeremiah 33:25–26). One specific constant is garnering significant coverage.

Signatures of Life on an Exoplanet

Although scientists continue to discover planets outside the solar system, they really want an answer to a different question: Do any of these planets host life? Answering this question requires knowledge about a definitive (or at least likely) signature of life on a planet as well as the ability to detect that signature. Given the expected advances in telescope technology over the next decade, free oxygen in an exoplanet’s atmosphere is the best signature to seek.

Saving Faith

Earth: God’s Great Symphony

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra comprises over 100 musicians who play more than twenty distinct instruments. Exquisite talent and diversity of instruments enable the orchestra to produce a stirring variety of musical experiences. Some instruments play the melody, which is the main theme of the music. Other instruments add harmony to complement and fill out the ensemble. The percussion usually keeps the rhythm that enables the whole piece to stay together. Even with all the talent and varied instruments, an orchestra requires a conductor to ensure that all the sections maintain the correct tempo and integrate together to produce a pleasing sound.

TNRTB Classic: The Benefits of Religious Practices

... “striving toward meaning and a noble purpose beyond simple self-gratification.” ... seem to support the Scripture’s prescriptions for wise living.

Don’t Worry, Be Happy

Don’t Worry, Be Happy

Stress can take a serious toll on human health, making the pursuit of happiness seem all the more imperative. But recent research suggests that the benefits of stress reduction depend on the type of happiness people seek.

TNRTB Classic: A Sun Designed for Humans

The more we learn about stars and the Sun, in particular, the more evidence we accumulate that the Sun was specially designed to make advanced life possible on Earth.

Why Our Sun Is Spot On

One of the things that marks humanity’s time on Earth is the optimal conditions of our Sun, including its unusually low flare activity. New research from Japan helps explain why the Sun exhibits such low flaring and stable luminosity.

Update: When Did the Genetic Adam and Eve Live?

Two new studies indicate that the ancestor of all males lived between 100,000 and 200,000 years ago, very close to the time that the ancestor of all females lived (100,000 to 150,000 years ago). This latest result readily harmonizes with the biblical account of human origins, adding credibility to the idea that all humanity traces its origin back to a primordial pair, an Adam and an Eve.

The Song Remains the Same: No Life on Mars

RTB Reviews of Books, DVDs, and TV Shows

On occasion (such as this past Monday), RTB reviews various books and DVDs that have an apologetics flavor. These materials range from books promoting atheistic or young-earth creationist worldviews to textbooks to TV shows about the Bible.