One of the fundamental elements of doubt in the faith puzzle is the argument that humanity and all that exists is the result of a convenient combination of random events as the universe matured.
In other words, were we created as described in the Bible, or are we just an accident of nature?
As we apply logic to the question of our existence, we are faced with some tough challenges to the accident theory. In particular, the question of life itself, and how did it come to be.
Most of us are familiar with the concept of DNA as the genetic “fingerprint” of a life form. DNA identification has become a vital tool for law enforcement and most of us know it is the identifying element that differentiates one life form from another. But it is much more than a handy way to successfully prosecute law-breakers.
DNA is critical to every life form on earth. It is the defining assembly and operating manual for all life forms and it is incredibly complex.
And the most complex life form on earth is the human.
So, how does this fit into the question of our existence and how we came to be?
DNA is contained in the nucleus of nearly every cell of your body, and nearly every cell, regardless of whether it is a part of your brain tissue or your big toe, contains the exact, same reference library that defines you. This is what makes it possible for science to match the simplest of body tissue left at a crime scene to the donor.
At the same time, each cell of your body is capable of duplicating itself as needed to replace old or damaged cells.
Remarkably, even though each cell contains the total blueprint for your body, the duplication process does not result in new cells that don’t belong in the host organ. so, you don’t suddenly begin to grow an eardrum in the middle of your liver. That, itself, is miraculous.
And that is just the tip of the iceberg of the mystery of DNA.
Most of us will never begin to understand the complex relationship between DNA, genes and chromosomes that define our physical existence. But one basic fact is fundamental and incomprehensible at the same time.
Every cell of your body and every component of that cell can be broken down to various combinations of chemical compounds.
These chemical compounds – themselves a result of specific combinations of basic elements such as carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, etc. – somehow combine to produce a living, breathing, self-aware organism.
The deeper we dive into the mystery of DNA, the harder it becomes to accept the possibility of life being just the result of a cosmic accident. The odds of a random, accidental combination of events resulting in your existence is astronomical.
As you read these words, try to justify your ability to understand and reflect on this message with the idea that your awareness is merely the result of the right combination of chemicals.
Armed with this knowledge, and applying our logic filter, we might re-examine the message contained in the book of Genesis.
When Genesis describes how God created man from the dust of the earth, is it possible that this passage could be interpreted as God assembling the chemical compounds into just the right mix to create self-sustaining life?
Does the passage that says God breathed the breath of life into his creation describe the moment when God gave His creation the gift of self awareness?
Somehow, logically, that is much easier to believe the event described in the Bible than it is to believe that DNA, an incredibly complex and vital component of life, is merely an accident of nature. Somehow, logically, the description in Genesis is easier to accept than the wildly improbable theory that a random combination of chemicals became life.
While we might still harbor doubts about some of the elements of Genesis, perhaps this is one occasion when science and logic solidly supports the Bible version of our creation.