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Stars, Cells, and God

Stars, Cells, and God

Written by: Reasons to Believe
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Discussions of new discoveries taking place at the frontiers of science that have theological and philosophical implications, as well as new discoveries that point to the reality of God’s existence.Copyright 2024 All rights reserved. Christianity Ministry & Evangelism Science Spirituality
Episodes
  • Why Physiology Is a Major Challenge to Evolution
    Apr 29 2026

    Join biochemist Fazale “Fuz” Rana and Dr. Uditha Jayatunga, senior consultant in rehabilitation medicine at Royal Derby Hospital, UK, as they discuss discoveries with theological and philosophical implications that point to the reality of God’s existence.

    Discussions of evolution often focus on visible traits like wings, beaks, and eyes, but many essential mechanisms are unseen. Physiological systems—complex, dynamic, and interconnected—are vital for life and may not fit neatly into explanations based on gradual change.

    Homeostasis, the body’s ability to maintain stable internal conditions, highlights this complexity. Certain life stages—such as pregnancy, birth, and puberty—trigger rapid, hormone-driven changes across multiple systems. Some mechanisms may lie dormant for generations yet remain inheritable.

    In this episode, Fuz and Uditha discuss several remarkable physiological characteristics in animals and humans that defy common evolutionary mechanics.

    LINKS & RESOURCES:

    • Homeostasis and Feedback Loops
    • Physiology, Stress Reaction
    • Comparison of the Gastrointestinal Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry of Humans and Commonly Used Laboratory Animals
    • The Gut Microbiome
    • Hibernation Physiology, Freezing Adaptation and Extreme Freeze Tolerance in a Northern Population of the Wood Frog
    • The Secret to an Elephant’s Trunk Is Skin Deep
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • An RNA Replicator? | An Asteroid Caused Life’s Origin?
    Apr 22 2026

    Join biochemist Fazale “Fuz” Rana and astrophysicist Hugh Ross as they discuss discoveries with theological and philosophical implications that point to the reality of God’s existence.

    One of the most prominent explanations for life’s origin is the RNA World Hypothesis—a model that hinges on the existence of a self‑replicating RNA molecule. Recently, researchers at Cambridge University announced what they describe as a tiny RNA replicator, only 45 base pairs in size—a discovery hailed by many as a breakthrough in chemical evolution. But does this finding truly bridge the gap between chemistry and life? In this episode, biochemist Fuz Rana takes a close look at the accomplishment, explaining why this much‑publicized advance ultimately falls short of explaining life’s origin—and how, paradoxically, it strengthens the case that a Creator is essential to life’s emergence.

    In a tiny sample from the Ryugu asteroid, scientists found all five of the basic building blocks that make up DNA and RNA. However, these molecules were present only in extremely small amounts—just a few parts per billion. In fact, they made up only a small fraction of the nitrogen-based compounds in the sample. Given how small and simple these molecules are, their presence isn’t especially surprising. Although some have suggested this discovery supports the idea that life began from RNA alone, Hugh Ross explains that the amounts found are far too low to realistically contribute to the natural formation or long-term stability of DNA or RNA, which are essential for life.

    LINKS AND RESOURCES:

    • A Small Polymerase Ribozyme That Can Synthesize Itself and Its Complementary Strand

    • A Complete Set of Canonical Nucleobases in the Carbonaceous Asteroid (162173) Ryugu

    • Origins of Life

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    43 mins
  • The Science Behind Maps, Data, and Decisions
    Apr 15 2026

    Join astrophysicist Jeff Zweerink and geographer Joseph Kerski as they discuss discoveries with theological and philosophical implications that point to the reality of God’s existence.

    What is where, why is it there, and why should we care? Joseph Kerski explores what geography is—and what it's not—and why it matters for sustainable, ethical, and resilient decision‑making today. GIS, GPS, and remote sensing are key geographic tools for understanding issues at every scale, from local to global. They’re used to study things like energy, water, habitats, natural hazards, population changes, human health, weather and climate, business site selection, supply chains, public safety, and more. Nonprofits, academia, government, and industry use such geographic thinking tools daily. Kerski examines how a Christian worldview aligns with geography’s ethic of care for the earth and its people.

    LINKS & RESOURCES:

    • Spatial Thinking
    • Thinking Spatially Podcast: Geography Is Revolutionary
    • Climate Data from NOAA Regional Climate Centers
    • Our Earth YouTube Channel
    • Teaching Mathematics Using Interactive Mapping
    • Interpreting Our World: 100 Discoveries That Revolutionized Geography
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    49 mins
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