"Yes, Joseph, there is a Creator."
April 20, 2019
G.D.O'Bradovich III
God loves his children... God loves you.
Frank
Frank
1
On Roman Catholic Good Friday, Apprentice Joe asked if Yours Truly believed in God and although we earnestly sought Apprentice Joe's definition of God, so that our response would not be misunderstood, we were thwarted by the machinations, or endless interjections, of Apprentice Osif.
We asked for Apprentice Joe's definition of God, for it is likely that his opinions are similar to the modern understanding of God, as the term "God" is ambiguous: sometimes being all good, sometimes being all knowing, sometimes being all powerful, sometimes a genie, and sometimes creating evil [Isaiah 45:7].
We presume Apprentice Joe's inquiry was sincere, unlike, for instance, argumentative questions à la Apprentice Denver, and this monograph will explain our position on the topic of God.
We asked for Apprentice Joe's definition of God, for it is likely that his opinions are similar to the modern understanding of God, as the term "God" is ambiguous: sometimes being all good, sometimes being all knowing, sometimes being all powerful, sometimes a genie, and sometimes creating evil [Isaiah 45:7].
We presume Apprentice Joe's inquiry was sincere, unlike, for instance, argumentative questions à la Apprentice Denver, and this monograph will explain our position on the topic of God.
Credo in unum Deum Patrem omnipoténtem,
Factórem cæli et terræ visibílium ómnium et invisibílium.
Nicene Creed
The Christian Creed states the belief in an all powerful Father who made the heavens and the earth. From the omission of the explicit statement that the one God is all knowing and all good, we conclude that omniscience and omnibenevolence are not dogmatic aspects of ancient Christianity.
The translators of the King James Version correctly understand that "Elohim" is the grammatically plural noun for Gods, as demonstrated by the wording of "Let us" found in the book of Genesis.
The translators of the King James Version correctly understand that "Elohim" is the grammatically plural noun for Gods, as demonstrated by the wording of "Let us" found in the book of Genesis.
Let us make man in our image, after our likeness... Genesis 1:26
[Let] us go down, and there confound their language... Genesis 11:7
While the Gods created man and confused the languages, the God of Israel is one:
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD. Deuteronomy 6:4
Saint Paul suggests that the serious researcher can proceed from what is seen, the cosmos, and conclude the existence of God:
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead... Romans 1:20
For comparison:
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.
English Standard Version
For from the creation of the world His invisible qualities, both His eternal power and divinity, are clearly seen, being understood by the things made... Berean Literal Bible
God's eternal power and character cannot be seen. But from the beginning of creation, God has shown what these are like by all he has made. Contemporary English Version
While many, if not most, people can look at trees, animals, and rocks and feel that God made everything, we lack this supernatural insight and, therefore, we will continue our inquiry into the veracity of Saint Paul's statement without prejudice.
If the cosmos is the product of a creator, as many people believe, or creators, as the Bible states, then we expect evidence of rational intent and perhaps the best indication of intent is the presence of a regular or an intelligible form.
If the human mind cannot determine the presence of a pattern [if the pattern is so complex, or if it is infrequent], then it we may not be able to discern evidence for a creator. However, Saint Paul assures us that we can know of the creator, so we presume that the evidence is not obscure and readily intelligible.
If the cosmos is the product of a creator, as many people believe, or creators, as the Bible states, then we expect evidence of rational intent and perhaps the best indication of intent is the presence of a regular or an intelligible form.
If the human mind cannot determine the presence of a pattern [if the pattern is so complex, or if it is infrequent], then it we may not be able to discern evidence for a creator. However, Saint Paul assures us that we can know of the creator, so we presume that the evidence is not obscure and readily intelligible.
Incipit Excursion
An survey into several houses will result in the discovery that many measurements are in multiples and in fractions of a yard [three feet], e.g., windows, doors, and rooms. From the evidence, we cannot be certain that every building under consideration was designed by the same architect or if the measurements are the result of convention.
Excipit Excursion
The irrational number Phi can be derived by three methods:
Method 1
Step 1
0
1 plus 0 is 1
1 plus 1 is 2
2 plus 1 is 3
3 plus 2 is 5
5 plus 3 is 8
8 plus 5 is 13
13 plus 8 is 21
21 plus 13 is 34
34 plus 21 is 55
55 plus 34 is 89
89 plus 55 is 144
144 plus 89 is 233
et cetera
Step 2
2 divided by 1 is 2
3 divided by 2 is 1.5
5 divided by 3 is 1.666...
8 divided by 5 is 1.6
13 divided by 8 is 1.625
21 divided by 13 is 1.61538...
34 divided by 21 is 1.61905...
55 divided by 34 is 1.61765...
89 divided by 55 is 1.61818...
144 divided by 89 is 1.61798...
233 divided by 144 is 1.61806...
et cetera
Method 2
The square root of 5 multiplied by .5 plus .5
(√5 × .5) + .5
(2.2360679775 ×.5) + .5
1.11803398875... +.5
1.6180339887...
Method 3
x × x = x + 1
Otherwise said, what number multiplied by itself is equal to that number plus one?
Step 1
0
1 plus 0 is 1
1 plus 1 is 2
2 plus 1 is 3
3 plus 2 is 5
5 plus 3 is 8
8 plus 5 is 13
13 plus 8 is 21
21 plus 13 is 34
34 plus 21 is 55
55 plus 34 is 89
89 plus 55 is 144
144 plus 89 is 233
et cetera
Step 2
2 divided by 1 is 2
3 divided by 2 is 1.5
5 divided by 3 is 1.666...
8 divided by 5 is 1.6
13 divided by 8 is 1.625
21 divided by 13 is 1.61538...
34 divided by 21 is 1.61905...
55 divided by 34 is 1.61765...
89 divided by 55 is 1.61818...
144 divided by 89 is 1.61798...
233 divided by 144 is 1.61806...
et cetera
Method 2
The square root of 5 multiplied by .5 plus .5
(√5 × .5) + .5
(2.2360679775 ×.5) + .5
1.11803398875... +.5
1.6180339887...
Method 3
x × x = x + 1
Otherwise said, what number multiplied by itself is equal to that number plus one?
2
Flower petals
The number of petals in a flower follows the Fibonacci sequence. Phi appears in petals on account of the ideal packing arrangement as each petal is placed at 0.618034 per turn (out of a 360° circle) allowing for the best possible exposure to sunlight.
Seed heads
In some cases, the seed heads are so tightly packed that total number can get quite high and the total tends to match a Fibonacci number.
Interestingly, a highly irrational number is required to optimize filling (namely one that will not be well represented by a fraction).
The number of petals in a flower follows the Fibonacci sequence. Phi appears in petals on account of the ideal packing arrangement as each petal is placed at 0.618034 per turn (out of a 360° circle) allowing for the best possible exposure to sunlight.
Seed heads
In some cases, the seed heads are so tightly packed that total number can get quite high and the total tends to match a Fibonacci number.
Interestingly, a highly irrational number is required to optimize filling (namely one that will not be well represented by a fraction).
Pinecones
The seed pods on a pinecone are arranged in a spiral pattern. Each cone consists of a pair of spirals, each one spiraling upwards in opposing directions and the number of steps will almost always match a pair of consecutive Fibonacci numbers.
Tree branches
A main trunk will grow until it produces a branch, which creates two growth points. Then, one of the new stems branches into two, while the other one lies dormant. This pattern of branching is repeated for each of the new stems. Root systems and even algae exhibit this pattern.
A main trunk will grow until it produces a branch, which creates two growth points. Then, one of the new stems branches into two, while the other one lies dormant. This pattern of branching is repeated for each of the new stems. Root systems and even algae exhibit this pattern.
Shells
A rectangle in which the ratio of the sides a/b is equal to the golden mean (phi), can result in a nesting process that can be repeated into infinity — and which takes on the form of a spiral. It's call the logarithmic spiral, and it abounds in nature.
Snail shells and nautilus shells follow the logarithmic spiral, as does the cochlea of the inner ear. It can also be seen in the horns of certain goats, and the shape of certain spider's webs.
A rectangle in which the ratio of the sides a/b is equal to the golden mean (phi), can result in a nesting process that can be repeated into infinity — and which takes on the form of a spiral. It's call the logarithmic spiral, and it abounds in nature.
Snail shells and nautilus shells follow the logarithmic spiral, as does the cochlea of the inner ear. It can also be seen in the horns of certain goats, and the shape of certain spider's webs.
Spiral Galaxies
Spiral galaxies also follow the familiar Fibonacci pattern. The Milky Way has several spiral arms, each of them a logarithmic spiral of about 12 degrees. As an interesting aside, spiral galaxies appear to defy Newtonian physics.
Astronomers realized that, since the angular speed of rotation of the galactic disk varies with distance from the center, the radial arms should become curved as galaxies rotate. Subsequently, after a few rotations, spiral arms should start to wind around a galaxy. But they don't — hence the so-called winding problem. The stars on the outside, it would seem, move at a velocity higher than expected — a unique trait of the cosmos that helps preserve its shape.
Spiral galaxies also follow the familiar Fibonacci pattern. The Milky Way has several spiral arms, each of them a logarithmic spiral of about 12 degrees. As an interesting aside, spiral galaxies appear to defy Newtonian physics.
Astronomers realized that, since the angular speed of rotation of the galactic disk varies with distance from the center, the radial arms should become curved as galaxies rotate. Subsequently, after a few rotations, spiral arms should start to wind around a galaxy. But they don't — hence the so-called winding problem. The stars on the outside, it would seem, move at a velocity higher than expected — a unique trait of the cosmos that helps preserve its shape.
Hurricanes
Faces
The mouth and nose are each positioned at golden sections of the distance between the eyes and the bottom of the chin. Similar proportions can been seen from the side, and even the eye and ear itself (which follows along a spiral).
Central incisors are 1.618 wider than the lateral incisors, which are 1.618 wider than canines, and so on.
The mouth and nose are each positioned at golden sections of the distance between the eyes and the bottom of the chin. Similar proportions can been seen from the side, and even the eye and ear itself (which follows along a spiral).
Central incisors are 1.618 wider than the lateral incisors, which are 1.618 wider than canines, and so on.
Fingers
Bodies of animals
The measurement from the navel to the floor and the top of the head to the navel is the golden ratio. Animal bodies exhibit similar tendencies, including dolphins (the eye, fins and tail all fall at Golden Sections), starfish, sand dollars, sea urchins, ants, and honey bees.
The measurement from the navel to the floor and the top of the head to the navel is the golden ratio. Animal bodies exhibit similar tendencies, including dolphins (the eye, fins and tail all fall at Golden Sections), starfish, sand dollars, sea urchins, ants, and honey bees.
Reproductive dynamics
The most profound example of honeybees is by dividing the number of females in a colony by the number of males. The answer is typically something very close to 1.618. In addition, the family tree of honey bees also follows the familiar pattern. Males have one parent (a female), whereas females have two (a female and male).
Thus, when it comes to the family tree, males have 2, 3, 5, and 8 grandparents, great-grandparents, gr-gr-grandparents, and gr-gr-gr-grandparents respectively.
Following the same pattern, females have 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, and so on.
Animal flight patterns
When a hawk approaches its prey, its sharpest view is at an angle to their direction of flight — an angle that's the same as the spiral's pitch.
DNA molecules
The DNA molecule measures 34 angstroms long by 21 angstroms wide for each full cycle of its double helix spiral. These numbers are in the Fibonacci series.
The most profound example of honeybees is by dividing the number of females in a colony by the number of males. The answer is typically something very close to 1.618. In addition, the family tree of honey bees also follows the familiar pattern. Males have one parent (a female), whereas females have two (a female and male).
Thus, when it comes to the family tree, males have 2, 3, 5, and 8 grandparents, great-grandparents, gr-gr-grandparents, and gr-gr-gr-grandparents respectively.
Following the same pattern, females have 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, and so on.
Animal flight patterns
When a hawk approaches its prey, its sharpest view is at an angle to their direction of flight — an angle that's the same as the spiral's pitch.
DNA molecules
The DNA molecule measures 34 angstroms long by 21 angstroms wide for each full cycle of its double helix spiral. These numbers are in the Fibonacci series.
Venus
In 8 Earth years, Venus orbits the Sun almost 13 times.
In 8 Earth years, Venus orbits the Sun almost 13 times.
Music
In an octave on a piano, there are 8 white keys and 5 black keys [in groups of 2 and 3]. This example is not from Nature, but it is derived from Nature.
In an octave on a piano, there are 8 white keys and 5 black keys [in groups of 2 and 3]. This example is not from Nature, but it is derived from Nature.
3
As Saint Paul stated, there is sufficient evidence for the reasonable researcher to conclude that a creator exists. However, from the facts and our reasoned conclusion from these facts, we cannot state whether the creator is all good, partially good, or not good, i.e., without firm evidence on the moral qualities of the creator, we can only offer conjecture.
Saint Paul writes that the investigator can know the "eternal power and Godhead" and "character" of the creator. We agree that the creator must be powerful, but we cannot know if this power "is lasting or existing forever; without end or beginning". From long and painful experience, we know the cosmos is a difficult place to live and if were to conclude the character of the creator, then we could only state that, based only on this world, the creator is indifferent to morality.
As the Master noted:
Saint Paul writes that the investigator can know the "eternal power and Godhead" and "character" of the creator. We agree that the creator must be powerful, but we cannot know if this power "is lasting or existing forever; without end or beginning". From long and painful experience, we know the cosmos is a difficult place to live and if were to conclude the character of the creator, then we could only state that, based only on this world, the creator is indifferent to morality.
As the Master noted:
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:45
The Father, it seems, is not concerned if rain or sunshine falls on the righteous or the sinner.
The Master asked his his listeners if they honestly thought that accidents are limited to the worst sinners:
The Master asked his his listeners if they honestly thought that accidents are limited to the worst sinners:
Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? Luke 13:4
The nature of Phi allows for the construction of a pentagram that can expand indefinitely using the Phi series.
a=34
b=21
c=13
d=8
e=5
f=3
b=21
c=13
d=8
e=5
f=3
From the title of this essay alone, the Gentle Reader could infer our position the likelihood of existence of a creator. We include our reasoning from the observable facts to reduce any possible misunderstanding.
We have not answered Apprentice Joe's question, as we do not know his understanding of God. In our modern age, the concepts of omniscience, omnipotence, omnibenevolence, and the act of creation are often assigned to God. While this intention is rooted in piety, the result is untenable.
From the Nicene creed, the existence of an omnipotent God making all things, visible and invisible, is reasonable. The creed is not a statement of facts, but of beliefs [Credo...]. As beings of limited knowledge, we humans do not know God, however, we can state that our belief in his existence is highly probable, yet, always falling short of certainty.
Of course, we remain ignorant of the veracity of this introductory statement from the Creed: as the term "God" is not defined. If we use the information provided by the creed, then "God" is a specific term for the creator of all things who is all powerful. Based on this supposition, we could answer Apprentice Joe's inquiry in the affirmative, however, we are uncertain why a new term, "God", should be introduced, when the description of an "all powerful Creator" suffices.
As always the Gentle Reader will reader his own conclusions.
We have not answered Apprentice Joe's question, as we do not know his understanding of God. In our modern age, the concepts of omniscience, omnipotence, omnibenevolence, and the act of creation are often assigned to God. While this intention is rooted in piety, the result is untenable.
From the Nicene creed, the existence of an omnipotent God making all things, visible and invisible, is reasonable. The creed is not a statement of facts, but of beliefs [Credo...]. As beings of limited knowledge, we humans do not know God, however, we can state that our belief in his existence is highly probable, yet, always falling short of certainty.
Of course, we remain ignorant of the veracity of this introductory statement from the Creed: as the term "God" is not defined. If we use the information provided by the creed, then "God" is a specific term for the creator of all things who is all powerful. Based on this supposition, we could answer Apprentice Joe's inquiry in the affirmative, however, we are uncertain why a new term, "God", should be introduced, when the description of an "all powerful Creator" suffices.
As always the Gentle Reader will reader his own conclusions.