Re: Probability--Mystery of Life's Origin Reference

Eddie G. Olmstead, Jr. (olmstead@faith.gordonc.edu)
Tue, 20 Feb 1996 20:52:33 -0500

Here is the full reference for the book I mentioned: C. B. Thaxton, W. L.
Bradley and R. L. Olsen, "The Mystery of Life's Origin: Reassessing Current
Theories" (New York: Philosophical Library, 1984.) It's been a number of
years ago since I read it, but I recall that it was very good. When I went
to look up the full reference after dinner, I discovered that it has been
reprinted: C. B. Thaxton, W. L. Bradley and R. L. Olsen, "The Mystery of
Life's Origin: Reassessing Current Theories" (Dallas: Lewis and Stanley,
1992.) In addition, an updated condensation of their ideas appears in: C.
B. Thaxton and W. L. Bradley, "Information & the Origin of Life" (Ch. 5) in
J. P. Moreland, "The Creation Hypothesis: Scientific Evidence for an
Intelligent Designer" (Downers Grove: IVP, 1994)

In all fairness to Glenn Morton, I must say that when I skimmed the chapter
in Moreland, it looks as if they used the stardard "only one sequence can
perform a given function" and "formation of modern complex functional
proteins" faulty assumptions in their probability calculations. However,
even when these faulty assumptions are removed, I don't think the
probability argument is dead due to considerations I mentioned in my
previous post. In addition, there is much more to the issue than the
probability argument alone and that is where, in my opinion, Thaxton, et.
al. excel.
__________________________________________________________
"Looking back, there's a thread of love and grace
Connecting each line and space I've known" -David Meece
==========================================================
Eddie Gene Olmstead, Jr. Chemistry Department
Asst. Professor of Chemistry Gordon College
Email: olmstead@gordonc.edu 255 Grapevine Road
Phone: (508) 927-2300 Ext. 4393 Wenham, MA 01984