Beauty

Design, Beauty, and Order in Nature Cannot be Explained by Darwinism

Design, Beauty, and Order in Nature Cannot be Explained by Darwinismby Chris Banescu –
The “Biology of the Baroque” documentary explores the amazing patterns, order, and beauty in biology that go beyond what can be explained by Darwinian evolution. In the video, geneticist Michael Denton, author of “Evolution: Still a Theory in Crisis” (2016), explains that there are patterns “in the natural world for which you can’t imagine what function it served. And that’s a fantastically serious challenge to Darwinism.”

Denton began wondering about the standard Darwinian explanation of nature while studying the red blood cell to complete his Ph.D. at King’s College in London. He came across many features in biology that did not seem to possess any particular survival benefit. Denton started to realize just how much order in biology was actually non-adaptive. He began to see life more as a piece of baroque artwork than as a purely functional machine.

Transcript from the Biology of the Baroque video (embedded below):

“Ornate mathematical patterns, lavish design, exquisite detail. Nature surpasses even the most talented artists in her extravagant beauty, richness, and deep order. Her forms are marked by an overabundance that cannot be reduced to mere utility. But can such order and beauty be explained by Darwinian evolution? And if it can’t, what does that mean for our understanding of nature? [Read more…]

A Proper Education Orders the Soul Towards Truth and Beauty and Instills Virtue

Proper Education Orders the Soul Towards Truth and Beauty and Instills Virtueby Chris Banescu –

In an article titled “Let us arise and go home” conservative author and English professor Anthony Esolen eloquently expressed what the ultimate aims of a proper education should be. He writes: “An education that does not order the soul towards truth and beauty, that does not instill the intellectual virtue of seeking the truth, and the practical virtue of putting moral truths in action, is no education at all. It is not fit for a human being. It may be fit for a robot, or a beast, or a devil.” His truthful insights explain a great deal about what has gone wrong without education in the West and especially in America in the last several decades.

So how can we reinforce these timeless and essential principles in the education of a child. “How do you build up the soul of a child?”, asks Esolen. It’s quite simple. Everyone has access to great literature. “That is what great literature and the arts are for. They are for everyone. You can judge a school by its syllabi, or the books in the library, or the poems and the songs the students know and love. Every child should go down to Mordor with Frodo and Sam, or sit atop the mizzen with Jim Hawkins, or float down the river with the worthy Mole and Rat, or ride with Paul Revere, [Read more…]

Hallelujah Christmas by Cloverton Proclaims the Savior’s Birth

Hallelujah Christmas by Clovertonby Chris Banescu –
Christian rock band Cloverton updated Leonard Cohen’s iconic “Hallelujah” song and gave it a Christmas makeover. Cohen’s familiar melody was infused with lyrics proclaiming the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The result is simply majestic.

What a wonderful, inspired, and blessed way to keep Christ in Christmas and bear witness to the truth, love, and majesty of God in this Nativity season. What a brilliant way to shine a light into our culture and reach people’s hearts and souls.

Posted below are the updated lyrics and the video of the band’s beautiful and uplifting rendition of Hallelujah.

Hallelujah Christmas by Cloverton [Read more…]

Mathematics of Life and Nature

Mathematics of Life and Nature - Fibonacci Sequenceby Chris Banescu –

“Mathematics is the alphabet with which God has written the universe.” ~ Galileo Galilei

Mathematics is typically considered an abstract subject, a complex theoretical framework that the human mind has devised to make sense of the physical world and the observable universe. Mathematics is often described as the “language of physics.” Furthermore, mathematics shape the foundation and science behind quantum mechanics and astrophysics.

Mathematics is also embedded in the complex framework of all life and the entire superstructure of the natural world around us. It evidences God’s fingerprint on all creation and shows forth His handiwork.

As the video below shows, mathematics plays a key role in the language of biological life, including plants, insects, and animals. Nature not only reflects mathematical principles, it is deeply immersed in them. [Read more…]

Still, Still, Still – A Beautiful Austrian Christmas Carol

by Chris Banescu –
Beautiful music often reflects the beauty and majesty of God. It touches our minds, hearts, and souls and gives us a glimpse of the divine. Music is a mystery of creation that reveals part of God’s infinite creativity and love for us.

Pope Benedict XVI once observed that when words are not enough, beautiful music can express the joy and mystery of God’s love. “It is hard to find words to convey the sheer joy of the soul’s loving encounter with God; indeed, the great mystics could only remain silent before the mystery,” he said.

This Christmas season I heard “Still, Still, Still”, an Austrian Christmas carol, for the first time. The very beautiful and moving performance by the orchestra and choir touched my heart and soul. The angelic rendition reminded me of a church hymn. I searched and found the words to share with you. The video of the orchestra and choir is also provided below.

Still, Still, Still – Austrian Christmas Carol
Still, still, still,
The child’s eyes softly close.
And Mary breathless, draws Him, weeping,
To her heart made pure for keeping.
Still, still, still,
The child’s eyes softly close. [Read more…]