Intelligent design revisited

Regarding the article “Stonehenge Evolved” (February 2006), assuming that the entire universe and everything in it was created by an intelligent designer, one is left with the inescapable question—who designed the designer?

Ruth and Lowell, email

Editor’s response: Evolutionists are confronted with a similar question: Where did the first cell come from? While various answers have been suggested, no one has found a satisfactory answer. Some things are beyond the ability of science to deal with, and the question of the origin of life on earth is one of these. Even if scientists should one day “create” life out of nonliving matter, their experiment would support the intelligent design theory, because scientists are intelligent beings.

James Gibson’s article “Suppose You Found a Watch” (March 2006) is refreshing to read. The complexity of living organisms highlights design and erodes evolution. It takes far more faith—a stubborn, irrational belief—to accept evolution as the answer to life’s origins than it does to accept the premises of intelligent design.

Kevin James, email

Ninety-nine inhabited planets

I disagree with your answer to Raymond Harris’s question in the December 2005 Signs. You said that the “sons of God” in Genesis 6:2 who “took wives of all they chose” were “most likely males of the human race, followers of the true God.” But Genesis 6:2 is talking about men from other inhabited planets. Job 1:6 and 2:1 are very clear about this. There are 99 other inhabited planets besides ours and heaven. That’s why Jesus said in John 10:16, “Other sheep have I which are not of this fold [planet].”

Lori Keffer, Milton Freewater, Oregon

Editor’s comment: Job 1:6 and 2:1 are almost certainly talking about angels, not humans, and there’s nothing in the Bible about 99 other inhabited planets.

The eyes during prayer

The July 2005 Signs had an article titled “The Privilege of Prayer” by Ellen White. Must we close our eyes before God will listen to us, or why should we close our eyes?

Oppong Augustine, email

Editor’s response: It’s a common practice among Christians to close the eyes during prayer. The best reason for doing this is to shut out things that would distract us from concentrating on the prayer. Nothing in the Bible suggests that God requires us to close our eyes during prayer.

Baptism and forgiveness

In his article “Why Should I Be Baptized?” (November 2005), Alfredo Campechano gives five reasons for being baptized, one of which is for the forgiveness of sins. However, one does not need to be baptized in order for his or her sins to be forgiven. Our sins are forgiven the moment we confess that Jesus is our Lord and Savior.

Ms. Hall, email

Mr. Campechano should have said that a believer’s sins are not only forgiven but gone, because Acts 2:38 says, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” Remission means to get rid of!

Mrs. Frank Wright, Urbana, Illinois

Editor’s comment: The dictionary gives several definitions for remission, one of which is “forgiveness.” The New International Version says “forgiveness.”

Helpful article on divorce

Victor Parachin’s article “Nine Ways to Guard Your Home Against Divorce” (February 2006) has helped me quite a bit. I come from a divorced family, and it is really important to me that I don’t make the same mistakes my parents made. Thanks for the article. I know it didn’t help just me.

Rachel Higgs, Cleveland, Tennessee

Your Thoughts by Readers	From the June 2006 Signs