But suppose I found a watch upon the ground, and was asked how the watch happened to be there; surely I wouldn't answer that the watch had always been there. Why not?
For this reason: When we inspect the watch we discover that parts are designed and assembled for a purpose, i.e. to produce motion. And that motion is so regulated so as to precisely measure time. And that - if the different parts had been shaped or assembled in any other way, or in any other order - then either no motion at all would occur within the machine, or it would no longer measure time.
The first examination of the watch, of its components, construction, and movement, suggest that it must have had been architected by someone who understood its mechanism, and designed its use.
But suppose a second examination reveals a new discovery. The watch is found, as part of its function, to be capable of reproducing itself. And not only that, but the subsystem that performs the replication does not contribute to the timekeeping function; it serves only to ensure the reproduction of the watch as a whole. What effect should this discovery have upon our previous conclusions? Wouldn't it immeasurably increase our admiration for the skill of the machine's designer?
Or would we conclude just the opposite - that no intelligence or skill was required, despite the previously discussed evidences? Ludicrous? Sure. Yet this is the position of the atheistic naturalist. Which requires more faith - to believe in an intelligent designer or in purposeless naturalism?
Every indication of design which existed in the watch, exists in the world of nature; only greatly magnified. The designs of nature incomparably surpass, in every way, even the most advanced productions of 21st century technology.
What is the purpose of all this complexity? So far as can be observed from nature, it is only by evidence of design that the objective truths about God could be witnessed to his rational human creatures. Take this away and you take away the application of our intellect and reason - and our free will.
Whatever is done, God could have done it without design and ingenuity: but it is through this that a creative intelligence is observable. God, therefore, has been pleased to define limits to the application of his own power within nature, and to work his purposes within these limits.
When contemplated, God's creation is astonishing. From the unimaginable vastness of our universe, to the incredible complexity of the microscopic realm, we observe a reality that is infinitely beyond our creative abilities. One mind is responsible for both. One Being is the originator of all.Since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20 (NIV)
Upon the whole; despite all the schemes and struggles of atheistic naturalism, one must resort to Deity. The marks of design are simply too strong to overcome. Design must have had a designer. That designer must have been a person.
That person is GOD.
