RTB Canada - Toronto Chapter

Is Our Civilization the First in the Universe?

It is quite common in science fiction, as exemplified by Star Wars and Star Trek, to presume that life exists in multiple places / galaxies in the universe and has existed long before life existed on earth. In fact, many people (including scientists) think that this is highly likely to be true, given the vastness and estimated age of the universe. Is it possible that life exists elsewhere in the universe, either now or in the distant past? This talk will focus on a scientific evaluation of such an idea from the perspective of a
chemist, Dr. Steven W. Baertschi.

Free food will be provided

Noah's Flood: Global, Local, or Worldwide?

The location, extent and time of Noah's flood as recorded in Genesis remains a controversial topic. This has divided the church and its popular interpretation has proven to be one of the most significant biblical barriers to unbelievers coming to faith in Jesus Christ. Careful biblical exegesis, and recent scientific discoveries, including patterns of human migration, geography, climate and the history of the earth have shed new light on this important topic. Please join us as Dr. Hugh Ross brings this evidence together to give us a clearer, and perhaps surprising, understanding of Noah's flood.

The presentation is based on Hugh's last book and he explained that he wrote it because:
One reason people reject the Bible as the inspired inerrant word of God is they look at the account of the flood and they say, "There's no way that can be true. If that isn't true, there's no point my reading anything else in the Bible."

We offer a safe and relaxed environment where you and your friends can ask questions freely.

Universe Designed invites viewers on a thought-provoking journey through science, philosophy, and faith - exploring compelling evidence for the existence of God. Featuring in - depth interviews with some of the world's leading Christian apologists, the film presents powerful arguments for the truth of
Christianity.

Guided by director Michael Ray Lewis, a former atheist whose personal search for meaning led him to Christ, the documentary examines the universe as a masterpiece of intentional design.

After presenting all the evidence there is a call for the viewer to make a decision to accept Christ into their life, so you may want to invite your non-Christian friends.

We offer a safe and relaxed environment where you and your friends can ask questions freely.

Light refreshments and snacks will be available.

The Shroud of Turin is an extraordinary relic. It's a linen cloth containing the front and back images of a crucified man matching the biblical descriptions of Jesus. Controversy surrounds the Shroud of Turin. Many believe it to be the cloth used to wrap Jesus's body after crucifixion. Others doubt its authenticity. There are many reasons to believe that Jesus did rise from the dead, and this provides one more reason.

Come listen to Dr Jeremiah Johnson explain why he initially doubted, but now believes it is authentic.
We'll also watch Barrie Schwortz, an Orthodox Jew, who is an expert on imaging. He was the official documenting photographer for the 1978 team that conducted the first in-depth scientific examination of the Shroud.

Bring your questions and a friend so their questions can be answered too. We offer a safe and relaxed environment where you can ask your questions freely.

Food will be provided.

The Mighty Mitochondria

Nearly every cell in your body has over a thousand mitochondria. These are tiny organelles that produce ATP which is the main energy source for cells to function. Mitochondria convert food and oxygen into ATP through the Krebs cycle, which is a complex eight step process requiring many enzymes.
Could this cycle have evolved naturally?
Kirby Hansen will describe this process and discuss why design is the best explanation for its origin.

An Interview with Dr. James Tour

Dr. James Tour is a Professor of Materials Science & Nanoengineering at Rice University in Houston, Texas. He has won various awards, has written about 830 research publications and holds over 200 patents.

He was raised Jewish, but as a teenager became a Christian.

This interview will strengthen your faith as he covers these topics:
* problems with a naturalistic origin of life
* micro/macro evolution
* lack of evidence for body plan changes
* the Cambrian Explosion
* fine tuning of the universe
* dealing with peer pressure in the scientific community
* his powerful testimony including an encounter with Jesus

What Archaeology Tells Us About The Bible

Join biochemist Fazale "Fuz" Rana and physicist and theologian John Bloom as they discuss archaeological finds with philosophical implications that point to the reality of God's existence.

Since the 1970s, critical and skeptical academic scholars have vigorously challenged Old Testament historical accounts with archaeological evidence that appeared to contradict the biblical narratives. Fuz and John examine recent archaeological and historical evidence showing that this pessimism is unfounded, and Christians can indeed have confidence in the Bible's history.

Our next Reasons to Believe Chapter meeting will be a slight departure from the hard sciences of physics and chemistry. Don Wallar, past-President of the Toronto Chapter will provide a summary of one of the most important books of our
time: "The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self" by Dr. Carl Trueman.

From the cover of Trueman's book…"Modern culture is obsessed with identity. From Augustine to Marx, various views and perspectives have contributed to the modern understanding of the self." Don will present an overview of the entire book which "provides guidance for the future as Christians navigate the culture in humanity's ever-changing quest for identity."

In order to be effective in presenting concepts and ideas, including the claims of the gospel, it is vital that you understand your audience and how they think. This talk will equip you to do just that.

Solution to the Origin of Life?

Last month, one of the topics was various problems with a naturalistic origin of life. Join us to watch Fuz Rana and Robert DiSilvestro discuss another problem: how did proteins with the needed properties originate? They will critique one of the
latest proposals to solve this. You will walk away with another area where God's hand intervened in the origin of life.

How Can We Have Complete Trust in Jesus?

One of the goals of RTB is to strengthen the faith of believers. We'll be looking at some of the last words of Jesus and discover that He has something to say about evidence. We'll learn how it can confirm and strengthen our faith so that we can withstand the difficulties of life.

We'll review some of this evidence. RTB has been telling us these things for many years, but it is good to be reminded.
Look forward to an encouraging meeting.