Engineering is applied math and science. During my career as a civil engineer, I observed how math and science improved the tools of the trade. Let me borrow from that to address one of mankind’s ultimate questions.
My practice area was water hydraulics. Decades ago, I had rudimentary computer programs that could predict rainfall, runoff, and flow through a channel. By the time I retired, we could predict complex flow through inlets, pipes, channels, bridges, culverts, and lake outfall structures, all in the same computer model. It provides a spatially accurate prediction of flooding in specified conditions. From that, I prepared design plans to show contractors what to build.
Now suppose you were driving along and notice a stormwater system with inlets draining rainwater away from the road into a pond nearby. A measured rate of water flows out of the pond to the creek. The water then flows safely under the bridge and rejoins its natural path further downstream. You would not observe such a system and think, “Look what nature did, all by itself!”
This is my contemporary take on William Paley’s watchmaker analogy (1802). He suggested if you were walking along and saw a watch on the ground, you would not conclude nature did that, all by itself. The watch is clearly designed and made by a watchmaker for a purpose – to keep time. It’s a logical observation about the necessity of a designer to account for the complexities of nature and life in this universe.
Biologist Richard Dawkins argues the point. “Natural selection,” he writes, “has no vision, no foresight, no sight at all. If it can be said to play the role of watchmaker in nature, it is that of the blind watchmaker.” Professor Dawkins attributes the design of the universe to unguided science.
To question the design of the universe is to ask, “Where did I come from?” You can answer that by abductive reasoning, or inference to the best explanation. Math and science exist in the mind and explain how things work. They cannot create. It is a great leap of faith to believe a mindless universe produced scientific principles, which then designed and built a finely tuned world which hosts living creatures like you.
The best explanation to the ultimate question “Where did I come from?” is simple: a Mind, a Designer, who pre-existed matter. And you know who He is. By the beloved Son, “all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through Him and for Him” (Col. 1:16).
The evidence of design is all around you. God designed this world so that you would exist and know Him. That means you are significant and loved by the Grand Designer.