On a classic episode of ID the Future, host and geologist Casey Luskin continues his conversation with astrobiologist Guillermo Gonzalez about the many ways Earth’s place in the cosmos is finely tuned for life. In this second half of their conversation, Gonzalez zooms out to discuss the galactic habitable zone and the cosmic habitable age. Luskin says that the combination of exquisite cosmic and local fine-tuning strongly suggests intelligent design, but he asks Gonzalez whether he thinks these telltale clues favor theism over deism? That is, does any of the evidence suggest a cosmic designer who is more than just the clock-maker God of the deists who, in the words of Stephen Dedalus, “remains within or behind or beyond or above his handiwork, invisible, refined out of existence, indifferent, paring his fingernails”? Gonzalez answers in the affirmative, but the reasons he offers for this conclusion may surprise you. Download the podcast or listen to it here.

This two-part interview highlights Gonzalez’s essay in the book Science and Faith in Dialogue, available for free here. Listen to Part 1 of the interview. 

Dig Deeper

• Want to learn more about our privileged planet? Read the new edition of The Privileged Planet, by Dr. Gonzalez and Dr. Jay Richards. 
• Watch the opening minutes of the documentary film based on The Privileged Planet: