In 1978, Dr. Hans Kristian Kotlar’s first job in
scientific research was at the Norwegian Radium Hospital, where he studied
cancer and the human immune system. At
that time, he also became interested in the origin of life. Awake! Asked him about his research and his
religious faith.
What stirred your interest in the origin
and meaning of life?
My father was Catholic and my mother was
Protestant. That said, they did not view
religion as important. As for me, during
my teens, I wondered about the meaning of life, and I read books about
Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. I even
asked God to reveal the truth to me.
By the 1970’s, the field of molecular biology had made
some amazing advances, and I wondered if it might reveal how life began. The mechanisms within the living cells
intrigued me, so I chose to study biotechnology. I might add that most of my professors said
that life evolved by natural processes, and I believed them.
Why did you take an interest in the Bible?
Two of Jehovah’s Witnesses visited our home. Although they were pleasant, I reacted rudely
and told them I was not interested. My
wife overheard me. “That was not kind,
Hans Kristian,” she said. “You have
always been interested in the meaning of life.” She was right, and I felt
ashamed. So I ran after the
Witnesses. During our conversation, I
told them that I wanted to know if the Bible is in harmony with science.
How did they respond that?
They showed me that the Bible says about the source of
energy manifest in the universe. The
scripture they read states: “Lift up your eyes to heaven and see. Who has created these things? … Because of
his vast dynamic energy and his awe-inspiring power, not one of them is
missing.” This statement intrigued
me. It also seemed reasonable that only
an intelligent source of energy could account for the order in the universe.
Did your view of evolution change?
I gradually realized that the various theories of
evolution lacked rigorous scientific proof.
In fact, they are basically stories invented to explain how the
remarkable designs found within living things, such as the immune system, could
originate in a mindless manner. The more
I studied the immune system, the more I realized just how complex and effective
it is. Thus, my research led me to
conclude that life is a product of an intelligent Creator.
Can you give us some evidence of design?
The immune system is actually an astonishing array of
structures and mechanisms designed to defend us from a wide variety of agents,
including bacteria and viruses. The
mechanisms, in turn, can be grouped into two complementary systems. The first mobilizes an attack on invading
microbes within hours. The second takes
several days to respond but targets the invaders like a well-aimed arrow. This second system also has a good memory, so
that if a specific invader returns years later, this enemy will be met with a
rapid response. The whole system works
so well that often you do not even realize that you have been infected and
effectively defended. Also amazing is
the way the immune system distinguishes between foreign substances and the
hundreds of cell types that make up our body.
Tell us, what happens when a microbe enters the body?
Microbes sneak in through our breath, our food, our
urogenital tract, or breaks in our skin.
When the immune system detects intruders, it sets in motion a cascade of
reactions involving dozens of precisely designed proteins. Each component in this cascade activates the
next to amplify the counterattack. The
process is mind-boggling!
Could we say, then, that your knowledge of science has
strengthened your faith in God?
Absolutely! The power and sophistication of our immune
system points to a wise and loving Creator.
I might add that science has also strengthened my faith in the
Bible. For example, Proverbs 17:22 tells
us that “a joyful heart is good medicine.”
Researchers have discovered that our state of mind can influence our
immune system. Stress, for instance, can
weaken our immune response.
Many of your peers don’t believe in God. Why is that?
The reason vary.
Some, as was true of me, simply accept what they were taught. Perhaps they assume that evolution is backed
up by good science. Others give little
thought to how life began. That’s a
pity. I think they should ask more
questions.
Why did you become one of Jehovah Witnesses?
I was attracted by their hospitality and their faith
in the Creator’s promise of a better future.
And that faith rests on research and sound reasoning, not myths or
speculation.
Nathaniel Otoo
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