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The Laminin Cross and Apologetics Gimmicks

The best-known symbol of Christianity, the cross, is used in merchandising, jewelry, decoration, and more. This is sometimes done by unbelievers, or people who give an intellectual assent to the truth of the gospel but do not have serious convictions about its meaning.


The resemblance of laminin to a cross is not a reason to use it for Christian apologetics
Credit: Open-i / NIH
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One of those misused things is the protein called laminin. In some instances, it has a resemblance to a cross.  Some folks got all het up about it and used it as evidence for God's existence and the truth of the gospel. Some may reckon it as evidence for creation (take that, evolutionists!), but it is nothing of the kind. This is not apologetics, old son. We need to cowboy up and do some serious work for the presentation and defense of the gospel and biblical creation.

On a related note, we had someone at The Question Evolution Project who was enthusiastic about supporting Genesis 6 and insisting that hoax pictures of "giants" were real. (Genesis 6 does not actually say giants, but they are mentioned elsewhere.) He seemed to think we were doubting God's Word, but he was using pictures that were not real and a misunderstanding of the Genesis Flood to support the Bible! 

Let's face it, too many professing Christians and creationists are more interested in captioned pictures, out-of-context Bible verses, and trite sayings than knowing what and why they believe. Some stories are cute, but are nothing more than mind candy: no nutrition, and can be harmful. We can celebrate the crucifixion of Jesus on the cross, his death, burial, bodily Resurrection, and defeat of death without degrading the message with gimmickry. We have powerful evidence, and the truth is on our side.

So, just what is this laminin thing, anyway?
Laminin, interestingly, is in the shape of a cross . . . In fact, a quick Internet search turns up multiple websites selling T-shirts, mousepads, stickers, coffee mugs, and a host of other items with a picture of the laminin protein. These items usually include a catch phrase such as “Great designers always leave their mark” or “Fingerprint of The Creator.” As a molecular biologist, I can certainly appreciate excitement concerning a protein (which really shows what a science nerd I am!), but a protein as an icon of Christianity?
To read the article in its entirety, click on "Laminin and the Cross".