Before I got swamped, we were having some interesting conversations about origins over at the BugBlog.
Simon the Atheist (link omitted) has provided me with several links to evolutionary discussions, and I've offered to read some of it (as time permits, which unfortunately hasn't been much) as part of our give-and-take.
But even as I struggle to understand the science behind transitional forms, radio-isotope dating, and various aspects of homology, I realize that my greatest objection to evolution is something fairly simple: death. Specifically, the role that death plays in the universe.
See, in evolution, death is a good thing. It's what pushes the necessary change forward. Death is the cornerstone of evolution; without it, evolution can't work. It just wouldn't be possible.
But the Bible says that sin entered the world through one man (Adam), and death through sin (Romans 5:12). But if death entered because of sin, how can it be God's instrument of creation (as some theistic evolutionists claim)? Evolution's central premise, natural selection, at its heart must have death in order to survive.
But since sin, not God, brought death into the world, we must rule out evolution as God's plan for the world. Which brings us back to what really happened at the beginning. Ultimately, if you believe that death originated with sin, you must reject evolution, because it is at odds with how the Bible talks about death. If you believe in evolution, your only option is reject God--something that many who believe it have already done.
Of course, even those who reject God can see the marvelous grandeur of the universe around them. But by rejecting a creator, they ascribe all of His eternal attributes to the universe itself, in essence worshiping the creation instead of the creator.
Now, I'm sure over time there will be more to say. Simon's bound to run over here, and flog me for not believing all the indisputable scientific evidence. The evidence isn't always that compelling (like the grand theory I read about awhile back about a man and his tribe, and how they ate such-and-so, and migrated in a certain pattern etc. . . . all of this gleaned from a tooth). But more importantly, it's by faith that we know God made the universe (Heb 11), and without that faith, we are unable to please Him.
So we find that the death separates the faithful from unbelievers. The concept of death divides us on the origins of humanity, even as its reality brings some into paradise, and others into judgment.
5 comments:
You're right. Good post.
So we find that the death separates the faithful from unbelievers.
In more ways than one! ;)
Good post, Matt. Just last week, this realization about death being the cornerstone of evolution came to me, so it was fascinating to see you write about that very subject here.
Thanks for this.
steve :)
This is a big problem for those who hold to various constructs to tie in evolution, creation, and/or long ages in any of the many ways that is done.
Simon's popped up on mi y blog now--but it was off topic--I left it in there--but we'll see how he follows up on it.
"If you believe in evolution, your only option is reject God"
Um, no...among your options would be rejecting the Bible, rejecting Genesis, or considering that the Bible is not inerrant.
I mean, personally, I reject the idea of God but it doesn't necessarily follow. There are plenty of theists and Christians who are fine with evolution. There are plenty of Christians who acknowledge that the Bible was written by humans over a period of time.
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