This Page is being written seven years or so after the Page of date for Volume 1. I have just read, The Language of God, by Francis S. Collins, a Christian and a scientist. He is eminent for his work in the genome project that includes studies in DNA, and the general background for the physical sciences. He believes the evolutionary theories are convincing, generated from research. He finds more evidence for intelligent design in that context than in any other about which details may be uncovered in the natural world. Where other evolution believers use argument against design, he finds design. Whether God used nature to gain the tribe of mankind, or we arrived by some other divine processing, Collins has moved to the next issue related to God: Is there design that shows intelligence behind nature that includes mankind? If there is we ought to understand it and use it in constructive ways. It appears, at this point, that the best position for the Christian, whether by a progressive creation through evolution, or by divine fiat of six days of miracles, we now deal with intelligent design. Since the monkey trials in Tennessee in 1925 until the present, the debate for Christians and humanist scholars has been moving a bit from theistic evolution to intelligent design. This shift is accented in the numbers of Christians accepting theistic evolution following general theory, except for initiation of process quite similar to that for atheistic evolution. For these persons the issue then becomes intelligent design so demanding God in theories. At the close of the 20th Century, the Catholic Church shifted, favoring evolution, inviting design. Debate continues from adherents of various persuasions, including some old differences, but not with the former vitriol.
So it is – the emerging issue (always present, but overshadowed by theism as related to biological evolution) relates to design. Is there an orderly structure in nature that appears in all that has resulted in what we call nature? This includes mankind, but found in the system of nature to which we are related. The point creates differences among evolutionists, whether theistic or non-theistic. The layperson is helped by the arguments of theistic evolutionists in this matter. Uninformed laypersons may argue for other beliefs. Factors and interpretations, not effective for the secular scientist, are important for the Christian, either creationist by fiat or by a developmental process. Scholars ought to use their disciplines well and humbly to help the masses in interpreting the creation, and its place. This care makes a difference, and will determine how human beings react, and are to be treated in courses of common experience. Scientific orientation is nature oriented. What if God is in nature? What if God makes special moves – miracles?
So, where are we? We are here. How we got here is up to God, whether by evolution from an original simple form of life or by fiat miracle. There is design that includes some disaster. Design does not preclude that all is comfortable. There is God, who is known and unknown. There is mankind, with either hope or without hope, also known and unknown. The hope we hold most highly is that there is something for us after death. If there is, and since God, with the ability to get the human race thus far, must be a good God there must also be something to make human passage meaningful. My intelligence tells me to seek to find the spring of eternal life. The men of the sixteenth century did not find it sailing around the world, and the Scripture affirms that the world will never provide that answer. I seek God, in deploring my ignorance, despairing of my imperfection, and humbly casting myself upon his care. The pattern is offered to every person. There is a near universal feeling that something seems missing in nature alone.
From a confused and needy state, I simply cast myself upon the grace of God. I believe that, in Christ, he accepts me in his plan. The proof is found in that I become a better man, changed. Whatever modest talents or abilities I have are improved for the purpose of the good (ministry) to others for their lives – both human, and to the witness of immortality. It is the reason for life tenure even in the mortal context. I have discovered inner peace. I find resolution in prayer. I feel God’s care, the Holy Spirit in my life, and a hope of the immortal in my soul. I feel loved and at peace. If the Christian affirmation were to be proved false, it would be for me the most magnificent and blessed myth to accept for life. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020