Evolution Need Not Threaten Belief in God
by Expanded from a recent online discussion, this emerged about how a belief in Evolution and a belief in God need not be mutually exclusive.
Is Evolution Cosmic in its Scope?
The evolution of life is a beautiful and elegant aspect of God’s design in this marvelous Universe. And while we can’t be certain yet, I suspect this natural part of God’s design applies throughout the entire Cosmos, which would mean that myriad life forms of many and varied types proliferate throughout the Universe, all children of the same Universal God. This conclusion is a natural consequence of believing that evolution is a natural part of God’s Cosmic design.
Fractals: Finding the Patterns in Chaos
Some have expressed concern that evolution appears too random to be part of a Deist design. I believe I can partially answer that concern with a quote from page 2 of my 2 page article, Occam’s Razor Cuts Both Ways :
“…we once believed that such things as the growth patterns of tree branches, and the networks of tree roots, the contours of mountain chains, and the directional meanderings of rivers and streams were random, because that was the simplest of explanations. But with the discovery of fractal geometry, we’ve learned that these natural patterns conform to the mathematical principles of this beautiful geometry. These chaotic patterns were never random at all, but instead so complex in their geometry that they appeared random to us before we understood the fractal mathematical principles governing them…”
Psychedelic Fractal Wiggles
Let me add to this quote by saying that just as these patterns appeared random to us, before Benoît B. Mandelbrot discovered fractal geometry, there may be yet undiscovered principles of evolution incorporated into its design, which once realized, will expand our currently limited perspective and help us see the extent to which it is not random, at all. It may well be that from our finite point of view, we may not be capable of truly comprehending the way God uses what we see as random as a complex part of Cosmic design.
Random or Ordered?
I remember once seeing a sculpture. I’m sorry to say, I’ve forgotten where. Nonetheless, when one looked at this sculpture from most perspectives, it appeared to be little more than a jumbled mess of random forms, representing nothing comprehensible. However, when one changed ones point of view and looked at it from a specific angle, suddenly an ordered pattern molded into view. This sculpture wasn’t just a random mess after all; it had design.
The Quest has only just begun
We’ve only just begun to glean knowledge of the wonderful Universe in which we live, and as we gather more we start to catch a glimmer of Cosmic Design. The Universe is much more complex than that sculptor’s creation, so it may take us longer to find the necessary knowledge to expand our perspective enough to see the order in chaos, but if we keep searching we will find it. There remains much more to learn. We are far from knowing all there is to know. The quest continues.
Cosmic Bubble
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Post Commentneelam pandey
On July 14, 2008 at 2:03 pm
wonderful work….i found it very interesting!
tonisan60
On August 9, 2008 at 12:14 pm
I totally agree, I had made a similar article in Spanish where I propose that in a quantic level evolution would be syncronization (did I write the word good?, sorry for my English, I ‘m trying to improve it), because past present and future co-exist in an Universe that is not space made but space-time made.
It is hard to explain my point of view in English, but I totally agree with you, and I liked very much your exposure, the pictures are also very beautiful and pertinent to the subject.
My claps for a great article.
B Nelson
On October 10, 2008 at 9:43 pm
I beleive in GOD, I do not, however, beleive in the Church or “Organized Religion”.
I beleive in Evolution as we are witnessing it every day.. and playing a part in it too..
if you have a pet dog, look at it, does it at all resemble the WOLF from which it “EVOLVED” with our help?
mm
On October 28, 2008 at 2:20 am
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
MountainNana
On December 28, 2008 at 3:55 pm
What a profoundly deep topic with many layers. Something may people do not seem to understand about God, the creation, humanity, and life is this one scripture Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways my ways. Says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth So are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
I would like to exchange some interesting thoughts and concepts my husband and I have come up with about Eden for one and New Jerusalem to come.
I loved your article what an intelligent young man you are. Hoope you keep in touch. I do not think people undersand something about the serpant either. The creature was very intellegant and could converse, talk with Eve. She was not startled by it. It makes me consider that it was something she and Adam were accoustomed to doing talking with the animals. More on this later. Adam was alo with Eve when she was talking to this creature and it said the creature had legs which God took away for the what it had done forever. Some sort of dinosaur? Maybe? Keep questioning and research and articles. The more we pray and ask for understanding and study, and read on our won utilizing What God gives us if we ask the more we can understand his word, the many layers and be more like him. Most “Christian’s thing they are going to heaven but the bible does not support that. Not in the manner which they believe. They do in the soul our spirit when it leaves the body goes back to God awaiting resurrection but the body goes to “hell” meaning the grave six feed under. Until resurrection. Most do not understand we are NOT going to be angels but heirs with Christ and will be joining the God family sons of God and siblings to Christ. We are destined to become God. Which is a family name not the name of one entity. Christ however thus far is the only begotten son of God. God does have other sons. The book of Job chapter 1 shows that. Good article.
Mr Ghaz
On January 10, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Good work!..a must read for all Triond users. I really enjoy reading your work….You\’re my good gurus!
TommyP
On February 11, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Exactly right!! I can only assume you read my piece “Tiny Miracle”
although there was no comment from you. I just now discovered you on my “fans” list… And I’m sure I’ll become a fan of yours with more articles like this… I’m not to good with research so I mainly stick to poetry! It gives me “artistic license” so i don’t necessarily need actual facts to back up what I say. (Although I do try to stay in reality.)
TammyC
On March 2, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Very well put…There is so much we don’t understand, but the connection of it all can not be denied.
maranatha
On March 3, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Good work! People keep trying to use data as ‘fightin’ words’ instead of trying to gain understanding. Nice job.
Aauhein
On April 7, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Talented you are. As to Mountain nanas’ comment> I just heard the other day that in fact some snakes do have legs,on their insides. Trying to confirm,never heard of this before.
Shari86
On April 14, 2009 at 3:39 am
Very interesting article and very well written. I never understood why there was such a militant debate about Creationism Vs. Evolution, which seems to be a particularly contentious issue in the States. I attended Catholic schools (in Ireland) for both my primary & secondary school education and we were always taught about Creation is religon class and Evolution in biology class, there was never any conflict between the 2 ideas as we were always taught to read the stories of the Bible as metaphors and allegories. I don’t know why people have to have a one or the other mentaility when the ideas are perfectly compatible.
Dakota West
On April 15, 2009 at 3:19 pm
I have been preaching that the Bible is not meant to be taken literally for years, It’s great to discover another writer who shares some of my opinions. FANTASTIC ARTICLE!!
Tina Cassello
On April 15, 2009 at 10:16 pm
This was great. I never saw any reason to exclude one or the other concept either and I’ve been a Christian since I was five years old.
MW
On May 22, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Its interesting that people suggest the bible should be taken literally, because it should… In a sense.
When reading the bible one must keep in mind:
Those who where writing it and the purpose of each article.
That those who wrote it, might be writing the word of God but the still had minds of man and of their time period, so some ideas might go right over them.
Abraham walks into a desert temple and says to god, “hey, can we have some extra mana?”
God replies, “Yes”
Abraham walks in the next day and says, “thanks, I needed that”
God replies, “Thats what she said.”
Abraham doesn’t get it.