Evolution and the Judeo-Christian Point of View - Essay Example

Evolution and the Judeo-Christian Point of View Evolution can absolutely be a part of the Judeo-Christian point of view on the development of the world. The connection between science and the creation of the world is absolute in that, in looking at the world, it can be seen that God designed it within a certain framework of laws in order that it may function. In looking at other aspects of scientific discovery that are fully understood, it can be inferred that those aspects that have limited discovery may also be true, thus within God’s plan. The one true aspect of worshiping God is that as his children, his plan is of his own knowledge. Therefore, to suggest that the plainly seen concepts that can be supported by fact are not of God, is to question His plan. His children have the capacity to observe and define possible courses of scientific development, thus evolution is not an unreasonable theory from which to understand the development of the world. In recent history, there has been a concerted effort to demonize the concept of science, and in doing so deny some of the widely accepted theories that are supported by research. This is not the first age in which science was denied and demonized, but the theories that were considered blasphemous in history have become irrefutable fact in this age. As an example, Galileo Galilei was considered a blasphemer for suggesting that the earth revolved around the sun rather than the earth being the center of the universe with the sun revolving around the earth. His freedom was taken from him because they considered his theories blasphemous, spending the rest of his life outside of the Church and under house arrest (Reston 271). Yet, it is known through the advances of science that his theory was true. Christians have come to understand that it does not diminish God to suggest that the earth revolves around the sun. In fact, it might be considered a blasphemy, in the face of this truth, to suggest that it somehow is outside of the plan of God. According to Dawkins, in his preface to a book on evolution by Smith, “Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection is the only workable explanation that has ever been proposed for the remarkable fact of our own existence, indeed the existence of all life wherever it may turn up in the universe” (xv). He goes on to say that “Natural selection is the only workable explanation for the beautiful and compelling illusion of ‘design’ that pervades every living body and every organ”(xvi). This can be transferred to its opposite by saying that evolution is the only known way in which design would be achieved. Humans have observed and been witness to the daily use of science as a means for life within the universe that God has built. Why then would it be outside of Christian beliefs to understand that the use of evolution was a way to plant a seed and watch it grow, evolving to a predetermined point in which the function of that evolutionary result was human? When a kernel of corn is planted, it is transformed as is intended into a stalk of corn, because it is known that this would be the result. Why then, in the confrontation of evidence of the existence of evolution, is it threatening to think that God did not start a scientifically explainable reaction that would result in the creation of the human? Jappah has determined that the reason that evolution cannot be considered as valid is that it has a series of possible theories that fall within its study and no one theory explains the totality of the issue (54). This, however, is not a reason to deny the concept as being valid. Not knowing everything about a subject does not mean that the theory has no validity. It simply means that human understanding has not reached a point of proof. What is known is that supernatural magic is not the foundation of life on earth, but that all aspects of life have some sort of scientific explanation. Life is created in the womb of women through scientific means, the tool of God that perpetuates the existence of each creature within this world. To read the bible from a literal point of view often means closing one’s eyes to the truth of God’s creation on earth. Genesis is a beautifully written recitation of the understanding of how the earth was created, without a single reference to the science that God used to create it. As stated, the world functions through observable scientific principles, many of which have been irrefutably proven. To deny science is to deny the methods through which God has set the world into motion and perpetuated its existence. Wadholm states that when Augustine of Hippo went looking to find a way to understand the contradictions between what could be observed and what was within the early writings, he was introduced to understanding a way of evolving thoughts upon the texts. Wadholm makes a comparison through saying that “humans have a spirit, soul, and body, and that likewise the Bible has a spiritual, moral, and literal interpretation” (39). Not every passage should be taken to have all three involved, just as every function of the body is not necessarily involved with the spirit or soul. Some of the functions are strictly needed for the survival of the body under scientifically explainable uses. The spirit can be nourished by concepts outside of the functional needs of the body. Therefore, it is not useful to deny a scientific concept just because Moses did not relate the evolutionary history of the creation of the earth. If a way to prove one of the theories of evolution comes to light, the foolishness of complete denial will leave 21st century in the position of ignorance, similar to the contemporaries of Galileo who denied the fact that the earth revolves around the sun. Denying science is denying the principles on which God built his creation of earth. In addition, demonizing science alienates others from Christianity, thus diminishing the hope of bringing others to believe. Works Cited Jappah, Daniel. Evolution: a Grand Monument to Human Stupidity. Gardners Books, 2007. Print. Reston, James. Galileo: A Life. Washington, D.C: Beard Books, 2000. Print. Smith, John M. The Theory of Evolution. Cambridge [u.a.: Cambridge Univ. Press, 1997. Print. Wadholm, Robert R. Essays in Biblical Interpretation. Read More