Re: Re: Re: Evolution is alive and well

Moorad Alexanian (alexanian@UNCWIL.EDU)
Fri, 23 Oct 1998 15:25:02 -0500 (EST)

At 07:26 PM 10/21/98 -0500, Glenn R. Morton wrote:
>Hi Moorad,
>
>At 01:43 PM 10/21/98 -0500, Moorad Alexanian wrote:
>>Physics deals with the whole of the physical universe with the great
>>exception of living beings. I keep telling my students that physics is easy,
>>they still do not believe me!! What I keep saying is that physics is the
>>prototype for all sciences. Physics does work with complex systems where
>>collective effects, like superfluidity, ferromagnetism, etc., are the result
>>of simple interparticle interactions. I am not an anti-evolutionist, a
>>young earth scientist nor any such thing.
>
>I know that you are not a YEC, but I had gotten the impression from many of
>your posts that you didn't think evolution happened. Maybe I was wrong.
>But, one could say the same about evolution as you do about physics.
>evolutionary theory predicts the behavior of an ecosystem (collective
>effect) in its prediction of species formation, splitting etc. but can't
>predict the state of a single particle (a species) any more than physics
>can predict the state of the individual electron in a wire, but it can
>predict the current, if given the voltage and resistance.

I am not sure if man evolved from lower forms or not. I also do not know how
God interacts with His physical creation. I know our existence is contingent
to His and thus He sustains it. But questions about God tinkering with His
creation is hard for me to fathom. I have often said that the problem I have
with evolution is with the Fall of Man. I do know of ways to jibe Scripture
with scientific assumptions made by evolutionists. But I do not find them
too satisfying. Perhaps we are not ready to answer such deep questions. I
also have difficulties reconciling facts such as actuary figures, that an
average of so many people die in a given day and the fact the God is in
control. If the individual is all important to God, why is it that things
happen on the average in a predictable way?

>
> I am just trying to understand
>>what evolutionary theory is and how it differs from physics. This is to
>>contrast the two subjects and is not meant to denigrate evolutionary theory.
>>But people in the latter make all sorts of claims without any evidence
>>whatsoever. Even while watching ordinary animal programs on TV one hears the
>>constant use of evolutionary ideas to describe all sorts of animal behavior.
>>For instance, that lions want to see their genes be preserve. What the hell
>>does a lion know about genes! The real question is, aren't lions behaving as
>>very sophisticated computers? Are they programmed? Are they designed?
>
>They are designed, but indirectly IMO.
>>
>
>>The problem posed by evolutionists is a very difficult one. However one
>>should not confuse their working assumptions with established facts. That is
>>my main point.
>
>It is a fact that the oldest rocks have no modern forms of life--none.
>That is a fact. The change does not seem to have occurred in the fashion
>most YECs believe (via a flood) and progressive creation seems to mimick
>evolution in all details.
>glenn

As I said I do not know how God interacts with nature. But the Fall of man
is important in the Christian faith otherwise what sense is there for Christ
and His death.

Moorad