Re: left-handed non-biological amino acids

David J. Tyler (D.Tyler@mmu.ac.uk)
Mon, 14 Apr 1997 13:36:38 GMT

On 9 Apr 97 at 21:51, Stephen Jones wrote, quoting Erickson:

> "...deistic evolution is perhaps the best way to describe one variety
> of what is generally called theistic evolution. This is the view
> that God began the process of evolution, producing the first matter
> and implanting within the creation the laws which its development has
> followed. Thus, he programmed the process. Then he withdrew from
> active involvement with the world, becoming, so to speak, Creator
> emeritus. The progress of the created order is free of direct
> influence by God. He is the Creator of everything, but only the
> first living form was directly created. All the rest of God's
> creating has been done indirectly. God is the Creator, the ultimate
> cause, but evolution is the means, the proximate cause. Thus, except
> for its view of the very beginning of matter, deistic evolution is
> identical to naturalistic evolution for it denies that there is any
> direct activity by a personal God during the ongoing creative
> process." (Erickson M.J., "Christian Theology", 1985, p480)

My contribution is just a plea dor debaters to "hear" what others are
saying. There may be some deistic evolutionists around, but this is
hardly relevant to the mainstream debate. As far as I can see, the
vast majority of Christians who contribute to this list are THEISTS.
That is, we all believe in the ongoing, sustaining government of God
over his creation. We all recognise that the process of natural
selection acting on natural variations is a part of this
government. We all recognise that these processes have
ecological significance (preserving the status quo, providing
for adaptation to changing environments, etc). There are some who
consider that these processes have creative significance and link
them to evolutionary explanations of origins. If this is where the
real divergences of view are to be found, let us focus debate here.
Deistic evolution is not an issue - unless someone overtly defends
that view.

Best wishes,
David J. Tyler.