From: richard@biblewheel.com
Date: Tue Jul 22 2003 - 14:23:53 EDT
Re post http://www.calvin.edu/archive/asa/200307/0489.html
I had written:
> > Again, I don't see any inconsistency in 1) Asserting fine-tuning
necessary
> > for the natural evolution of elements necessary for life and 2) the
> > impossiblity of biogenesis and the evolution of species through natural
> > processes alone.
> >
> > Are you asserting an inconsistency between my #1and #2?
To which Howard replied:
>
> Yes. It has to do with the character of the God/World relationship. If God
> is related to the world in such a way implied by your 2), then God is both
> able and willing to perform form-imposing interventions as the means of
> actualizing new creatures. Such intervention would fall into the category
of
> "coercive divine action" -- action in which God coerces the "stuff" of the
> universe to do something (assemble into some particular form) contrary to
or
> beyond what it could do by means of its God-given capabilities.
>
> However, if that is the case, then the fine tuning of your 1) is entirely
> unnecessary. For instance, if there were no way for the C-12 nucleus to
form
> naturally, God could just coercively intervene to make some. No need to
have
> the nuclear energy levels "just right."
>
> So one question is, If coercive form-imposing action is consistent with
the
> character of God and of the God/World relationship, then why would God go
> through all of the "trouble" to do the (unnecessary) fine tuning thing?
When
> you have a coercive form-imposing option available, why not save a lot of
> creative effort and employ it more generally?
>
> Howard Van Till
>
Excellent clarification Howard. Now let me dig in.
It seems perfectly consistent and rational for God to create a universe that
follows natural laws and then to directly mold creatures that would operate
within the laws of that universe. It doesn't really seem much different than
an artist preparing a canvas on which to paint.
I just don't see any inconsistency. Also, your suggestion that God could do
everything through "brute-force miracles" seems rather ugly to me, and out
of character with Him. It certainly doesn't seem like a strong objection.
As to why God would go through all the "trouble" of fine tuning: This is
exactly the opposite of how I see it. Fine tuning looks like the *supremely
elegant* solution to the formation of His cosmic canvas. God doesn't have to
run around micro-managing every quark. They simply follow the laws He
established in the beginning. It also allows us to *learn* about God and His
creation. Imagine living in a universe where God does *everything* through
non-sequitory miracles! That would be mad-hatter universe. But that still
can not be used as an argument against His direct intervention if such were
*necessary* to accomplish His Will (as might be the case in the formation of
Life).
Richard Amiel McGough
Discover the sevenfold symmetric perfection of the Holy Bible at
http://www.BibleWheel.com
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