Re: [asa] God as Cause

> I don't think we should look for a "physical" link between God and natural
> process, but there mustn't there be a logical causal link? That is, God
> does in some sense cause natural processes, and we must be able to
> explain in what sense he causes them, beyond simply saying that he
> causes them. Of course, we can leave it at that if we wish, but I think
> makes God's involvement superfluous and even questionable.

I'm not sure that we are able to fully explain in what sense God
causes things. There are some aspects that can be noted. E.g.,
creating a universe with certain properties determined much of what
would happen. Exactly how much of the natural processes you think
could be physically determined (as opposed to planned) at that point
depends on your interpretation of such things as quantum
indeterminacy, free will, etc. God is capable of directing a
particular outcome to a probabilistic event, though the importance of
such action in the overall sum of running things is open to
speculation. Some think that much of God's determination of events is
achieved through direction of quantum events, but I know of no way to
test the concept. God is also continuously involved. God's plan will
be achieved. At the same time, humans are responsible agents, and
evil cannot be blamed on God.

-- 
Dr. David Campbell
425 Scientific Collections
University of Alabama
"I think of my happy condition, surrounded by acres of clams"
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