Re: [asa] Neo-Darwinism and God's action

On Feb 16, 2008, at 8:34 AM, David Opderbeck wrote:

> How does ID lead to open theism? It seems to me that TE is much
> more likely to be paired with open theism. It will be interesting
> to see, for example, what approach Karl Giberson takes in his
> forthcoming book. Giberson, Francis Collins, Pinnock, Sanders, Greg
> Boyed, and Polkinhorne are speaking at an "Open Theology and
> Science" conference at Eastern Nazarene College this summer (http://www.enc.edu/history/ot/open_theo.html
> ) Does this suggest, BTW, that Collins is open to open theism?
>
> I've also seen efforts to reconcile original sin and evolution via
> molinism. Again, it seems to me that TE, not ID, is more likely to
> head down this route.

It could be that Collins is amenable to Open Theism and you do suggest
a way that this could happen. To be sure, a proponent of TE needs to
make sure that he keeps his eye on God's transcendence to avoid
falling into the same trap that ID can fall into. On the other hand,
in Tim Keller's new book The Reason for God, he also advances TE in an
apologetics context and he is most definitely not an Open Theist.
Comparing Keller and Collins you both see the influence of C.S. Lewis
-- for Keller you add Jonathan Edwards into the mix. The difference is
Keller has much better theological and exegetical chops than Collins.
I have the book on order from Amazon and I'll give you a more detailed
assessment once I have it. I don't believe it is a coincidence (wink,
wink, nudge, nudge :-)) that so many evangelical TEs are Calvinists.

The ID trap as I see it is the incessant need to explain and force God
to reveal Himself when He has chosen not to do so. God simply must be
scientifically detectable. It is not the Calvinism per se that appears
to inoculate against Open Theism but the attitude of let man be man
and God be God. Many Classical Arminians share this sentiment and thus
don't go down this road either. Speculative systems can just be very
dangerous, e.g. the use of Molinism you cited above. The three most
freeing words in the Universe are "I don't know.".

Rich Blinne (Member ASA)

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Received on Sat Feb 16 11:34:59 2008