Re: [asa] guns, germs, & steel

Hi Merv,

I read "Guns, Germs, & Steel" quite a while ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.
(Diamond's follow-up book "Collapse" is also good – but the first was
better). Diamond "doesn't write from an explicitly Christian point of
view" because (I'm pretty sure) he is an atheist. That being said I would
agree that he "doesn't go out of his way to mock or denigrate religion" and
that "his perspective in this work has been level-headed". From what I
recall, he discusses societal development (notice I avoided the "E" word :-)
) without reference to the supernatural, but does not then make conclusions
about the supernatural. (There may be times where his atheistic bias comes
through – I can't recall – but all author's metaphysical biases come through
at times). Contrast that to many other works (eg. Dawkins "Selfish Gene")
which frequently derive anti-supernatural conclusions from natural
evidence.

Regarding the interaction of "sin and the fall" with Diamond's ideas, I'm
not sure there is anything really new to discuss. From my understanding,
it is clear that the development of morality and religion occurred very
early on in the history of humanity, much before God revealed himself to
Abraham (or maybe even Adam). This just shows that humanity was designed
to relate to its creator, and would act on those instincts. However, on our
own we could never find God, let alone build a right relationship with God.
Early religion was a seeking that was doomed to fail. That is why God
revealed himself to us, first to the ancient Hebrews in various ways, and
then most explicitly in the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus
Christ.

At least that is the way I understand it.

thanks,

On 8/1/08, Merv <mrb22667@kansas.net> wrote:
>
> Jared Diamond, in his book: "Guns, Germs, & Steel" (1997) offers some
> broad analytical strokes regarding the history of human societies, and
> discusses compellingly the evolutionary natures of the rise & fall of
> various civilizations. Even though this isn't his most recent work, and I'm
> only half through it, I'm curious if others here have read or discussed
> Diamond's observations?
>
> It would be interesting to hear an evolutionary Creationist apply Biblical
> criticism and interaction with Diamond's analysis. & how sin & fall are
> understood within such an understanding.
>
> Diamond doesn't write from an explicitly Christian point of view, but he
> doesn't go out of his way to mock or denigrate religion either. His
> perspective in this work has been level-headed and has made for enlightening
> reading thus far! Anybody else interested in discussing this? Unless,
> of course, bickering among ourselves proves to be more fun...
>
> --Merv
>
>
>
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-- 
Steve Martin (CSCA)
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