Why Evolution Needs Judeo-Christianity

Posted on August 20, 2009 by Robert Franklin

evolutionofman

For many there is an irreconcilable conflict between the “science” of evolution and the “faith” of a Judeo-Christian worldview. It seems to me that if those who place their faith in the species Homo sapiens’ ability to discover its origins through scientific postulation and discovery would simply take a deep breath and think for a moment, they would realize that a Judeo-Christian worldview is necessary for the perpetuation of their assertion that humans are a result of epochal evolution.

It is a widely accepted fact that as long as humans have been recording their history, the concept of a “god” or multiple “gods” is part of that human history. Some of the earliest archeological relics we now possess are connected to some ancestor’s concept god. God and communication (perhaps self-awareness) seem to be inextricably linked within the evolutionary process.

Consider this: if we did indeed evolve from less complicated biological entities, the issue of self-replication and self-preservation is paramount to the continuation of the evolutionary process. If there is no progeny there is no possibility of the progress of a species. As religion evolved alongside its human adherents it became evident that an all-powerful, all-knowing, personal and personable god would be necessary to rule the wildly diverse urges of humans so that they could progress; so they could preserve the species and procreate. A god was then imagined who gives the command not only to procreate, but also to dominate. (see Genesis 1.28 )

This god was not sufficient since according to this god’s history, the earliest generations still killed each other and the species still struggled to thrive. God evolved again becoming the god who specifically commands, “Don’t kill each other,” in fact, “Love your neighbor” (see Exodus 20.13  and Leviticus 19.18). In addition to these basic “species protections,” this imaginary god also gives them rules and regulations for building a sustainable and progressive culture.

This updated god was far more effectual than the last god version since it was within the framework of this god’s cultural structure that the next evolutionary religious leap occurred. God became human, but not like in the mythology of the Greeks where the gods have to satisfy their sexual needs or exercise their pernicious powers, this further evolved god comes to model “in person” what will really push the evolutionary process even further forward: the pursuit of truth that frees the species (see John 8.32 ).

Tapping the drive of humans to pursue “truth” also proved to be profitable for the species. The culture of what is considered “the West” grew and overcame significant obstacles.  Even though it began from a position far behind the development of the “East” it ended up surpassing the accomplishments of the “East” in many if not most ways. The “West” became dominate, healthy, and “scientific.” With the rise of the “science of evolution” Western humans decided that god was no longer necessary and began the process of trying to exclude this long-held “there is a god” notion that really provided science the very foundation upon which it stood.

Bad evolutionary idea! Why?

Humans need gods to keep them constrained and the current evolutionary stage of science is not expansive enough or powerful enough to take the Judeo-Christian god’s place. The notion that the current form of science can replace god is laughable since scientists are driven to prove each other’s conclusions deficient or incorrect and science itself falls under the precocious whims of its own practitioners. The Judeo-Christian god has a distinct advantage since he is imagined to be “above humans” and to “not share human’s ways or thought patterns” (see Isaiah 55.8-9). If humans are constrained by an authority that cannot be overruled but whose continual desire is for the advancement of the species then the evolutionary process will continue unabated. If, however, the restraint of the Judeo-Christian god is removed, cultural dissolution will soon follow and human advancement as a species will be stinted or stop all together. [Even the so-called “atheistic” Eastern cultures have kept their gods all along, so if these cultures end up superseding the West once again, they will be taking their gods with them.]

I highly recommend Harold O. J. Brown’s The Sensate Culture: Western Civilization Between Chaos and Transformation (ISBN 978-1556351884) for those interested in the philosophy behind the necessity of god for civilization (in general) and, by extension, the necessity of god for the continued promulgation of evolution.

For an opposing evolutionary/philosophical view see OckhamsBeard.

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. (Colossians 1:13-23, ESV)

Posted in Current Events | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Going Viral” is Desirable?

Posted on August 19, 2009 by Robert Franklin

Growing up it was my desire to die sometime in my early 40’s. I thought that it would be best to live life so fully that I would be would be like a light bulb that had used up all its “shining hours.” “Pop!” my filament is severed, life’s electricity no is longer effectual and off to eternity I go, or something like that. I thought that if I could really live for twenty-five years, it would be sufficient and I would not need to endure the indignity of growing older.

I was an idiot! Well, mostly an idiot.

Even as a new teenager, I could foresee that life would continually speed up and that the culture I was presently living in would be nearly unrecognizable by the time I was forty. This perception is proved to be true. Although I am not a mechanic, I did everything there was to do to a motor vehicle when I was “young”: I rebuilt carburetors, replaced clutches, and even pulled and replaced an engine. What is under a hood anymore is nearly unrecognizable. Yesteryear, I used a pencil to dial phone numbers on a black AT&T rotary phone. My pocket cell phone has more memory and performs more complicated functions than the computer I used in college, by a factor of ten. I used a disposable bulb camera and 110 Kodak film to remember where I had been and what I had done. Now I post digitally captured photos to my own personal presence on a thing called the “internet.” The “internet” of my day was a teletype connected to a “mainframe” server located at our local county’s offices. The server took up a room the size of most houses and boasted not even a “green screen” visual interface. In my youth actors didn’t curse on television shows and bad guys fell over into a bloodless heaps after they were dispatched by the “good guys.” Now even “family friendly” shows include the use of words considered at one time to be profane. Violence today must not only include the proper volume of blood spray but also the confusion of whether or not the “good guy” or the “bad guy” is in the right.

virus

And then there is “going viral.”

Viruses were something to be avoided when I was young. That is why we washed our hands after going to the bathroom! Viruses were something to be avoided when I was young. That is why we never opened attachments on our computers unless we were positive of its origin and content. Today, if this blog entry were to go viral I could brag about it to all my friends and garner “oohs and ahhs” of admiration. I would be somebody and maybe could even build a comfortable lifestyle on one small accomplishment gone viral.

And yet even the present day’s sense of “virus” is temporary. Just like the illnesses of my childhood, we still get over things “gone viral.” The kid who can blow milk out of her nose while reciting the ABC’s backward and playing a lively jig on the violin will soon fall back into the great ignominy of being a passing popular distraction.

And so it has been said of the “Jesus Movement” throughout the age since his advent. Yet here I am, experiencing the reality of my “bulb” not burning quite as hotly as I would like anymore and adjusting myself to the fact that my first forty may just be a good and necessary warm up for the next forty and Jesus is still going viral. I am not “over him,” my family is not “over him,” and the world is still unable to ignore him.

Some things really don’t change.

As was Paul’s custom, he went to the synagogue service, and for three Sabbaths in a row he used the Scriptures to reason with the people. He explained the prophecies and proved that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead. He said, “This Jesus I’m telling you about is the Messiah.” Some of the Jews who listened were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with many God-fearing Greek men and quite a few prominent women. But some of the Jews were jealous, so they gathered some troublemakers from the marketplace to form a mob and start a riot. They attacked the home of Jason, searching for Paul and Silas so they could drag them out to the crowd. Not finding them there, they dragged out Jason and some of the other believers instead and took them before the city council. “Paul and Silas have caused trouble all over the world,” they shouted, “and now they are here disturbing our city, too. And Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all guilty of treason against Caesar, for they profess allegiance to another king, named Jesus.” (Acts 17:2-7, NLT)

Posted in Bible Study, Current Events, Devotional | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

School Is In Session

Posted on August 18, 2009 by Robert Franklin

“I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” (John 15:11, NLT)

This time of year always spurs nostalgia for me. I am one of those “wierdos” who really loved school, grammar school, high school, college, graduate school—all of it. I loved the challenge of learning; I loved the smell of books; I loved recess; I loved hanging out and talking about stuff with my classmates and instructors. Every fall when my children go back to school, I deal with the green-eyed monster. I want to go too! One of my dreams is to attain a doctorate so I may trick someone to pay me to go back to school. That would be the ultimate!

One of the great joys of living in America is that even if I can’t do exactly what I want to do, I can at least live vicariously. I teach Junior Achievement at the elementary school. I have an extensive personal library. I can go and play with kids from the Christian Education Centerwhile they are taking their daily break from the classroom. It’s not being back in school, but it is close.

I have lately been challenged to rethink my outlook towards heaven. Several of the books I have recently read (reviews soon to come) remind me that because of Christ this life is a glimpse into eternity. For me school was mostly a positive experience, so I long to repeat the joys of yesterday. What I am called to, however, is a yearning for the completion of present joys, things that are placed in my life to entice me to live with eternity in mind.

When a child’s face brightens when he sees me and he runs to give me a hug: joy. When a favorite meal is placed before me: joy. When a laborious task stands completed: joy. When a sunrise is resplendent in color: joy. When a friend comes alongside to help: joy. When the ocean wave crashes at my feet: joy. When the first spoonful of homemade ice cream is shared: joy. When I witness someone commit themselves to being a life-long follower of Jesus: joy!

All these joys and far more are but a taste of the JOY in store for those who are loved by Christ and indwelled by his Spirit. I am trying to allow God to reorient my mind to not only celebrate the joys in this life, past and present, but to see each joy as a little indication, a short preview, of the uninterrupted bliss that is to be heaven.

Thanks be to God for the foretaste of joy!

Posted in Bible Study, Current Events, Devotional | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

One Duty

Posted on August 17, 2009 by Robert Franklin

So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? “You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. “For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. “Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” (John 13:12-17, NASB95)

This passage is one of my favorites in all the gospel accounts. John, who was intent on portraying Jesus as God in the flesh, captures this moment of extreme humiliation of the Christ. Yes, further degradation was very soon to come, but the followers of Jesus had only this present experience to ponder and were unaware of the impending tumult. The Teacher performed the service none of them would stoop to do. Stripped to his “underwear” Jesus cleaned the feet of the fishermen, of the tax collector, of the betrayer.

God’s commitment to service of the unworthy cannot and should not ever be ignored, indeed this is the picture painted of the Sovereign of Israel in the Jewish Testament as well (see especially Ezekiel 16).

As much as the humility of the Savior enthralls my heart, it is what Jesus does after the feet of the disciples have been attended to that is unbelievable. Jesus puts his clothes back on and teaches the twelve as their Master. The dichotomy of experience surely must have caused the ones who experienced this first hand to suffer some sort of mental whiplash: Master of slave; servant to slaves; Teacher of slaves (and now of friends, see John 15.15).

Main Street is considering our fourth purpose for existence this upcoming Sunday: to serve our community and world in Jesus’ name. In our service-driven culture, the idea of being a servant rather than the one served is nearly foreign to us. In our homes we expect someone else to clean up after us, to feed us, to take care of the yard. At our workplaces we walk by full trash cans and dirty coffee pots because that is “someone else’s job.” At our churches we silently thank the faithful few for doing enough so that we don’t have to do anything at all except show up and enjoy the show.

Jesus says to all his disciples, “Be like me!” It is not an option, it is not nice idea like “pay it forward.” It is an obligation, the one duty of the follower of Jesus, no exceptions.

Posted in Bible Study, Current Events, Devotional | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Moving Mountains

Posted on August 14, 2009 by Robert Franklin

…For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. (Matthew 17:20, ESV)

The home of my childhood years faced east toward the Cascade mountain range. If I stood tiptoed on the ancient, but tall, baseboard in my room I could just get my chin on the windowsill and watch the sun rise over Mount Hood. We were pretty poor and a trip to those snow-covered slopes was out of the question, even if they were only a short forty-five minute drive away. When the wind blew, which it most often did, the mountain was close enough that the discerning nose could detect the scent of pine trees and snow. It was wonderful, but too distant for my purposes.

Sunrise Over Mt Hood 

I heard the preacher read about the faith of the mustard seed. He went on for some time about how small the mustard seed was and how Jesus promised that if we had just that amount of faith, then we could move mountains. Across the street stood Gresham High School, its recreational facilities fully visible from my front porch. The same window that afforded the beauties of Mt. Hood also served as a birds-eye view of Thursday and Friday night football games. I liked football just fine, my brothers and I played regularly in the side yard, but I really wanted to play in the snow. I figured that I could muster mustard seed faith and that the space of the football field and its adjoining parking facilities would serve quite nicely as the new resting place for my beloved distant mountain.

I believed as hard as I could. I prayed for more belief. The mountain remained right where God placed it. I was confused for I was sure that I certainly had attained at least the minimum to get things started. I thought maybe it took a little time for the faith to take effect. I knew mountain moving must be a chore even for God, so I waited and believed and waited and believed. Mt. Hood remained a remote mock to the measure of my belief.

Mt. Hood’s steadfastness caused me to begin to doubt whether or not I had enough faith to even believe in God, Jesus or the Bible. I wrestled against what, in my heart, I knew to be absolute truth and what, in my head, seemed to fall short of adding up. I talked to some Christians I respected and they told me that faith was blind, that I just had to trust. Anger welled up inside me because many mornings I had squeezed my eyes shut so God could do whatever necessary to move the mountain without my peeking. I trusted God, or at least I thought I did. My quandary remained and doubt grew. Maybe it was all just a big lie.

The grace I found in the midst of my struggle settled, once and for all, the issue of faith. Yes, I still have periods of serious doubt and I question the reality and of God, Jesus, and the truth of the Bible even though I now am charged with teaching others about God and Jesus and the truth of the Bible. Yet, in my continued quest to find the answer to why “my mountain” would not budge I came upon the consistent testimony of God’s revelation regarding faith: faith doesn’t equal belief. Jesus had not provided us a tip on how we could tap into the power of the cosmos and recreate our reality, Jesus had not given us the key to get God to do whatever we wanted, Jesus had simply, clearly and concisely confessed that when our heart is God’s heart and our mind is God’s mind not even a mountain is able to stand. When the follower of Jesus understands that a mountain must make way for God to accomplish his purposes on earth, that mountian will be moved. My selfish, howbeit perfectly reasonable, request to move the mountain closer so I could play had nothing to do with the kingdom of my Sovereign, just the kingdom of my own limited soul.

Faith: the appropriate response to God’s revelation of himself. In my life I have seen more than a few “mountains move” even though Mt. Hood is still where it was majestically perched three decades ago and I look forward to seeing many more mountains pick up their whitened skirts and make way for the coming work of God, for I do possess the faith of a mustard seed.

Mt Hood in Daylight

 

For more on the Cascade mountain range:  http://www.gonorthwest.com/Oregon/cascades/cascades_or.htm

Posted in Bible Study, Devotional | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Faith and Doubt Pt. 2

Posted on August 12, 2009 by Robert Franklin

“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:17-18, ESV)

James’ faith definition is the subject of consternation and debate. I think much has been made over a simple matter. James is not saying that we may attain right standing with God by the sum of our works. James is clearly stating that faith is not faith if it does not act. What is the matter with that? I may believe an airplane is capable of transporting people and freight through the air from one place to another with all my heart, but I have no faith until I put myself at risk by taking a seat and fastening the safety belt. I may believe that a chair is structurally sound and useful for supporting my body as I recline, but until I have placed my back parts at the mercy of the chair’s struggle against gravity, I have exercised no faith.

Christian faith states that God is God of me without exception. Christian faith states that because God is God I must obey his command and reflect his authority in my life. It is never a static thing and may not be reduced to “belief.” James tells us that faith is, by nature, dynamic. The movement of faith is applied in practical, everyday choices we make to place our own interests and desires in submission to God’s design and direction.

I come to know Jesus as savior by receiving him first as Lord of my heart. My faith is working by the transfer of authority. I follow Jesus by first learning what he expects of me, then doing as he commands. American’s still admit “they believe” but practice nearly no faith whatsoever, even in the church. What often is denoted as “faith” is self-serving belief. “If I just believe hard enough then my mom will get well,” “If I just believe correctly enough I will get a job,” “If I just believe purely enough my relationship with my spouse will be healed,” people think. Faith says, “I know God is the great physician and will heal my mom if that is best.” Faith says, “I know God provides for my every need, so whatever work I find is worthy of my efforts and I will be grateful.” Faith says, “God so loved me that he gave the riches of heaven to express that love, even to the point of death. That love is inside of me and I will pour myself out for the sake of love.”

Faith says…

Posted in Bible Study, Devotional | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment