Here are some terms that may be useful. If you disagree with them, it
may be beneficial to clear up our disagreements at the "definition" stage
before these terms are applied to psychology or evolution.
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Matter in Random Motion (MIRM): If an event occurs with everything (for
every particle) happening according to the probabilities predicted by
Quantum Mechanics (QM). // Of course, in calling this "matter" I'm
including "energy" and am assuming that all forces/fields/... are also
operating.
Theistic Action (TA): If God is somehow active in changing "what would
have happened, according to MIRM" into "what actually happens."
TA is an ontological concept, re: what exists and is really happening.
Two suffixes are useful for epistemology, re: our human knowledge of
"what exists and is happening," and our theories/claims about these.
Miraculous-Appearing Theistic Action (MTA): If God's action appears to
be "miraculous" to a person, because it differs from our expectations for
"how things usually happen." For example, I would classify the healing in
Acts 3 to be MTA; from the responses in Acts 3-4, this event was perceived
as miraculous by those who observed it.
Smooth-Appearing Theistic Action (STA): If God's action appears to
blend smoothly with the usual workings of nature, so a person does not
perceive that anything "unusual" has happened, despite the TA.
Of course, if TA really is smoothly-blending, by definition it is a
matter of human judgment (epistemology) whether an event is MIM or STA, but
the reality (ontology) is distinctly different. And it is a matter of
subjective judgment, whether or not something appears to be STA or MTA,
although in either case the ontology (God was active) is similar.
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Deism: If God initially creates a "clockwork universe" and then takes a
hands-off approach, simply letting everything run according to the natural
laws he has set into operation, with all events being MIM.
Theism: Contrasted with hands-off MIRM deism, if God is "active" in
ways such as those described in the Bible -- by doing obvious miracles, by
controlling environments and events, or by providing mental/emotional
support (with wisdom, love, gentleness, courage,...) as needed for life.
With deism, God is *never* active (so events are 100% MIRM); and with
theism, God is *sometimes* active (STA and MTA > 0%, and MIRM < 100%).
Atheism: If there is no God to create (as in deism & theism) or to be
an active participant in the history of the universe (as in theism).
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This post is followed by T-D #2-#4.
Craig Rusbult
Madison, WI -- rusbult@macc.wisc.edu,
website ---- "Science and Design: Methods for Using
Creativity and Critical Thinking in Problem Solving"
http://labweb.soemadison.wisc.edu/users/rusbult/