On Fri, 19 Jul 1996 11:48:51 -0400 (EDT), lhaarsma@OPAL.TUFTS.EDU wrote:
LH>I sure can't let this one slip past either:
>
>PD>I would agree that the intervention would be at the origin of the
>basic design. This concept works for both TE and a special
>creation model.
>SJ> Agreed about "special creation" but AFAIK
>"TE" has no original theory of "basic design" unique to itself -
>it believes in the same random mutation + natural selection
>mechanism as Naturalistic Evolution, with no intervention by God.
LH>Do let's remember the importance of providential guidance.
>There is a universe of difference between Deism and Theism.
By not addressing my substantive point that: "`TE has no original
theory of `basic design' unique to itself", ie. "it believes in the
same random mutation + natural selection mechanism as Naturalistic
Evolution, with no intervention by God", do you not implicitly
confirm it? :-)
Just adding "providential guidance" to the Darwinian "mechanism"
of "random mutation + natural selection" does not establish any
"original theory" by "TE".
Now if "TE" could actually develop a "theory of `basic design' unique
to itself" that differs in its predictions from what "Naturalistic
Evolution", would predict (this is now difficult because NE has been
progressively accommodated to fit the facts), then "TE" would join
the ranks of theistic realists who believe that God actually makes a
difference in the real world:
"A theistic realist assumes that the universe and all its creatures
were brought into existence for a purpose by God. Theistic realists
expect this "fact" of creation to have empirical, observable con-
sequences that are different from the consequences one would observe
if the universe were the product of nonrational causes (such as
Jacques Monod's "chance and necessity")." (Johnson P.E., "Reason in
the Balance", InterVarsity Press: Downers Grove Ill., 1995,
p208-209)
God bless.
Steve
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