“You can’t take God out of the equation of creation and it not have ethical side effects. If your cosmology is based on natural selection . . . there is no moral path to dignity or equality. It’s a crapshoot that ultimately leads to a cul-de-sac where materialism, relativism, and nihilism make their permanent residence.”- Mark Batterson
“Christians believe in the virgin birth of Jesus. Atheists believe in the virgin birth of the universe. Choose your miracle.”- Glen Scrivener, ordained Church of England minister
In Chapter 5 (“Sleeping Beauties”) of A Million Little Miracles, Mark Batterson underscores that every human being shares 99.9 percent of the same DNA. Yet, the 0.1 percent genetic variance makes a big difference. Above all, that diversity serves as a testament to God’s creativity. Because, courtesy of your parents, you possess a unique genetic fingerprint.
Furthermore, Mark notes, the Human Genome Project has identified about one hundred thousand genes. And those genes perform a variety of functions. However, like most other microscopic miracles, we take them for granted.
Most significantly, states neuroscientist David Linden, it’s possible for variation in two different genes to add up to more than the sum of their small effects. In addition, the four-letter code ACGT denotes the human genome. A code that’s three billion letters long. Hence, reciting that code at a rate of one letter per second would take thirty-one years.
In conclusion, Pastor Batterson takes a position directly opposite of Charles Darwin. Mark asserts that human beings, even with all their ignoble qualities, still bear in their bodily frame the indelible stamp of their divine origin.
Certainly, Mark states, one cannot prove or disprove intelligent design. But intelligent design makes more sense than some scientists care to admit.
In contrast, Sir Fred Doyle, who coined the term big bang, observes:
“Let’s be scientifically honest. The probability of life arising to greater and greater complexity by chance through evolution is the same probability as having a tornado teat through a hjunk yeard and form a Boeing 747 jetliner.”
Today’s question: What do you see as the result of taking God out of the equation of creation? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “A testament to God’s ingenuity”