Saturday, July 31, 2010

The Physical Evolution of Spiritual Man

A common Christian objection to evolution is that this process would render humans, created in the image of God, spiritually indistinct from animals. This objection is fallacious.

If evolutionary theory is indeed correct, then humans and other animals indeed came into being by the same physical processes of genetic mutation, phenotypical realization and natural selection. Moreover, modern humans are the descendants of earlier hominids, which in turn are the descendants of early apelike primates, and so on to the first single-celled organism. There is thus a physical kinship among all Earthly living species.

The anti-evolutionist's argument goes something like this.

1. If evolution is true, then all living species have a common means of physical origin.

2. All creatures with a common physical origin share a spiritual condition.

3. Therefore, if evolution is true, then all living species share a spiritual condition.

4. But all species do not share a spiritual condition, as per Christian teaching and common observation, so evolution is false.

But what is the justification for the second premise? Man's spiritual uniqueness is manifest in his moral sense, his longing for meaning, and his desire and ability to commune with his Creator. These attributes may be enabled by certain neural structures, but their real significance is spiritual, and Christians view them as God's work, either by acts of special creation or through evolution. Even anti-evolution Christians usually accept that all living things are somewhat similar, in their common genetic code, mechanisms of motion and nutrition and their survival needs, among many many other categories. Admitting these physical similarities, they still see man as spiritually unique. Why should they regard origin differently?

Thursday, July 29, 2010

What Does It Mean to Rely on God?

The importance of "relying on God" is a common topic in Christian parlance, easy to dismiss as cliche, difficult to understand, more difficult to practice. What does it mean to rely on God and not on one's self.

I see two broad components to the concept. The first is spiritual, the second practical. Christianity teaches that all mankind is sinful, living in a state of disobedience toward God, and as a result, separation from him. It is God's desire to resolve this separation, and he must eradicate mankind's sin in order to do so. To rely on God is to accept that it is God and not man who atones for and eradicates sin through the death and resurrection of Christ his Son. None of man's good works, earnest remorse or cleansing rituals is sufficient to purge man of the practical habits or spiritual desolation of sin. We learn to rely on God first for salvation.

This reliance should manifest itself in a new way of practical living. To me, this sort of reliance is a much more difficult concept. Whatever my spiritual state, aren't my legs carrying me, my hands cleaning, my work providing the money for my needs? I see three major practices by which Christians rely on God. The first is prayer for all of one's needs. Jesus' model prayer in Matthew 6 includes the request "Give us this day our daily bread," confirming both that it is proper to pray for one's basic needs and that one must do so regularly. It recognizes that even if our circumstances allow us to provide for ourselves, God is the author of those circumstances. The second practice is to avoid worry, as Jesus instructs shortly thereafter. This is a difficult practice, seemingly requiring an impossible mastery of one's thoughts. However, one can certainly recognize oneself worrying, and in those circumstances, focus one's attention elsewhere. Finally, one must not use dishonest means to overcome difficult circumstances.

As individuals describe it, "relying on God" often sounds like a mystical experience, the result of a mysterious sensation of assurance of God's provision. I do not want to deny the possibility of such experiences. But more importantly, I want to emphasize the practical aspects of this idea.

Welcome to The Stone Water Jar

In an effort to get back to writing, I am beginning a new blog dedicated to thoughts on Christianity. I have a tendency to write treatises. Here, I hope to write posts that are frequent, hopefully two per week, and short, less than 300 words, intended to provoke thoughts, not to settle them.

For readers who do not know me personally, I have no clerical or scholarly credentials on subjects related to Christianity. I have a bachelor's degree in chemistry and philosophy, and I'm beginning a PhD in chemistry. In theological matters, I'm an interested amateur. Use good judgment in evaluating what I have to say. I am intending to address an audience of Christians and I will always assume basic familiarity with the Bible and with Christian teaching.

The title of the blog alludes to John 2, in which Jesus turns the water in six stone jars into new wine, foreshadowing the new life to be realized in God's kingdom. May these writings be a part of that realization.