...the human genome contains nonfunctional elements in the precise spot where they can be found on the chromosomes of lower animals. If God was creating humans afresh, Collins asked, "why would he insert a pseudo-gene that has lost its ability to do anything in the same place that it appears in a chimp?" Barring evolution, "you're forced to the conclusion that God was trying to mislead us and test our faith--and I have trouble with that kind of conjecture."
I personally am not forced into this false dilemma, simply because we are unable to understand the totality of the Fall on all of Creation - maybe this pseudo-gene is a charateristic of the physical template corrupted by the Fall?
Anyway, I found this article by Mike Gene helpful.
Collins acknowledges the reasonable nature of the hypothesis of common design. It’s not until the common feature becomes demonstrably functionless that this hypothesis breaks down. But until that point is reached, common design is a
reasonable alternative to common descent. What makes this all the more interesting is that because science does not consider intelligent design, it often leaps from similarities to common descent; the plausible teleological alternative is ruled out only by the game rules. And unfortunately for Collins’, he quickly forgets this point.
-JD
1 comment:
Hello Mr. Longmire,
I'm visiting your blog for the first time. John J. (fomerly of Van Cleave) recommended that I stop by. (I knew John J. at USM.)
You have put together a very interesting blog.
Since you have an interest in ID you might find the following link to be of interest:
http://www.firstthings.com/ftissues/ft0510/opinion/barr.html (there are many, many articles on the "First Things" website (run by the ecumenical journal "First Things") that touch on ID. Not all the readers share Mr. Barr's viewpoints.
It also appears that you have a strong interest in Reformed theology and a musical vocation. My wife and I were music majors at USM and attended both First Presbyterian (when Dr. Taylor was pastor) and Reformed University Fellowship (when it was tiny, and perhaps it still is). Last fall we swam the Tiber but still feel strong affection for our "Reformed" years (which led to our Anglican years and then to Rome).
And of course, we are parents too!
Best of luck and many blessings to you and yours.
G.H. (gaharne/at/alumni/dot/princeton-dot-edu)
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