Let’s quit calling evolution a “theory.” When Darwin first proposed the concept, evolution was a theory. It’s not any more – it’s a reality.
Gravity was a theory too, when Newton first advanced it. But no one today would step off a cliff because he believes gravity is an unproven theory.
Evolution is not open for debate or denial. No more than, say, the mathematical concept that one plus one equals two. Or the value of pi.
Darwin did not invent evolution. He recognized what had been there all along.
Since then, not one scientific discovery has disproven evolution. Yes, new findings have forced reconsideration of details. Creatures assumed extinct, like the coelacanth, have been found not extinct at all. Newly found jawbones raise questions about when humans became a distinct species.
But no archaeological or geological finding has yet refuted the reality of evolutionary development.
The concept of evolution has been repeatedly backed up by research in other sciences. Astronomy, for example. DNA and microbiology. Plant breeding. Dentistry. Sociology.
Denial of evolution derives from only one source – two chapters at the beginning of the Bible. Which were never intended to be literal history. As literal truth, they contradict each other. They were intended as a metaphor, a story, to explain to a pre-scientific people how evil exists in a world supposedly created by God and declared “good.”
Four characteristics
If we can accept evolution as a fact, a universal truth, what lessons might we learn from it?
First, I suggest, that evolution never goes backwards. There are no instances, for example, of birds reverting to dinosaurs. Of humans growing prehensile tails. Of galaxies devolving to plasma.
Donald Trump’s policies may be a throwback, but they’re applied in a never-before context.
Second, that evolution always moves from the simple to the complex. Single cell creatures become multicelled, which become segmented, which become vertebrates. Reproduction moves from asexual cell splitting to sexual blending, from egg-laying to nurturing live young. Technology moves from fingers to tools to power tools to computers. Space dust clumps into stars, into galaxies.
We humans are far more complex creatures than any of our ancestors.
Biologically, some species may seem static – horseshoe crabs have changed little in 445 million years -- but the environment they live in has changed dramatically, and therefore so have the ways those crabs interact with it.
Third, evolution never puts all its eggs in one basket. It never relies on a single solution. Every new birth is an evolutionary experiment.
Some experiments may eventually turn into dead-ends. That doesn't mean evolution made a mistake. Polar bears’ white coats, thick fur, and insulating fat enabled them to survive for millennia in a bitter Arctic environment, even though those same characteristics may become a liability in a warming climate.
Fourth, that evolution always moves towards healing. It should be obvious – nature always tries to heal its wounds, be they landslides, volcanoes, wars, or concrete cities.
Clearly, we humans do not promote healing for the earth. Not even for our own social structures. Our garbage, our effluents, our structures all act against healing.
Taking seriously what evolution teaches us might influence the kinds of decisions we humans make and the policies we follow.
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Copyright © 2017 by Jim Taylor. Non-profit use in congregations and study groups, and links from other blogs, welcomed; all other rights reserved.
To comment on this column, write jimt@quixotic.ca
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YOUR TURN
Last week’s column about different styles of road building seems to have hit a responsive note.
Tom Watson adapted my metaphor: “It strikes me that the same thing happens in human relationships. Rather than addressing the root cause of what caused the erosion, we apply a bit of duct tape, pave over the rough patch, and soldier bravely on in the hope that things will stabilize with time.”
Ted Wilson also applied the metaphor: “Paving it over describes the electoral reform process here in Canada as well. When the Federal Liberals were in third place in the last House of Commons but had received a much larger share of the popular vote than the number of seats they held, they were all for a Proportional Representation model of Government. Now that they are in power and their seat count is greater than their share of the votes cast in the last election, Proportional Representation doesn’t seem to be such a good idea.
It will be interesting to see how things play out provincially once the present grid lock is resolved. For the benefit of readers not familiar with the current situation here in B. C., our recent election gave us a minority situation with a one-seat split between the leading party and their collective opponents. Neither side can form a government and appoint a Speaker from within their own ranks. As is typical in recent election campaigns, Proportional Representation was a hot button issue -- all parties paid it lip service… [and not much more! JT]
As did Bob Rollwagen: “Road builders know that putting a layer of asphalt over old surface issues is only temporary as the crack will be mirrored in the new surface within one to two years. Removing old defective material from a road bed is easy and the best approach. I have yet to find a way to remove the similar material from organizations run by power seeking individuals. Evidence the current issues running the world’s greatest nations.
Sam Strauss called the road-building analogy: “Wonderful metaphor.”
Robert Caughell noted, “Some local communities think ahead to minimize future road (re)construction. Before they complete road work now they are extending services to handle future expansion. Everything, cable, electrical, etc. installed once before paving is done.”
In the midst of the whirlwind surrounding her mother’s death, Isabel Gibson took time to write: “Thanks for your metaphor of road construction - complete renewal versus paving over. Thanks too to Valentina Gal for her thoughtful comments [about prayer]. I learned something from them.”
The column two weeks ago about prayer continues to produce feedback. David Gilchrist wrote, “I’m a week behind -- as usual -- and I was interested in the responses to last week’s column. I think I see where Valentina is coming from. Like you, I don’t expect God to fix things; but I see real value in prayers of intercession, both public (congregational) and personal. It at least acknowledges that we are aware of something needing fixing.
“Most often, it is true, we hear petitions from the pulpit, and think that we can do nothing about the situation. But sometimes, as we meditate on the issue, we realize that we can write a letter for Amnesty or send an email to our MP or MLA, or take something to a person in real need.
“As for personal prayers, once we have taken the time and thought to put the thought into words, it is surprising how ‘God’ answers by getting a message through our thick skulls about what we can do.”
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PSALM PARAPHRASES
The lectionary gives me a choice this week of Psalm 116, or Psalm 100. I choose Psalm 100, mostly so that I can draw attention to Linnea Good’s wonderful song called “Make a Joyful Noise…” It closely follows Psalm 100, but it rocks!
I’ll quote only the chorus:
Make a joyful noise, all the earth!
Worship your God with gladness.
Make a joyful noise, all the earth.
Come to this place with a song!
You can sample the song at https://soundcloud.com/linneagood; scroll down to Psalm 100. (Disclosure: this is not a paid commercial.)
For paraphrases of most of the psalms used by the Revised Common Lectionary, you can order my book Everyday Psalms from Wood Lake Publishing, info@woodlake.com.
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YOU SCRATCH MY BACK…
Ralph Milton most recent project, Sing Hallelujah -- the world’s first video hymnal -- consists of 100 popular hymns, both new and old, on five DVDs that can be played using a standard DVD player and TV screen, for use in congregations who lack skilled musicians to play piano or organ. More details at www.singhallelujah.ca
Isabel Gibson's thoughtful and well-written blog, www.traditionaliconoclast.com
Wayne Irwin's "Churchweb Canada," an inexpensive service for any congregation wanting to develop a web presence, with free consultation. <http://www.churchwebcanada.ca>
Alva Wood's satiric stories about incompetent bureaucrats and prejudiced attitudes in a small town are not particularly religious, but they are fun; write alvawood@gmail.com to get onto her mailing list.
Tom Watson writes a weekly blog called “The View from Grandpa Tom’s Balcony” -- ruminations on various subjects, and feedback from Tom’s readers. Write him at twatson@sentex.net
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TECHNICAL STUFF
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