This month, we've been addressing some reader questions on the topic of evolution. Having looked at how God's intentions could be realized via a process that leaves degrees of freedom for creation, and how those intentions could be communicated and realized in a way that is not coercive, I want to elaborate on the source and nature of variation in evolution. This whole conversation started when I brought up research findings that indicated a retroviral sequence plays a role in human embryonic development. If evolution … [Read more...] about Science Reader Question: Fugue in the Key of Adenine
evolution
Science Reader Question: Seated at the Right 01101001 of God
Last week I started a series responding to reader questions about evolution. I explored the idea that God expresses his creativity by defining relationships while leaving matters of form at least partially open for creation to work out. If God does create that way, then an evolutionary process seems plausible as a method for creation. However, I can see where my description of God specifying requirements might seem at odds with my claim that God is continually creating and instead raise questions about deism. Indeed, … [Read more...] about Science Reader Question: Seated at the Right 01101001 of God
Science Reader Question: Evolutionary Project Management
A few months back, I received some questions here on the blog about evolutionary biology and its implications for Christian theology. They probed broadly and deeply, covering original sin, the problem of evil and many of the topics everyone asks about and indeed have been asking about since long before anyone conceived of a theory of evolution. These questions warrant more detailed answers than a few comments can provide, so I will be taking a look at them in some depth over the next few weeks. Looking ahead, I expect … [Read more...] about Science Reader Question: Evolutionary Project Management
Science in Review: Playing God
Note: This discussion contains spoilers for Avengers: Age of Ultron; I recommend watching the film first. I come to praise Joss Whedon, not to bury him. There is much to enjoy about Avengers: Age of Ultron, and it touches on a number of themes worthy of further exploration. Astonishing visuals do a lot of narrative heavy lifting; the action choreography reveals a lot about the characters and their relationships. Consequently, the film has plenty of opportunities to share what's on its mind. And apparently, that's … [Read more...] about Science in Review: Playing God
Science Corner: A Vision of Science
Note: This is a spoiler-free comment on Avengers: Age of Ultron. If you have seen any trailers for the film or are at all familiar with the character of Ultron, none of this should be news. Assuming a single weekend doesn't allow for many repeat viewings, roughly 25 million people in the US alone have already seen Avengers: Age of Ultron. It's hard to imagine any other science topics getting wider exposure. Films like this are great opportunities to glimpse how the broader public approaches various scientific topics, … [Read more...] about Science Corner: A Vision of Science