My Answer To An Atheistic Evolutionist

Recently an evolutionist commented on my post about the amazing Jewel Roach Wasp. I felt his comment and my response might be helpful to some who are concerned with the ongoing creation/evolution debate. I have posted our comments below but you may read the whole post with comments here. If you aren't familiar with the Jewel Wasp I would encourage you to go to the post.

Evolutionist's Comment: Yes, this predatory behavior is quite amazing. But how could this possibly be the creation of loving God? God clearly does not love cockroaches since He created this wasp to devour them alive and very slowly. No, I believe this speaks to wonderment of evolution - though perhaps in a more complex manner than simple random mutation in concert with natural selection. There is no need, and in this case good reason not, to bring God into it.

My Response: Thanks for the comment. It takes me back to my childhood when I would sit at the feet of my grandfather, a lifelong atheist, and listen intently as he extolled the intellectual virtue of atheism and dismissed the existence of a god. My grandfather was also knowledgeable about the Bible and theology. I credit him with helping to influence my natural curiosity, and promoting a need to question and then find answers. That need ultimately led to my conversion to Christianity. Something, by the way, my grandfather had no problem with... Since those early years I have been an avid reader of both theology and biology.

You imply that the wasp’s action breaches some moral standard. As an evolutionist what is your source for the moral standard you used to indict the creator of the wasp?

I am always amused when an evolutionist uses moral conscience to ding God for creating predators, disease, disability, etc. since atheistic evolution has no root morality. In evolution the predator’s violence, human or animal, is what it is… not right--not wrong. Reversing your question shows the desert-like starkness of evolution: How could this possibly be the creation of a loving evolution? Evolution knows no love, mercy, or morality… The amorality of evolution drove the horrible crimes of Dr. Josef Mengele and his 20th century ilk. Moral consciousness will always sense the anti-morality of atheistic evolution...

Those who read Christian theology know there is a clear Biblical reason for predation. In fact the reason predators continue to exist is found in the transitive attributes of mercy and grace flowing from the love of God. Immorality, with all its horrible effects, was introduced into physical creation by mankind, so it is mankind who carries the guilt of predation. It is the mercy of God in Jesus Christ's death, burial, and resurrection that allows this complex, grievous, system to continue for a time. And this is only so that some of us will be saved from our guilt and its consequences. So... yes there is very good reason to bring God into this issue.

I am very interested in the detail of your evolutionary scheme. Being an avid student of biology I must necessarily read evolutionists weekly. I would really like to study the evolutionary system you mention that specifically answers the problems, with supporting evidence, posed to evolution by the complexity of the Jewel Roach Wasp. I've never read an explanation anywhere. Frankly... I don't think an answer exists... But you are welcome to post it here for my readers to examine. Its easy to say, “No, I believe this speaks to wonderment of evolution - though perhaps in a more complex manner than simple random mutation in concert with natural selection.” But much harder to display the detail of this mysterious wonderment. If you cannot support your statement yourself then please post a link to the evidence specifically answering the peculiar evolutionary problems presented by the Jewel Roach Wasp. I await your evidence.

Valor

For U.S citizens Valor is one of our most sacred words. The word appears on our 3 highest combat medals, including the Medal of Honor, awarded to brave soldiers for heroic combat service.

The modern definition of valor is: exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger. Old Testament Hebrew adds the concept of worth or value to the definition, but not in the sense of economic riches. It points to the value of the individual’s character and actions for the community he serves. A person might be rich, but riches can’t buy valor.

The word also carries moral weight. A criminal might be daring, but that is not Valor. Valor is a moral virtue. It also is not used in the Bible exclusively for men or for bravery in battle. It is translated “virtuous” when used of Ruth, and the woman in Proverbs 31.

In the Scriptures it seems to be reserved for people who show uncommon firmness, strength, and character in the face of extreme opposition. While it properly is used for our brave soldiers, police officers, and fire fighters, it could also be used for those who willingly sacrifice their lives and/or overcome great personal obstacles for the sake of others.

Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, ...was also a mighty man in valor, 2 Kings 5:1

Army Ants

Army Ants get their name from the unique behavior of moving in orderly, large formations while systematically destroying or severely injuring every living thing in their path. They kill for food. By shear strength of numbers, 3,000 to 10,000 attacks per hour, they overwhelm all sorts of insects, lizards, large spiders, scorpions, and even snakes.

These “raids” include hundreds of thousands of ants, all with specific jobs, in fan shaped formations that span dozens of feet in front and then narrow to a busy path to the bivouac. Some defend the flanks while others attack and cut up the prey. Then others haul the remains to the rear. Their roadway has three lanes: two going to the front, and one in the middle returning to the rear with the spoils of war. Because they are so effective they must regularly move their camp to find food.

Some people value these warriors as natural pesticides. They leave their houses for a day or two while the ants search and destroy, and then they return to a pest free house. Certain birds and other animals make their living following the raids. In some countries these ants are called “driver ants” because they “drive” fleeing insects and animals across the forest floor as they attack. These frightened escaping creatures become prey for the birds.

When they face a gap or small body of water they create a living bridge (pictured) for others to walk over. They will even spread themselves over holes in the path so others can move more quickly. In a flood they form a ball and float to safety. At the end of each day they form a bivouac with their bodies surrounding their queen. Oh… did I tell they are all blind! Amazing complexity...

Will I Ever Find True Love?

Let love be without dissimulation. Romans 12:9a

Dissimulation means hypocrisy. Christian love should be genuine... heartfelt... But what is genuine love?

Today the idea of real love can be easily clouded and confused. Perhaps this comes from the painful violations of love woven into the fabric of our culture. An innocent child loses her dad to divorce; a husband loses his wife to adultery; a mother loses custody... True love is then eclipsed by the intense struggle to be loved, or the fear, brought by pain and naked vulnerability, that I might not find true love.

Pain can cause us to focus on ourselves and our needs which then fogs the path to experiencing true love. So our relationships become influenced by our need to be loved… or our fear of emotional pain. Not the foundation upon which enduring Christian relationships are built.

How can I be sure love is genuine? By first learning that the only love I can influence is my love. I have no control over how someone loves me… but I can work on how I love them. I must love others without hypocrisy… seek to love without condition. Genuine love, love without dissimulation, is one way love. A Jesus kind of love…

A Mother's Body... Made To Protect Her Child

Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13

We all are aware of the wonderful system of child birth. A mother’s body becomes the sanctuary in which an infant is protected while it develops. Scientists have recently discovered a process designed to protect an infant's brain during the trauma of child birth.

It seems the mother’s body chemically protects her child’s brain during delivery by temporarily silencing the child’s brain cells. Recent studies identify the hormone oxytocin as the chemical from the mother’s body used to induce this temporary mental silence. Oxytocin is very important to childbirth, motherhood, and life in general.

Another recent interesting find concerning motherhood is that there are particular neural circuits involving several regions in a mother’s brain tied specifically to her child’s voice. Everyone has known that a mother can pick her child’s voice from a crowd of noisy children, but now we know why. When a mother first identifies a child as her child (this includes adopted children), God biologically gives that child’s voice an exclusive permanent space in his/her mother’s brain. Our Father in heaven is amazing!

Oh... by the way, the picture is of Betsy Barnes, my daughter, and her youngest child, Collin... oh how my Father has blessed me!