The Reality of God: The Layman's Guide to Scientific Evidence for the Creator by Steven R. Hemler

Author:Steven R. Hemler [Hemler, Steven R.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Saint Benedict Press
Published: 2015-02-19T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

FOUND IN A LAYERED

EXPLANATION

OF EVOLUTION

A more complete way to understand evolution is found in what is called a “layered explanation.”135 A “layered explanation” means that things can be explained by multiple levels of understanding, in a plurality of compatible explanations.

This can be understood by considering the question, “Why is the pot of water boiling?” At a physical level, the boiling water in a pot can be explained by the increasingly rapid movement and collisions of water molecules. At another level, it can be explained by the fact that someone turned on the stove. And, at a still deeper level the boiling water can be explained by someone’s desire for a cup of tea.

It is important to note that these various levels of understanding need not compete with each other. It is not a matter of being forced to accept one rather than another explanation. All of these explanations are true and they can happily coexist without conflicting with each another.

Similarly, the evolution of life can also be understood by a plurality of compatible layers of explanation. Let’s consider the question: “Why are there so many species of life?” One answer could be because of dramatic events in natural history (e.g., climate change or an asteroid colliding with earth). And, on a Darwinian level there are so many species because of natural selection acting on random genetic mutations. Furthermore, at a deeper theological level there are so many species because of divine creativity, wisdom, and causation.

The deeper “I want a cup of tea” level could be considered equivalent to the role of God’s divine providence and wisdom in ordaining and sustaining the evolution of life on earth; whereas, the movement of water molecules in the kettle can be seen as equivalent to a purely materialistic understanding of the evolution of life.

Again, these various levels of understanding need not compete with each other. The theological explanation need not conflict with the natural history or Darwinian explanations. All of these explanations of life’s diversity are valid and they each can coexist without conflicting with one another.

Furthermore, it is important to note that the most meticulous scientific examination of molecular movement in the pot will never reveal the “I want a cup of tea” reason for the boiling water. Similarly, a purely naturalistic and materialistic understanding of evolution will not reveal God’s role in the origin and evolution of life. Even the most exhaustive scientific examination of natural processes cannot prove the absence of divine causality.

In another analogy, consider Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet in which the tragic deaths of these two young lovers brings a reconciliation between their feuding families. Why did these two families stop feuding? Was it because of the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, or because Shakespeare wrote the play that way? Both are causes, but on different levels. The deaths of Romeo and Juliet are causes within the plot of the play. However, Shakespeare was the primary intelligent cause of these events in that he conceived everything in the play, including the characters and all their actions in the play’s plot.

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