{"id":5642,"date":"2009-06-02T06:05:23","date_gmt":"2009-06-02T12:05:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/community\/jesuscreed\/2009\/06\/02\/evolution-the-image-of-god-and-speech-rjs\/"},"modified":"2013-02-08T05:57:35","modified_gmt":"2013-02-08T11:57:35","slug":"evolution-the-image-of-god-and-speech-rjs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jesuscreed\/2009\/06\/02\/evolution-the-image-of-god-and-speech-rjs\/","title":{"rendered":"Evolution, the Image of God, and Speech (RJS)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

SMcK comments up front: This is one of the most interesting posts we\u2019ve seen from RJS, and I hope you read it, take it in, and offer your observations. Anyone who talks about evolution needs to talk about these sorts of facts and observations.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Mouse2<\/span><\/p>\n

FROM RJS: <\/strong>Last Saturday Science and the Sacred<\/a><\/strong><\/em> highlighted a recent article, published in Cell and covered in the NY Times<\/a><\/strong><\/em>, where scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany produced a genetically engineered mouse with the human FOXP2<\/sub> gene inserted in place of the mouse gene. (The picture is a generic one from wikipedia \u2013 I don\u2019t know what kind of mouse was used for these experiments \u2013 probably not as cute.) The researchers used a mouse model to explore the influence of FOXP2<\/sub> because it is scientifically and ethically impossible to perform such studies on chimpanzees \u2013 the animal species with closest genetic similarity to humans.<\/p>\n

The FOXP2<\/sub> gene is found in all mammals and is implicated in the development of speech in humans,\u00a0 Mutations in this gene affect language development, articulation, and grammar. This is not the only \u201clanguage gene\u201d but it is a key player. Inserting the human gene into the mouse caused the region of the brain called the basal ganglia to grow nerve cells that had a more complex structure. These changes also affected the sounds that the baby mice used in communication. According to Science and the Sacred<\/p>\n

\n

\u2026 researchers have found that the same FOXP2<\/sub> gene has existed in a more or less\u00a0 stable state in all mammals with the exception of humans, where two significant changes in its coding have occurred.\u00a0 The change, which may have occurred as recently as a hundred thousand years ago, suggests that the evolution of the FOXP2<\/sub> gene may have contributed to human language development.\u00a0 The mouse study seems to add credence to this hypothesis.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

What do such studies tell us about the action of God in his creation? Can the observations help us understand the nature of God\u2019s creation?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

This mouse study is one example of the kind of complex experiments currently underway to understand the mechanics of biological function and proposed mechanisms of evolutionary development. These studies also lead us to ponder the material mechanisms used in creation and the role of God in directing and controlling the process.<\/p>\n

I can think of several possible points of view:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

One could argue that we lucked out when blind random chance resulted in the production of this mutation in an otherwise stable and essential gene assisting in the development of speech and language and thus in the development of abstract thought, communication, and civilization.<\/p>\n

One could argue that God knew when he created the world that the structure of the universe would eventually result in the production of a being capable of abstract thought, communication, and relationship, and he simply waited for it to happen.<\/p>\n

One could see the hand of God in the occurrence of an improbable mutation that helped to enable the capacity for language. Clearly the ability to communicate is necessary for a relationship with the creator.<\/p>\n

One could try to construct an argument demonstrating that the mutation and all of the accompanying mutations that enable language and communication are so statistically improbable as to border on impossible \u2013 thus there must be a designer.<\/p>\n

Perhaps you would suggest other options as well.<\/p>\n

I lean toward the idea that the hand of God was active in the occurrence of improbable events resulting in the creation of humans in his image.<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0 We are not the result of blind random process, and I don\u2019t find pre-programmed evolution an attractive option \u2013 it seems to border on deism. The God revealed in the Bible is more actively involved in his creation. There is no way to \u201cprove\u201d the active hand of God in the evolution of humans however, and I believe that it is pointless to try. The outcome is one of the many possible outcomes if in fact blind purposeless chance controls biological evolution. It is not \u201cmiraculous\u201d requiring an agent from outside of the material world.<\/p>\n

To ask if God is necessary for the evolution of mankind as we stand today misses the point. As a Christian I believe that there is no \u201cnatural mechanism\u201d without God \u2013 because there is no creation without God. He made and sustains all. But we won\u2019t be able to prove that his \u201cnatural\u201d mechanisms are insufficient And if people choose to assume \u201contological materialism\u201d \u2013 science won\u2019t prove them wrong.<\/p>\n

God\u2019s design in creation is not a scientific question and shouldn\u2019t be brought into the science classroom.\u00a0 Science is the study of God\u2019s creation and the \u201cnatural\u201d mechanisms of that creation. Neither should it be asserted that science proves that there is no God, no purpose, no plan. This is a statement of faith not science.<\/p>\n

What do you think?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

If you wish to contact me directly you may do so at rjs4mail [at] att.net.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SMcK comments up front: This is one of the most interesting posts we\u2019ve seen from RJS, and I hope you read it, take it in, and offer your observations. Anyone who talks about evolution needs to talk about these sorts of facts and observations. 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