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THE BLIND BOOKWRITER
In logic, the Law of Teleology affirms that "where there is design, there must be a designer" - a point conceded by infidels (see Ricci, 1986, p. 190). Thus, even unbelievers have recognized that the design argument is a weapon to be reckoned with in the arsenal of apologetics. One of the most influential presentations of the design argument was made by English theologian William Paley in his work, Natural Theology, n 1802. In the very first paragraph of his celebrated treatise, Paley contended that if one were walking through a waste area and came upon a stone he might, without evidence to the contrary, assume that it simply had laid there forever. On the other hand, if one stumbled upon a watch, due to the fact that the timepiece had integrated parts that moved in concert for the purpose of marking time, one would be forced to conclude that this object was not an ; rather, it had been designed, and therefore had a designer. Paley then proceeded, by analogy, to argue that the design apparent in nature was evidence of a Grand Designer, namely, God. Numerous attempts have been made to negate the force of Paley's logic. Perhaps one of the most significant of these - at least in our age - has been the work of British scientist, Richard Dawkins, who has described himself as "a fairly militant atheist, with a fair degree of hostility toward religion" (as quoted in Bass, 1990, p. 86). Dawkins, a lecturer in animal behavior at Dawkins has boasted that his work brings home the reality of the ruthless, mechanistic explanation of human existence. "You are for nothing. You are here to propagate your selfish genes, There is no higher purpose to life" (Bass, 1990, p. 60). And, Dawkins has admitted, he is gratified that in reading his book, people are "losing religious faith" (Bass, 1990, p. 60). According to Dawkins, "religion is very largely an enemy of truth" (Bass, 1990, p. 87). He has characterized the idea that man was created by God as a "blasphemy" that atheists "have to fight against" (as quoted in Watson, 1987, p. 11). In 1986, Dr Dawkins authored another significant book, The Blind Watchmaker, in which he attempted to negate the widespread influence of Paley's work. Dawkins vociferously declared that the intent of the book was to negate the influence of Paley because the "apparent design" that is characteristic of earth's creatures "cries out for an explanation" (p. ix). He even defined biology as "the study of complicated things that give the appearance of having been designed for a purpose" (p. 1). According to Dawkins, however, evolution - with its unconscious, automatic process called "natural selection" - is the blind watchmaker behind the wonderful world of living organisms. Dawkins recognizes, or course, that substituting blind evolution for an intelligent Creator as an explanation for the "apparent design" upon the earth is a formidable task. Thus, his attempt to prepare the minds of his readers for this propagandizing venture is quite interesting. First, the professor complained that "Darwinism seems more in need of advocacy than similarly established truths in other branches of science" (p. xi). What he means is this: whereas in genuine science certain truths/laws are demonstrable, and thus quite evident, such is not the case with evolution. Hence, evolution must have special pleading! Second - incredibly - Dawkins frustratingly says: "It is almost as if the human brain were specifically designed to misunderstand Darwinism, and to find it hard to believe" (p. xi, emp. Added). That is absolutely correct, for the human brain was designed to think logically, and the evolutionary theory is not logical. It is not reasonable to assume that chaos gave rise to order, that the nonrational produced the rational, that nonliving evolved into the living, that nonconscious became conscious, that amoral developed morality, etc. The simple fact is, people do not accept evolution because it is the logical thing to do; rather, many believe it because they have a vested interest in not wanting to acknowledge the Creator! The sacred Scriptures vividly describe those who refuse to have God in their knowledge, indeed, whose senseless harts are darkened (Romans , 28). Some of them have even written books. But they are blind bookwriters who resist the obvious evidence. - Wayne Jackson REFERENCES Bass, Thomas (1990), "Interview with Richard Dawkins," (Omni, 12[4]:58-60,84,86-89, January. Dawkins, Richard (1986, The Blind Watchmaker, ( REMEDY FOR TROUBLE
God once told his people to "call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you" (Psa. 50:15). Who among God's people have never experienced trouble in one way or another in their life? Job once observed that "man is born unto trouble" (5:7). His days are sometimes sorrowful (Eccl. -23). And so believers in God are not exempt from troubles in life - that is a "give." Perhaps it is bodily trouble; the frailties of the flesh often beset us; sickness is the common lot of all men. Perhaps it is spiritual trouble of some sort; the kind that comes when the faith grows weak. It may be anxiety or worry, and in such times we need to "cast ( our) burdens on the Lord" (Psa. 55:22). It may be trouble of a domestic nature that sees families tom apart for one reason or another. Parents often see deceptive children such as Jacob had (Gen. 37:29-36). Maybe those children are just plain vile and wicked, such as Eli had (1 Sam. -23), or rebellious such as David experienced with Absalom. Perhaps children experience trouble from unloving parents. But there is a remedy! God made it plain when it said to "call upon me ..." Try as we might, we cannot deal with problems in the most effective way apart from God. Oh, you may have some "band aid" remedies that will last a short time. But in the long run, God must be turned to, for he does not deal merely in symptoms, but in causes. Paul told the Philippians to let their requests be made known to God (4:6). Seek the gracious aid of God, for he invites us to come boldly to his throne of grace (Heb. ). You do not have any trouble that God cannot help you with! The Psalmist also said that God is always there. Hear him: "God is ... a very present help in trouble" (46:1). Did you get that word - "present"? He is there. What you must do is to "call upon him." Then notice God's great promise. Once we recognize the trouble we are faced with and become willing to call upon God, he makes the promise: "I will % liver you." His wisdom and ability are sufficient, for he makes the statement an unqualified one - "I will..." There are no halfway measures with God. Paul, in bringing to a close the great 8th chapter of Romans, posed the question, "if God be for us, who can be against us?" God wants to deliver; he does not want us to perish (2 Pet. 3:9). And ... oh, yes ... God expects something in return. In the latter part of the verse of our text he says, "and you shall glorify me." Don't think that God can help you; your troubles taken care of by going to him and prayer, and then you fail to respond by glorifying him and he will be pleased. Not so! – Bill Moseley AND ANOTHER THING ...
(Got It!) Recently had to visit my local tire dealer; looks like its time to buy some new shoes. But - you're not interested in that. Standing there visiting with the tire man when a young lady about 18 came in. Well dressed; very attractive and asked how her car was coming along. The man told her, "well, you see . . . your front tires a coming off in pieces, and your back tires are just plain no good" (I never could figure out which ones were the worst!). Anyway, she looks at him and asks, "does that mean I need new tires?" Got it! Reminds me of some folks and their responsibilities to God. God calls upon his people to assemble (Heb, ). Yet some haven't figured what that means. "Does that mean I have to attend worship services faithfully?" Now you have it! Others who have never obeyed the gospel sometimes want to make some "changes" in their life and decide to "get religion." They happen to get hold of somebody who knows what the scriptures teach on the matter. They have read to them, upon wondering what to do, the words of Peter: "Repent and be baptized every one of you III the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins" (Acts ). Then comes the question, "does that mean I have to be baptized to have my sins remitted?" Yeah, sort of looks like that to me ... and on and on the examples could go. I wonder if the young lady's tires would have “got better" had she just ignored the advice of the tire man in the matter. I'll say this for her - when he told her the problem, she "got it" right away. Wouldn't it be great if people could "get it" when it comes to what God demands of them? - Bill Moseley |
