I’ve decided to pull this post for the time being until I’m entirely satisfied with my interpretation of the Unpardonable Sin.

A fantastic interpretation by Mark Horne can be found here. It doesn’t completely satisfy me, but I think it’s elegantly succinct, and helps to clear up most of the questions surrounding this passage of Scripture.

The third premise that Kenneth Miller presents is as follows:

“evolution may explain the existence of our most basic biological drives and desires, but that does not tell us that it is always proper to act on them.”

I do not see, based on the goals of the evolutionary process what is required for evolution to succeed, how this claim can be true?

1) If our Universe is independent, by definition, every moral principle inside the Universe must be developed internally.

2) If we are creatures that have evolved, the doctrine of Survival of the Fittest is the ultimate, primary, and most reliable basis for the establishment of moral truth. Thus, any action that promotes my survival is justified.

According to evolution, Survival of the Fittest is conclusively, inextricably connected to life. Life depends on this principle — if Miller is right. Based on his premise, advantageous acts must be morally justifiable. Theft and murder and rape can all enable me to survive and pass on my genetic material to future generations, making the acts morally justifiable. We find examples of this throughout the animal kingdom.

The animal kingdom, of which we apparently are a part, is within the Universe, and the Universe is apparently independent. Now, Miller keeps assuring the reader, “Well, we have to look elsewhere for our morality,” but what is the justification in doing so? Looking elsewhere for anything taking place within the Universe renders the Universe not independent! Independence demands that nothing external be sought out or included. Why does Miller set aside morality and meaning, giving them special privileges? Either the Universe is independent or it is not, and we can’t allow these kinds of logical contradictions in our thinking.

I can’t test Christ’s ideas in the same way that I can test evolutionary principles. Assuming Miller’s premise, why would anyone be more justified in looking to Christ for morality than to evolutionary principles? In fact, since this is an independent self-sufficient Universe in which human life is the result of evolution, I am actually more justified in looking to evolutionary principles as a basis for morality than I am to Christ. This leaves theft, murder, and rape open to me (being advantageous acts) and renders Christ useless (as His presence compromises the independence of the Universe).

Miller, and anyone else that holds to evolution, believes essentially that humanity is no more important than any other species of living thing. Sure, we might have a leg up in some areas, but all things being equal, we’re all just an amalgam of cells that have “made it.” On this grid there is no need or use for Christ and so it would be interesting to hear why Miller believes humans are in need of a Saviour at all.

In closing, here are some questions I would like to as Mr Miller:

At what point in human evolution did we become savable as a species?

Are all creatures savable? Is it conceivable that there could be a Gopher Jesus, and Zebra Jesus, and an Amoeba Jesus?

Since Christ took on human flesh, and ascended in bodily form to heaven, does Miller believe that the incarnation made Christ part animal?

When did the simple evolutionary instincts that allowed humanity to evolve transform into the existential quandary of sin — why are evolutionarily advantageous acts sinful at all?

Macleans has recently published an article (it was in fact, the cover story), in which certain leaders within the Church state they have come to the conclusion that removing Christ from our faith is the best course of action.

You can read the article here.

Are you as dumbfounded as me?

Well, in response, I will be assembling 95 points for the divinity and necessity of Christ.

Are you a Believer? A budding theologian? Are you best buds with a brilliant apologist? If so, please submit your points to me, or tell people who might be interested in this project to visit here.

To submit your points, simply leave them as comment to this post. I plan to publish and distribute the 95 most compelling points.

Laziness is complicity.