If Evolution is true what is purpose of life?

[icebreaker]

I understand what you are saying, but lets humor the OP. I think he uses the term 'evolution' when he really means a Godless universe; A universe that was not created by God and which God does not direct the destiny of any part of it (including us).

Yes the OP was in regards to a godless universe and not towards Evolutionary Christians but I like hearing from all sides.

 

[h2whoa]

One's purpose in life is the purpose which is revealed to him through his experiences, physically, emotionally and spiritually (if he believes in such dimensions). I strongly believe that God exists; the fact that He may have created the world via evolutionary processes does not change that at all .

Nice post.

h2

 

[Mr. Ex Nihilo]

The problem with that, is that if that is the case then shouldn't Christians no longer suffer from physical death?

h2

And at some point, during the Resurection of the dead, we'll see it...at least that's how I see it from my perspective. It's not a metaphor in this sense because a real promise of an immortal and incorupptable body stands posed for all to claim.

 

[Mr. Ex Nihilo]

wasn't that so he could go to hell and deliver the proverbial Get out of Jail free card?

Technically yes, but he still didn't die "spiritually".

His body literally died, just like Adam's body literally died -- so that we could eventually have eternal life as noted above. I'm just looking at the context of the statement and noting that Adam's death when contrasted against Christ's death in no way seems to refer to a "spiritual death". It's talking about physical death.

 

[Breakfast]

I strongly believe that God exists; the fact that He may have created the world via evolutionary processes does not change that at all .

Why would God create the world through evolution? If this theory was to be proven true, it would do the exact opposite of what God would want: for non-believers to have a scientific answer to the origin of the world, and not need to seek Him.

This is how I see the issue.

 

[mikeynov]

Why would God create the world through evolution? If this theory was to be proven true, it would do the exact opposite of what God would want: for non-believers to have a scientific answer to the origin of the world, and not need to seek Him.

This is how I see the issue.

Does it bother you at all that you seem to feel qualified to speak on God's behalf?

Just sayin'.

 

[:æ:]

Why would God create the world through evolution? If this theory was to be proven true, it would do the exact opposite of what God would want: for non-believers to have a scientific answer to the origin of the world, and not need to seek Him.

I don't think having an answer to the origin of the world (which is not what evolution is, BTW) amounts to a reason not to seek God. Why do you?

:æ:

 

[Breakfast]

Does it bother you at all that you seem to feel qualified to speak on God's behalf?

Notice the "This is how I see the issue."

 

[Breakfast]

I don't think having an answer to the origin of the world (which is not what evolution is, BTW) amounts to a reason not to seek God. Why do you?

Proving the ability for us to evolve into what we are without a god would naturally dispose of a reason to seek God wouldn't it?

 

[:æ:]

Proving the ability for us to evolve into what we are without a god would naturally dispose of a reason to seek God wouldn't it?

Losing one reason to seek God is not a reason NOT to seek God.

Analagously, discovering that my keys are not in my pocket is not a reason to stop looking for them in other places.

Furthermore, evolution is not capable of proving what you describe. It is a naturalistic description with zero necessary metaphysical consequences.

:æ:

 

[GoSeminoles!]

Proving the ability for us to evolve into what we are without a god would naturally dispose of a reason to seek God wouldn't it?

Proving the ability of planets to move in the orbits without a god would naturally dispose of a reason to seek God, wouldn't it?

Proving the ability of severe weather systems to form without a god would naturally dispose of a reason to seek God, wouldn't it?

Proving the ability of germs to cause disease without a god would naturally dispose of a reason to seek God, wouldn't it?

Sorry for being flip, but my point is that there are all sorts of things in the natural world that were once thought to be unexplainable without the direct intervention of God. One by one these have given way to a scientific explanation, and yet the notion of God has survived just fine. Why should biology be any different?

 

[Hydra009]

Proving the ability for us to evolve into what we are without a god would naturally dispose of a reason to seek God wouldn't it?

No. Unless your faith is wholly dependent on God of the Gaps thinking (which I'm sure it isn't), I don't see why that would be the case. After all, does thinking that lightning is no longer Zeus having a temper tantrum reduce the need for God? Perhaps a better reason to seek God would be for salvation from sin, n'est pas?

 

[Hydra009]

Sorry about the lateness of this response, but my browser crashed.

Why would God create the world through evolution?

From what I've heard, an eternal God isn't in much of a hurry.

If this theory was to be proven true, it would do the exact opposite of what God would want: for non-believers to have a scientific answer to the origin of the world, and not need to seek Him.

Actually, I've noticed it the other way around: people in awe of the sheer immensity, age, and majesty of the universe becoming theists.

My opinion is that creationism, like geocentrism, attempts to inflate our egos by making us the center of the universe - seemingly immune to the natural forces all around us. I call this prideful. What does your holy book say about pride? And on the other hand, I find the long and arduous journey of life on Earth - and it's interconnectedness - humbling. What does your holy book say about being humble?

In summary: I don't see why a God would want us to wallow around in ignorance of His creation.

 

[Mr. Ex Nihilo]

Why would God create the world through evolution? If this theory was to be proven true, it would do the exact opposite of what God would want: for non-believers to have a scientific answer to the origin of the world, and not need to seek Him.

This is how I see the issue.

I can see what you're saying here. However, I'm not sure if this is a fair statement. Many people seek God in their own lives by diverse methods. The theologian seeks him through the Scriptures. The artist seeks him through their artwork. The scientist seeks him through science. All can very possibly be moved by the Holy Spirit in their search.

Admitedly, it is claimed that the various sources of seeking God may have very different resolutions of knowledge regarding him. Some are certainly more secure in the Holy Spirit's motion. However, the underlying theme of the Scriptures seems to indicate that God's eternal glory (his divine power) is clearly evident in Creation -- so that people are apparently "without excuse" as the Scriptures say.

It seems unfair to characterize one search for God as being invalid simply because it asks for scientific proof or factual evidence.

The concept of "testing" God is fine to an extent. He demands this of him as far as I'm able to determine. There are many examples of this within the Scriptures: such as Gideon's laying out of the fleece twice in light of the morning dew.

The concept of "tempting" God, however, is strongly frowned upon though. It even seems damnable as evidenced by Christ's encounter with the adversary: "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord..."

There's a fine line between testing and tempting. I think it would be wise for us to examine this dichotomy more clearly.

 

[Nathan Poe]

Why would God create the world through evolution? If this theory was to be proven true, it would do the exact opposite of what God would want: for non-believers to have a scientific answer to the origin of the world, and not need to seek Him.

This is how I see the issue.

Who are you, or any of us, to tell what God wants? Isn't that a bit arrogant?

We can, through study of the natural world, see how God has done some of the things He is credited with; but the why of it is for Him to know, and us to conjecture on.

 

[Fonzy]

For the people who say evolution is true and they say theres no point in living well you need to make it so other people live a better life then you have.

 

[Nathan David]

But, yet I've seen people give up their faith because of it. Heck, there's people right here on this forum that are doing it.

I don't know of any. Can you give me an example?

there have been more wars engaged in the last half-century than in much of man's previous history.

The Hundred Years' War, a conflict between England and France, is generally considered to have lasted 116 years, beginning in 1337 and ending in 1453.

List of wars

 

[Nathan David]

It is quite a step down to really consider that maybe we weren't specially created by God.

Isn't everything created by God special? According to the Bible, God spoke directly to some people. I'd say that would be pretty special.

But even if we weren't, that doesn't mean that God doesn't have a plan and purpose for our existance. My arising suspicion is that His plan is a lot deeper and meaningful if evolution is true.

Very well said. Have you ever tried to read The Silmarillion? The idea that God taking his time and doing things on a schedule known only to him is a recurring theme.

 

[Nathan David]

How have all the religions come along doesnt that show that something must have happened in the past or were they all just trying to figure out why they were here and that sounded the best?

Bingo.

 

[Randall McNally]

For the people who say evolution is true and they say theres no point in living well you need to make it so other people live a better life then you have.

Who has said that there's "no point in living"? I haven't seen anyone say that.