Hi there,
So it really comes down to one gripe, with Evolution: that macro-Evolution does not have consequences. Setting aside that we do not see it, in nature, for a moment, let us consider agreeing with the spirit of what is being said - to see if we can learn from it. Now, there is undoubtedly a p factor for Evolution, a factor which describes greater Evolutional strength in general, for those that have a number of Evolutional strengths to begin with (just as some smart in a number of things, is likely to be smart in more), but what is not clear, is that achieving something with that p factor, does not actually need to change.
If achieving something with a p factor for Evolution does not need to change, how far can you take adapting like other species adapt - sure it will only ever be a similitude, but the similitude might have 'evolutional' advantages (in a sort of fake-it-until-you-make-it sort of way). What isn't clear is why species don't do that all the time, at least not when it comes to the design they already have. I think the answer is very simple:
How much can you compromise your optimism? That is a question for the sages; we are not so capable that we can forget it, neither are we so committed that we can trace our origin through the dinosaurs - though there would be even more advantages to trying it (our evolution) that way, than there have been through the apes, thus far. The point is that we should not be limiting our inspiration, for the sake of our facility in things which are fleetingly of this world - as Jesus said "beware that you do not get ensnared by drunkenness, carousing and the cares of this life, lest the day of your trial come on you suddenly and you are not ready" (from memory, the Gospel). There is a limit to the optimism you can get, from praising God your spirit used to be like that of a monkey - how much less then, for those of you that do not even praise God!
So I would say, this is where we part company: I am not prepared to look for my Evolution in apes, neither am I prepared to ignore the p factor of my Evolution by any and all inspiration including apes. I just simply do not sit on the fence, that if I wait long enough, I will see humanoids emerge again, let alone by other species. The survivability of life by design, with all optimism, is always far better, than varying strength around a nominal difference believed to be the one and all. God is smarter than that. God deserves praise from you that He is smarter than that. Imagine if you will, the God p factor, that the more you focus on being godly, the more likely you will be godly in other things...
I hope you can stomach this: not everything that glitters is gold; neither is everything good necessarily great.
You have a p factor, you have an imagination, now go and be inspired, of all that the power of God can change in you, while there is yet time!
So it really comes down to one gripe, with Evolution: that macro-Evolution does not have consequences. Setting aside that we do not see it, in nature, for a moment, let us consider agreeing with the spirit of what is being said - to see if we can learn from it. Now, there is undoubtedly a p factor for Evolution, a factor which describes greater Evolutional strength in general, for those that have a number of Evolutional strengths to begin with (just as some smart in a number of things, is likely to be smart in more), but what is not clear, is that achieving something with that p factor, does not actually need to change.
If achieving something with a p factor for Evolution does not need to change, how far can you take adapting like other species adapt - sure it will only ever be a similitude, but the similitude might have 'evolutional' advantages (in a sort of fake-it-until-you-make-it sort of way). What isn't clear is why species don't do that all the time, at least not when it comes to the design they already have. I think the answer is very simple:
We are in a race, are we not? To affirm that which has been reconfirmed in us (our adaptations, our instinct, our leaning), for the next generation to take advantage of. Part of this means acknowledging that while change is possible, it comes at so great a price, that it can never be permanently undertaken - we never "evolve" so much that the way we evolve is set in stone. Why is it even an option, then? Do we make it harder for apes to be optimistic about their species, by lampooning our origin through them on the way? I say "yes" to the latter and refer back to the p factor for the former: we must in some way achieve a greater p factor for our own species evolution, by relying on the dependability of the designs of other species - then we can embrace apes playing a part in our Evolution, without being senseless about it.Gottservant said:
How much can you compromise your optimism? That is a question for the sages; we are not so capable that we can forget it, neither are we so committed that we can trace our origin through the dinosaurs - though there would be even more advantages to trying it (our evolution) that way, than there have been through the apes, thus far. The point is that we should not be limiting our inspiration, for the sake of our facility in things which are fleetingly of this world - as Jesus said "beware that you do not get ensnared by drunkenness, carousing and the cares of this life, lest the day of your trial come on you suddenly and you are not ready" (from memory, the Gospel). There is a limit to the optimism you can get, from praising God your spirit used to be like that of a monkey - how much less then, for those of you that do not even praise God!
So I would say, this is where we part company: I am not prepared to look for my Evolution in apes, neither am I prepared to ignore the p factor of my Evolution by any and all inspiration including apes. I just simply do not sit on the fence, that if I wait long enough, I will see humanoids emerge again, let alone by other species. The survivability of life by design, with all optimism, is always far better, than varying strength around a nominal difference believed to be the one and all. God is smarter than that. God deserves praise from you that He is smarter than that. Imagine if you will, the God p factor, that the more you focus on being godly, the more likely you will be godly in other things...
I hope you can stomach this: not everything that glitters is gold; neither is everything good necessarily great.
You have a p factor, you have an imagination, now go and be inspired, of all that the power of God can change in you, while there is yet time!