It's called 'chemical evolution'. This is at least as old as Alexander Oparin and it is well known. And you think I am ignorant on the issue?
Definition: chemical evolution = the creation of chemical elements in the universe either through the Big Bang, or supernovae called nucleosynthesis.(Wikipedia)
And is chemical evolution (which I have indeed heard of) Darwinian? Why or why not?
Why is it a basic scientific error to speak of chemical evolution and biological evolution as if they were the same thing?
The origin of the species is the origin of life. That life was (i.e. the first living cells according to evolutionists) the first species.
You have it backwards. The origin of life led to the origin of the first species.
And Darwin never discussed the origin of the first species. Unfortunately for clarity "species" is one of those words (like "sheep" deer" fish") which have the same spelling in singular and plural. But anyone who has actually read Darwin's masterpiece knows his intent is the plural. Origin of Species is not about the origin of one species, but the origin of many species; it is not about the origin of the first species, but of species who lived much, much later than the origin of life. So his theory doesn't address the origin of the first species at all.
Neil de Grasse Tyson and Donald Smith's "Origins: 14 billion years of cosmic evolution."
That covers it all. But you don't get it. You don't even wish to get it.
No: This (
14 billion years of cosmic evolution) covers it all. See chemical evolution above. Same comments/question apply to cosmic evolution.
I suppose I could ask for an apology for denigrating my education
I never denigrated your education, nor Henry Morris, nor anyone else's. I am sure you are very well educated in whatever field you chose to study.
It is simply appears that you did not choose to focus on evolution and are now pretending to an understanding you don't actually have.
I could be wrong, and you could prove I am wrong by displaying some actual knowledge of both the theoretical basis and evidence for biological evolution rather than conflating Darwin's theory--and its modern revisions--with areas of science that are irrelevant to it.
...and for accusing me of being a deist
Remember, you gave me cause to suspect Deism. I didn't pluck it out of thin air, but from your own words.
Why do you harp on this "unjust" accusation instead of showing that it is actually unjust?
I gave you the invitation to do just that and you have ignored it.
Here, I will offer you the opportunity again.
Show me I am wrong. Just what do you mean by nature being "pre-programmed".
In my vocabulary, when I pre-program my television to record a film, I make it possible for the film to be recorded in my absence.
Deism is a name for a view of God that sees God as absent from nature.
Your "pre-programming" remark suggested that you see God as absent from nature. Nature runs merrily along doing whatever its programming says with no attention from God at all.
In my book that view is Deism.
If that was not what you intended to say, by all means spell out what you really meant.
You have also not responded to this exchange on the same topic:
Martyrs44 said:
Nature doesn't create and nature doesn't design (program!)anything, but the Lord does. Now...how would you call that last statement 'deism'?
Possibly. Does God limit himself to designing and programming nature and then let it run, exerting no influence on the natural world? By your own definition (below) that is Deism.
Martyrs44 said:
Definition: deist - The belief, based solely on reason, in a God who created the universe and then abandoned it, assuming no control over life, exerting no influence on the natural world. (the Free Dictionary)
Or is God much more than a designer-programmer? Is God a nurturer, sustainer, helper, companion, encourager, and always present lover of nature? If so, then that is not Deism.
Which of these is nearer your understanding of God and nature? Would you like to clarify just how you see God and nature interacting?
Maybe not. Maybe it is easier to simply whine about an "accusation" than to refute it through a proper presentation of your actual theology in regard to God and nature. Maybe you enjoy the sympathy factor that goes with being "unjustly accused" more than doing the work of showing how false the suspicion is.
Bottom line: if I have "dragged you down" you have the capacity to raise yourself up and to show that I have my foot in my mouth.
I wait to see if you will do so. And, I would actually be pleased if you succeed.
Your friend Mark Kennedy would be pleased too. He is always saying we don't talk enough theology here.