Should Christians in India endorse Intelligent Design Theory?

This topic has generated heated discussion among many Christians as much as topic like gender has generated much heat. Everyone will agree that discussion must take place with due respect for the opponents even when we passionately disagree, yet reality is oftentimes otherwise. Labels or terms that we use in the debate can also contribute to more confusion and more heat. And so it's important that terms that the other party dislikes are avoided.

Intelligent Design theory "holds that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, and not an undirected process such as natural selection". The problem with this theory is that when it says "not an undirected process such as natural selection" it is arguing against a strawman. After all evolutionary biology does not say that natural selection is undirected or directed. Now an ID proponent may argue that "undirected" has been added in some scientific literature and therefore such literature have supported atheism. After all "undirected" implies no purpose and no design which atheists argue for. There is some merit in this argument. However, such ID theory does not present itself as an alternative theory to theory of evolution; it justs tries to find fault with clause like 'undirected' inserted by some atheists.

Leading ID proponent like Michael Behe has no problem with idea of common descent with modification; it's the mechanism for which he has problem. But to me Behe's proposed idea of 'irreducible complexity' smacks of 'god-of-the-gap' argument. Just because we cannot explain the step by step process of the formation of, say, bacterial flaggellum now we cannot bring in an 'intelligent cause' to explain the gap in our knowledge. As a Christian, therefore, I don't find ID theory persuasive from theological standpoint.

If one reads Reason In The Balance by Phillip Johnson, who is the chief architect of the ID camp, it is clear that he was concerned with atheistic elements in American public life. I understand his thought pattern to imply that since atheists have used evolutionary biology to support their atheistic agenda, the most plausible way to fight such atheistic agenda in public life is to critique evolutionary biology. I sympathise with such cause but I am not convinced of the plausibility of the approach. That is not the way to redeem Science.

But should Christians in India endorse ID theory? I don't think there is a need to do that. Though ID proponents try to present ID theory as a scientific theory it is not a scientific theory; it is neither falsifiable nor has it generated scientific research project. I find ID theory as a response to materialistic worldview, not against evolutionary biology. In India there is hardly any influence of materialistic worldview in our scientific textbooks. In our Biology textbooks theory of evolution is taught, but it is not taught as a theory that undermines God; it is only a scientific theory. It is not a Philosophy. Therefore, I see no need to endorse ID theory and setting it up to critique evolutionary biology. What use is it if we argue against a scientific theory in our Bible studies or Sunday sermons?

Just as I have no problem in Big Bang theory I have no problem with theory of evolution. Whether it's Big Bang or some other Bang I believe it's God who did it. Whether it's evolutionary process or some other process I believe it's God who did it. Science is a study of God's world as Theology is a study of God's word. And since God is the author of both the world and the word I believe Science and the Word will not contradict each other. After all God does not lie.

What does it take to be a Christian?

Sometime back I was reading a book by an extremely famous scholar in the particular field. At one point the author explained in kind words why he is not a Christian. As I read the line I thought to myself that he's got it wrong. I also remember having a discussion with a person who was very hostile to Christianity. A reason exactly like the previous man was given why he was not a Christian. But this is thought pattern is found among Christians too. And I guess such understand spread because Christians themselves got it wrong in the first place.

Am I saved because I believe that Bible is the word of God? Or am I saved because I believe that God is three in one? Or am I saved because I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sin? These three questions are important for a Christian. To affirm that she does not believe Bible as God's word or God is three in one or Jesus died on the cross for her sin will make her less of a Christian. In fact, that will amount to Christian heresy. But the question about how a person is saved is still not answered yet.

In Acts 16 Luke narrates of an incident when Paul and Silas were in jail. As an earthquake shook the foundation of the prison and the jail door flew open the jailer thought the prisoners had escaped. If the prisoners had escaped the jailer would have to pay with his own life; and taking his own life would make things less uncomplicated. As he drew his sword to kill himself Paul told him that they were all there, and suicidal attempt was aborted. Cutting the story short, the jailer than asked Paul what must he do to be saved. " Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved" (v. 31), said Paul; putting it slightly differently-- believe in Jesus as Lord and God for the forgiveness of your sin (10.43).

To believe in Jesus as Lord and God is to submit one's life to Jesus Christ; to surrender our ambition, our life to him. It may sound scary, but it is rewarding as those who have taken the path said so. After all he is kind and just and he will never let down anyone who trusts in him. Trials and hardship will follow because the evil ways of the world are not an option now. Yet to live a guilt free life and to be guided with a new purpose in life is exciting. Trust me; he is real.

What Easter Means To Me

It has been only recently that the meaning of Easter dawned on me very strongly. Till then Easter just means the day Jesus was raised from the dead. When I started reading the Bible afresh, attempting to understanding how the whole historical-theological narrative from Genesis through Revelation works out, I realised Easter has meaning much deeper than the one I have grown up with all the years.

In 1 Corinthian 15 the Bible says that if Jesus is not risen from the dead our faith is in vain, and we are still in our sins. If Jesus had not been raised from the dead, death is not really conquered; death will conquer us all ultimately. But Jesus is risen, therefore, death will not prevail. But what relevance does it have for me while I am still alive? Does it give me just hope beyond the grave and nothing else? No. The conquer of death is a very subversive message. The ruler of the world uses death sentence as an oppressive tool. To have his sinful ways he puts to death all those who oppose him. And many follow his ways because to them death is scary and the end of life. But did not the poet say, "death, be not proud"? If death is not the end because Jesus is risen from the death, then the ruler of the world has no weapon with which he can threaten his subjects. I stand for what is right and just because I know as I do what HE wills death will never have the final say. I shall be scared when the ruler of the world threatens me with his weapon of death if death is the end of the story. But as I look to Jesus I know HE has triumphed over death.

Easter also reminds me that God has begun his new creation. "Thy kingdom come on earth... as it is in heaven" is not a dream of the Enlightenment era, but God's sovereign work inaugurated through the resurrection of his Son Jesus Christ in history. To live out God's teaching in my life, even when it is in the interest of my tribe or my nation, is not carving out an utopian dream to be achieved only in heaven but an exercise of faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who has been raised from the dead in time and space. This suggests that I forgive as the Lord forgave ( Col 3. 13), love my wife ( v.19), break tribal-class barrier of Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free (v. 11) and so on.

Easter spurs me on to stand firm and to work for the Lord. After all the work I do will not go in vain; Jesus will take notice of each of them, even a glass of water that I give to the thirsty.