God of Gaps

At this time, science can not tell us the whole story of how life got started and why it is the way it is. Scientists have done great work and it is OK for them to look forward, but they must skillfully distinguish the difference between known and unknown. For one, a person must keep up with the research literature, not an easy task. Unfortunately, some persons, whether scientists, teachers, administrators or others, present the unproven as fact. In many scientific articles I've read, the processes under study are not fully understood, even after the particular experiment has taken place. Many times the new discoveries lead to more questions.

If a person does not accept that evolution will inevitably be proven, they are accused of the "God of the Gaps" mistake. If a believer says God made life (or did anything in the physical realm), they are thought to be unable to imagine that science will prevail and are using only what will turn out to be a substitute until the real reason is scientifically proven. An example often used is that of Isaac Newton, who described gravity and the motion of planets, but still thought God had to correct the orbits every so often. A later astronomer, Laplace, proved the orbits were stable on their own and famously said that he did not need God in his hypothesis.

What is not often told, though, is that Laplace was a determinist who thought that particle movements could be exactly measured and predicted if enough information was given. Laplace was proven wrong by Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle of Quantum Mechanics, wherein the exact position and momentum of a particle cannot be measured. And, further knowledge of the universe has shown physical parameters with supremely fine-tuning. Physicists in the 1960's noticed that the laws of the universe are surprisingly fit for existence of biological life. This "Anthropic Principle" brings full-circle our appreciation of God's striking design, not only for planets but for people.

And let's remember, Isaac Newton is still considered one of the greatest scientists in history.

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2019 Note: I have finally had some time to look at my blog from the start and make some changes. I hope I can cover it all to current posts so it will be as user-friendly as possible. Thanks for visiting!