Many thanks to John Kusel and Hugh Trevor for their contributions to the evolution debate (February issue). After seven months it’s surprising that this, thankfully good natured, discussion continues.

I am grateful to John for mentioning Rupert Sheldrake (The Science Delusion). One of Sheldrake’s early themes is relevant to our fascinating discussion. He argues that: “Scientists play the role of an established priesthood, influencing government policies on the arts of warfare, industry, agriculture, medicine, education and research.” He traces the concept of a ‘scientific priesthood’ back to Francis Bacon (1561-1626). Here’s Sheldrake’s description of Bacon’s uncanny prediction: “Bacon envisaged that the scientific priesthood would… be linked to the state through patronage, forming a kind of established church of science.” Effectively, Sheldrake posits that a scientific oligarchy has supplanted the medieval church and its priesthood as the only source of incontrovertible authority in today’s Western culture. And while many scientists are also Christians, the most influential caucus of the ‘priesthood’ is atheistic or even anti-theistic. The title of David Williams’ book captures today’s climate well, Taken Without Consent: How Atheists Have Hijacked Science (Kindle Direct Publishing, 2020).

For these folks, their ‘article of faith’ is an unshakeable belief in purposeless, unguided Darwinian evolution (the Dysteleological kind to use the Lamoureux term quoted by Hugh). There is no room for God in this mechanistic explanation. Some Christians may find comfort in the idea that God set the Darwinian mechanism in place and allowed the evolution of life to unfold. Many, however, take the view that this leads to convoluted theological expositions of the major Christian doctrines, including Creation, the Fall, Theodicy (suffering) and even Salvation.

Those who predicted the 2008 financial crash (because they had peeked inside the box and looked at the numbers) were mostly ridiculed. Those who have lifted the lid of the evolutionary science box, who have run the numbers on natural selection and found it entirely unable to explain the origin of biological information, are similarly vilified as heretics. Alex Glen summarised the shortcomings of the theory brilliantly (November edition). The truth will out.

Guy Douglas, South Queensferry

Nearly 35 years ago, I had just graduated in Geography from the University of Strathclyde. I was asked by a person in the congregation whether they taught evolution.

Well yes they did – one hour in a four years. Comes down to three key things: a) the strongest survive b) things change through time and c) everything is related to everything else in an interdependent world.

Do I believe in God maker of heaven and earth? Yes I do. For me it is not about endless debate over literal meanings of the first chapters of Genesis. It is about what we do as individuals and collectively to protect and preserve what God has created.

This is what is most important in the 21st century. 

Barry Watson, Glasgow