Science and Christian Faith 103 in rapid and sudden changes, the causes of which lie within the organism—in “mutations,” as they are coming to be called—so that the process may be as brief as formerly it was supposed to be long. “Evolution,” in short, is coming to be recognized as but a new name for “creation,” only that the creative power now works from within, instead of, as in the old conception, in an external, plastic fashion. I t is, how ever, creation none the less. In truth, no conception of evolution can be formed, com patible with all the facts of science, which does not take account, at least at certain great critical points, of the entrance of new factors into the process we call creation. 1. One such point is the transition from inorganic to organic existence— the entrance of the new power of life. It is hopeless to seek to account for life by purely mechanical and chemical agencies, and science has well-nigh given up the attempt. 2. A second point is in the transition from purely organic development to consciousness. A sensation is a mental fact different in kind from any merely organic change, and inexplicable by it. Here, accordingly, is a new rise, revealing previously unknown spir itual powers. 3. The third point is in the transition to ration ality, personality, and moral life in man. This, as man s capacity for self-conscious, self-directed, progressive life evinces, is something different from the purely animal con sciousness, and marks the beginning of a new kingdom. Here, again, the Bible and science are felt to be in harmony. Man is the last of God’s created works—the crown and explana tion of the whole—and he is made in God’s image. To account for him, a special act of the Creator, constituting him what he is, must be presupposed. This creative act does not relate to the soul only, for higher spiritual powers could not be put into a merely animal brain. There must be a rise on the phys ical side as well, corresponding with the mental advance. In body, as in spirit, man comes from his Creator’s hand. If this new evolutionary conception is accepted, most of
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker