I suppose one would have to ask the question pertaining to whether one believes in a magical sky god or a God who works through natural means/laws to carry out creation projects. I choose the latter.
You know what laws of nature govern evolution through mutation, gene flow, etc.
Regards,
MG
MG, I am not sure I know what a magical sky god is but I am puzzled why you have not answered the question of why we would look like God by what I think would be the traditional Mormon answer, we are the same species.
Magical Sky God would be one that could literally stand on the head of a pin without shouting ouch or falling off. One that could put on a Chicago Cubs uniform, take the pitcher’s mound and throw a perfect strike anytime he wants without having to even resort to a fastball. And could do so, no less, with his eyes closed. Magical. He could do ANYTHING.
Yes, I don’t know that it would be unreasonable to believe in a God that is actually our Father. This, by association, would mean that we are of the same species. Would it not?
What he created is perfect, by standards known by God (which can include flaws that are necessary).
I wouldn’t say that God created flaws. They are, however, inherently interwoven with the fabric of nature itself. So in that sense I suppose that ultimately God is responsible for flaws. Being that God works within the set of natural laws, including evolution and change (at least in a carbon based universe that decays), even he is subject...in His living creations...to the errors of mutation and the results of gene flow, etc.
I would assume those flaws of the natural world which we refer to would not be observed in beings that are of an eternal nature and not of this ‘fallen’ world.
Magical Sky God would be one that could literally stand on the head of a pin without shouting ouch or falling off. One that could put on a Chicago Cubs uniform, take the pitcher’s mound and throw a perfect strike anytime he wants without having to even resort to a fastball. And could do so, no less, with his eyes closed. Magical. He could do ANYTHING.
I agree. A magical god could probably even stop the sun in the sky; cause bees, animals and Jaredites to sail in wooden submarines for 344 days and come out alive; and I'll bet he could create three days of darkness when not even a candle could be lit. A magical god could, as you say, do anything.
I wonder though. Could he flood the whole earth with water so that even the mountains were covered--so that it would kill his children who were hundreds or years old?
Being that God works within the set of natural laws, including evolution and change (at least in a carbon based universe that decays), even he is subject...in His living creations...to the errors of mutation and the results of gene flow, etc.
Where's the doctrine that God works with evolution? I missed that part.
Magical Sky God would be one that could literally stand on the head of a pin without shouting ouch or falling off. One that could put on a Chicago Cubs uniform, take the pitcher’s mound and throw a perfect strike anytime he wants without having to even resort to a fastball. And could do so, no less, with his eyes closed. Magical. He could do ANYTHING.
I agree. A magical god could probably even stop the sun in the sky; cause bees, animals and Jaredites to sail in wooden submarines for 344 days and come out alive; and I'll bet he could create three days of darkness when not even a candle could be lit. A magical god could, as you say, do anything.
I wonder though. Could he flood the whole earth with water so that even the mountains were covered--so that it would kill his children who were hundreds or years old?
Each of these things are out of the ordinary ONLY in a certain time and place. Ancient people would perceive and explain things according to their own understanding. Notice that all your examples are from texts that make claims to come from the ancient world.
If we were to hop in a time machine and travel back in time it’s possible that we would see things happening according to natural laws as we now understand them.
by the way, is the word ‘submarine’ found in the Book of Mormon?
Being that God works within the set of natural laws, including evolution and change (at least in a carbon based universe that decays), even he is subject...in His living creations...to the errors of mutation and the results of gene flow, etc.
Where's the doctrine that God works with evolution? I missed that part.
You do come at these issues with a very fundamentalist way of looking at the world of Mormonism, don’t you?
I think that’s why folks such as yourself struggle so mightily with the possibility of a God that is all powerful within the framework of natural/eternal laws.
What he created is perfect, by standards known by God (which can include flaws that are necessary).
I wouldn’t say that God created flaws. They are, however, inherently interwoven with the fabric of nature itself. So in that sense I suppose that ultimately God is responsible for flaws. Being that God works within the set of natural laws, including evolution and change (at least in a carbon based universe that decays), even he is subject...in His living creations...to the errors of mutation and the results of gene flow, etc.
I would assume those flaws of the natural world which we refer to would not be observed in beings that are of an eternal nature and not of this ‘fallen’ world.
Regards,
MG
Thanks for the clarification. Would you say the universe is as perfect as permitted by natural laws?
he/him we all just have to live through it,
holding each other’s hands.
I wouldn’t say that God created flaws. They are, however, inherently interwoven with the fabric of nature itself. So in that sense I suppose that ultimately God is responsible for flaws. Being that God works within the set of natural laws, including evolution and change (at least in a carbon based universe that decays), even he is subject...in His living creations...to the errors of mutation and the results of gene flow, etc.
I would assume those flaws of the natural world which we refer to would not be observed in beings that are of an eternal nature and not of this ‘fallen’ world.
Regards,
MG
Thanks for the clarification. Would you say the universe is as perfect as permitted by natural laws?
I would feel more comfortable saying that the universe is what it is and God works with what He has. And He does so in the most optimal way that is possible, with no mistakes on His part. In this way/fashion we see perfection within the parameters of what is possible.
I think there are those that have the expectation that something more is possible than what is. Those that would then expect or even require that God accomplish/do things outside of the realm of possibility.
And when He can’t perform according to their expectations, they lose their faith/belief.
Go back to my Cubs pitcher and God on a pin example.
