Stephen Jay Gould Nonmoral Nature Essay -- essays research papers fc

Evil in character and a Benevolent GodThe idea of the existence of evil in nature many time creates arguments between creationists and scientists concerning not only the design of nature by a antecedent God, but the actual benevolence of God. In Stephen Jay Goulds essay Nonmoral Nature (1984), he explores this highly controversial issue by posing the question If God is good and if creation reveals his goodness, why are we surrounded with pain, suffering, and apparently indolent cruelty in the animal world? He uses the life span of the parasitic ichneumon wasp to illustrate a scientific view that the archetype of evil is limited to human beings and that the world of nature is casual with it. To some degree Gould may be correct in his assumption that nature is unconcerned with evil, however, a Christian view and scriptural model does provide strong argument as to how the fall of man influenced evil in nature, and how nature points instantaneously to the benevolence of God.The Ch ristian believes that God created the universe and its basic life forms. According to scripture, when God originally made life, He considered it good and perfect (Genesis 125). However, the sacred scripture also shows that the perfect state God established on earth did not last long. Scripture recognizes the existence of evil and suffering in nature, and points the figure at God Himself as being responsible. Genesis chapter 3 reveals several curses God placed on the serpent, on Eve, and on nature. When Adam and Eve disobeyed their creators command not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, they rejected God and demonstrated they were no longer capable of living in their perfect world. They needed a place for their fallen weakened characters, and in Genesis 317-18, God revealed the kind of earth they would live in from indeed on, Cursed is the groundin toil you shall eat of it all the days of your lifethorns and thistles it shall bring forth and you shall eat the plan ts of the field. After their fall, Adam and Eve live... ... flora CitedBlackford, Russel. Stephen Jay Gould on Science and Religion. Quadrant Magazine 2000.http//www.users.bigpond.com/russellblackford/gould.htmBohlin, Raymond G. and Kerby J. Anderson. The Straw God of Stephen Gould Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation 35.1 1983 42-44. Gould, Stephen Jay. Nonmoral Nature, 1984. Hens Teeth and Horses ToesFurther Reflections in Natural History. New York W.W. Norton, 1994. 32-44.Johns, Michael. Science and Religion in the Fullness of Life. Rev. of Rock of Ages, by Stephen Jay Gould. Emory Report 27 Sept. 1999 52.6.Kirby,William. On the Power, Wisdom, and Goodness of God. The Bridgewater Treatisies. Treatise seven (1835) 2.2. The Ryrie Study Bible. New American Standard Translation. New York.New American Library, 1999.Wheeler, Gerald. The Cruelty of Nature Origins 2.1 1975 32-41.