Apparently the dna of a monkey is about 98% comparable to both yours and yours truly. At first report, this is a startling statement. The immediate implication is that any serious differentiation between monkeys and men is all but insignificant. This corollary may not sit well with many, but its a hard one to pick a prehistoric bone with. However, a big question that fossil-fuels the ensuing debate, is:
Does there now remain any basis upon which humanity may continue to lord it over the rest of creation?
The answer is a surprising: No, and Yes! And even more significantly, this double answer provides us with an even more valuable insight – not into humanity & the rest of creation – but into Yahweh himself!
The case for NO. The scientific data concerning dna does not fly in the face of good theology. Rather, such scientific conclusions are consistent with a important aspect of the doctrine of creation: Humanity, who is a creature, is not necessarily any different from any other aspect of creation. Christians ought not be surprised by the similarity between monkeys and men, or babies and baboons. We’re all made, and made of the same stuff.
Now the case for YES. While there is nothing that necessarily separates humanity from the rest of creation, nonetheless, Yahweh has freely chosen to set humanity as lord over the rest of what has been made. Check out Psalm 8:5-8. My appeal to Scripture may have the aftertaste of a primordial soup to some, but there it is.
What does this say about Yahweh? It says a lot – because the NO case does not cancel out the YES, nor the YES case cancel out the NO, but instead both stand together. And the fact that both cases stand together shows us that Yahweh is full of grace, which is specifically directed towards humanity. How does this work? The starting point, and the implication of creation, is that humanity is just another cat in the jungle. However, on the basis of God’s free grace, Yahweh has decided not to treat humanity according to the limitation of his nature, but has bestowed upon him something that is beyond his nature – lordship. Yahweh is exceedingly gracious towards humanity!
A final word.
So how ought we respond when scientific discoveries seem to bring humanity back to the pack? We must not deny our monkey-likeness. To do so is to arrogantly think of ourselves more highly than our createdness allows. In fact, we ought to embrace our monkey-likeness, precisely because it makes us recognise that the high position we do have within creation, as its lord, is something with which we are not naturally-endowed, but has instead been graciously God-given. We have no need to fear the limitation of our nature! Because we also recognise the unlimited character of God’s grace!
So science hasn’t ended up just telling us more about ourselves. Science has also helped us see more clearly the magnitude of God’s grace towards the part of the creation that is dearest to his heart – humanity.
Posted by Mike Taylor on July 2, 2009 at 12:10
hey. nice work! this is good stuff! I love the line about being made from the same stuff – very helpful. I love how this Psalm both humbles and exalts humanity. And points to the sheer wonder, incomprehensible wonder of the incarnation. Whenever I read that line – what is man that you are mindful of him, I am reminded of that beautiful hymn, My Song is Love Unknown, which has that line: O Who am I, that for My sake, My Lord should take frail flesh and die! The humbling and yet exaltation of humanity!
Should we do something together? I’ve been experimenting here: http://luthercoramdeo.blogspot.com We can change the name to something better if you’ve got ideas (not by sight, which I thought you’d like, is taken!). I’ve asked Josh if he wants to write stuff as well.
Posted by Mike Taylor on July 20, 2009 at 16:01
Hey. I love your version of John 3:35-36, and wanted to use it for a CMS publication, but I can’t seem to locate that therefore anywhere! You seem to be making a very interesting theological statement!!!
Posted by an adopted son on July 20, 2009 at 21:55
Thanks for your keen grammatical insight, Mike. No, the ‘therefore’ does not appear in the Greek text! But in terms of the logic of the passage, I think verse 36 carries weight because of what’s said in the previous verse(s). So while adding ‘therefore’ IS a mistranslation of John 3, I think it helps us to read verse 36 in context … and so to make sure we really do pay attention to the Son!
Posted by Matt Blowes on March 3, 2011 at 05:05
[In Ecclesiastes 3:18-22 the teacher 'scientifically' said to himself] concerning the sons of men, “God has surely tested them in order for them to see that they are but beasts.” For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of animals is the same. As one dies so dies the other; indeed, they all have the same breath and there is no advantage for man over animals, for everything is fleeting. All go to the same place. All came from the dust and all return to the dust.
Who knows that the breath of man ascends upward and the breath of the beast descends downward to the earth? I have seen that nothing is better than that man should be happy in his activities, for that is his lot. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him?
And concludes theologically in 12:13&14 “this applies to every person: fear God and keep His commandments. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”
Love your work Taco!