Author Archives: Jon Garvey

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About Jon Garvey

Training in medicine (which was my career), social psychology and theology. Interests in most things, but especially the science-faith interface. The rest of my time, though, is spent writing, playing and recording music.

Bats, theistic personalism and Frankenstein

Let me present three apparently disparate themes and then show that, together, they give some useful theological insights.

Posted in Creation, Prometheus, Science, Theology | 6 Comments

Evolution, function and meaning

This piece arises from some discussion on the last post about the mathematical predictability (lack of) in evolution. Question: Is this the image of an insect, or not?

Posted in Creation, Science | 18 Comments

God, reason, science, proof

One of the bitterest points of contention between many TEs and ID supporters is whether God’s existence or activity can be detected by science, granted that it is real. The bitterness shows that there are ideological issues lurking behind what ought to be just an intellectual question. But I want to leave those aside to ask what Christian biblical teaching actually says on the matter.

Posted in Creation, Science, Theology | 68 Comments

Ecology – slowly catching up with classical Christianity

Back in February I commented on a BBC programme about the ecological system of Yellowstone National Park, and how it had benefited after the re-introduction of wolves. I concluded firstly that the beautiful balance of such systems poses yet another layer of complexity and teleology for evolution to explain, and secondly that for TEs to pick and choose which bits of nature God governs is untenable. Well, recently I saw another film about Yellowstone with some more fascinating lessons.

Posted in Creation, Science, Theology | 4 Comments

Models for a historic Adam – 7

And so we come to the last model for a historic Adam listed by population geneticist David L Wilcox in his ASA talk this year. Symbolic Head – Adam was a character in a story told to illustrate the human dilemma – we are sinners for some reason or other. But the story does not represent the origin of that state, only its nature as rebellion against God.

Posted in Adam, Creation, Science, Theology | Leave a comment

Models for a historic Adam – 6

David L Wilcox’s penultimate model for Adam is this: Experimental Head – Sin was already there, but we don’t know how – that’s why the garden was needed, the perfect environment. Adam was the experimental proof of the human condition – he showed we humans are all sinners by nature – that it is not environmental.

Posted in Adam, Creation, Science, Theology | 4 Comments

Models for a historic Adam – 5

Continuing my series on the various models for a historical Adam listed by David L Wilcox we come to: Cultural Head – Adam was the appointed race representative in the garden. He sinned. Sin passed on from Adam to all other people then (and now) alive by communication between people – especially in families. Human society suffered a gradual transformation as sin spread like an infectious disease.

Posted in Adam, Creation, Science, Theology | 4 Comments

Models for a historic Adam – 4

With several of us writing now on The Hump, ongoing series like this one are going to be harder to link together. It’s not a problem I’m going to lose sleep about! But here is the third “theory” about Adam named by David L Wilcox, as introduced here. Tribal Head – Adam was the “head man” of a small tribe put in the garden. The tribe was put to the test, and they all followed Adam’s lead into sin. We are all descended from that tribe (alone?) and have inherited their sinful nature.

Posted in Adam, Creation, Genealogical Adam, Science, Theology | 5 Comments

A big day for The Hump

As you can see, The Hump of the Camel has undergone a cosmetic makeover. But the changes are far more than visual, because today The Hump becomes a co-operative venture, with several authors and a specific focus. The camel has become a caravan. To read about the purpose, see What we are, and to read about our writers see Who we are.  New members will soon be joining the team as other commitments allow. We’re all rather excited about it, and we hope you are too, and that you’ll want to join the discussion.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Models for a historic Adam – 3

The second model for understanding Adam listed by David L Wilcox  is this: Federal Head – Sin originated with Adam. He was not the only man living, but God appointed him as representative and put him to the test. When he sinned, sin passed on to all men everywhere (and when) by divine fiat. I.E., there was a sudden transformation of human life.

Posted in Adam, Creation, Genealogical Adam, Science, Theology | 2 Comments