This article will address the power of ideas in a round about look at this thing called evolution. Only minimal differences exist, we are told, between our human genome and that of other animals, particularly primates. 98.7% of human genetic sequencing is shared with chimpanzees and bonobo.
- 93% with rhesus monkeys
- 90% with house cats
- 85% with mice
- 80% with cows
- 61% with bugs
- And...60% with bananas!
Thus, secularists say human evolution is entirely a matter of genetic sequence. But, is it?
Little difference, at least numerically, exists between, say, cat and mouse. Yet one would be hard pressed to say they are similar animals. The question is, with so much variability and so little genetic difference, is human evolution simply a matter of genetics?
Well, what is it that makes a human a human anyway--given we are so similar genetically to other animals (and apparently to some plants)? The list of behaviors that define humans is routinely taught in secondary school. It is quite well known after years of teaching it by rote. But maybe it shouldn't be, not without a lot of "splain'in to do" as Ricky Ricardo may have put it.
Big on the list, of course, is fire. Humans, we are told, are the only animals to use fire. The hubris phrase "control fire" notwithstanding. (As those of us know here in the Inland Northwest, "control" belongs in quotes.) But is this true that humans the only animal to use fire?
Well first, there are three types of fire use--opportunistic, behavioral and obligatory. The earliest human use of fire was doubtless opportunistic. But to answer the question, Australia's Aborigines have long known that "fire hawks" use fire to hunt. Three species of birds of prey fly into wildfire edges to take up burning brands. They then fly a considerable distance to drop the brands and ignite a new fire. The intent is to channel prey for easier hunting in a corridor between the infernos. So, fire use is not exactly unique to humans.
But the true masters in the animal world are beaver, with multi-roomed timber lodges. And as to control of the environment, beaver often alter the surface hydrology of entire drainage basins for their benefit (much to the chagrin of many a land owner). So, that ain't unique either.
Well, then tool use is on the list. Here, a plethora of examples may be found that neither is that true. Chimpanzees use sticks to probe termite mounds and harvest what they consider to be delicacies...a stick covered with termites. Sea otters will use stones on their chests to crack open shellfish--a primitive tool much like human ancestors. As for fish, one example of tool use is found in the New Testament account [Matthew 17:24-27] of paying the tax at Capernaum. Peter was dispatched to the Sea of Galilee to take a silver coin out of the fish's mouth to pay it.
Along the north shore of Galilee a native species, Tilapia galilea (St. Peter's fish) is now currently a protected species. In times of perceived danger, the young fry of this species flee to the protection of their parent's mouth. But, fry grow and thus eventually they must be "weaned" so to speak by the tilapia parent. The parent fish takes up a shiny object in its mouth to shoo them off. Now that is a Scriptural story with multiple meanings perhaps, but is also an example of primitive tool use nevertheless. So, tools are not the answer either.
Ah, then it is math! Well, not exactly.
Perhaps in the realm of differential equations it might be true; but as for basic math, several species comprehend it. Honey bees for example, "calculate" and then communicate (with dance language of a sort) the distances to pollen sources. Several birds, most notably the raven and the crow, and also the African grey parrot are capable of basic math. In the grey parrot's case, it understands zero as a place holder. Something of an intellectual feat of development that. So basic math is not unique to us.
We did mention sort of yes. It turns out that written language, so far as is known, is unique to humans. And with it comes a kind of subset. Namely, the concept of time.
And humans have long had this "behavior"...dating back tens of thousands of years assuming one considers zoomorphic cave paintings and human hunter caricatures as an early form of written language.
Lastly, the concept of time and the concept of a calendar is perhaps the quintessential trait of humans. No other species, none that we have knowledge of, has the ability to comprehend eternity, however crude our comprehension of it may be. But our ancient forebears also had this unique trait to fathom time, and that long before written language was ever known to us.
From the very beginning, as Genesis reveals, time and eternity are uniquely assigned to the human realm. It is not instinct. We alone draw constellations in the vast skies of the universe, mark the comings and goings of eclipses, and solstices. So ultimately, it is not genetic sequences that define humanity. That is dust only. Rather it is the uplifting power of an idea that has transformed us. This and this alone has raised us into uprightness.
With this knowledge, whether that be for good or ill, comes our evolving understanding of the creator God who has marked for us the sacred times and days and years. Those wise, still seek Him. Those not, are not.
No comments:
Post a Comment