Thoughts - Chance, Evolution and Predestination

So what have chance, evolution and predestination got to do with each other? Well let’s start by looking at some of the thoughts (and fears) behind evolution and predestination. Now many people working on evolution are just scientists trying to do good science, but there are others for whom Darwinian evolution seems to be a vehicle for “proving” there isn’t a God. I intend to show that even if evolution is true then it in no way proves that God did use evolution as part of a design process. In fact evolution could be part of an intelligent design process. Since creation and evolution is such a contentious topic let me lay my cards on the table. If you want to put a label on me then old-earth creationist would probably be the best, but it would not be a perfect fit. With regards to evolution, if evolution is “true” then that holds no fear for me. However, I have severe doubts about neo-Darwinian evolution and random mutations and survival of the fittest seem totally incapable of explaining the development of life upon the earth. I would strongly recommend Stephen Meyer’s book, Darwins Doubt.

Predestination is a doctrine that seems to hold much fear and misunderstanding. The common misunderstanding is that it obviates man’s free will. It does not. The Bible is very clear. The doctrine of predestination states that there are primary and secondary causes. God is the primary cause of everything. The Bible attributes all sorts of things to God’s will, but this is in no way takes away our free will and responsibility. We struggle to get to grips with this concept, and the reaction of some (many?) is to reject, or at least ignore, predestination.

What we are going to do is a little thought experiment. It is going to involve some mathematics, but fear not, there won’t be any equations. We are going to look at genetic algorithms.

Genetic Algorithms

Genetic algorithms are an optimization technique used in mathematics and are an example of what are called heuristic algorithms. The idea behind genetic algorithms is inspired by evolution. The following is a very basic explanation, if you want more in depth information there is plenty out there on the web. A population is generated randomly. Then pairs of individuals mate and produce offspring. When two individuals mate there is crossover of “genetic” information, there is also an element of random mutation. All this creates a new population. A fitness function is then applied and the fittest members survive, the others don’t. This is just a basic description, there are numerous variations. This process is repeated many times and after many generations the optimum solution, or something close to it, is arrived at.

So you can probably see the affinities with evolution, especially the fitness function (survival of the fittest) and random mutation. Let’s consider the process a little.

First, it is a mixture of design and randomness. The initial selection of the population is random, mutation is random. However, there is also much design. The initial structure of the members is designed, the fitness function is designed.

Secondly, the outcome is, to a large extent at least, predetermined. If we consider a mathematical function which we are trying to minimise (consider a curve), then the outcome of the process, if the algorithm is designed properly, is predetermined. It will converge on the minimum point of the curve. So even though the process is random the outcome is not.

Thirdly, processes involving randomness can sometimes be more effective than more guided processes. The most popular optimisation methods use “hill-climbing” methods. You start from a point on a curve, calculate the gradient and then move in that direction to a new estimate. This process is repeated until the minimum (or maximum, depending what we are trying to do) is reached. For a simple curve this works well, but suppose the curve has lots of local minima. What will happen? The hill-climbing methods have a habit of getting stuck a local minima. Algorithms with a degree of randomness built into them tend to be better at reaching the true (or global) minima.

Now let’s consider how these impinge on evolution and predestination. Before going further let me make clear that this example is just intended to help us think clearly. With evolution and predestination we are considering “life, the universe and everything”. Genetic algorithms are simple mathematical tools dealing with specific problems. Nevertheless, consideration of it can help us to think.

Evolution

Many of those who consider the theological/philosophical implications of evolution seem to think that because of the randomness of the process then either (i) there isn’t a God (from the atheist side), or (ii) God cannot have used an evolutionary process as part of creation (from the creationist side).  Both of these views are wrong. Genetic algorithms illustrate that a process with much randomness built in can be used to reach a predetermined outcome, and may even be better at doing so than a more clearly directed process. As mentioned earlier, I have serious doubts about many of the claims for evolution, but even if evolution is completely true, it does not “disprove God”. Conversely, those theologians who use randomness as an objection to theistic evolutionists are making a false argument.

Predestination

So what can this teach us about predestination? In the genetic algorithm we have a process where individual steps are random, yet the outcome is not. This is something that we mere humans have invented. Surely God, who is infinitely cleverer than we are, can do much greater things. So it is may well be possible for God to predetermine the outcome of something and still allow the individuals free will with decisions within the process.

It seems to me that two of the things the Bible is absolutely clear about are:

1. God is in complete charge of everything, and He chose us for salvation before the creation of the world.
2. The decisions, actions and attitudes that we have and make matter and have an effect.

We sometimes find it hard to reconcile the two as at times they seem to be contradictory. Our reaction tends to be to favour one (Calvanism or Arminianism) or the other. Genetic algorithms should help us to realise that it might just be possible for both to be true, at least to some extent.

I do emphasise that I realise that evolution and predestination are much more complex than what I have presented here, I just encourage you to think and not to let God be limited by the limits of our intellect.