Yes, I agree it’s not a slam dunk. Scripture is a closed book without the “hearing of faith”. Human reason cannot receive it’s message, but sees it as foolishness. That’s why I don’t think evolution can ever naturally arrive at it. So, I think you’re correct that Einstein and Hawking would arrive at a different idea of divinity.
Reason only carries us so far, which is kind of what I’m intimating when I say I can’t rise. I can rise only so far and only in relation to other human beings. I need the extra nos revelation of the Gospel to do that, to go where I need and want to be. On the other hand, being re-created in Christ we do indeed rise as He himself is risen to the right hand of God. But we can’t evolve to it naturally. It’s after all NOT natural. We can only be carried in His person.
So I think we can agree that evolution IS consistent with humankind. However I’d build on that by saying that Jesus is not consistent with humankind. He’s a God/Man kind. He didn’t come to give us a behavioral ideal to model, but to grant forgiveness and eternal life by virtue of a resurrected life. And that’s the message human reason can’t receive. Our mind/conscience is darkened where it really counts, until He turns on the light for us.
Your mention of Paul brings up an interesting example, especially in light of the bombings in Sri Lanka in which the church was specifically targeted. Paul, in his unregenerate state, called himself a “blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man”. Acts recounts he was “breathing out murderous threats against the church” and pursuing them from city to city. Jesus had said there would be those like him who would “kill you thinking they are offering a service unto God” (John 16:2). So here’s Paul (Saul), a really smart, dare I say educated, individual, terrorizing the church out of zeal for God. His human reason couldn’t accept the message…couldn’t reason the mind of God…until He was knocked off his horse by an encounter with the resurrected Jesus.
I can’t understand all the complexities that go into the mind and heart of a “suicidal sacrifice”, aside from it being demonic. But I do think that Paul’s case provides some interesting insight. I can’t though explain it from a purely evolutionary standpoint, unless perhaps to see it as an example of survival of the fittest. The “fittest” being those who impose their will by eradicating the “weak”.
The Body of Christ however still exists in such a world and modern-day Sauls still persecute Him, and He suffers it. One can only pray they’ll get knocked off their horse soon, too, because I don’t think evil listens to reason either.
Thanks, Al.