Balance of nature: Oaks and acorns (Introduction)

by dhw, Sunday, November 06, 2016, 13:45 (2722 days ago) @ David Turell

DAVID's comment: Look at the diagram on the website. Note the interacting complexity of this ecosystem as a great example of the importance of the balance of nature. Everyone gets to eat. This system involves two insects, oak trees, changing environmental stresses, mice, deer, human varying forestry practice activities, all related to a varying supply of acorns. God's activity is primarily in the production of a bush of life, which then allows for many interactions between all the organisms that can be involved as part of the network.

Thank you for another lovely article. It’s pleasing to note that you think your God’s activity is PRIMARILY to produce a bush of life, whereas in the past everything has been primarily geared to the appearance of humans. The balance of nature is constantly changing, which is what results in the huge variety of life throughout its history. As we have noted, this history – even if we restrict it to a theistic perspective - is wide open to interpretation: God exercising tight control over innovations, natural wonders and environmental conditions, or God setting up the mechanisms by which organisms produce their own history of changing balances in accordance with uncontrolled environmental conditions (good or bad luck), or even perhaps a combination of both (which entails dabbling).