Question

Natural theologians believed that adaptations of organisms are

• A. Evidence that organisms are designed by Creator
• B. Evidence that not created by Creator
• C. Incomplete and of no consequence
• D. An illusion, based on belief rather than proof

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Evidence that organisms are designed by Creator

In 1681, Thomas Burnet's 'The Sacred Theory of the Earth', which founded scriptural geology, relegated God to the part of a playwright instead of a direct actor.
In 1696, English clergyman and natural philosopher William Derham's (16571735) 'The Artificial Clockmaker' presented a teleological argument for the existence of God.
John Ray whose work set a pattern for European science for more than almost two centuries discussed the relationship between God and nature in 'The Wisdom of God Manifested in the Works of Creation'. Ray, who believed that adaptations are permanent traits designed by God, claimed that organisms have no history; they have always been the same, lived in the same places, and done the same things as when they were first created. Ray argued that a clock shows evidence of a designer, and since nature is more perfect than a clock, then nature must also include a master designer. So, Natural theologians believed that adaptations of organisms are evidence that organisms are designed by Creator. Thus, option A is correct.