Dawkins's "God of the Gaps"

Richard Dawkins is one of the most well-known authors who write about the theory of evolution on a popular level. Whereas T. H. Huxley became known as “Darwin’s Bulldog” because of his defense of Charles Darwin’s theories, Dawkins has earned the nickname “Darwin’s Rottweiler” due to his irreverent treatment of opponents. His most recent book, “The God Delusion” (2006), is a polemic against religion in general and Christianity in particular.

One of Dawkins’s arguments against a Creator is what he calls the “God of the Gaps.” He takes issue with arguing for the existence of God when we cannot explain something in the fields of biology, astronomy, or physics. Dawkins insists that although we may not be able to explain a phenomenon now, we will be able to do so in the future as knowledge increases and hence should not use these “mysteries” as proof for the existence of God.

It occurred to me that some biologists do the same thing with so-called “vestigial organs” in the human body. They claim that these organs point to evolution because they are of no use to the body and therefore must be outdated remnants from earlier steps in an evolutionary process. The problem with this reasoning is that we do not yet know enough about these organs to be able to explain all of their functions. Essentially, these biologists are using the gaps in our scientific knowledge to support their fallacious view of evolution.

I’m trying to think of a catchy title to describe the approach, but only “the gizzard of the gaps” comes to mind. Can you think of a catchier title?

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (Hebrew 11:6, NASB)

Here is a helpful resource:

Alister McGrath and Joanna Collicutt McGrath. The Dawkins Delusion? Atheist Fundamentalism and the Denial of the Divine. Downers Grove, IL: Intervasity, 2007. ISBN 978-0-8308-3721-2