“God of the gaps” vs “God in the system”

1. God of the gaps:

- The concept of "God of the gaps" refers to a theological perspective that seeks to explain phenomena or gaps in scientific knowledge by invoking the intervention of a higher power, namely God.

- It suggests that when there are gaps in scientific understanding or explanations for natural phenomena, some people attribute these gaps to the direct intervention of God.

- This perspective is often criticized for being a form of argument from ignorance, where God is used to explain things that are not currently understood by science.

- As scientific knowledge expands and fills these gaps, the need for invoking God as an explanation diminishes in this perspective.

2. God in the system:

- "God in the system" refers to a perspective that sees God as being inherently the mind behind the natural world and its systems, rather than being invoked to explain gaps in knowledge.

- This perspective often aligns with the idea of a God who set up the natural laws and systems of the universe and continues to work within them rather than frequently intervening in a supernatural or miraculous way (although it does not obviate it for special circumstances).

- Proponents of this view often see the laws of nature as reflecting the will or design of a Divine Developer, and they view scientific exploration and discovery as a way to understand God's creation framework more deeply.

- It reconciles scientific explanations of the natural world with Biblical faith, as it posits that God's presence and influence are present throughout the natural order.

In summary, while "God of the gaps" involves invoking God to explain gaps in scientific knowledge, "God in the system" views God as inherently engaged as the Developer of the natural world and its systems, allowing for a more harmonious relationship between scientific understanding of creation and Biblical faith.