Miller: Finding Religious Truths in Science

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Kenneth Miller’s essay, “Finding Darwin’s God” is pulled from his book, Finding Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution (P.S.), which focuses on creating a happy medium for scientists and theorists that are actively trying to connect science with God. He argues his perspective on the premise that science should be a sign indicating there is a God rather than evidence supporting atheism. Thus, He is the light, truth, and knowledge behind scientific discoveries, and this should be the necessary information needed for scientists’ testimony. In order to persuade his audience, Miller uses ad hominem to illustrate his firm Christian belief in comparison to that of a creationist. Which weakens his point of shaping Darwin’s God because he often adds areas where he can criticize the creationist faith. Then, he uses metaphors regarding darkness and light to appeal emotionally to the reader by presenting a visual metaphor and applying it as the Bible does. Furthermore, Miller establishes credibility by continually stating his credentials in relation to his beliefs. He also makes few logical appeals by obtaining and using quotes from a professor who supports his opinion. Overall, Kenneth Miller successfully identifies “Darwin’s God” as a creator who has given his creatures self-reliance which continually evolves to sustain the practice of free agency through rhetorical appeals in order to stir the reader to view evolution as a channel to grow closer to God.
Routinely through the essay, Miller gains a tone of favoritism by using the logical fallacy known as ad hominem to abruptly contrast “Western monotheistic” (Miller 584) religion to Creationist faith in regards to evolution. For example, in relating an...

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... science would benefit his title’s claim of “Finding Darwin’s God.” In addition, Miller often interjects explaining connections between religion and science to unfairly criticize creationist beliefs, and in doing so he creates a one-sided argument against creationists in which the main effect is not poised to find who “Darwin’s God” is.
Who is Darwin’s God? In “Finding Darwin’s God,” Miller identifies the word “Darwin” as a relative term for evolution so he is able to connect evolution to God where he uses the term, “Darwin’s God.” One of Kenneth Miller’s major points in his essay identifies Darwin’s God as a Master who uses evolution too continually give evidence to scientists who are looking for evidence of a God. Using emotional and ethical appeals, Miller creates a background for the reader to be able to view evolution as a way to grow closer to God.

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