While cleric Michael Heller disparages Intelligent Design, Chuck Colson observes: “John Scotus Eriugena is considered perhaps the first proponent of “intelligent design.” See: Learning from the Irish, Chuck Colson
“Observe the forms and beauties of sensible things,” he wrote, “and comprehend the Word of God in them. If you do so, the truth will reveal to you in all such things only He who made them.” . . .
See Colson’s full “Breakpoint” 3/17/2008
Colson cites: T.M. Moore in “Glory All Around”, 2/19/2008
In his article, Moore comments on ERIUGENA
. . . John Scotus Eriugena (AD 810-877) was the only pure philosopher/theologian of the Celtic Christian era. Coming at the end of the period, his works are of variable importance, but he more than any of the other Celtic Christian writers devoted himself to the examination of God’s works, and the revelation of God hidden therein.
His massive Periphyseon (On the Division of Nature) is an attempt to categorize all created reality according to a strict philosophical and theological scheme. In it he can be seen to have been an early advocate of what today is referred to as “intelligent design.”
Eriugena explained that the order, complexity, and beauty of the cosmos argue the case for an intelligent designer, and, further, that that designer must be nothing other than divine and triune. Nothing exists by itself; everything that is has its being, as well as its purpose and explanation, from God, the Creator. God the Word, Eriugena explained, “in an ineffable way runs through all things that are, in order that they may be.”. . .
See Moore’s full article: “Glory All Around”
Other links:
* John Scotus Eriugena: Catholic Encyclopedia. An Irish teacher, theologian, philosopher, and poet, who lived in the ninth century.
* John Scottus Eriugena: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Some consider Eriugena the founder of pandeism. Eriugena’s magnum opus is De divisione naturae (“The division of nature”) also titled Periphyseon. e.g. See: Johnannes Scottus Eriugena: Periphyseon by E. Jeauneau