Hello Meldinoor,
It's been a long time between posts. I took a break for a little while & am considering whether this forum is worth the effort. I have in the mean time been following a number of threads, but did not post as I was not prepared to invest the time required. Arphy & Slavesque et.al Seem to be handling themselves well, and can state things far more eloquently than I ever could. I'm eagerly awaiting to see your response to them in the big debate Re CMI v's skeptics.
Anyhow, not wanting to get too involved, but I'm wondering what is underlying your opening question? Your question implies that God does everything for a reason, and you perhapps feel that God must have a good reason to create through naturalistic mechanisms. But you cannot figure out just what that reason could be. Is there something else going on other than this?
I've tried to think of a good reason why, if God had created over a long period, but had no joy. I did however start thinking like some of the early church fathers, as to why God would take as long as six days? I also thought that if God did create as you beleive he did, then why would he link the sabbath to his creative acts? Why not instead say "I created the world and guided its developement over a long period of time, and by the way I want you to work six days and rest for one because I am God and I said so"! I could accept that. But doing one thing & telling us another, would make me highly skeptical of the whole story.
Meldinoor writes:
the creation of an evolving universe would require so much more effort
For us maybe, but for an omnipotent being, one scenario may not be any more difficult than the other.
and creativity
Yes, one scenario may require more creativity. But again, to an all knowing creator, how would it be of any consequence?
How can a timeless existence be boring in the first place?
I agree. However I do sometimes wonder whether or not I would be bored in heaven, not knowing exactly what we would be doing for all eternity(apart from praising God), as novelty for anything wears off pretty quickly for me here on earth. However we never seem to tire of sex, food, play.....
Regards Minority