the singularity of being and nothingness
Posts tagged Evolution
Quick Thought on Evolution and Original Sin
May 16th
Recently, I joined in a discussion about the relationship between original sin and evolution. I happened to like my answer :), so here’s an outtake of the salient parts of the conversation. ————————————–
Poster: The doctrine of Original Sin and evolution are by far most likely the hardest ideas to reconcile in Christian theology. Evolutionary theory refutes the notion that Original Sin brought discord, death and chaos into an initially perfect creation of harmony and equilibrium…How do we reconcile evolution and Original Sin? Or perhaps, if one accepts evolution as the underlying creative and formative process, how do we explain sin?
Me: There is nothing to reconcile as the processes which you characterize as “discord” and “chaos” are simply the way the universe is. Death is a necessary part of biology–without it, we would not be able to live, much less grow and develop as individuals and as a species.
Sin factors into the equation in that humans have rebelled against God, choosing hatred and violence to peace, mercy, and knowledge of God. In this state of dissolution, the “way the universe is” takes on an extremely negative tone because our sinfulness makes our mortality extremely poignant. In order to further justify ourselves, we pass More >
A Call for Discussion
Feb 4th
Regular readers of this blog will note that I have devoted a number of posts to providing an apologetic for the compatibility of the theory of evolution, big bang cosmology and Christian theology.
In pursuing these ideas, my intention has not been to suggest that these naturalistic theories of origins are infallible. Rather, I am simply attempting to be intellectually honest with the data that is available, recognizing that these categories are currently the best we have for describing the universe in which we live and how it developed in cosmological history. In fact, in private conversations I have repeatedly asserted by certainty that in years to come, these theories will be modified or even supplanted by others that better describe the evidence.
But the beautiful thing, I think, is that Christian theology is not harmed by these ways of understanding the development of the universe. My purpose in these posts, after all, is not to necessarily support naturalistic theories of origins, but rather to show how Christian faith and belief is not affected by the winds of scientific change. As Christian faith is necessarily transcendent of all philosophical fads and trends, so it should be apparent that current scienitifc theories should More >
