Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about

Creation, Evolution, and Intelligent Design:

An Introduction-Overview of the Major Ideas

This FAQ for Origins Questions — about the science, philosophy, and theology of creation, evolution, and intelligent design — is written by Craig Rusbult, editor of an ASA website for Whole-Person Education.  You can think of it as a "personal editorial" that is one ASA-FAQ rather than the ASA-FAQ.   In the future we'll add other FAQs, written from other ASA perspectives;  currently this page ends with some ASA perspectives and another FAQ.

The 10-part FAQ below (1, 1, 8) — which is a hybrid combining my descriptions of general agreements (by most ASA members, or most scientists, Christians,...) and disagreements, plus my own opinions — is being written for ASA, but does not claim to speak for ASA.
 

 

A 2-minute summary of the most important idea
is in Section 5G of the Overview-FAQ (link below),
"What is an appropriate humility about creation?"

a "read me first" INTRODUCTION
with drama & perspectives, plus a brief outline-faq
that summarizes ideas in each of the 8 FAQ-pages.

a "see the big picture" OVERVIEW-FAQ
that is a condensed version of the 8 FAQ-pages.  Of the three versions
(short, medium, long) this is the best balance between brevity and clarity,
but the "read me first" INTRO is a better place to begin because it's shorter.

 

1. Views of Creation and "When we disagree..."
Christian Views of Creation: Who, When, How
Relationships between Worldviews and Science
Understanding & Respect, Distortion & Conflict
        ( Why are so many so confident? )
ASA's Views of Creation, Evolution, and Design

2. Using Information from Nature and Scripture
Science and religion in conflict?  is it warfare? 
Is comparing the Bible with science impossible?
How can we wisely use the two books of God?

3. What does Bible-information say about age? 
Is an old-earth view of Genesis 1 satisfactory? 
Does the gospel require "no death before sin"?
Is young-earth belief necessary for a Christian?
Is it wise to link The Gospel with a young earth?

4. What does nature-information say about age?
Is there evidence for an old earth-and-universe? 
Can historical science be scientific and reliable?
Did God create a young universe that looks old?

5. What can a Christian believe about evolution?
Does "natural" mean "it happened without God"? 
a universe "just right for life" — Is it designed?
Can we prove the existence and activity of God?
Is nature designed for 100% natural assembly?
Is "theistic evolution" an impossible combination?
Should we eliminate "God of the gaps" criticism?
What is an appropriate humility about creation?

6. What is intelligent design?  Who proposes it?
What are the four types of intelligent design? 
Is ID creationism?  Who is in the Big Tent of ID?

7. How should we evaluate evolution and design?
Many meanings of evolution:  how to evaluate? 
Can we use scientific methods to detect design?
Can a Christian use methodological naturalism?
Methodological Naturalism & Design in Science?

8. Wise Education about Creation and Origins
What should Christians teach about creation? 
What should public schools teach about origins?
 

 
a disclaimer:  As explained earlier, views in the FAQs above don't necessarily represent views of the American Scientific Affiliation.

      ASA's general perspectives about creation, evolution, and intelligent design are described in Views of Creation which includes a Statement by the ASA Creation Commission and our Positions & Actions on Origins Questions;  articles from the ASA journal, selected and introduced by Jack Haas, are in Topics Pages about Creation & Evolution plus The Origin of Life, Astronomy & Cosmology, Bible & Science, and more.
      Most authors of Perspectives on an Evolving Creation (and its editor, Keith Miller) are members of ASA;  and an excellent new book about creation, design, and evolution — written by ASA members, Deborah Haarsma & Loren Haarsma — has an associated web-FAQ asking "But what about...?"
 
 
 
THREE TYPES OF LINKS in this website for Whole-Person Education:
 An ITALICIZED LINK keeps you inside a page, moving you to another part of it. 
 Above, a NON-ITALICIZED LINK is page-adding, opening a new page in a new window. 
 Below, a NON-ITALICIZED LINK is page-replacing, opening a new page in this window. 

 This page, written by Craig Rusbult (website editor) is
http://www.asa3.org/ASA/education/origins/creation-faq.htm

Copyright © 2006 by Craig Rusbult, all rights reserved

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