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"The Biblical doctrine of creation is one of the richest doctrines revealed to us by God.

 It reveals to us that the God who loves us is also the God who created us and all things; at once it establishes the relationship between the God of religious faith and the God of physical reality. 

It is because of creation that we trust in the reality of a physical and moral structure to the universe, which we can explore as scientists and experience as persons. 

It is because of creation that we know that the universe and everything in it depends moment-by-moment upon the sustaining power and activity of God.

 It is because of creation that we know that we are not the end-products of meaningless processess in an impersonal universe, but men and women made in the image of a personal God. It is by the formulation of "creation out of nothing" that we affirm that God created the universe freely and separately, and reject the alternatives of dualism and pantheism. 

To worship God as Creator is to emphasize both His transcendence over the natural order and His imminence in the natural order; it is to recognize that His mode of existence as Creator is completely other than our mode of existence as created. 

To appreciate God as Creator is to recognize that which He created as intrinsically good; the rationale for scientific investigation, the assurance of ultimate personal meaning in life, and the nature of evil as an aberration on a good creation are all intrinsic to such an appreciation.

 We believe in creation. It is unthinkable for a Christian to do otherwise."

Richard Bube-1971

ASA Statements | Biblical/Theological Papers | College Course | Evolution Basics | 
Historical Papers  |Lectures | News |Resources | Scientific Papers | Spectrum of Views  |
On-line Science Journals | 

No topic in the world of science and Christianity has created the intensity of discussion and
disharmony with evangelicals as the source of biological diversity. The pages of
 Perspectives on Science and Christian  Faith (PSCF) reflect the tensions for a community which claims to value both the Bible and science yet finds it difficult to forge a view on origins that takes into account both areas of revelation. The spirited debates on the ASA listserv demonstrate the  current paths of this discussion.  

This page points to PSCF and other sources that focus on the religious
significance of the creation/evolution issue and concerns over the evidence that
supports evolution.  The ASA has no official position on evolution; its members
hold a diversity of views with varying degrees  of intensity. Advocates and foes
of evolution alike have often gone far beyond the science of  the subject to
advance various causes.  Despite the claims of those who claim a corner on
the Truth, the  importance of "beliefs" and "feelings" on all sides reduces the
chances for consensus. Too often, would-be authors are not familiar with current research.
Scientists, philosophers and theologians are rightly concerned with those who would speak
learnedly about fields with which they have only a surface knowledge. A team  approach seems
most appropriate for such a multidisciplinary enterprise. 

Total: 18125MM Regarding creation and evolution, I believe:

The universe was created in six days as described in Genesis.        29%

Evolution is true, but God began and/or directs it.                          43%

Evolution is true, and religion has nothing to do with it.                  28%

he fifty plus years of ASA publications reflect the paths that American and British
evangelicals have taken on biological origins.  Times have changed for the cultures of
science and Christendom in both nations.  What was essentially a concordistic - literal
approach between the early chapters of Genesis and the science of the day has become
 a complex  matrix of  literary - condordist  treatments that take into account  ancient
 Near East (ANE) cultures and the enormous depth of understanding of  our physical world.

We offer a series of papers and books that emphasize various aspects of biological origins.
They are arranged under the categories of  Historical, Scientific,  and
Biblical/Theological papers. Next  (with some trepidation) we provide some more recent
 papers over a spectrum of views based on the creative activity of God - ranging from r
ecent six-day episodic creation to one involving a long-term seamless process from an
original event which embodied all the capacities to develop the diversity of life. 

Then follows a Dialogue from the Christian Scholars Review and PSCF that captures much
of the current evangelical discussion and a friendly exchange in PSCF on evolutionary
psychology. An earlier dialogue Theistic Evolution offers a shorter introduction. Younger
surfers should check-out Fish Wars. We close with recent news items related to the
creation/evolution front.  
                

Which statements reflect your views on the origin of human beings?
1. We evolved from less advanced life forms over millions of years, and God did not directly guide this process.
2. We evolved from less advanced life forms over millions of years, but God guided this process.
3. God created us in our present form.

                               DEMOCRATS         REPUBLICANS         ALL
Evolved w/o God           16%                         9%                        13%
Guided by God              28%                       23%                       27% 
Created by God            51%                        66%                       55%
Unsure                            5%                          2%                         5% 
Source: CBS News/New York Times poll, Nov. 18-21, 2004                                  

Evolution Basics

Fredric P. Nelson, "Needed: A New Vocabulary for Understanding Evolution," PSCF
58 (March 2006): 28-36.

Michael Kreuzer, " This View of Life," The aim of this project is to present the topic of evolution
 in a scientifically accurate manner that avoids technical language, but that also avoids potentially misleading
 colloquial language. It strives to be accessible to the non-scientist and so it represents a general outline,
merely scratching the surface of the large body of research in the many facets of this topic.  

Darwin and Natural Selection takes a closer look at Darwin's thinking.

John van Wyhe, The writings of Charles Darwin on the web.                                                  
                                          
____________________________________________

What do you think of the evidence regarding evolutionary theory? 
* 29716 responses MSNBC Poll  January 15, 2003

The evidence is so strong that the theory is beyond doubt.  56%
The evidence is not sufficient to support the theory. 28%
Neither of the above.   16%

ASA Statements

Richard H. Bube, "We Believe in Creation," Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation
(PSCF), 23  (June 1971):121-122.

ASA Executive Council, "A Voice For Evolution as Science," PSCF, 44 (December
1992): 252.

ASA Creation Commission Statement (August 2000)              

Historical Papers

James Moore , Evolution and Wonder : Understanding Charles Darwin (July 20,2006) on
Charles Darwin’s view of religion, adaptation, and creation. Audio interview

Denis O. Lamoureux, , Theological Insights from Charles Darwin
PSCF  56.1:2-12 (3/2004).

Jerry Bergman, "A Brief History of the Modern American Creation
Movement,"  Contra Mundum  No 7 Spring 1993.

Harry Cook, "Wonderful Life: Burgess Shale and the History
of Biology,"   PSCF 47 (September 1995): 159.

Harry Cook, & Hank D. Bestman, A Persistent View: Lamarckian
Thought  in Early Evolutionary Theories and in Modern Biology  PSCF 52.2: 86-97
(6/2000).

Edward O. Dodson , Toldot Adam: A Little-Known Chapter in the History of Darwinism 
PSCF  52.1: 47-54  (3/2000).

Garry V. Ferngren, and Ronald L. Numbers,  C. S. Lewis on Creation and Evolution: The
Acworth  Letters, 1944-1960  PSCF 48.1 28-33 (3/1996).

J. W. Haas, Jr., The Rev. Dr. William H. Dallinger F.R.S.: Early Advocate of Theistic
 Evolution and Foe of Spontaneous Generation   PSCF 52.2: 107-117 (6/2000).

Christopher B. Kaiser, "The Creationist Tradition in the History of Science" PSCF 45
(June 1993): 80. 

Mark A. Kalthoff,  A Different Voice from the Eve of The Origin: Reconsidering 
John Henry Newman on Christianity, Science, and Intelligent Design  PSCF 53.1: 14-23
(3/2001).

Sara Joan Miles, "From Being to Becoming: Science and Theology in the Eighteenth
Century,"  PSCF 43 (December 1991): 215.

Sara Joan Miles, Charles Darwin and Asa Gray Discuss Teleology and Design
PSCF 53.3:196-201. (9/2001).

Ronald L. Numbers, "Creating Creationism: Meanings and Usage Since the Age
of Agassiz - Part 3." (web link).

Michael Roberts, Was Darwin a Christian? PSCF 52.2:84-85 (6/2000).

Frank J. Smith, "Presbyterians & Evolution in the 19th Century: The Case of James
Woodrow, "Contra  Mundum No. 6 Winter 1993.

Lectures

Dennis Lamoureux, "Beyond the Evolution Creation Debate" (2003)

Scientific Papers

Robert C. Schnedier, "Seeking the emergence of Created Man and Woman," PSCF 58
(September 2006): 196-215. 

David Lati, "Looking to the Birds: A Perspective on the Interpretation of Nature," PSCF  55
(March 2003):  14-21

 John Bracht, Natural Selection as an Algorithm: Why Darwinian Processes Lack the
Information  Necessary to Evolve Complex Life PSCF 54.4:264-269 (12/2002)

Jerry Bergman, "The Functions of Introns: From Junk DNA to Designed DNA," PSCF 53
(September 2001): 170.   [HTML]  [PDF]

Glenn R. Morton, "Transitional Forms and the Evolution of Phyla," PSCF 53.1 (March
2001): 42-51.

Robert Rogland, Pre-Programmed Descent with Modification: Functional Integrity,
Intelligent Design,   and Natural History  PSCF 52.2:98-107 (6/2000).

Ronald G. Larson, "Viral Evolution: Climbing Mount Molehill?" PSCF 52 (September
2000): 169.

Lahti, David, Evolutionary Theory Misunderstood PSCF 52.3:215-217 (9/2000).

Robert H. DeHaan, "Paradoxes of Darwinian Theory Resolved by a Theory of
Macro-Development," PSCF 48 (September 1996): 180.

Armin Held, & Peter Rust, "Genesis Reconsidered" PSCF 51.4:231-243 (12/1999).

Keith B. Miller, "The Precambrian to Cambrian Fossil Record and Transitional
Forms," PSCF 49 (December 1997): 264.

J. Raymond Zimmer "The Creation of Man and the Evolutionary Record,"PSCF 48
(March 1996): 16.  

Gordon C. Mills, "A Design Theory of Progressive Creation." A series of five papers
from 1995 - 1999 describing Dr. Mills' views.
                                                                                    
Peter Rust, "How Has Life and Diversity Been Produced?" PSCF 44 (June 1992): 80.

Wilbur L. Bullock, " The Origin of Species and the Origins of Disease," PSCF 44 (March
1992): 36.

Biblical/Theological Papers (many more articles may be found via Google on our
home page)

Snoke, David, Why Were Dangerous Animals Created? PSCF 56.2:117-125 (6/2004)

Fischer, Dick, Young-Earth Creationism: A Literal Mistake PSCF 55.4:222-231 (12/2003)

Morton, Glenn R. & Simons, Gordon, Random Worms: Evidence of Random and
 Nonrandom Processes  in the Chromosomal Structure of Archaea, Bacteria and
 Eukaryotes PSCF  55.3:175-184 (9/2003)

Richard Thornhill, "The Panda's Thumb: Design and Optimality from Plato to Endo"
 PSCF 55 (March 3003): 32-35.

Newman, Robert C., Some Problems for Theistic Evolution PSCF 55.2:117-128
(6/2003).

John Jefferson Davis, "Is "Progressive Creation" Still a Helpful Concept?
Reflections on Creation, Evolution, and Bernard Ramm's Christian View of Science
and Scripture - A Generation Later," PSCF 50 (December 1998): 2

Dick Fischer, "In Search of Historical Adam: Part 1," PSCF 45
(December 1993): 241

Dick Fischer. "In Search of Historical Adam: Part 2," PSCF 46
(March 1994): 47 

CONRAD HYERS, "Dinosaur Religion: On Interpreting and
Misinterpreting the Creation Texts." JASA 36 (September 1984): 142-148.

Merideth G. Kline, "Space and Time in the Genesis Cosmogony," PSCF
48 (March 1996): 2

Karl Krienke, "Theodicy and Evolution," PSCF 44 (December 1992): 255.

Keith B. Miller, "Theological Implications of an Evolving Creation," A condensation of PSCF
45  (September 1993): 150.

George L. Murphy, "Chiasmic Cosmology and Creation's Functional Integrity," PSCF 53
(March 2001):7 - 13.

Peter Ruest, "Creative Providence in Biology," PSCF 53  (September 2001): 179
.    [HTML]  [PDF]

Howard J. Van Till, . "Basil, Augustine, and the Doctrine of Creation's Functional
Integrity."  Science & Christian Belief 8, No. 1 (1996): 21-38.

Davis Young, "The Antiquity and the Unity of the Human Race Revisted," Christian
Scholar's Review XXIV:4, 380-396 (May, 1995)

General Books

Keith B. Miller, editor; Perspectives on an Evolving Creation 2003  Eerdmans. A strong
Christian case for evolutionary theory According to the authors of this book, who explore evolutionary
theory from  a clear  Christian perspective, the common view of conflict between evolutionary theory
and Christian faith is mistaken.  Written by contributors representing the natural sciences, philosophy,
theology, and the history of science, this  thought-provoking work is informed by both solid scientific
knowledge and keen theological insight.

Weiner, Jonathan, 1994, The Beak of the Finch, Vintage Books. An excellent and very entertaining
account  of the many years of research on the evolution of the finches of the Galapagos Islands, as well as other
 examples of detailed field work on the evolution of living animal populations. Gives some feeling for the
extraordinary amount of detailed work required to test evolutionary hypotheses in the field, and the tremendous
dedication of the scientists involved.

Charles Darwin, 1859,  The Origin of Sprcies an ebook version

Zimmer, Carl, 1998, At the Water's Edge, Touchstone. An thorough and interesting account of some
of the most  exciting fossil discoveries of the past decade -- the walking whales and the first tetrapods. Shows
examples of  fossil transitions between classes. 

Frederick Gregory, Nature Lost? Natural Science and the German Theological Traditions
of the Nineteenth Century.  MA: Harvard University Press, 1992.

David Knight, Ronald L. Numbers, Bernard Lightman and Mariko Ogawa, eds. Nineteenth
Century Books  on Evolution and Creation: scientific and religious debates in the age
of Darwin 

Ronald L. Numbers. The Creationists. New York: Alfred Knopf, 1992.

Books on Genesis

• Report of the Creation Study Committee  (Presbyterian Church in America, 2000)  
  A balanced and thorough examination of Genesis 1-3 by a conservative reformed
  denomination.
• Analytical Key to the Old Testament: Genesis, by John Joseph Owens (New York
   Harper & Row, 1978)
• The Anchor Bible: Genesis, by E.A. Speiser (New York: Doubleday, 1964)
• Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture [ACCS], Old Testament I, Genesis I-II
  (edited by Andrew Louth, Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2001)
• A Handbook on Genesis  by William D. Reyburn and Euan McG. Fry (New York: United
  Bible Societies,  1997) - (Available at http://www.americanbible.org). An outstanding
  resource.
• The International Critical Commentary: Genesis, Second Edition, by John Skinner
  (Edinburgh: T&T  Clark, 1910). A useful  historical resource.
• The Old Testament Library: Genesis, Revised Edition, by Gerhard Von Rad
  (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1972) 
• Genesis: A Commentary - by Gerhard von Rad
• Genesis 1-15  by Gordon J. Wenham (Waco, TX : Word Books, c1987.)

• The Seven Tablets of Creation by Leonard William KingLuzac's Semitic text and
  translation series. vol. xii-xiii,  Luzac and Co.  London  1902.
• Gerda De Villiers, "The Epic of Gilgamesh," OTE 19/1 (2006), 26­34

A Spectrum of Creation Views 

All Christians in the sciences affirm the central role of the Logos in creating
and maintaining the universe. In seeking to describe how the incredible
universe has come to be,  a variety of views has emerged especially in
the last two hundred years as biblical and scientific scholarship have
enabled deeper understanding of God's  word and  world.  We offer
a range of views on natural history that have developed out of a 'Christian'
world view.  They  vary according to the place of scripture and science in the telling of the story. The
place of direct  actions of God and 'so-called' secondary causes are key features of each story.
Vocabulary  and inconsistent use of terms often obscure the category in which to place a paper.
How one reads the Bible, the role of theology, and the  philosophy of science each color
our thinking.  

 The listing:   

Young-earth special creation: God directly creates all things in six days. (with some qualifications)
A 'literal' reading of  Genesis 1- 3      Creation Research Society,    Answers in Genesis

Old-earth Creation - Ruin - Reconstruction:  Christian Geology Ministry                    

Old-earth progressive creation: God's direct role in creation as consisting of separate creative
acts spread out over several billion years of time. J. J.  Davis, Mills, Morse, Tooley

Evolving Creation (Theistic Evolution): God's activity is typically progressive in time, and
potentially  understandable in terms of cause-and-effect sequences of physical or historical events.
 K. Miller

One Time Creation:   God has created a universe which depends continually upon God, but
which has been endowed with the ability to accomplish what God wants it to accomplish without any
"corrections" or "interventions." H. van Till, Murphy 

Dialogues

When Faith and Reason Clash: Evolution and the Bible

Theistic Evolution

Evolutionary Psychology

College Course

A college course with many links to all sides of the discussion  (web link)

News and Discussion

Skulls Found in Africa and in Europe Challenge Theories of
Human Origins Scientists are speaking about the potential of two ancient skulls to
reveal crucial insights in the evidence-disadvantaged field of human evolution. JOHN NOBLE
WILFORD, NY Times

Fossil Hints at How Pterosaur Hunted...Scientific American  

Earth's early battering revealed Detailed analysis of the oldest rocks on Earth throws new light on
one of our planet's most violent phases. BBC News

In the Beginning ... Cosmologists are beginning to converge on what they call a "standard model" of the  
universe that is towering in its ambition. DENNIS OVERBYE, NY Times

A Fossil Unearthed in Africa Pushes Back Human Origins French scientists
digging in  Central Africa  have uncovered a skull, almost seven million years old, that
belonged to an individual  about the  size of a chimpanzee. John Noble Wilford, NY Times. 
See also  Toumaï, face of the deep   Nature and 'Astonishing' skull unearthed in Africa 
BBC News 

 
Resources

AIBS Evolution Page

Darwinia

The Complete Work of Charles Darwin This site currently contains more than 50,000 searchable
text pages and 40,000 images of both publications and handwritten manuscripts. There is also the most
comprehensive  Darwin  bibliography ever published and the largest manuscript catalogue ever assembled.
More than 150 ancillary texts are also included, ranging from secondary reference works to contemporary
reviews, obituaries,  published descriptions of Darwin's Beagle specimens and important related works for
understanding Darwin's context.

Misc.

Robert Schneider has written an up-to-date series of essays on the theme of Creation.

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