Re: [asa] Resolution affirming Creation and Evolution

Bob,

     The main concern I have with this resolution is that it fails to
take an
explicit stand against that subset (a minority I presume but I
haven't taken
a survey) of scientists who actively proclaim metaphysical naturalism
on the
basis of evolution. True, the first paragraph asserts the
compatibility of
"an authentic and living Christian faith" with "an acceptance of
evolution"
but the second paragraph, while advocating "education based on the best
available scientific knowledge," lacks an explicit caution against
the way
that the Dawkins, Provines, Weinbergs, etc. teach evolution as being
antithetical to religion. In fact, if hypothetically the "consensus
of the
scientific community" were the lack of divine providence in
evolution, then
this resolution would support such a teaching in the schools. In other
words, the paragraph on education is incomplete, I think.

     I guess my concern is not so much about this resolution as about
ourselves at ASA. We are very busy discussing among ourselves the
details
of ID, YEC, TE, EC, concordism, accommodationism, etc., and
appropriately
so. Yet how much effort are we able to make in confronting the
advocacy of
metaphysical naturalism itself? While we may have difficulties with
some
aspects of ID, at least they have managed to get the issue on the
table so
that secular scientific communities around the world are putting it
on their
agenda. I don't know of any other perspective in ASA that has managed
to do
that. This gives all of us an opportunity to share the perspectives
from
the Christian community. We do indeed differ (and widely so) on the
details
but we are united in our belief in the Creator and that science does not
imply metaphysical naturalism. I wish we could be more aggressive on
that
score.

     Randy

----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Schneider" <rjschn39@bellsouth.net>
To: <asa@calvin.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, June 21, 2006 9:39 PM
Subject: [asa] Resolution affirming Creation and Evolution

> I just received word from Johnnie Ross, a deputy to the Episcopal
> Church
> General Convention smf a colleague on the Committee on Science,
> Technology and Faith, that a resolution put forward by our
> committee has
> been approved by both houses, Bishops and Deputies. Here is the
> text of
> the final version of the resolution; it was first amended in committee
> in the House of Bishops (in a manner we were very pleased with) and
> then
> concurred today in one of the final actions of the Deputies at
> Convention:
>
> * FINAL VERSION - Concurred
>
> Resolution A129
> Title: Affirm Creation and Evolution
> Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 75th General
> Convention affirm that God is Creator, in accordance with the
> witness of
> Scripture and the ancient Creeds of the Church; and be it further,
> Resolved, That the theory of evolution provides a fruitful and
> unifying
> scientific explanation for the emergence of life on earth, that many
> theological interpretations of origins can readily embrace an
> evolutionary outlook, and that an acceptance of evolution is entirely
> compatible with an authentic and living Christian faith; and be it
> further
> Resolved, That Episcopalians strongly encourage state legislatures and
> state and local boards of education to establish standards for science
> education based on the best available scientific knowledge as accepted
> by a consensus of the scientific community; and be it further
> Resolved, That Episcopal dioceses and congregations seek the
> assistance
> of scientists and science educators in understanding what constitutes
> reliable scientific knowledge.
>
> The following explanation for the resolution is not part of the
> Resolves
> but was entered with them so that bishops and deputies would have a
> context for the resolution:
>
> EXPLANATION
> The theory of evolution is broadly accepted by the overwhelming
> majority
> in the scientific community as the most adequate explanation for the
> emergence of life on earth, and the ongoing adaptation of life to
> changes in environments. For example, knowledge of how evolution
> functions is essential in understanding the resistance of bacteria to
> antibiotics, the resistance of insects to insecticides, and the
> appearance of viruses such as HIV and influenza.
>
> The teaching of evolution is a crucial contribution to the development
> of scientific literacy among the nation's youth, yet state legislators
> and state and local school boards continue to challenge, limit, or
> seek
> to supplant the teaching of evolution. Limiting the teaching of
> evolution in our schools has the potential to compromise students'
> ability to understand constantly changing living systems, and may
> undermine, for instance, the understanding and treatment of
> diseases of
> the future.
>
> Since the sixteenth century, Anglicans have described their faith in
> terms of the "three-legged stool" of Scripture, Tradition and Reason.
> The quest to understand the origins of life on earth, and the forces
> that drive the ongoing changes in living organisms involves Reason and
> is in no way incompatible with the central truths of Scripture and
> Christian Tradition. Episcopalians generally accept that it is
> appropriate to seek to understand, through scientific probing, the
> origins both of the cosmos and life on earth, and that evolution is a
> valid explanation of the development of all living things, including
> humanity. Several leading Anglican theologians, past and present,
> among
> them priest-scientists William G. Pollard, Arthur Peacocke, and Sir
> John
> Polkinghorne, have shown how an evolutionary world view can be
> integrated with a theology of creation. The 67th General Convention
> affirmed a belief "in the glorious ability of God to create in any
> manner", and its "support of scientists, educators, and theologians in
> the search for truth" (GC Resolution 1982-D090). [Bob's note: this
> 1982
> resolution also rejected "the rigid dogmatism of the 'creationist'
> movement".]
>
> * Resolution is final but status and text are still under review
> before
> publication.
>
> As the footnote indicates, the text is under review, but this is
> standard procedure and I think it is very likely that it will be
> published as written. This means that the Episcopal Church has now
> gone
> on record in support of good science, recognizing that biological
> evolution is good science, and supporting good science education. I
> also
> want to add that our resolution was influenced by the resolution
> passed
> by the Presbyterian Church USA at their General Assembly in 2002,
> and we
> were thankful to have their text to inspire us. The present resolution
> complements the earlier 1982 resolution. I am very proud to have
> been a
> part of this effort.
>
> Bob
>
> Robert J. Schneider
> 187 Sierra Vista
> Boone, NC, 28607
> 828-264-4071
>
> "Science and Faith: perspectives on Christianity and science"
> community.berea.edu/scienceandfaith/
> "A Catechism of Creation"
> www.episcopalchurch.org/science/
> "Truth is born into this world only with pangs and tribulations, and
> every fresh truth is received unwillingly. To expect the world to
> receive a new truth, or even an old truth, without challenging it,
> is to
> look for one of those miracles which do not occur" (from an
> interview of
> Alfred Russell Wallace published posthumously in 1913).
>
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Received on Sun Jun 25 16:39:19 2006