Re: [asa] Wells and traditional Christianity

Ted Davis wrote (in part),

Many IDs just flat do not believe that traditional Christianity can be
matched with evolution--esp with Darwinian evolution. Many evangelical
theologians and many, perhaps most, ordinary evangelical Christians agree
with that view.

The important question here is, why? That is, specifically why do they see
evolution and traditional Christian belief as incompatible?

Ted,

Speaking as an evangelical Christian, I see Darwinian evolution as the _antithesis_ of the Gospel of Love. A few weeks ago (presumably during your absence), I submitted 'A pilgrim's paradox' which outlined the problem. You may find this at http://www.calvin.edu/archive/asa/200607/0355.html

I had earlier reminded the forum of the evil fruits of evolution. My words may be found here: http://www.calvin.edu/archive/asa/200607/0232.html

This list of 6 has now been extended to 10 following my most recent posting: http://www.calvin.edu/archive/asa/200608/0265.html

Vernon

 ----- Original Message -----

From: "Ted Davis" <tdavis@messiah.edu>
To: <asa@calvin.edu>; <janmatch@earthlink.net>
Sent: Monday, August 28, 2006 6:12 PM
Subject: Re: [asa] Wells and traditional Christianity

>I have been off the ASA list for several weeks, since before the annual
> meeting. I intended to come back this week, and got moving on it when I
> received a copy of Janice's post, concerning Jack Haught, Ken Miller, and
> evolution/theism.
>
> I haven't been part of this thread, but having inferred a few things from
> what Janice sent I will add my two cents now.
>
> First, if Wells presents himself as a defender of traditional Christianity,
> that would be news. Anyone familiar with the facts knows that he is not a
> Christian, and that he joined the anti-evolution movement b/c of his
> particular religious commitment.
>
> Funny that Wells, like some other non-Christians (Dawkins would be another
> person in this category, though obviously for very different reasons than
> those that pertain to Wells), would be able to comment (apparently) on what
> a traditional Christian should/can believe, relative to evolution. I
> imagine he's had some help from his Christian friends in ID on this point.
>
>
> Many IDs just flat do not believe that traditional Christianity can be
> matched with evolution--esp with Darwinian evolution. Many evangelical
> theologians and many, perhaps most, ordinary evangelical Christians agree
> with that view.
>
> The important question here is, why? That is, specifically why do they see
> evolution and traditional Christian belief as incompatible? The answers, in
> my experience, are numerous and varied. I haven't time here to type them
> all in adequately and fairly--that is, giving readers an adequate
> understanding of the reasons without unfairly trivilizing or misrepresenting
> them.
>
> One almost invisible factor, however, is lack of discernment and historical
> knowledge. This particular factor is enhanced by many advocates of ID, who
> either do not understand the very important theological differences
> between/among various TEs, or else do not see them as the very important
> facts that they are. The IDs I speak of here are not the only people out
> there who lack this understanding/discernment and/or the will to communicate
> more accurately with their audiences; the same can be said of many others in
> other camps. But the IDs are so important here b/c of their following among
> evangelicals. Haught and Ken Miller are in quite different camps, as far I
> can tell. Haught and Collins are absolutely in quite different camps. If
> anyone lumps them together, then they do not have enough knowledge to
> comment on this issue helpfully.
>
> There is *tremendous* confusion about theology and science in our culture,
> and most of the conversation about ID, from either side, is not helping
> ordinary Christians sort this out.
>
> Ted
>
>
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Received on Mon Aug 28 17:05:15 2006