RE: [asa] Jonathan Wells essay

Keith,
 
Let me say that I'm navigating my way through one of those sources right
now, Perspectives on an Evolving Creation (and Dick F., your book is on my
list to read too). Though I haven't gotten too far through it yet, I can
see it is an invaluable resource, a seminal work, to which I'll be referring
others who are interested. The detailed information on what we know about
science, and how we know it, is great. But I think more valuable is the
sense I get in many of the articles -- a sense of worship toward God and awe
at consideration of the wonders of his "creation", even though that creation
is presented from the point of view that some would call "naturalistic
science." That combination of worshipful awe with scientific integrity, I
think, should help some people overcome the misperception that
evolution=atheism. I want to thank you for putting this material together
in the way that you have. Presently, I am one who has no problem accepting
an old universe but still has difficulty embracing the common evolutionary
origin of our species because of theological reasons. But I have to admit
the possibility based on scientific evidence, and I have to respect those
Christians who do embrace that view out of sincere intent to know the truth
about nature.
 
Having said that, I'm trying to picture having an "Evolution Sunday" or
similar focus of such scientific questions at our church, in the context of
a Sunday sermon. I'm pretty sure sure it wouldn't go over, at least not
when presented from a non-traditional point of view. Better might be a
Sunday school class where points of view could be expressed and concerns
could be answered, etc., but I think many would still question the value of
such a class, especially when it would fly in the face of traditional
Biblical teachings. I'm working on putting together a class on these
subjects for interested individuals, but unless the congregation is
specifically interested in knowing the truth on this subject (or in
apologetics on how to put the Biblical message in context of scientific
information), I don't see it as something that a lot of general church
audiences would tolerate. Obviously I can't speak for those in other church
traditions; many of them did apparently celebrate Evolution Sunday without a
open revolt.
 
 
Jon Tandy
 

-----Original Message-----
From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On
Behalf Of Keith Miller
Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 9:45 AM
To: American Scientific Affiliation
Subject: Re: [asa] Jonathan Wells essay

 
 The problem is that many CHRISTIANS HAVE MADE this a fundamental
theological/moral issue. As a result, I think that it is entirely
appropriate, and in fact valuable, for the church to address the issue from
a solid Creation theology perspective. I don't suspect that many churches
will be teaching the science of evolutionary theory in their services.
Rather, I would hope that the focus would be on the theology of Creation and
hermeneutics. Whether there is an "Evolution Sunday" or not, it is
important for pastors and Christian educators to address the issue. I would
similarly argue that the local church should also provide theological
instruction to guide their members in thinking about other prominent issues
such as stem cell research, or climate change. The local church should not
be expected to teach about the science, but the theological foundations for
addressing these questions should be taught. Christians will get their
guidance to navigate such questions from other sources (the local Christian
book shelf) if not in the local church.

Keith

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Received on Wed Jan 31 12:24:45 2007