George writes: "in Genesis 1 God is clearly pictured as "electing" humanity for a special role in creation."
Of course, for the 'theistic Darwinist' (TD - a difficult balance), it is better said that 'nature selects' "humanity for a special role in creation." This is plainly a subtle nuance in the secularized language of agency. Such an approach is required because 'election' is likely too close to 'intervention' for (the) comfort (of TD's).
If my minimal knowledge of theology serves correct, I believe the term you are referring to is 'apokotastasis' - universal salvation - i.e. one of the things the church father Origen was accused of heresy for.
Does neo-Darwinism (as -ism) care about this or is death ultimate in such a world-view? What did Darwin think - no bodily resurrection? The idea of a 'neo-Darwinian theist' seems contradictory to me, and is perhaps why no one at ASA in this thread has openly accepted the label of 'neo-Darwinist.' Even if promoting neo-Darwinian evolutionary thought, ASA scientists and scholars don't seem to want to be labelled as 'neo-Darwinists,' as George's (dismissive) 'it matters little' attitude displays.
Thus, it seems, the fears and careful steps of TE/EC's are somehow (paradoxically) related to the proud, triumphalist pronouncements of the IDists in America. Indeed, such is a nationalist discourse that happens nowhere else and needn't concern others. The Orthodox here (in the country where I reside) certainly are not troubled deeply by IDism and TE/ECism; they have other things like 'apokotastasis' and their own national (Bear) (democratic) 'election' that concern them.
One thing is absolutely clear and obvious: there can be no such thing as an 'evolution of election' - this would be an absurdity par excellence! Vive le paradoxe! 'Election' is a purely non-evolutionary concept - even George wouldn't dispute this.
Gregory
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Received on Sat Feb 23 16:38:58 2008
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