[asa] a theological exercise

The first book we were assigned when I started seminary was a small volume by Helmut Thielicke, A Little Exercise for Young Theologians. I'd like to propose here what I think is an important little exercise for Christians, young & old, who want to engage in theology-science discussions, & especially those relating to evolution.

Let me begin with a scientific preliminary. One of the tasks of a scientist, & especially a theoreticians, is to try to see how well some new discovery fits in with what he/she has up until that point regarded as the best theory in the relevant field. E.g., are the data generated when a new particle accelerator comes on line consistent with current theories of high energy physics? If they are consistent without any tinkering with the theory then they can be regarded as predictions of noverl facts by that theory. Perhaps some relatively minor adjustments of secondary aspects of the theory are required. Or maybe there's just no natural way in which the new data can be understood within the theory's framework - in which case all but diehards will decide that a new theoretical framework is needed.

OK, assume now that somehow - & "how" is not something I want to debate now - it has been demonstrated scientifically, beyond any reasonable doubt, that present-day human beings have descended from pre-human ancestors without any unexplained gaps - physical or mental - in the process. (Some might claim that that's already been done but again that isn't the point now.) The exercise is to see how well this could fit in with your theology - with the way that you understand God, creation, sin, salvation and other aspects of the faith. Does the evolutionary reality flow naturally from your theology, does that theology require some modification in its secondary aspects, or is there just no way to make human evolution part of your theology without changing it (the theology) totally? A really serious effort should be made to accomplish the task in some detail. It need not produce a dissertation but has to be more elaborate than "Evolution is how God creates" or "The Bible rules out evolution."

& now the point of the exercise. Only a Christian has honestly tried to do this - not necessarily succeeded but tried - has any business criticizing the views of Christians who do accept human evolution.

Shalom
George
http://web.raex.com/~gmurphy/

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Received on Tue Jun 3 14:10:13 2008