RE: [asa] a theological exercise

Nice, George.

I have been reading Galileo's letter to the Grand Duchess Christina where he
makes similar points. [Here is a web version:
http://www.galilean-library.org/manuscript.php?postid=43841] He often
quotes St. Augustine, and emphasizes the problem that can develop when
people claim something is truth but fail to realize they are using only
their interpretation that is subject to change.

I hold to a literal view that allows evolution: M-Genesis. [Don't Google
it, it's my name for it, though others may or may not have a similar
interpretation of Gen. 1 & 2.]

The advantages of this view related to evolution include:

Why Adam was not till Chapter 2.

Why multiple humans were seen on day 6.

Why the Garden was likely established high in the mountain -- to avoid
evolved mankind.

Why only one side of the Garden required guarding.

Why "no man to till the ground" was not simply stated there was "no man".

Why Jubal was not the inventor of the first instrument (ie flute), but was
the first with the harp.

Why Cain had people to fear.

Why Cain had someone to marry, rather than commit incest - further
eliminating any hint of accusation against God for requiring incest for
Adam's children.

Why Adam was uniquely stated as being given a "living soul" (KJV) - other
prior humans may have been in the image of God, but eternal life was not,
apparently, given to them.

Why Adam's DNA would be simple to develop from "dust" -- evolved mankind
would already have the code. [Not that God could not have done it otherwise,
but it does express an intelligent design method, useful throughout the
universe in other evolving environments.]

These are questions that Christians should consider before requiring we
accept their view is the only one, as per your last statement, and wisely
so.

George Cooper

From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On
Behalf Of George Murphy
Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 1:08 PM
To: ASA list
Subject: [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 15:10:13 2008