Re: [asa] a theological exercise

I think you're right about the "evangelical-in-the-pew." However, I'm not
sure you're right about this as a matter of evangelical theology generally.
I'd venture to say that most serious evangelical thinkers (yes I know
"serious" is a loaded term) accept standard geology and an old earth because
science dictates it. So they will change their interpretations of scripture
and their theology (here, significantly, the nature of "death" before the
fall) based on scientific conclusions. But the boundaries of how this works
aren't infinitely elastic. The rubber band goes "sproing" and the
conversation stops when it comes to denying any kind of historical fall --
maybe for good reasons, or at least for reasonable reasons.

On Tue, Jun 3, 2008 at 3:31 PM, <drsyme@cablespeed.com> wrote:

> My difficulty with your analogy of the scientist changing a theory in the
> face of new evidence, is that most of the evangelicals that I have talked to
> about this, claim that altering one's theology to meet scientific facts is
> not acceptable. To them, there would be no possible scientific evidence
> that would get them to reconsider. They understand the implications of
> evolution, the most difficult being those David O mentioned, and most are
> not at all interested in even trying to see if there is a consistent
> Christian theology because the only revelation that they are concerned about
> is biblical. In other words they will criticize because you have changed
> your views based on science, and the conversation stops there.
>
>
>
> *On Tue Jun 3 14:07 , "George Murphy" sent:
>
> *
>
> 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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>

-- 
David W. Opderbeck
Associate Professor of Law
Seton Hall University Law School
Gibbons Institute of Law, Science & Technology
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