RE: [asa] a theological exercise

I used to have a theology as an Evangelical Christian when I rejected
evolution. Since I've accepted evolution, I don't have a new theology
yet... trying to build it from the ashes of my old theology. Still
searching, though I haven't read your book yet, George. Does your book
propose the new evolutionary theology framework?

...Bernie

________________________________

From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On
Behalf Of George Murphy
Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:08 AM
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 18:17:21 2008