tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931579729864611467.post4230475273031748775..comments2023-10-31T05:37:16.659-07:00Comments on A Guy in the Pew: Evolution and TheologyChuck Blanchardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01417638725063186710noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931579729864611467.post-49582885032769132482007-07-24T22:50:00.000-07:002007-07-24T22:50:00.000-07:00The article tells us nothing about the nature of G...The article tells us nothing about the nature of God. It is devoid of content.Steven Carrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11983601793874190779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931579729864611467.post-80555316713474093102007-07-23T10:17:00.000-07:002007-07-23T10:17:00.000-07:00'It allows the beloved--in this case the entire cr...'It allows the beloved--in this case the entire created cosmos--to be or to become itself.'<BR/><BR/>This is stark contrast to mankind who did not let smallpox or polio 'become itself' , but tried to exterminate part of God's created cosmos.<BR/><BR/>As Professor Steve Jones said when accused of playing God 'Somebody has to'.Steven Carrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11983601793874190779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931579729864611467.post-22383948701873176272007-07-21T15:46:00.000-07:002007-07-21T15:46:00.000-07:00Jeff:A good place to start would be the Language o...Jeff:<BR/><BR/>A good place to start would be <I>the Language of God</I> by Francis Collins. Collins is an Evangelical Christian and also a biologist (he headed the Human Genome Project). He does a good job of discussing evolution from th point of view of a believer.<BR/><BR/>I have also found that my own church has a wealth of materials on creation. They can be found <A HREF="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/19021_58398_ENG_HTM.htm" REL="nofollow"> here </A><BR/><BR/>Another good Christian voice on this is Chriss Tilling, a young theologian (with an Evangelical bent) whoe wrote about evolution quite recently <A HREF="http://www.christilling.de/blog/2007/07/creationism-or-evolution-rant.html" REL="nofollow"> here. </A>Chuck Blanchardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01417638725063186710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3931579729864611467.post-80146173705731826382007-07-21T15:06:00.000-07:002007-07-21T15:06:00.000-07:00Chuck, I have been meaning to comment on your evol...Chuck,<BR/> I have been meaning to comment on your evolution-related blog entries for some time, but have not had an opportunity. Evolution is certainly a hot issue in Christian churches, especially among those belonging to Evangelical denominations like myself. I think both sides - pro and con - have become so emotional on the subject, that we fail to truly understand one another’s views. We set up straw-men and proceed to tear them down. I find many evolution supporters use the extreme views of young-earth creationists when criticizing intelligent design, rather than addressing those with progressive (old-Earth) views. Likewise, many Christians over-simplify evolution in an attempt to discredit it.<BR/> During my time in college, I took many several courses in anthropology and geology. While far from a Ph.D. on the subject, I have somewhat of a basic understanding of scientific principles and thought. With that said, and despite my time at the university, I still hesitate to embrace evolution. I don’t believe that evolution, per se, violates biblical teachings, so that is not a stumbling block for me. Simply put, evolution fails to answer many of my questions about the development of life on Earth. If you can recommend a good book on the subject that could waylay my reservations, I would certainly like to read it. Christian apologists have written many books to refute the views of evolution. Perhaps there is an evolution version. <BR/> Furthermore, I have to admit that the atheistic motivations behind many who support evolution also cause me reservation. In fact, some are militant regarding their belief that there is not a god. If one begins with the presupposition that there can’t possibly be a god, your scientific findings will certainly state the same. Such individuals are more closed minded that they accuse certain Christians of being. Scientists for years embraced religion - Newton, Galileo, as well as many today. However, mainstream science today looks at religion as anti-intellectual. <BR/> I could write much more, but I will end with that. Thanks again for the posts.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05761234199393340435noreply@blogger.com