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February 09, 2008
Lesson for Evolution Sunday
In case you missed it in your church's bulletin last Sunday, it's now Evolution Weekend. At least according to 11,000 clergy and 803 "congregations" who are celebrating. (Darwin Day is February 12, by the way.) A clergy letter states:
We the undersigned, Christian clergy from many different traditions, believe that the timeless truths of the Bible and the discoveries of modern science may comfortably coexist. We believe that the theory of evolution is a foundational scientific truth, one that has stood up to rigorous scrutiny and upon which much of human knowledge and achievement rests. To reject this truth or to treat it as “one theory among others” is to deliberately embrace scientific ignorance and transmit such ignorance to our children. We believe that among God’s good gifts are human minds capable of critical thought and that the failure to fully employ this gift is a rejection of the will of our Creator. To argue that God’s loving plan of salvation for humanity precludes the full employment of the God-given faculty of reason is to attempt to limit God, an act of hubris. We urge school board members to preserve the integrity of the science curriculum by affirming the teaching of the theory of evolution as a core component of human knowledge.
A list of observing congregations (such as some of them are) is here, in case you're looking for the nearest celebration.
My counter-proposal, however, is for Creation Sunday, and the Psalm reading should include:
O Lord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy creatures. Yonder is the sea, great and wide, which teems with things innumerable, living things, both small and great....These all look to thee, to give them their food in due season. When thou givest to the, they gather it up; when thou openest thy hand, they are filled with good things. When thou hidest thy face, they are dismayed; when thou takest away their breath, they die and return to their dust. When thou sendest forth thy Spirit, they are created; and thou renewest the face of the ground. (104:27-30)
Regardless of what you think of Genesis 1 and the timing of things and how exactly species arose, there is something here in this Psalm that a Christian cannot discard and has to be the main way of looking at the world, life, and ourselves. It's how Jesus understood the world, even when a piddly sparrow falls in sight of the Father. And we are, by the way, of more value than sparrows, as well. Or do we think that He got all this wrong?
Posted by James M. Kushiner at 03:54 PM | Permalink
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Did your church celebrate Evolution Sunday? Over at Mere Comments, James M. Kushiner suggests a different way of looking at the holiday. [Read More]
Tracked on Feb 11, 2008 9:10:49 AM
Comments
"there is something here in this Psalm that a Christian cannot discard and has to be the main way of looking at the world, life, and ourselves"
Quite correct. There is a curious current in "thinking" circles that decries the word creationist and instead prefers complicated creeds like deistic evolution and the like. But if you are Christian, regardless of the methods used by God, you are a creationist. There is no escaping that. It is one of the reasons Christianity can look at Mormonism as something other than itself.
Posted by: Nick | Feb 9, 2008 4:46:11 PM
A search of those participants labeled "Catholic" suggests a very low level of credibility for this event. The soi-disant Catholic churches represented are not Roman Catholic, and one is simply a website calling itself a Catholic community.
Clergy are another matter. Again, many of the participants claiming to be Catholic are not in communion with Rome, and many more are not clergy, but a few are priests or deacons in good standing. Of these, the most embarrassing is Rev. Raymond F. Collins, Professor of New Testament at
The Catholic University of America. In the spirit of Lenten generosity, I will assume he wasn't paying attention when someone asked for his signature.
On the whole, though, this is pretty slim pickings. If this is the best the Clergy Letter Project can do, they've already lost the battle.
Posted by: DGP | Feb 9, 2008 4:50:34 PM
Hello Everybody,
My "mere opinion" is that evolutionism is mere atheism, camouflaged as "science" which it is not. Accepting the "theory of evolution" means turning our back to real science and rejecting the absolute reality of the existence of the Omnipotent Creator God, who brought all things into existence by the power of His Word. Science may call it the "Big Bang" but again that is leaving out the absolute inevitable reality of the pre-existing immutable LAWS of the Creator.
Without the universal LAWS nothing could have come into existence, neither could anything exist without them. The true origin of those laws are an unshakable proof of the existence of their Maker.
The multitude of "undersigners" is another sign of the fulfilling prophecies
"many on the way to destruction".
Thanks and greetings: Gabor
Posted by: Gabor Horvath | Feb 9, 2008 7:50:04 PM
Just a quick note, and a pet peeve of mine:
The Big Bang != Evolution
The Big Bang posits a beginning to the universe. It is probably the single most pro-Christian cosmology theory in existence. It allows learned Christians to chuckle at physicists that go out of their way to try to give it a naturalistic explanation. It also has a fair amount of directly observable evidence to back it up. Do not, ever, fear the Big Bang.
Evolution is another matter entirely.
Posted by: Nick | Feb 9, 2008 9:25:55 PM
What's next - Math Facts Sunday? "Pastor McGreesey, it's my experience that half our sunday-school children were simply unaware that the infinite harmonic series is not summable. If we don't do something, I'm afraid we are causing them to embrace scientific/mathematical ignorance, and worse, teaching them that God has not given the gift of intelligence."
Posted by: Clifford Simon | Feb 9, 2008 9:39:56 PM
Nick,
You've said it very well.
Posted by: Clifford Simon | Feb 9, 2008 9:44:54 PM
I think part of the problem here, both with the proponents of "Evolution Sunday" and with many so-called creationists, is the failure to make the important distinction between the theory of evolution and evolutionism, a distinction ably articulated by the Archbishop of Vienna, Christoph Cardinal Schoenborn, whom I, an Evangelical living in Vienna, proudly own as "our archbishop".
Evolutionism is the attempt to make the theory of evolution, with the assumption of a closed universe, the ultimate answer to the question of origins which will forever dispose of the need to believe in and answer to a God who makes demands on us. True and honest scientists recognize that this is not science but an ideology, an "ersatz" religion in fact.
A naive Creationism, however, in the laudable attempt to resist this evolutionist error, discounts and disregards all evidence for evolution and insists on an interpretation of Genesis 1 with literal 24-hour days, and thus lays itself open to the charge of willful ignorance and a rejection if the power of reason with which God has endowed us.
The only thing that unites these two extreme factions is their opposition to theories like Intelligent design -- the evolutionists oppose it because it allows for God's existence and creation, and the creationists oppose it because it allows for evolutionary changes and an old earth.
Posted by: Wolf N. Paul | Feb 10, 2008 1:25:14 AM
>>What's next - Math Facts Sunday? "Pastor McGreesey, it's my experience that half our sunday-school children were simply unaware that the infinite harmonic series is not summable. <<
Sometimes this is honored by the sermon never converging. :)
Posted by: Bobby Winters | Feb 10, 2008 7:18:41 AM
The Bible is quite clear that the Universe and all that is in it was created in six literal days. Both the Genesis account and Exodus 20:11 affirm that creation was 6 literal days and some period of time.
A Christian should accept the words of Scripture above all other evidence. If even one part of scripture isn't true, then none of it can be accepted as truth. A lack of solid proof is no reason to reject the teaching of scripture. The theory of evolution must also be taken by faith, as there is no concrete evidence that life occured by random chance, as it's proponenets espouse.
Posted by: Brian | Feb 11, 2008 9:39:29 AM
Brian, the Bible is not at all clear these were 6 literal days. In the first place, "in the beginning" the sun was not yet created to mark the days. In the second place, the 24 hour day is an artifact of earth due to its rotation. Therefore, since God is in the whole universe, his day may not resemble ours at all. There is a verse (forgot reference) that says "A thousand years in his sight are but a day, and a day a thousand years."
Which all is to say, in God's eyes, time is something entirely different than ours, as God created the whole concept of time.
Posted by: JeanB | Feb 11, 2008 10:13:21 AM
Brian,
You said, "If even one part of scripture isn't true, then none of it can be accepted as truth."
Why? Wouldn't you need a source of knowledge outside of the Bible to inform you of that?
And isn't there a distinction between truth and fact? The Bible says, "There was a man named Jonah..." but couldn't it be that there was no man named Jonah; might the writer be telling a fictional story to get at the truth?
The arguments necessary to sustain your original claim strain credibility. If God created reason, did he intend us to so wholly neglect the use of it?
Posted by: Daniel Propson | Feb 11, 2008 11:02:13 AM
While perusing the list of august signatories to the evolutionary clergy letter, I noted several "Orthodox" judicatories about whom I was unaware. One was the "Orthodox Catholic Church," whose entire clergy ranks must have rushed to sign. Another was something called "Apostolic Orthodox" in Moscow, PA. I have been to Moscow, and I cannot recall a church there of the same name.
Otherwise, I was happy to see a scarcity of real Orthodoxy in the list. It seems that membership in this present darkness requires a preference to fly by night.
Posted by: Fr. Jonathan | Feb 11, 2008 3:40:38 PM
Jean B,
The verse you are looking for is from Psalm 90: "Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn men back to dust, saying, Return to dust, O sons of men. For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night." It is also quoted in 2 Peter 3:8-9. "First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, Where is this coming he promised? ... But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
All,
We are in the midst of a great Cosmological controversey - one which may be every bit as hot as the early Christological controversies. Pray that it will be settled at the next Ecumenical Council. :-)
Posted by: Clifford Simon | Feb 11, 2008 3:42:08 PM
The 6x24-hour Creation does not really result from a neglect of reason.
If one *presupposes* that an hour is 1/24th of the Earth's spin - i.e. if one presupposes that if the Earth spun at a different rate, then the amount of time which we call an "hour" would necessarily be altered - then the absense of hour-markers until the 4th day would indeed be a reason not to think of six 24-hour periods. But the bible doesn't inform us of any particular theory of what makes an hour. In other words, both conclusions are equally "neglect of reason": either to conclude the day-age theory from the initial absense of hour-markers, or to conclude the 6x24 theory from the refrain of "...and there was evening, and there was morning, the Nth day" and the ten commandments.
Moreover, you can also see that neither theory is more "literal." It simply is NOT a matter of literal vs. figurative language. ALL language is ESSENTIALLY figurative. It is rather of question of WHAT these figures denote.
For a historical perspective, I'll recommend the book that my fellow commenter JRM has recommened on this subject: "The Creationists" by Ronald Numbers. (Thanks, JRM!)
Posted by: Clifford Simon | Feb 11, 2008 4:09:16 PM
To clarify, Clifford, I wasn't saying creationism (or 6x24 creationism) was unreasonable. I was simply saying that the statement, "If even one part of scripture isn't true, then none of it can be accepted as truth" is not logically sound.
Posted by: Daniel Propson | Feb 12, 2008 6:19:46 AM
>>For a historical perspective, I'll recommend the book that my fellow commenter JRM has recommened on this subject: "The Creationists" by Ronald Numbers. (Thanks, JRM!)<<
Looks great. I've ordered it. Thanks.
I've no problem with people believing in young earth creationism as long as they don't try to teach it in science classes. God may transcend the material universe, but he is not an object that can be tested and measured by scientific methodology.
Posted by: Francesca | Feb 12, 2008 8:34:42 AM
I don't think the debate will be settled here. I am convinced from the Bible, including the in depth studies of the grammar of Genesis 1, theological reasons (creation and then fall are inextricably linked, and without them, there is no Cross of Jesus), and scientific reasons, that the Bible is in fact true, that God, Who was there after all, is correct in what He says.
I have not in previous discussions here observed a willingness for honest discussion with those who live in the cognitive dissonance between theism and atheism, or who believe in a god who caused and created, and created through, evil, calling it "very good", though they may be living in cognitive dissonance about that, as well. I've seen name-calling, mud-slinging, and worse from men normally of far better character. It becomes a matter of the sort Jesus told us not to bother with.
IF anyone wants sources for interesting materials, I will provide what I have or can find in the midst of all else that I have on my plate.
Francesca, as long as you apply that to philosophical naturalism dressing itself up as science, as well. I do perceive you are unaware of the science of the creation model, and the metaphysics of the evolutionist the belief-system. That is not a condemnation, that is a common condition.
Posted by: labrialumn | Feb 12, 2008 12:00:37 PM
>>that the Bible is in fact true, that God, Who was there after all, is correct in what He says.
But all of us here believe this.
That God caused and created through evil, is a false attribution toward theistic evolutionists. I'm not advocating theistic evolution - but at least let's not fail to understand what it is.
The inference from the animal world to the supposed evil of God, is not logically sound. Here's my parody of that inference.
Then JOB replied to the LORD:
Do you, O LORD, hunt prey for the lions?
Do you satisfy the hunger of the carnivorous raven?
Do you cause the mountain goat to experience evil labor pains?
The mama ostrich to puts her eggs in the sand,
Unmindful that a foot might crush them.
She treats her young harshly.
Because your Evolution has failed to endow her with wisdom,
You held back her share of good sense.
You make the horse prance for battle, for war!
You make the hawk take flight to hunt the helpless.
His young ones feast on blood,
And where the slain are, there he is.
Consider the strong Behomoth and the Leviathan with fearsome teeth.
Then the LORD answered JOB out of the storm:
Yup, you caught me in my evil.
I despise Myself
And repent in dust and ashes.
Posted by: Clifford Simon | Feb 12, 2008 3:12:55 PM
>>Then the LORD answered JOB out of the storm: Yup, you caught me in my evil. / I despise Myself / And repent in dust and ashes.
A parody? Carl Jung said this in all sincerity, in *Antwort auf Iob.*
Posted by: DGP | Feb 12, 2008 4:01:17 PM
Otherwise, I was happy to see a scarcity of real Orthodoxy in the list.
Mhmmmmmmmmm, Fr Jonathan. Me too. I doubt those listed as Orthodox are anything even resembling canonical.
And besides the "ecumenical" and "liberal" catholics listed, it seems all the congregations are protestant...
Posted by: Anna | Feb 12, 2008 4:21:50 PM
THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION NEEDS A WHOLE REVISION.
I’m one of the scientists who think that natural selection is an inadequate theory to explain the emergence and the evolution of the living beings.
If you are interested on the foundations of a new theory of evolution and ready to rethink the laws of physics and of biology, I invite you to visit the blog:
http://www.cosmosandgaia.blogspot.com (and the Spanish web linked to it)
There you can find excerpts from the book “Cosmos y Gea. Fundamentos de una nueva teoría de la evolucion” (Cosmos and Gaia. Foundations of a new theory of evolution). This book is not yet translated into English, but many people already have found it as an essential issue, far beyond of the sterile controversy between Darwinism and creationism.
best regards
Posted by: Francesc | Feb 13, 2008 4:21:42 PM
Labrialumn,
God created an entire race of people, who outnumber the stars, through evil--on the cross.
I call that "very good".
Posted by: Mairnéalach | Feb 15, 2008 3:42:17 AM
Read Thank God for Evolution by Michael Dowd.He is a former Fundmentalist who has seen the light by accepting the truth that Evloution is the work of God,and that it has taken eons of time, and is still happening.
Posted by: William Bailey | Jan 5, 2009 8:03:33 PM
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