Author Topic: Can a Christian support evolution? (Read 10849 times)

SolitaryDisciple · « **on:** November 25, 2011, 05:06:03 PM »

I posted this question here because there isn't a specific one for science. I would like to see a forum started on science here. That would be fantastic.

I think that there are certain elements of evolution that may be true. Natural selection is one. But I question macroevolution. I know that there is a lot of evidence to support the idea of humans and apes sharing a common ancestor, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the conclusion that humans and apes MUST have evolved from the same group is inescapable.

Minor changes like Darwin's finches and their beaks is one thing. Sure, I believe that happens. But people coming from other primates? I highly doubt this.

What do you think?

Christian Forums and Message Board · « **on:** November 25, 2011, 05:06:03 PM »

fcadcock · « **Reply #1 on:** November 27, 2011, 01:36:37 AM »

I agree. To an extent, evolution does happen. Over time, species do adapt to new environmental challenges.

But as far as if humans and monkeys shared a common ancestor, I really can't give an answer other than God's plan was fulfilled. If in our creation, he took a shortcut and caused us to evolve from primates, then that's fine by me. I'm here today, and God is the reason. The truth is that there is no surviving evidence from that time which has ever been found, so we will most likely never know.

Christian Forums and Message Board · « **Reply #1 on:** November 27, 2011, 01:36:37 AM »

Akaroa · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2012, 03:01:50 AM »

A messageboard that gets right into this topic with rip-roaring debates between Christians and athiests over evolution is [link deleted]. Look under 'communities' for the New Age and Spirituality messageboard. There are tons of threads on this topic.

Victor08 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 04, 2012, 12:16:15 AM »

http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/evolution-fact.html
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One of the best introductory books on evolution (as opposed to introductory biology) is that by Douglas J. Futuyma, and he makes the following comment:

A few words need to be said about the "theory of evolution," which most people take to mean the proposition that organisms have evolved from common ancestors. In everyday speech, "theory" often means a hypothesis or even a mere speculation. But in science, "theory" means "a statement of what are held to be the general laws, principles, or causes of something known or observed." as the Oxford English Dictionary defines it. The theory of evolution is a body of interconnected statements about natural selection and the other processes that are thought to cause evolution, just as the atomic theory of chemistry and the Newtonian theory of mechanics are bodies of statements that describe causes of chemical and physical phenomena. In contrast, the statement that organisms have descended with modifications from common ancestors--the historical reality of evolution--is not a theory. It is a fact, as fully as the fact of the earth's revolution about the sun. Like the heliocentric solar system, evolution began as a hypothesis, and achieved "facthood" as the evidence in its favor became so strong that no knowledgeable and unbiased person could deny its reality. No biologist today would think of submitting a paper entitled "New evidence for evolution;" it simply has not been an issue for a century.

- Douglas J. Futuyma, Evolutionary Biology, 2nd ed., 1986, Sinauer Associates, p. 15

Christian Forums and Message Board · « **Reply #3 on:** March 04, 2012, 12:16:15 AM »

Faith.Man · « **Reply #4 on:** May 22, 2012, 07:25:20 PM »

As a man of science (mechanical engineer), I would also like to see a science sub-forum where some of the issues of science (evolution, age of the earth/universe, etc), could be discussed. It would need to be closely monitored though, as such discussions quickly become heated.

There are many self-described Christians who believe in evolution. I am not one of them. There is a way to reconcile science and Genesis without treating Genesis in an allegorical manner. As a Fundamentalist Christian, I believe the Bible should be taken literally, unless it is obvious it should be taken another way. I believe in the Ruin-Reconstruction Theory (aka Gap Theory) of interpreting Genesis 1:1-1:3. This makes sense to me.

Christian Forums and Message Board · « **Reply #4 on:** May 22, 2012, 07:25:20 PM »

Cally · « **Reply #5 on:** June 02, 2012, 09:15:56 PM »

Quote from: Faith.Man on May 22, 2012, 07:25:20 PM

As a man of science (mechanical engineer), I would also like to see a science sub-forum where some of the issues of science (evolution, age of the earth/universe, etc), could be discussed. It would need to be closely monitored though, as such discussions quickly become heated.

There are many self-described Christians who believe in evolution. I am not one of them. There is a way to reconcile science and Genesis without treating Genesis in an allegorical manner. As a Fundamentalist Christian, I believe the Bible should be taken literally, unless it is obvious it should be taken another way. I believe in the Ruin-Reconstruction Theory (aka Gap Theory) of interpreting Genesis 1:1-1:3. This makes sense to me.

I think is just a logically-foolish theory. If some Christians believe it and reconcile it with the fact that God created all living things. . . I'm not sure I'd say it says anything about their faith.

wonby1 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 15, 2013, 10:03:31 PM »

The reason it's an issue is because many in the church come out and say that you can't be a Christian and believe in any part of evolution. Then you have those in science saying the exact same thing, all because of how they interpret Genesis.

It reminds me of the time of Galileo. The church insisted that his findings were heretical to the teachings of the Bible. Although we scoff at this notion today, back then it almost cost the man his life.

For many, the realy problem lies with the age of the earth. Anyone who knows much about science can tell you that there are three different ways to verify the age of the universe as billions of years old. This means that if you can undermine a method such as carbon dating, there are other methods to come to the same conclusion from other areas of science.

I often struggled with this topic until I read "Genesis and the Big Bang" by Dr. Gerald Schroeder. He is both scientist and theologian. After all, to marry both fields one must have knowledge in both to make correlations. In the book he cited ancient rabbis who came to the conclusion that the earth was much older than 6 thousand years. They reasoned this merely from the Hebrew terms used to describe morning and evening which were translated as meaning "disorder" and "order" by the rabbis.

It is an interesting book for those interested in Old Earth Creationist views.

All that I know is that the majority of our origins is a mystery, yet some proclaim to have all the answers. In reality, we are just like Job. We don't know all the answers but are surrounded by those who would judge us and tell us they do know all the answers.

BF · « **Reply #7 on:** March 22, 2013, 09:39:31 AM »

Quote from: wonby1 on January 15, 2013, 10:03:31 PM

The reason it's an issue is because many in the church come out and say that you can't be a Christian and believe in any part of evolution. Then you have those in science saying the exact same thing, all because of how they interpret Genesis.

It reminds me of the time of Galileo. The church insisted that his findings were heretical to the teachings of the Bible. Although we scoff at this notion today, back then it almost cost the man his life.

For many, the realy problem lies with the age of the earth. Anyone who knows much about science can tell you that there are three different ways to verify the age of the universe as billions of years old. This means that if you can undermine a method such as carbon dating, there are other methods to come to the same conclusion from other areas of science.

I often struggled with this topic until I read "Genesis and the Big Bang" by Dr. Gerald Schroeder. He is both scientist and theologian. After all, to marry both fields one must have knowledge in both to make correlations. In the book he cited ancient rabbis who came to the conclusion that the earth was much older than 6 thousand years. They reasoned this merely from the Hebrew terms used to describe morning and evening which were translated as meaning "disorder" and "order" by the rabbis.

It is an interesting book for those interested in Old Earth Creationist views.

All that I know is that the majority of our origins is a mystery, yet some proclaim to have all the answers. In reality, we are just like Job. We don't know all the answers but are surrounded by those who would judge us and tell us they do know all the answers.

Last paragraph is so true. I grew up indoctrinated in creationist views. It's blasphemy to suggest anything else to my 80 year old pastor father. He even had a Creationist scientist visit the church to talk.

Dr. Francis Collins does not let his evolutionary beliefs stand in the way of his faith. Being open minded is such a fear for some. As an adult, I realize my faith is strong and I'm not afraid to consider new findings in any area. If aliens landed tomorrow, it would not shake my faith. Ha-it would only make me question how I understood it. It would just give me new insight to God's mind and ways. People get so defensive about things God didn't assign us to defend. I think the basis is fear, the way a toddler throws a tantrum if you try to take their pacifier or security blanket or panics when you turn the corner into the other room. I know God is God and all will be well, regardless of new discoveries

The Society · « **Reply #8 on:** May 23, 2013, 10:10:06 AM »

It really comes down to how you interpret the first chapter in Genesis. A lot of people believe that when it says day the Bible means 24 hours. If this is the case than evolution is impossible because it would take tons of years for the process to be complete.

On the other hand some regard the "day" in Genesis as more of a period of time - several thousand years possibly. If this is the case than there is certainly room for evolution to exist.

The next thought then is, what does it mean when it says that God created man? This could still be evolution. Buuuuuut what about woman? She was made from Adam's rib. This doesn't fit into the evolutionary scene as far as I can tell.

That's my 2 cents

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