An Evolutionary Theist
Francis Collins at the Veritas Forum
As you can see--the video is quite long, but for those interested in the subject worthwhile. I have read his arguments against creationism but NOT against theism and agree with him on both points--it is possible to at once ascribe to evolution as a reasonable theoretical construct encompassing life on Earth as it is presently and a theological worldview. It is not possible to maintain these stands when allied with any form of literalism--evolutionary or biblical. Literalism in the evolutionary sense gives rise to Spencerian nonsense and some of the worst strains of Kipling's "White Man's Burden" ideology.
As you can see--the video is quite long, but for those interested in the subject worthwhile. I have read his arguments against creationism but NOT against theism and agree with him on both points--it is possible to at once ascribe to evolution as a reasonable theoretical construct encompassing life on Earth as it is presently and a theological worldview. It is not possible to maintain these stands when allied with any form of literalism--evolutionary or biblical. Literalism in the evolutionary sense gives rise to Spencerian nonsense and some of the worst strains of Kipling's "White Man's Burden" ideology.
I was raised a Catholic and went to a Catholic grammar school and high school in Chicago. I got my first formal exposure to evolution in the biology class in the Catholic high school, taught by an Augustinian priest.
ReplyDeleteHis point was that there was nothing in the Bible or in Catholic theology that was opposed to evolution. And, he accepted the physical evolution of humankind--however, God still intervened and installed the human soul, the spiritual aspect of humans.
Dear Fred,
ReplyDeleteA position with which I have no trouble whatsoever concurring, and which several of the wiser members of the Church hierarchy have affirmed.
shalom,
Steven
No you are wrong. The Bible says the world was created in seven days and God wrote it and everything in it is true, and non metaphorical. The earth is the center of the universe, Jesus was a plant, rocks can sing and snakes talk, and the most abominable thing is a homosexual.
ReplyDeleteDear Jonathan,
ReplyDeleteAnd yea, these two things does the Lord hate, these three does He abominate--what a terrible mathematician He must be if all is literal. And I know that when Jesus says that He is a door, I am to start looking immediately for the doorknob and hinges, and when He says He is a path, I am to look for pebbles and such.
Thank you. I appreciate the comment and agree with its spirit if I am reading you correctly. And, having stopped by your abbreviated blog (It's a shame there is not more of it) I do believe that I am.
Thank you,
shalom,
Steven