Is "Theistic Evolution" Christian? (Part 1)

Bernie Dehler
10-16-07

    I read a very good article called "Theistic Evolution and Christian Theology" by Craig Rusbult, Ph.D. (click here to read it).  The conclusion? Yes, there is room in Christianity for evolutionary beliefs.  There are a number of very good points in this essay which Evangelical Christians need to know (they need to be corrected).  I will do that in multiple blog posts.  By the way, I consider myself an Evangelical Christian also.

     The following is a section I'd like to quote and add some comments.  This part is a response to young earthers who essentially say "In a process of old-earth creation, either with or without miracles, many animals would live and die, so God would not use this cruel method."  Here is the response from the essay:

Initially this argument seems impressive, but when we look at the Bible more closely we see that eternal life is promised only to humans, not animals.  Whether the universe is young or old, the everlasting life we lost by sin is available from God as a gift of grace through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, as explained in Animal Death before Human Sin -- Biblical Theology is for Humans, not Animals.)

     I would also add that according to evolution, humans have arrived really, really late on the scene.  It is just a blip on the radar of time compared to the ancient age of the universe and the earth.  Almost an infinite number of life forms (hyperbole, really, just a very HUGE number) have pre-existed before humans.  Even in the time of humans we can see all kinds of animal misery (lions and bears killing each other for territory, etc.).  It all looks so violent... how could God have a part in that?  The key, I think, is to understand it is just nature, and not humanity.

     For example, lions and bears (as well as all other animals) can (and do) rape, and kill for territory.  Is that a sin?  No.  Humans also do it.  Is that a sin?  Yes, because we are made in God's image.  I think understanding this helps to put things in a clearer perspective.  We are definitely not animals, because we are made in the image of God (we know of, and are subject to, the universal moral law).  We can and should handle the animals humanely, but not as humans.  They aren't human.                  

Comments

[Jason]

Why don't you believe the Bible? Don't give me "Genesis was meant to be poetry" crap either. You'd have to throw out Psalms and a few other books.

Just because Genesis 1 is "poetic" does not mean that it is not true and accurate.

In the end would come scoffers, and you seem to be one. Just don't claim to understand all of science either.