Theistic Evolution?

[Ouroboros]

It is not so "of course". By the way, I was not attacking the "in His image" idea. i was just addressing the inherent incompatibility between evolution by natural selection and traditional theism.

A point here, Christianity and traditional theism isn't the same thing. Christianity is a theistic religion, but classical or traditional theism only addresses the nature of God and not creationism. That's why you have non-Christian and even Christian theists who believe and fully accept evolution, because they see the story in Genesis as metaphorical rather than historical.

 

[LuisDantas]

I might be depressed, but I'm not totally without hope..

Hope and depression do not have any particular relationship with the idea that there might be a purpose to existence beyond that created by cultural expectations.

 

[muhammad_isa]

Hope and depression do not have any particular relationship with the idea that there might be a purpose to existence beyond that created by cultural expectations.

I'm sure many mental health experts wouldn't agree with you..

 

[LuisDantas]

I'm sure many mental health experts wouldn't agree with you..

That may well be. I had to set a few right on that account myself. I stand by what I say.

 

[Gambit]

Christianity isn't based on the teachings of Paul, but the teachings of the Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Christians believe that Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit. Besides, Jesus himself believed in the story of Adam and Eve.

 

[popsthebuilder]

Christians believe that Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit. Besides, Jesus himself believed in the story of Adam and Eve.

I'm aware, thank you.

Peace

 

[Maponos]

Polytheism can easily accept evolution. There are also many instances of humanity being given the light of intelligence related through various mythologies, so this could be interpreted as humanity becoming intelligent.

 

[Milton Platt]

Thanks for your responses, Luis. Is there anything inherently 'taboo' (for a Christian) relating to supporting Darwin's theory of evolution? (question for the group)

I ask this, because I'm a supporter of Darwin's theory, but also believe in God, and came back to Christianity. Mainly, only fundamentalists support the Genesis story as literal; I'm not a fundamentalist.

How does the theory of evolution fit into the Genesis accounts in the Bible? How can you have evolution taking millions of years, and Genesis taking 6 days or 6,000 years (depending on how a particular person wishes to interpret things)? How does Evolution allow for the creation of a man in one day from dust, and the creation of a woman from a part of the man???

 

[muhammad_isa]

How can you have evolution taking millions of years, and Genesis taking 6 days or 6,000 years (depending on how a particular person wishes to interpret things)?

Almighty God knows how long it took .. the Bible is not a science book .. scientists might be right, or maybe not.
The main point is that it does not matter .. what matters is that Almighty God is responsible for our existence, and that we will return to Him. 'Him' being God who is not a person .. He is spiritual and is not comparable to His creation.

How does Evolution allow for the creation of a man in one day from dust, and the creation of a woman from a part of the man???

Time belongs to God .. it's part of the created universe. Mankind is made of physical material (clay/dust/water ie. physical elements). Women being made from Adam's rib is most likely figurative.

 

[Milton Platt]

Almighty God knows how long it took .. the Bible is not a science book .. scientists might be right, or maybe not.
The main point is that it does not matter .. what matters is that Almighty God is responsible for our existence, and that we will return to Him. 'Him' being God who is not a person .. He is spiritual and is not comparable to His creation.


Time belongs to God .. it's part of the created universe. Mankind is made of physical material (clay/dust/water ie. physical elements). Women being made from Adam's rib is most likely figurative.

Way to not answer the questions.......

In the context of this thread it not only matters, it is the topic of the thread.

 

[Deidre]

How does the theory of evolution fit into the Genesis accounts in the Bible? How can you have evolution taking millions of years, and Genesis taking 6 days or 6,000 years (depending on how a particular person wishes to interpret things)? How does Evolution allow for the creation of a man in one day from dust, and the creation of a woman from a part of the man???

It depends on if you take the origin of man story of the Bible as literal. I'm not a fundamentalist. That said, I think that one can believe in Darwin's theory of evolution, believing that God was the driver or the Creator behind the laws that brought it about. And that something supernatural occurred even further to bring humankind to what it eventually became. The Bible isn't a science book but scientists don't have all the answers, either.

 

[Milton Platt]

It depends on if you take the origin of man story of the Bible as literal. I'm not a fundamentalist. That said, I think that one can believe in Darwin's theory of evolution, believing that God was the driver or the Creator behind the laws that brought it about. And that something supernatural occurred even further to bring humankind to what it eventually became. The Bible isn't a science book but scientists don't have all the answers, either.

I realize that various groups interpret the story in various ways to fit their own particular desires. That does not speak very highly of the text to be tortured that way. Do you take all the miracles to be alegorical or just this one? If only this one, what is the methodology used to separate between them?

 

[Deidre]

I realize that various groups interpret the story in various ways to fit their own particular desires. That does not speak very highly of the text to be tortured that way. Do you take all the miracles to be alegorical or just this one? If only this one, what is the methodology used to separate between them?

I don't speak for others, only me.

I'd say that because I see evidence to support the theory of evolution, that it can't be dismissed. And because of my faith, I believe that the Bible offers many possibilities beyond what we can prove, as scientists do. Therein lies the blossoming of theistic evolution. There are of course flaws regarding theistic evolution, but in essence, it's simply implying that science and faith/religion can coexist, in terms of the origin of man.

 

[muhammad_isa]

Way to not answer the questions.......

In the context of this thread it not only matters, it is the topic of the thread.

It matters to you .. you wish to show that the Bible is wrong because you are an atheist.
As far as I'm concerned, religious text does not set out to prove or disprove scientific theories. It's a guidance for our spiritual lives. Whether the 'stories' they contain are meant literally, approximately or figuratively does not change this spiritual guidance in THE LEAST!
When I want to learn science, I read a science book .. when I want to learn about religion, I read Scripture.
It all fits together very well. I do not think that relatively ancient, translated scriptures should be taken word-for-word .. but their general meaning is very clear