theistic evolution

New Website on Faith and Evolution Explores if the Two are Friends or Foes

“Thus, the first goal of FaithandEvolution.Org is to present the scientific information about evolution and intelligent design that is typically left out of the discussion,” says West. “A second goal is to tackle tough questions that are usually ignored about the consequences of Darwin’s theory for ethics, society, and religion.”

 

Visitors to FaithandEvolution.Org will find information addressing such questions as: Does evolution undermine belief in God? Are there scientific challenges to Darwinian evolution? What is the scientific evidence for intelligent design? And does Darwinism devalue human life?

Read More ›
world-darwin-day-representing-the-evolotuion-theory-illustration-generative-ai-stockpack-adobe-stock
World Darwin Day representing the evolotuion theory illustration generative ai
Image Credit: Andrea Izzotti - Adobe Stock

According to theistic evolution, did God direct evolution and know its outcome?

In the initial years after Darwin’s theory was proposed, most theistic evolutionists believed that God guided the evolutionary process to specific ends. However, as the Darwinian view of the undirected nature of evolution gradually solidified in the scientific community, defenders of theistic evolution increasingly disowned the idea of guided evolution. Consequently, many leading proponents of theistic evolution today insist that Read More ›

illustration-of-magical-apple-stockpack-adobe-stock
illustration of magical apple
Image Credit: QuietWord - Adobe Stock

According to theistic evolution, were human beings created originally good?

Many prominent theistic evolutionists repudiate the idea that human beings were created good and then fell into sin through a voluntary act of disobedience. Karl Giberson in Saving Darwin directly rejects the idea that “sin originates in a free act of the first humans” and that “God gave humans free will and they used it to contaminate the entire creation.” Read More ›

farmers-farming-on-rice-terraces-ban-pa-bong-piang-northern-region-in-mae-chaem-district-chiangmai-province-that-has-the-most-beautiful-rice-terraces-in-thailand-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpeg
Farmers farming on rice terraces. Ban Pa Bong Piang Northern region in Mae Chaem District Chiangmai Province That has the most beautiful rice terraces in Thailand.
Image licensed via Adobe Stock

What is Theistic Evolution?

Theistic evolution is the effort to reconcile Darwin’s theory of undirected evolution with belief in God in general and Christian theology in particular. Analogous terms to theistic evolution include “evolutionary creation,” “fully gifted creation,” and “biologos.” Ambiguously Defined Theistic evolution encompasses a wide array of different approaches and views, which has generated considerable confusion about the actual meaning of the Read More ›

Butterfly and Okuzlu ruins from Mersin , Turkey
Butterfly and Okuzlu ruins from Mersin , Turkey
Image licensed via Adobe Stock

Is Darwinian Evolution Compatible with Religion?

Darwin made it possible to be an intellectually fulfilled atheist. Biologist Richard Dawkins, The Blind Watchmaker.1 Is Darwinian evolution compatible with faith in God? The nation’s preeminent pro-evolution lobbying group, the National Center for Science Education (NCSE), would have people believe that the answer is a resounding “Yes.” In recent years, the NCSE has spearheaded a PR campaign to convince Read More ›

morning-reading-stockpack-unsplash.jpeg
Morning Reading
Image licensed via Adobe Stock

According to Theistic Evolution, Is Design in Nature Detectable?

Theistic evolution proponents who do not openly deny that God guided the development of life typically insist that His guidance is unobservable in biology. Francis Collins proposes this view in The Language of God, suggesting that from God’s perspective the outcome of evolution could “be entirely specified… while from our perspective” evolution “would appear a random and undirected process.” [The Language Read More ›

plane target
Achieving goals. Following the right route to intended business objectives.
Image Credit: Cagkan - Adobe Stock

Evidence of a Designer’s Purpose

Most of us find it annoying to be forced into a false dilemma. In a false dilemma, alternatives and gradations of belief are arbitrarily excluded as a technique of manipulation. Accept my version of orthodoxy or you’re a heretic! Jews and Christians employ this argumentative strategy, not least when conversation turns to emotionally charged subjects — like Darwinian evolution. And Read More ›

Three-Views-on-Creation-and-Evolution
Three Views on Creation and Evolution

Three Views on Creation and Evolution

For Christians, the issues raised by the different views on creation and evolution can be challenging. Can a “young earth” be reconciled with a universe that appears to be billions of years old? Does scientific evidence point to a God who designed the universe and life in all its complexity? Three Views on Creation and Evolution deals with these and Read More ›

eco-friendly-bamboo-kitchenware-with-paper-mug-and-plate-on-green-background-zero-waste-plastic-free-concept-sustainable-lifestyle-flat-lay-top-view-stockpack-adobe-stock.jpg
Eco friendly bamboo kitchenware with paper mug and plate on green background. Zero waste, plastic free concept. Sustainable lifestyle. Flat lay, top view.

Naturalism’s Argument from Invincible Ignorance

Howard Van Till’s review of my book No Free Lunch exemplifies perfectly why theistic evolution remains intelligent design’s most implacable foe. Not only does theistic evolution sign off on the naturalism that pervades so much of contemporary science, but it justifies that naturalism theologically — as though it were unworthy of God to create by any means other than an evolutionary process that carefully conceals God’s tracks. Read More ›

Review God After Darwin: A Theology of Evolution by John Haught

I suppose it's the residual effect of original sin, but I enjoy reviewing books I disagree with more than ones I agree with. After all, who wants to spend 1500 words inventing new ways of saying "me, too" and "yes, that's right"? Much better to bring a contrasting view to the author's work, focus on areas of difference, and enjoy the simple pleasures of controversy. So, since I had heard he was skeptical of a theory of intelligent design in biology — of which I am an advocate — I looked forward to reviewing Georgetown theologian John Haught's God After Darwin: A Theology of Evolution. What a disappointment! Looking back over my margin notes for this elegantly written book, I find I have scribbled on various pages: "Great!"; "I agree"; "!"; "interesting"; "Hmm"; and four "Good"s in a row. Read More ›