Theistic evolution

From Conservapedia

Theistic evolution, one form of Old Earth Creationism, has been defined in more than one way:

• Theistic evolution (or "evolutionary creation") is the view that evolution occurred, but was planned and guided by God. ^[1]
• The belief that God planned and created the universe in such a way that life would come into being without any further supernatural intervention

Sometimes it is not a specific theory of how life originally came into being, or how new species of life arose, but is merely:

• the belief that creationism can be compatible with the theory of evolution.^[2][3][4]

In most forms it asserts that life evolved from a common ancestor created by God, who then steered evolution indirectly as a process of creation, and later gave souls to the first humans to raise them above the animals. Proponents of theistic evolution often emphasize the overall message of Genesis and assert that the details of the story are not meant to be taken literally.^{[5] [6] [7]}

Theistic evolutionists reject special creation of nature and its inhabitants and mankind as declared in Genesis chapters one and two and agree that humans and apes shared a common primatical ancestor. The position has come under attack from a variety of sources - Young Earth Creationists raise all of their standard objections to evolution as well as various theological and exegetical problems. Meanwhile, various agnostics and atheists have accused proponents of theistic evolution of not going far enough or of tacking on various ideas for their own emotional comfort and not for any evidence-based reasoning.

In October 1996, Pope John Paul II officially declared that evolution and Catholicism are not incompatible; this remains the official standpoint of the Catholic Church ^[8].

William Jennings Bryan wrote that "Theistic evolution may be defined as an anesthetic which deadens the patient’s pain while atheism removes his religion.”

Contents 1 Theistic evolution and Intelligent Design 2 Theistic evolution and Progressive Creationism 3 Theistic evolution and Gap Theory 4 Criticisms of Theistic Evolution 5 External links 6 References

Theistic evolution and Intelligent Design

Although theistic evolution and intelligent design (ID) are superficially similar, ID design proponents have made clear that the two are not the same thing. William Dembski has gone so far as to say that, "as far as design theorists are concerned, theistic evolution is American evangelicalism's ill-conceived accommodation to Darwinism."^[9]

The primary difference between the two is the perceived role of proof. While most theistic evolutionists are content to accept God on faith alone, intelligent design proponents seek to prove the necessary existence of a designer in the creation of life by scientific means.

Theistic evolution and Progressive Creationism

Theistic evolution is not the same as Progressive Creationism, as the latter rejects evolution and posits a series of distinct creation events.

Theistic evolution and Gap Theory

Theistic evolution is clearly distinct from Gap theory, which robustly rejects any concept of evolutionary thought.

Criticisms of Theistic Evolution

Theistic evolution has been critized from a larger variety of directions, including Young Earth Creationists, Old Earth Creationists, atheists and agnostics. Young Earth Creationists and some Old Earth Creationists generally consider Theistic Evolution to be heretical or at best, contrary to Biblical teachings. ^{[10][11][12][13]}. However, many Young Earth Creationists agree that correct knowledge of how they believe God created humanity and such is not a necessary condition for salvation.^[14][15] A notable proponent of theistic evolution is biologist Ken Miller.^[16] Proponents of theistic evolution have been accused of subtly undermining science piece by piece.^[17]

External links

• American Scientific Affiliation, the largest organization of scientists who are Christians and who believe evolution to be true.

References