God After Darwin 1. Evolution’s Challenge to Faith

God After DarwinGod After Darwin

1. Evolution’s Challenge to Faith1. Evolution’s Challenge to Faith

Almighty and everlasting God, you Almighty and everlasting God, you made the universe with all its made the universe with all its marvelous order, its atoms, worlds, marvelous order, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and the infinite and galaxies, and the infinite complexity of living creatures: Grant complexity of living creatures: Grant that, as we probe the mysteries of that, as we probe the mysteries of your creation, we may come to know your creation, we may come to know you more truly, and more surely you more truly, and more surely fulfill our role in your eternal fulfill our role in your eternal purpose; in the name of Jesus Christ purpose; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.our Lord.

Book of Common Prayer, p. 827Book of Common Prayer, p. 827

God After God After Darwin. A Darwin. A Theology of Theology of Evolution.Evolution. John F. Haught, John F. Haught, Westview Westview Press, 2000. Press, 2000. ISBN 0-8133-ISBN 0-8133-3878-63878-6Background image on the PowerPoint slides is taken from the cover art of God After Darwin

Responses to Responses to 101 Questions 101 Questions on God and on God and Evolution.Evolution.

John F. Haught, John F. Haught, Paulist Press, Paulist Press, 2001. ISBN 0-2001. ISBN 0-8091-3989-88091-3989-8

John F. HaughtJohn F. Haught is the Landegger is the Landegger Distinguished Distinguished Professor of Professor of Theology at Theology at Georgetown Georgetown University, and University, and Director of the Director of the Georgetown Georgetown Center for the Center for the Study of Science Study of Science and Religion.and Religion.Photos captured from the on-line interview

with Dr. Haught at: http://MeaningOfLife.tv

The View of God The View of God and Creation and Creation

Before DarwinBefore Darwin

Views Before DarwinViews Before DarwinCreationCreation

Traditional theology describes three dimensions of Traditional theology describes three dimensions of God’s creative activity:God’s creative activity: 1. original creation (1. original creation (creatio orginaliscreatio orginalis)) 2. ongoing or continuous creation (2. ongoing or continuous creation (creatio continuacreatio continua)) 3. new creation or the fulfillment of creation (3. new creation or the fulfillment of creation (creatio novacreatio nova))

Original creationOriginal creation is emphasized. Creation was is emphasized. Creation was primarily something God did in the beginning.primarily something God did in the beginning. All aspect of creations: lifeless matter, plants, animals, and All aspect of creations: lifeless matter, plants, animals, and

finally human beings, were all planned “in the beginning.” finally human beings, were all planned “in the beginning.” When God was done, he rested, and saw it was good.When God was done, he rested, and saw it was good. God, who is both Alpha and Omega, is conceived of more God, who is both Alpha and Omega, is conceived of more

in terms of “Alpha” than “Omega.”in terms of “Alpha” than “Omega.”

Views Before Darwin Views Before Darwin God the DesignerGod the Designer

The diversity of life through the creation is a The diversity of life through the creation is a manifestation of God’s overflowing creative manifestation of God’s overflowing creative exuberance.exuberance.

The wondrous intricacy of living things The wondrous intricacy of living things displays God’s skill as displays God’s skill as designerdesigner.. It also serves a proof of God’s existence. It also serves a proof of God’s existence. William Paley (1743-1805) in William Paley (1743-1805) in Natural TheologyNatural Theology: if : if

you find a watch lying on the ground and examine you find a watch lying on the ground and examine its inner workings, you can only conclude it was its inner workings, you can only conclude it was made by an intelligent designer with a purpose.made by an intelligent designer with a purpose.

God is the God is the divine watchmakerdivine watchmaker..

Views Before Darwin Views Before Darwin Great Chain of BeingGreat Chain of Being

God created distinct God created distinct “levels” or “levels” or hierarchy of beinghierarchy of being:: Inanimate matterInanimate matter Plants and Animals – life contained an Plants and Animals – life contained an

intangible quality that distinguished it from intangible quality that distinguished it from mere dull matter.mere dull matter.

Human BeingsHuman Beings – the highest level of being – the highest level of being on earth, imbued with mind and soul, and on earth, imbued with mind and soul, and made in the very image and likeness of God.made in the very image and likeness of God.

Views Before Darwin Views Before Darwin EschatologyEschatology

EschatologyEschatology = “the last things” (from Greek = “the last things” (from Greek eschatoneschaton = “edge,” or “last,” “final”) = “edge,” or “last,” “final”)

Human beings are intended for a life with God Human beings are intended for a life with God (usually conceived of as abiding “up above us.”)(usually conceived of as abiding “up above us.”)

The rest of creation functions primarily as a “stage,” The rest of creation functions primarily as a “stage,” a “training center” and/or “testing ground” for human a “training center” and/or “testing ground” for human beings to:beings to: Assess their worthiness to live with God.Assess their worthiness to live with God. Prepare them for a life with God.Prepare them for a life with God.

Our “training center / testing ground” is not quite as Our “training center / testing ground” is not quite as nice as God intended because of the “original sin” of nice as God intended because of the “original sin” of Adam and Eve.Adam and Eve.

Views Before Darwin Views Before Darwin RevelationRevelation

RevelationRevelation = the communication of God’s = the communication of God’s selfhood to creation.selfhood to creation.

God reveals God’s self to human beings God reveals God’s self to human beings through:through: Personal communication via the Holy SpiritPersonal communication via the Holy Spirit Natural theologyNatural theology – God communicates something – God communicates something

of God’s self through the product of God’s of God’s self through the product of God’s creative work and creative work and designdesign -- nature. -- nature.

• William Paley (1743-1805): the “book of nature” could William Paley (1743-1805): the “book of nature” could lead us to God as much as the Bible itself.lead us to God as much as the Bible itself.

Views Before Darwin Views Before Darwin Divine Love (= Grace)Divine Love (= Grace)

God’s God’s love and gracelove and grace is focused on is focused on human beings, made in God’s own image human beings, made in God’s own image and likeness.and likeness.

Views Before Darwin Views Before Darwin Divine PowerDivine Power

God’s God’s power and mightpower and might is manifest is manifest through:through: The The orderlinessorderliness of creation, obeying fixed of creation, obeying fixed

laws that God has laid down.laws that God has laid down. God’s God’s ultimate plan for creationultimate plan for creation, which , which

was formulated at the beginning of time was formulated at the beginning of time when God first created, and whose the when God first created, and whose the timeline for fulfillment is known only to timeline for fulfillment is known only to God.God.

Views Before Darwin Views Before Darwin RedemptionRedemption

God sent his only son into the world to God sent his only son into the world to redeemredeem or save us from our sins, that we or save us from our sins, that we might one day live with God, as God might one day live with God, as God intends.intends.

Views Before Darwin Views Before Darwin The Impact of EvolutionThe Impact of Evolution

The science of evolution throws into The science of evolution throws into question some of these views, and question some of these views, and challenge us to deepen and enlarge our challenge us to deepen and enlarge our understanding of others.understanding of others.

What Darwin What Darwin SaidSaid

What Darwin SaidWhat Darwin SaidCharles Robert DarwinCharles Robert Darwin

Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882)Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882)Born in Shrewsbury, England.Born in Shrewsbury, England.His mother died when he was eight, a His mother died when he was eight, a

traumatic event in his life.traumatic event in his life.Went to Cambridge (1828-1831) with the Went to Cambridge (1828-1831) with the

intention to become an Anglican country intention to become an Anglican country cleric.cleric.


At Cambridge, Darwin read William Paley At Cambridge, Darwin read William Paley (1743-1805) and was impressed by Paley’s (1743-1805) and was impressed by Paley’s views on natural theology and how the “book views on natural theology and how the “book of nature” could lead one to God.of nature” could lead one to God.

After Cambridge, he focused on geology, and After Cambridge, he focused on geology, and spent five years (1831-1836) on the HMS spent five years (1831-1836) on the HMS BeagleBeagle, commissioned to survey the coast of , commissioned to survey the coast of South America.South America.

His observations over those 5 years led him to His observations over those 5 years led him to formulate in 1838 the theory of evolution (he formulate in 1838 the theory of evolution (he called it “descent with modification”)called it “descent with modification”)


The theory changed his own life and religious The theory changed his own life and religious beliefs.beliefs. Darwin wrote in his autobiography: “disbelief Darwin wrote in his autobiography: “disbelief

crept over me at a very slow rate, but was at last crept over me at a very slow rate, but was at last complete.”complete.”

His loss of faith was also influenced by the deaths His loss of faith was also influenced by the deaths of both his father and his 10 year old daughter.of both his father and his 10 year old daughter.

A modest and unassertive man, he did not A modest and unassertive man, he did not publish his theory of evolution until 20 years publish his theory of evolution until 20 years later.later.

What Darwin SaidWhat Darwin SaidDarwin’s TheoryDarwin’s Theory

Two main facets of Darwin’s theory:Two main facets of Darwin’s theory: 1. All forms of life, including human beings, 1. All forms of life, including human beings,

descended from a common ancestor by gradual descended from a common ancestor by gradual modifications.modifications.

2. The mechanism of this gradual modification is 2. The mechanism of this gradual modification is “Natural Selection”“Natural Selection” = =

• organisms with characteristics that better adapt them to organisms with characteristics that better adapt them to their environment will be their environment will be “selected” by nature“selected” by nature to to survive and have offspring.survive and have offspring.

• organism whose characteristics are “non-adaptive” to organism whose characteristics are “non-adaptive” to their environment will perish.their environment will perish.

What Darwin SaidWhat Darwin Saidneo-Darwinian Synthesisneo-Darwinian Synthesis

The modern theory of evolution (= the The modern theory of evolution (= the “neo-“neo-Darwinian SynthesisDarwinian Synthesis”) is essentially Darwin’s ”) is essentially Darwin’s theory brought up to date by our knowledge of theory brought up to date by our knowledge of genetics and molecular biochemistry.genetics and molecular biochemistry.

All life can be explained by the combination of:All life can be explained by the combination of: 1. accidental, chance events or contingencies (1. accidental, chance events or contingencies (chancechance))

• a genetic mutation that lead to new characteristics in an organisma genetic mutation that lead to new characteristics in an organism• a natural disaster that changes the environment that an organism a natural disaster that changes the environment that an organism

must adapt tomust adapt to 2. the deterministic laws of natural selection, chemistry, 2. the deterministic laws of natural selection, chemistry,

and physics (and physics (lawlaw)) 3. enormous depths of time (3. enormous depths of time (deep timedeep time))

How Evolution How Evolution Challenges Challenges

FaithFaith

The Challenge to FaithThe Challenge to FaithDarwin’s Dangerous IdeaDarwin’s Dangerous Idea

The modern American philosopher and The modern American philosopher and atheist Daniel Dennett reflects the view atheist Daniel Dennett reflects the view of many when he wrote that Darwin’s of many when he wrote that Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection is theory of evolution by natural selection is a a “dangerous idea,”“dangerous idea,” showing: showing: the lack of any higher meaning behind life,the lack of any higher meaning behind life, the irrationality of believing in a creator the irrationality of believing in a creator

God.God.


There are actually There are actually twotwo ideas in Darwin’s ideas in Darwin’s theory that might be “dangerous” for faith:theory that might be “dangerous” for faith: 1. All life, including human beings, comes from 1. All life, including human beings, comes from

a common ancestor.a common ancestor. Problem:Problem: there seems to be no “ there seems to be no “Great Chain of Great Chain of

BeingBeing:”:”• Human beings are fully part of a continuum of life, with Human beings are fully part of a continuum of life, with

no clear “discontinuity of level of being” to define them no clear “discontinuity of level of being” to define them as existing at a higher level of being than other forms of as existing at a higher level of being than other forms of life.life.

• In other words, there is no sharp “ontological” In other words, there is no sharp “ontological” discontinuity between human beings and the rest of discontinuity between human beings and the rest of nature.nature.


2.2. Natural SelectionNatural Selection Problems:Problems:

• The “raw material” of The “raw material” of Natural SelectionNatural Selection are are changes that arise accidentally or randomly. changes that arise accidentally or randomly. There is no need for the involvement of divine There is no need for the involvement of divine intelligence.intelligence.

• The ruthless, competitive aspect of The ruthless, competitive aspect of Natural Natural SelectionSelection seems incompatible with a universe seems incompatible with a universe “in the bosom of” a compassionate God.“in the bosom of” a compassionate God.

Response to Response to DarwinDarwin

ResponsesResponsesThree Types of ResponseThree Types of Response

Theology has responded to the “dangerous idea” of Theology has responded to the “dangerous idea” of evolution in three ways:evolution in three ways: 1. 1. OppositionOpposition. Theology and neo-Darwinism are . Theology and neo-Darwinism are

irreconcilable views of reality. One of them must be wrong.irreconcilable views of reality. One of them must be wrong. 2. 2. SeparatismSeparatism. Theology and neo-Darwinism differ so . Theology and neo-Darwinism differ so

widely in their methods that they really do not compete in widely in their methods that they really do not compete in explaining reality.explaining reality.

33. Engagement. Engagement. Theology must engage evolution, for . Theology must engage evolution, for theology must be consistent with all truths, including the theology must be consistent with all truths, including the truths of Darwinian biology. Evolution is a gift to theology, truths of Darwinian biology. Evolution is a gift to theology, giving us an opportunity to rethink and deepen our views giving us an opportunity to rethink and deepen our views of God and creation.of God and creation.

ResponsesResponsesOppositionOpposition

Scientific Materialism.Scientific Materialism. Theology is wrongTheology is wrong.. MaterialismMaterialism (also known as (also known as Physicalism Physicalism or or NaturalismNaturalism): ):

the view that matter-energy is the only reality.the view that matter-energy is the only reality. Scientism:Scientism: the only path to truth is through the methods of the only path to truth is through the methods of

science. That is, all real things make themselves available science. That is, all real things make themselves available in a scientifically measurable way.in a scientifically measurable way.

Scientific Materialism:Scientific Materialism: materialism + scientism. materialism + scientism. Daniel Dennett is an example of a scientific materialist. Daniel Dennett is an example of a scientific materialist. Note that science uses a Note that science uses a methodologymethodology of searching for of searching for

explanations only in the realm of matter-energy. Use of this explanations only in the realm of matter-energy. Use of this methodologymethodology however does not require that a scientist be a however does not require that a scientist be a materialist and deny the existence of other realms of reality materialist and deny the existence of other realms of reality besides matter-energy.besides matter-energy.

ResponsesResponsesOppositionOpposition

CreationismCreationism. . Evolution is wrongEvolution is wrong.. Creationist agree with the Scientific Creationist agree with the Scientific

Materialist that theology and evolution are Materialist that theology and evolution are irreconcilable.irreconcilable.

They argue that the Bible’s account in They argue that the Bible’s account in Genesis of God’s “special creation” of life Genesis of God’s “special creation” of life is a more plausible explanation of life than is a more plausible explanation of life than the theory of evolution.the theory of evolution.

ResponsesResponsesSeparatismSeparatism

SeparatismSeparatism. Science and theology deal . Science and theology deal with completely different levels of being with completely different levels of being and reality.and reality. Science: deals with the physical or Science: deals with the physical or

mechanical causes of events.mechanical causes of events. Theology: deals with the meaning and Theology: deals with the meaning and

ultimate explanation of things.ultimate explanation of things. There is There is no overlapno overlap between these two between these two

fields and hence fields and hence no possibilityno possibility of conflict. of conflict.

ResponsesResponsesEngagementEngagement

EngagementEngagement. Theology cannot hold the science . Theology cannot hold the science apart, for what we learn about the physical universe apart, for what we learn about the physical universe clearly must impact our view of the Creator of that clearly must impact our view of the Creator of that physical universe.physical universe.

In particular, theology must “take evolution into the In particular, theology must “take evolution into the very center of its reflections on the meaning of life, of very center of its reflections on the meaning of life, of God, and of the universe.”God, and of the universe.”

Two modes of Engagement of Theology and Two modes of Engagement of Theology and Evolution:Evolution: 1. Natural Theology1. Natural Theology 2. Evolutionary Theology2. Evolutionary Theology

ResponsesResponsesEngagement – Natural TheologyEngagement – Natural Theology

Natural TheologyNatural Theology looks for evidence of looks for evidence of God in the physical world.God in the physical world.

Evolution has caused modern, Post-Evolution has caused modern, Post-Darwinian Natural Theology to look for Darwinian Natural Theology to look for evidence of God’s direct design not in evidence of God’s direct design not in life, but in the fundamental laws of life, but in the fundamental laws of physics, and in cosmology, the science of physics, and in cosmology, the science of of the origin of the universe.of the origin of the universe.

ResponsesResponsesEngagement – Natural TheologyEngagement – Natural Theology

For example, the element of carbon seems essential for life, For example, the element of carbon seems essential for life, and physicists have found that the initial conditions at the “Big and physicists have found that the initial conditions at the “Big Bang,” and the constants in the laws of physics are incredibly Bang,” and the constants in the laws of physics are incredibly “fine tuned” to produce carbon.“fine tuned” to produce carbon. The slightest change in one of the physical constants or initial The slightest change in one of the physical constants or initial

conditions would have produced a lifeless universe without an conditions would have produced a lifeless universe without an abundance of carbon.abundance of carbon.

The only way out of this “fine-tuning” is to imagine that our The only way out of this “fine-tuning” is to imagine that our universe of one of an enormous number of other universes that universe of one of an enormous number of other universes that differ in the values of their physical constants and initial differ in the values of their physical constants and initial conditions, and the right constants and initial conditions exist conditions, and the right constants and initial conditions exist by chanceby chance in our universe. in our universe. However, the “other universes,” most dead and lifeless, cannot be However, the “other universes,” most dead and lifeless, cannot be

detected from our universe, and therefore this speculation is not detected from our universe, and therefore this speculation is not “physics” or science, but speculation about a “physics” or science, but speculation about a metaphysicsmetaphysics (= “after” (= “after” physics = outside the natural world = a supernatural world).physics = outside the natural world = a supernatural world).

ResponsesResponsesEngagement – Evolutionary TheologyEngagement – Evolutionary Theology

This series will explore the other mode of engagement: This series will explore the other mode of engagement: evolutionary theology.evolutionary theology.

““Evolutionary theology claims that the story of life, even in its Evolutionary theology claims that the story of life, even in its neo-Darwinian presentation, provides essential concepts for neo-Darwinian presentation, provides essential concepts for thinking about God and God's relation to nature and thinking about God and God's relation to nature and humanity.” (Haught p. 36)humanity.” (Haught p. 36)

““Evolutionary theology seeks to show how our new awareness Evolutionary theology seeks to show how our new awareness of cosmic and biological evolution can enhance and enrich of cosmic and biological evolution can enhance and enrich traditional teachings about God and God's way of acting in the traditional teachings about God and God's way of acting in the world. In other words, rather than viewing evolution simply as world. In other words, rather than viewing evolution simply as a dangerous challenge that deserves an apologetic response, a dangerous challenge that deserves an apologetic response, evolutionary theology discerns in evolution a most evolutionary theology discerns in evolution a most illuminating context for our thinking about God today.” illuminating context for our thinking about God today.” (Haught p. 36)(Haught p. 36)

An Overview of An Overview of Evolutionary Evolutionary

TheologyTheology

Evolutionary TheologyEvolutionary TheologyOverviewOverview

Here we briefly survey some of the Here we briefly survey some of the thinking in evolutionary theology.thinking in evolutionary theology.

We will flesh out and explore these ideas We will flesh out and explore these ideas further over the next several sessions.further over the next several sessions.

Evolutionary TheologyEvolutionary TheologyCreationCreation

Traditional theology describes three dimensions of Traditional theology describes three dimensions of God’s creative activity:God’s creative activity: 1. original creation (1. original creation (creatio orginaliscreatio orginalis)) 2. ongoing or continuous creation (2. ongoing or continuous creation (creatio continuacreatio continua)) 3. new creation or the fulfillment of creation (3. new creation or the fulfillment of creation (creatio novacreatio nova))

In an In an evolvingevolving cosmos, cosmos, creation is still happening. creation is still happening. Creation is present now as much as it was in the Creation is present now as much as it was in the beginning. God’s creation is beginning. God’s creation is unfinishedunfinished.. Part of the reason for the evil and suffering of this life is Part of the reason for the evil and suffering of this life is

due to the due to the unfinishedunfinished quality of creation. quality of creation.

Evolutionary Theology Evolutionary Theology Divine Love (= Grace)Divine Love (= Grace)

God’s God’s love and gracelove and grace is not merely focused on human beings. is not merely focused on human beings. God loves God loves all the world all the world and all its elements fully and and all its elements fully and unconditionally.unconditionally.

Love does not absorb or annihilate or force itself upon Love does not absorb or annihilate or force itself upon another. Love treasures the “Otherness” of the Other and so another. Love treasures the “Otherness” of the Other and so longs for Other’s independence, which allows a dialogical longs for Other’s independence, which allows a dialogical intimacy essential to a loving relationship.intimacy essential to a loving relationship.

In creation, God created a world that was Other than God, and In creation, God created a world that was Other than God, and gave it the ability to be self-creative. God’s love and grace for gave it the ability to be self-creative. God’s love and grace for creation involves letting the world “be itself.”creation involves letting the world “be itself.” Evolution in part can be considered a manifestation of the self-Evolution in part can be considered a manifestation of the self-

creativity of the universecreativity of the universe

Evolutionary Theology Evolutionary Theology RevelationRevelation

RevelationRevelation = the communication of God’s selfhood = the communication of God’s selfhood to creation.to creation.

We should not be surprised that God’s creation would We should not be surprised that God’s creation would be an be an evolvingevolving universe: universe: Modern science has revealed the unimaginably vast scope Modern science has revealed the unimaginably vast scope

in space and time of the universe. Yet God is infinitely in space and time of the universe. Yet God is infinitely greater than God’s creation.greater than God’s creation.

Evolution itself may be thought of as a Evolution itself may be thought of as a process of God’s process of God’s revelation to creationrevelation to creation, as the infinite mystery of God being , as the infinite mystery of God being poured out into the creation.poured out into the creation.

• A finite world cannot receive the fullness of an infinite God in one A finite world cannot receive the fullness of an infinite God in one moment. It must adapt to God’s revelation of God’s self by gradual moment. It must adapt to God’s revelation of God’s self by gradual expansion and an ongoing self-transcendence, externally expansion and an ongoing self-transcendence, externally manifested as “evolution”manifested as “evolution”

Evolutionary Theology Evolutionary Theology EschatologyEschatology

EschatologyEschatology = “the last things” (from Greek = “the last things” (from Greek eschatoneschaton = “edge,” or “last,” “final”) = “edge,” or “last,” “final”)

Human beings are intended for a life with God, Human beings are intended for a life with God, and long for the fulfillment of life with God. and long for the fulfillment of life with God.

The The rest of creationrest of creation, unfinished, , unfinished, alsoalso longs for longs for its completion (its completion (creatio novacreatio nova).). As St. Paul writes, all of creation “groans” for As St. Paul writes, all of creation “groans” for

ultimate fulfillment.ultimate fulfillment. The rest of creation is much more than a The rest of creation is much more than a

“stage” for our training or assessment.“stage” for our training or assessment.

Evolutionary Theology Evolutionary Theology Divine PowerDivine Power

God’s God’s power and mightpower and might is manifest through a is manifest through a persuasive lovepersuasive love, not a coercive love., not a coercive love.

A “persuasive” divine love, unlike a coercive love, is A “persuasive” divine love, unlike a coercive love, is compatible with human freedom, as well as with a compatible with human freedom, as well as with a “prehuman spontaneity” or “free process” that “prehuman spontaneity” or “free process” that allowed creation to evolve into something Other than allowed creation to evolve into something Other than the creator over billions of years.the creator over billions of years.

God is the source not only of God is the source not only of orderorder in creation, but in creation, but also of also of noveltynovelty and and possibilitypossibility in the evolving world. in the evolving world. God is more interested in “adventure” than the status quo, God is more interested in “adventure” than the status quo,

and God’s will is for the creation to search for more and and God’s will is for the creation to search for more and more intense forms of ordered novelty = the maximization more intense forms of ordered novelty = the maximization of cosmic beauty.of cosmic beauty.

Evolutionary Theology Evolutionary Theology Divine PowerDivine Power

In giving the creation freedom to be In giving the creation freedom to be itself, God does not have a itself, God does not have a planplan for for creation so much as a creation so much as a visionvision for creation. for creation.

God is more Omega than Alpha. God is God is more Omega than Alpha. God is the “Absolute Future,” towards which all the “Absolute Future,” towards which all of creation is moving as it “groans” for of creation is moving as it “groans” for fulfillment.fulfillment.

Evolutionary Theology Evolutionary Theology RedemptionRedemption

God sent his only son into the world to God sent his only son into the world to redeemredeem or save us from our sins, that we or save us from our sins, that we might one day live with God, as God intends.might one day live with God, as God intends.

The whole world is also in need of The whole world is also in need of redemption. God “feels” the world and is redemption. God “feels” the world and is influenced by all that happens in the world’s influenced by all that happens in the world’s process of creation. The waste, the perpetual process of creation. The waste, the perpetual perishing, and suffering of the evolving, perishing, and suffering of the evolving, unfinished creation is all “saved” or redeemed unfinished creation is all “saved” or redeemed by being taken up eternally into God.by being taken up eternally into God.

Documents

God After Darwin 1. Evolution’s Challenge to Faith