Beyond the “Evolution” vs. “Creation” Debate Denis O. Lamoureux Associate Professor of...

BeyondBeyondthethe

“Evolution” “Evolution” vsvs. “Creation. “Creation””DebateDebate

Denis O. LamoureuxDenis O. LamoureuxAssociate Professor of Science & ReligionAssociate Professor of Science & Religion

St. Joseph’s College, University of AlbertaSt. Joseph’s College, University of Alberta

Thomas Henry HuxleyThomas Henry Huxley

1859 1859

T.H. HuxleyT.H. Huxley

Extinguished theologians lie about Extinguished theologians lie about

the cradle of every science as the the cradle of every science as the

strangled snakes of Hercules . . .strangled snakes of Hercules . . .

And history records that whenever And history records that whenever

sciencescience and and orthodoxyorthodoxy have been have been

fairly opposed, the latter has been fairly opposed, the latter has been

forced to retire from the lists, forced to retire from the lists,

bleeding and crushed if not bleeding and crushed if not

annihilated; scotched, if not slain.annihilated; scotched, if not slain.

T.H. HuxleyT.H. Huxley

TheThe

ProblemProblem

DICHOTOMYDICHOTOMY

““Science”Science” ““Religion”Religion”

Julian HuxleyJulian Huxley

The earth was not The earth was not createdcreated, ,

it it evolvedevolved. .

So did religion.So did religion.

So did all the So did all the

animals and plants that animals and plants that

inhabit it, including our inhabit it, including our

human selves, mind and human selves, mind and

soul as well as brain and soul as well as brain and

body.body.


Evolutionary truth frees us from Evolutionary truth frees us from

subservient fear of the unknown subservient fear of the unknown

and supernatural, and exhorts us and supernatural, and exhorts us

to face this new freedom. It shows to face this new freedom. It shows

us our destiny and our duty.us our destiny and our duty.

The truth will set us free.The truth will set us free.

Evolutionary man can no longer Evolutionary man can no longer

take refuge from his loneliness in take refuge from his loneliness in

the arms of a divinized father figure the arms of a divinized father figure

whom he has himself createdwhom he has himself created, nor , nor

escape from the responsibility of escape from the responsibility of

making decisions by sheltering making decisions by sheltering

under the umbrella of Divine under the umbrella of Divine

Authority.Authority.


Finally, the evolutionary vision is Finally, the evolutionary vision is

enabling us to discern, however enabling us to discern, however

incompletely, the outline of the incompletely, the outline of the

new religionnew religion that we can be sure that we can be sure

will arise to serve the needs of will arise to serve the needs of

the coming era.the coming era.


DICHOTOMYDICHOTOMY

“Science”“Evolution”

No GodHumanist Ethics

ScientismScientismScience & Secular WVScience & Secular WV

CONFLATIONCONFLATION

““Religion”Religion”

Henry MorrisHenry Morris

There are only two There are only two

basic world views:basic world views:

The God-centred world view and The God-centred world view and

the man-centred world view, the man-centred world view,

creationcreation or or evolutionevolution..

There is There is nono proven scientific proven scientific

evidence that the earth is old. evidence that the earth is old.

There is There is nono evidence whatever evidence whatever

that evolution of one kind of that evolution of one kind of

organism into a more complex organism into a more complex

organism has ever occurred.organism has ever occurred.


Divine revelation from the Creator Divine revelation from the Creator

of the world states that He did it of the world states that He did it

all in six days several thousand all in six days several thousand

years ago. The Bible contains all years ago. The Bible contains all

the basic principles upon which the basic principles upon which

TRUETRUE science is built. science is built.

The Bible is a book of science!The Bible is a book of science!


There is a personal Creator behind There is a personal Creator behind

the origin of all things and we the origin of all things and we

urgently need to know Him and to urgently need to know Him and to

order our lives according to His order our lives according to His

will as revealed in the Bible.will as revealed in the Bible.

Satan himself is the originator Satan himself is the originator

of the concept of evolution.of the concept of evolution.


DICHOTOMYDICHOTOMY

““Science”Science”““Evolution”Evolution”

No GodNo GodHumanist EthicsHumanist Ethics



““Religion”Religion”““Creation”Creation”

GodGodBiblical EthicsBiblical Ethics

FundamentalismFundamentalismChristianity & 6 DaysChristianity & 6 Days


DICHOTOMYDICHOTOMY

““Science”Science”““Evolution”Evolution”

No GodNo GodHumanist EthicsHumanist Ethics



““Religion”Religion”““Creation”Creation”

GodGodBiblical EthicsBiblical Ethics

FundamentalismFundamentalismChristianity & 6 DaysChristianity & 6 Days


??

Moving BeyondMoving Beyond

thethe

DichotomyDichotomy

Scientists Are Still Scientists Are Still Keeping the FaithKeeping the Faith

Ed Larson & Larry WithamEd Larson & Larry Witham

NatureNature3 Apr 973 Apr 97

I believe in a God in intellectual and I believe in a God in intellectual and

emotional communication with emotional communication with

humankind, i.e. a God to whom one humankind, i.e. a God to whom one

may pray in expectation of receiving may pray in expectation of receiving

an answer. By “answer” I mean more an answer. By “answer” I mean more

than the than the subjective psychologicalsubjective psychological

effect of prayer.effect of prayer.

I believe in continuation of the person I believe in continuation of the person after death after death into another worldinto another world..

40%40%

Science and God: Science and God: A Warming Trend?A Warming Trend?

Gregg EasterbrookGregg Easterbrook

ScienceScience15 Aug 9715 Aug 97

The National Academy of Sciences The National Academy of Sciences

and the American Association for and the American Association for

the Advancement of Science have the Advancement of Science have

launched projects to promote a launched projects to promote a

dialogue between science and dialogue between science and

religionreligion. .


New institutions aimed at bridging the New institutions aimed at bridging the

gap have been formed, including the gap have been formed, including the

Chicago Center for Religion and Science, Chicago Center for Religion and Science,

and the Center for Theology and Natural and the Center for Theology and Natural

Sciences in Berkeley, California. Sciences in Berkeley, California.

Universities such as Cambridge and Universities such as Cambridge and

Princeton also have established Princeton also have established

professorships or lectureships on the professorships or lectureships on the

reconciliation of the two campsreconciliation of the two camps..


Pope John Paul IIPope John Paul II

New knowledge leads to New knowledge leads to

the recognition of the the recognition of the

theory of evolution as theory of evolution as

more than a hypothesismore than a hypothesis..

The Bible speaks of the origin of The Bible speaks of the origin of

the universe the universe NOTNOT to provide a to provide a

scientific treatise, but to state the scientific treatise, but to state the

correct correct relationshipsrelationships of humanity of humanity

with God and with the universe.with God and with the universe.


Sacred Scripture simply declares Sacred Scripture simply declares

that the world was created by God, that the world was created by God,

and it expresses this truth in the and it expresses this truth in the

terms of the cosmologyterms of the cosmology [science][science]

in use at the time of the writerin use at the time of the writer..


The Bible is a book The Bible is a book

of Redemption, and of Redemption, and

of course I acceptof course I accept

Billy GrahamBilly Graham

the Creation story. I believe that the Creation story. I believe that

God did create the universe.God did create the universe.

The Bible is NOT The Bible is NOT a book of sciencea book of science..


WhetherWhether it came by an evolutionary it came by an evolutionary

process and at a certain point He process and at a certain point He

took this person or being and made took this person or being and made

him a living soul him a living soul or notor not, does not , does not

change the fact that God did create change the fact that God did create

humanity.humanity.

I believe God created humanity.I believe God created humanity.

Whichever way God did it Whichever way God did it

makes no difference as to makes no difference as to

what men and women are & what men and women are &

their their relationshiprelationship to God. to God.


DICHOTOMYDICHOTOMY

““Science”Science” ““Religion”Religion”

ScienceScience40% Believe in a Personal God40% Believe in a Personal God

Science-Religion DialogueScience-Religion Dialogue

ReligionReligionPope John Paul II Accepts EvolutionPope John Paul II Accepts Evolution

Billy Graham Open to EvolutionBilly Graham Open to Evolution

XX XXXX

TowardTowardaa

SolutionSolution

Teleology Dysteleology

CreationEvolution

Teleology Dysteleology

??istist ististCreationEvolution

BeliefBelief that beauty, complexity & functionality that beauty, complexity & functionality in nature point to an Intelligent Designerin nature point to an Intelligent Designer

Intelligent DesignIntelligent Design

STANDARD CELLSTANDARD CELL1/1000 inch1/1000 inch

1 yard of DNA1 yard of DNAInformation = 30 volsInformation = 30 vols

ID a DeIusionID a DeIusionDysteleologyDysteleology

ID RealID RealTeleologyTeleology

InstructionalInstructional ToolTool

Christian BiasChristian Bias

Mix & MatchMix & Match

Young Earth CreationYoung Earth Creation “Creationist” Position “Creationist” Position

Creation ScienceCreation Science

TeleologyTeleology


Age of the UniverseAge of the Universe

Biological EvolutionBiological Evolution

YesYes

YesYes

6000 yrs6000 yrs

Rejects Rejects Macro-Macro- evolutionevolution

Accepts Accepts Micro-Micro- evolutionevolution

Young Earth CreationYoung Earth Creation

God’s ActivityGod’s Activityin the Originin the Originof Universe & Lifeof Universe & Life

God’s ActivityGod’s Activityin the Lives in the Lives of Men & Womenof Men & Women

YESYESDirectDirect

Interventions Interventions over 6 daysover 6 days

YESYES

Personal GodPersonal GodDramatic & SubtleDramatic & Subtle


Nature of BibleNature of Bible

Interpretation ofInterpretation of

Genesis 1-11Genesis 1-11

Origin of Origin of

HumanityHumanity

Word of GodWord of God

Inspired by Holy SpiritInspired by Holy Spirit

Strict LiteralismStrict Literalism

Creation Days = 24 hrsCreation Days = 24 hrs

Global floodGlobal flood

Adam & EveAdam & Eve

Accepts Image of GodAccepts Image of God

& human sin& human sin


Theology orTheology or

PhilosophyPhilosophy

EthicsEthics

ExamplesExamples

Conservative ChristianityConservative Christianity

Accepts Incarnation &Accepts Incarnation &

ResurrectionResurrection

BiblicalBiblical

Institute for Creation Institute for Creation ResearchResearch

Henry Morris, Duane GishHenry Morris, Duane Gish

Answers in GenesisAnswers in GenesisKen HamKen Ham


Progressive CreationProgressive Creation Old Earth Creation Old Earth Creation

Day-Age TheoryDay-Age Theory

TeleologyTeleology




YesYes

YesYes

10-15 billion yrs10-15 billion yrs

Rejects Rejects Macro-Macro- evolutionevolution

Accepts Accepts Micro-Micro- evolutionevolution

Progressive CreationProgressive Creation



YESYES1. Direct1. Direct

for basic “kinds” of lifefor basic “kinds” of lifeinterventions over billion yrsinterventions over billion yrs

2. Indirect2. Indirect for inanimate universefor inanimate universeOrdained & SustainedOrdained & Sustained

Natural ProcessesNatural Processes

YESYESPersonal GodPersonal God

Dramatic & SubtleDramatic & Subtle





Origin of Origin of

HumanityHumanity



General LiteralismGeneral Literalism

Days = Geologic AgesDays = Geologic Ages

Local floodLocal flood








Origin of Origin of

HumanityHumanity



General LiteralismGeneral Literalism

Days = Geologic AgesDays = Geologic Ages

Local floodLocal flood



Accepts sinAccepts sin




EthicsEthics

ExamplesExamples




BiblicalBiblical

Reasons To Believe Reasons To Believe

Hugh RossHugh Ross

[[ Intelligent Design TheoryIntelligent Design Theory ]]


Evolutionary CreationEvolutionary Creation

Theistic EvolutionTheistic Evolution


TeleologyTeleology




YesYes

YesYes


Accepts Accepts

Macro-Macro- evolutionevolution



YESYESIndirectIndirect

Ordained & SustainedOrdained & SustainedNatural ProcessesNatural Processes




Embryology-Embryology- Evolution AnalogyEvolution Analogy



YESYESIndirectIndirect

Ordained & SustainedOrdained & SustainedNatural ProcessesNatural Processes







Origin of Origin of

HumanityHumanity



1.1. Divine Theology Divine Theology

2.2. Ancient Science Ancient Science

3.3. Ancient Poetry Ancient Poetry

Humanity evolvedHumanity evolved




1. Divine Theology1. Divine Theology

God created the world.God created the world.

The world is very good.The world is very good.

Humans bear God’s Image.Humans bear God’s Image.

Humans fallen into sin.Humans fallen into sin.

God judges humans for sin.God judges humans for sin.

2. Ancient Science2. Ancient Science

3-Tier 3-Tier UniverseUniverse

Ancient ScienceAncient Science


BabylonianBabylonianWorld MapWorld Map

66thth Century CenturyBC/EBC/E


UrUr

Is 41:8Is 41:8


ShebaSheba

Matt 12:42Matt 12:42JesusJesus

3. Ancient Poetry3. Ancient Poetry

FloodFloodAccountAccountChiasmChiasmGen 6-9Gen 6-9

History?

History?

CreationCreationAccountAccountPanelsPanelsGen 1Gen 1

Ancient Ancient PoetryPoetry Science?

Science?




Origin of Origin of

HumanityHumanity



1. Divine Theology1. Divine Theology

2. Ancient Science2. Ancient Science

3. Ancient Poetry3. Ancient Poetry



Accepts sinAccepts sin




EthicsEthics

ExamplesExamples




BiblicalBiblical

Roman CatholicismRoman Catholicism

Some Evangelical Some Evangelical ProtestantsProtestants

Francis CollinsFrancis Collins


Deistic EvolutionDeistic Evolution God-of-the-PhilosophersGod-of-the-Philosophers

“Theistic” Evolution“Theistic” Evolution

TeleologyTeleology




YesYes

YesYes


Accepts Accepts

Macro-Macro- evolutionevolution

Deistic EvolutionDeistic Evolution



YESYESIndirectIndirect OrdainedOrdained

Natural ProcessesNatural Processes

NONOImpersonal GodImpersonal God

God never entersGod never entersthe worldthe world





Origin of Origin of

HumanityHumanity

Human beliefs about GodHuman beliefs about God

Rejects Divine revelationRejects Divine revelation

God never enters worldGod never enters world

Irrelevant origins mythIrrelevant origins myth


Rejects Image of GodRejects Image of God





EthicsEthics

ExamplesExamples

DeismDeism

Liberal ChristianityLiberal Christianity

Rejects Incarnation &Rejects Incarnation &


HumanismHumanism

Charles DarwinCharles Darwin

Michael Denton Michael Denton

Anthony FlewAnthony Flew


Dysteleological EvolutionDysteleological Evolution “Evolutionist” Position“Evolutionist” Position

Atheistic EvolutionAtheistic Evolution

TeleologyTeleology




NoNoPlan & purpose a delusionPlan & purpose a delusion

NoNoDesign a delusionDesign a delusion


Accepts Accepts Macro-Macro- evolutionevolution

Dysteleological EvolutionDysteleological Evolution



NoNoBlind ChanceBlind Chance

Natural ProcessesNatural ProcessesGod a delusion God a delusion

NoNoNo GodNo God

God an delusionGod an delusion





Origin of Origin of

HumanityHumanity

Human superstitionsHuman superstitions

Rejects Divine revelationRejects Divine revelation

God a delusionGod a delusion

Irrelevant origins mythIrrelevant origins myth


Rejects Image of GodRejects Image of God





EthicsEthics

ExamplesExamples

AtheismAtheism

Rejects Incarnation &Rejects Incarnation &


HumanismHumanism

Richard DawkinsRichard Dawkins

Christopher HitchensChristopher Hitchens

Daniel DennettDaniel Dennett


SummarySummary

ConclusionsConclusions

Define Terms & ConceptsDefine Terms & Concepts

Recognize the Faith JumpRecognize the Faith Jump

Move Beyond the “Evolution” Move Beyond the “Evolution” vs. “Creation” Debatevs. “Creation” Debate

FALSE FALSE DICHOTOMYDICHOTOMY

Consider Two Books Model:Consider Two Books Model:

ConclusionsConclusions

Let no woman or man, Let no woman or man, out of conceit or laziness, out of conceit or laziness, think or believe that think or believe that anyone can search too far anyone can search too far or be too well informed inor be too well informed inthe the Book of God’s WorksBook of God’s Works or or the the Book of God’s WordsBook of God’s Words: : Science or Religion. Science or Religion.

Sir Francis BaconSir Francis Bacon

Instead, let everyone endlessly improve Instead, let everyone endlessly improve their understanding of their understanding of bothboth..

Beyond the “Evolution” vs. “Creation” Debate Denis O. Lamoureux Associate Professor of...

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