Dealing with Evolution in one's own church setting

[BlackSaab52]

I'm interested in how TE believers on this forum deal with believing in evolution in their own churches, and I'm especially interested in how you deal with this if you go to a more conservative church (of course anyone is welcome to comment, though). Do you feel the need to hide what you think, or can you discuss it openly? Does your minister approve or reject evolution?

I'm just curious, because I'm currently church hunting right now since I moved to a new town. I'm also about to start my PhD in evolutionary biology, and as you can probably imagine, this would most certainly get me into trouble in some circles.

 

[Mallon]

I was raised in a WELS Lutheran church, a synod that is among the more conservative in North America. When I moved across country to begin grad school a few years ago, I began attending a new church, but remained in the same synod. When the pastor here learned of my work in evolutionary science, he privately confessed to me that I was no longer welcome at the communion table. I stopped going.
It's difficult being rejected from the church I grew up in, but I don't regret being honest. I know a lot of the people at my church back home were pretty cheesed off to learn that I had been rejected by my own synod. Maybe it will give them cause to reflect about what it is they believe as well.

Incidentally, you should read this:
An Evangelical Dialogue on Evolution: Would your Church allow you to Publicly Support Evolution?

 

[Habbukuk]

It's really a shame when people in a church setting austrosize you for a belief that really doesn't effect your salvation.

I used to be a big supporter on Young Earth Creation. So much so that I decided to study evolution, simply to find flaws. What I found was the opposite.

When I told people in my church that I couldn't argue against evolution, a lot of people were shocked to say the least. But then my pastor basically turned around and said that regardless of my theology on creation/evolution, I still believed that Jesus died on the Cross, that he was the Son of God and that my salvation was guaranteed.

I hope that you can both have a similar experience to me with this, and don't be disheartened. If people shun you because of this, simply pray for them.

 

[OrdinaryClay]

I'm glad to hear you had such a good experience. I have also had good experiences. The majority of Christians I talk to have had the view your pastor had. In general, I avoid the subject in discussion, but I don't hide my views and I don't avoid explaining what I believe when asked. The crux is your acceptance of Christ as a personal savior and then living out your infilling of the Holy Spirit.

What I have found is that some follow science beyond where it leads. They use the evidences of science to doubt God's miraculous intervention in our lives and history. Because science is explanatory in the natural world does not mean that God, has not, and does not perform real bona fide miracles. Scientific knowledge is like any ego centric factor in our life. It can lead to our denial of God's involvement if we grow to think we understand more then we do.

God Bless!!

 

[Mallon]

I'm glad to hear you had such a good experience. I have also had good experiences. The majority of Christians I talk to have had the view your pastor had. In general, I avoid the subject in discussion, but I don't hide my views and I don't avoid explaining what I believe when asked. The crux is your acceptance of Christ as a personal savior and then living out your infilling of the Holy Spirit.

What I have found is that some follow science beyond where it leads. They use the evidences of science to doubt God's miraculous intervention in our lives and history. Because science is explanatory in the natural world does not mean that God, has not, and does not perform real bona fide miracles. Scientific knowledge is like any ego centric factor in our life. It can lead to our denial of God's involvement if we grow to think we understand more then we do.

God Bless!!

While I agree completely that God can and does work miracles, you speak almost as though scientific explanations somehow displace God, leaving Him powerless to act through natural cause. Do you really feel that way?

 

[crawfish]

My own church has no official stance on origins. There is a small group for Creation Science that meets weekly. I have revealed to many in my church, including the head minister, my beliefs with no issues.

However, I would not teach EC theology in class or try and push it in any way. It could only bring dissent, and the church has better things to do anyway.

 

[Chesterton]

...and the church has better things to do anyway.

Excellent summation. Yes the Church has better things to do than science. It shouldn't matter; I wish it didn't.

 

[OrdinaryClay]

While I agree completely that God can and does work miracles, you speak almost as though scientific explanations somehow displace God, leaving Him powerless to act through natural cause. Do you really feel that way?

I don't understand how anything I said would lead you to your accusation. He created the universe. The physical laws of God's creation can not displace the Creator. He acts any way He chooses. I thought my point was plain, but I'll paraphrase. Some take the materialistic evidence of science to the point of extrapolating that all God's material miracles on earth are natural as opposed to a truly supernatural act.

 

[Mallon]

I don't understand how anything I said would lead you to your accusation. He created the universe. The physical laws of God's creation can not displace the Creator. He acts any way He chooses. I thought my point was plain, but I'll paraphrase. Some take the materialistic evidence of science to the point of extrapolating that all God's material miracles on earth are natural as opposed to a truly supernatural act.

That clears it up. Thanks. I was confused by your statement that "Scientific knowledge is like any ego centric factor in our life. It can lead to our denial of God's involvement if we grow to think we understand more then we do."

 

[jpcedotal]

I firmly deny evolution but I would not try to run someone off at my church for believing in it.

 

[OrdinaryClay]

That clears it up. Thanks. I was confused by your statement that "Scientific knowledge is like any ego centric factor in our life. It can lead to our denial of God's involvement if we grow to think we understand more then we do."

Ah, well don't be, I was just saying that the pride of science is like any pride. People can let some knowledge lead them to the conclusion that they are more then they are.

 

[Ave Maria]

I attend a United Church of Christ church which is a fairly liberal church so believing in evolution in this kind of church setting is not a problem for me.