Theistic Evolution?

[Beautiful Ignorance]

Could someone please explain to me what theistic evolution is? That sounds like theistic gravity or theistic electrodynamics.

Does any of you believe in theistic gravity? If so, how does that work?

 

[Eternally Optimistic]

I am not sure what is not to understand, we believe that the scientific explanation of the origin of life (evolution) is the most logical explanation that exists, and we believe that God was at work in that process; thus we reject the premise that the scientific explanations and religious belief are in conflict.

The belief is quite common among more liberal Protestants and the "older" Christian sects, i.e. Catholics and Orthodox, at least in my experience.

 

[Beautiful Ignorance]

I am not sure what is not to understand, we believe that the scientific explanation of the origin of life (evolution) is the most logical explanation that exists, and we believe that God was at work in that process; thus we reject the premise that the scientific explanations and religious belief are in conflict.

The belief is quite common among more liberal Protestants and the "older" Christian sects, i.e. Catholics and Orthodox, at least in my experience.

That's not what I'm asking about it. I'm asking what is with the "theist" or "atheist" being added on. Is there is a difference? I mean is "atheistic evolution" a different theory than "theistic evolution?

 

[Tobias]

That's not what I'm asking about it. I'm asking what is with the "theist" or "atheist" being added on. Is there is a difference? I mean is "atheistic evolution" a different theory than "theistic evolution?

Atheistic evolution is the theory that all life evolved from lower forms of life by mere coincidence. The theistic version is different in that we believe God, angels, or some other deity guided the process, meddling with "mutation and natural selection" to produce the results we see today.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Could someone please explain to me what theistic evolution is? That sounds like theistic gravity or theistic electrodynamics.

Does any of you believe in theistic gravity? If so, how does that work?

Theistic evolution simply states that the science of evolution is true and affirms that, like all other areas of nature, God is the One behind those natural processes and mechanisms.

The reason why a term is required ("Theistic Evolution" or "Evolutionary Creationism") is because of how often many Young Earth Creationists misunderstand Christians who are fully accepting of the science of evolution--some accuse us of rejecting the fact that God is the Creator, or accuse us of removing God from the picture which simply isn't true.

If the same were true with things such as gravity then "theistic gravitation" would likely be required to assert that gravitation is a natural force in the universe and the science behind it is sound and that we, in faith, believe God is the One who established the natural mechanisms and processes behind it.

The key difference is that there isn't a sizeable misinformed movement claiming gravity to be evil, accusing "gravitationists" of having an agenda to remove God from the picture and the like.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[ViaCrucis]

That's not what I'm asking about it. I'm asking what is with the "theist" or "atheist" being added on. Is there is a difference? I mean is "atheistic evolution" a different theory than "theistic evolution?

It's the same theory, the same science. The only difference is a theological one: The existence or non-existence of God/gods.

Theistic evolution isn't a scientific theory, it's a means of identifying oneself as a theist who accepts what the science has been saying for the last two centuries.

Ideally one shouldn't have to make such a qualifying statement, but such is the world we live in.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Eudaimonist]

Could someone please explain to me what theistic evolution is?

If atheistic evolution is natural selection, then theistic evolution is supernatural selection.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Jane_the_Bane]

I think there are different concepts of what "theistic evolution" is supposed to mean:

On the one hand, you've got a sort of "creationist hybrid"-position that acknowledges species as a "freeze frame"-snapshot of an ongoing process of adaptation, differentiation and speciation among organisms, yet still attributes these processes to direct supernatural interference rather than a natural result of environmental factors.
(We might call this position "evolutionary creationism".)

On the other hand, you've got theists who accept the theory of evolution as-is, affirming that natural selection is happening, acknowledge these natural processes, and only hold their deity to be ultimately responsible for all of existence.
This version of theistic evolution is identical with atheistic evolution, and only indicates that the person who accepts it also happens to believe in a deity.

 

[Tobias]

Personally I go more with God delegating the evolutionary process out to angelic type beings. Beings that understood the process, but were not following any set plan and/or were not always in complete agreement with each other.

I see God as a champion of free-will, who extends this freedom to both angels and demons. If these beings have not yet been judged (the Bible says we will judge angels some day in the future), then there is no reason to think that there are no gray areas with these creatures. They are not robots that do nothing except follow every direction from the Lord, or every whim of Satan.

I think the Earth shows evidence of many hands in the creative process, especially when we look at Earth's more recent history with the numerous beings that have interfered in mankind's affairs as "gods".

 

[Beautiful Ignorance]

Theistic evolution simply states that the science of evolution is true and affirms that, like all other areas of nature, God is the One behind those natural processes and mechanisms.

The reason why a term is required ("Theistic Evolution" or "Evolutionary Creationism") is because of how often many Young Earth Creationists misunderstand Christians who are fully accepting of the science of evolution--some accuse us of rejecting the fact that God is the Creator, or accuse us of removing God from the picture which simply isn't true.

If the same were true with things such as gravity then "theistic gravitation" would likely be required to assert that gravitation is a natural force in the universe and the science behind it is sound and that we, in faith, believe God is the One who established the natural mechanisms and processes behind it.

The key difference is that there isn't a sizeable misinformed movement claiming gravity to be evil, accusing "gravitationists" of having an agenda to remove God from the picture and the like.

-CryptoLutheran

I get what you are saying. In this day and age, a person has no more excuse for denying the theory of evolution than they do for thinking that the earth is flat. I believe in God and I accept the reality of evolution but I will not use the term "theistic evolution" any more than I will use the term "theistic gravity" because I think it lends a degree of legitimacy to creationism of which it is wholly undeserving.

And it makes me feel stupid. Really. Don't you feel stupid whenever you write or say "theistic evolution?"

 

[LOCO]

As a Catholic who knows evolution is a fact I also believe that God has a hand in all creation.

However, Catholics believe our souls did not evolve, souls are especially created by God and allocated upon conception. Unlike physical characteristics, we do not inherit our souls from our parents.

The only difference between a 'TE' and a atheist evolutionist is that the former attributes evolution to God.

 

[Beautiful Ignorance]

It's the same theory, the same science. The only difference is a theological one: The existence or non-existence of God/gods.

Theistic evolution isn't a scientific theory, it's a means of identifying oneself as a theist who accepts what the science has been saying for the last two centuries.

Ideally one shouldn't have to make such a qualifying statement, but such is the world we live in.

-CryptoLutheran

Very good answer and again I say let's not use the qualifying statement.

When I say I believe in Evolution, I am not saying anything at all about my theological beliefs. I am merely stating I'm not complete fool.

 

[BruceDLimber]

Basically, Divine Creation happened, and since then the universe has been undergoing evolution.

Simple as that.

Peace,

Bruce

 

[Montalban]

Could someone please explain to me what theistic evolution is? That sounds like theistic gravity or theistic electrodynamics.

Does any of you believe in theistic gravity? If so, how does that work?

Firstly there is no 'theistic electrodynamics' because on the issue of electrodynamics the church is silent.

What it is not silent on is the issue of creation.

Against this is a competing theory of neo-Darwinism.

Some try to offer a blend between the two where they believe in evolution, but with God the driving force behind it (or at least as the initiator of it)

 

[Montalban]

Basically, Divine Creation happened, and since then the universe has been undergoing evolution.

Simple as that.

Peace,

Bruce

Do apes have souls?

 

[dazed]

I thought OP was referring to theist updating the interpretation of their holy books to new scientific founding. Before Copernicus and Gallelio, it's easy to believe that heaven is just a few kms about our heads. Now, heave is just a place, out in the universe somewhere, that you are with God.

I can't see how a Christian cannot accept evolution. If you believe the Bible is the truth and Noah's flood did happened, you must believe in evolution. All the current races evolved from Noah's seeds.

 

[Jane_the_Bane]

Do apes have souls?

Define "soul", and I'll answer your question.

 

[BruceDLimber]

Do apes have souls?

In the Baha'i view, no.

Animals don't go on to the Next Life; humans do.

Peace,

Bruce

 

[Eudaimonist]

Animals don't go on to the Next Life; humans do.

Oh, that reminds me of a simple but excellent Twilight Zone episode.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunt_(The_Twilight_Zone)

"Any place that's too high-falootin' for Rip is too fancy for me."

The place is heaven-without-pets, and Rip is the name of the man's dog, who has died along with him.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Jane_the_Bane]

Human hubris is an amazing thing.