RickG
There are actually mainstream Christian denominations that have published statements that they see no issue with the theory of evolution.
Just
Post it. Someone tried this with Francis Collins and it failed.
Easy enough to do.
The BioLogos View
We see no biblical reason to view natural processes (including natural selection) as having removed God from the process of creation. It is all God’s and it is all intelligently designed.
How is BioLogos different from Evolutionism, Intelligent Design, and Creationism? | BioLogos
Catholics and many Protestant Christian groups (e.g. Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans (ELCA), United Church of Christ, and others) have statements of faith that show absolutely no problem with evolution. Some even have strong statements attesting to how an understanding of modern evolutionary biology even enriches their faith.
One example is this statement from the 2008 General Conference of the United Methodist Church: “We find that as science expands human understanding of the natural world, our understanding of the mysteries of God’s creation and word are enhanced.” A similar sentiment was expressed by the Presbyterian Church USA during their 214th General Assembly (2002, Columbus, Ohio) in a statement that “Reaffirms that there is no contradiction between an evolutionary theory of human origins and the doctrine of God as Creator” (Resolution Item 09-08, 2, p. 495).
Additionally, the Episcopal Church passed the following resolution during their 75th General Convention in 2006: “Resolved, That the theory of evolution provides a fruitful and unifying scientific explanation for the emergence of life on earth, that many theological interpretations of origins can readily embrace an evolutionary outlook, and that an acceptance of evolution is entirely compatible with an authentic and living Christian faith…”
What Do Most Christians Really Believe About Evolution? | The BioLogos Forum
What Christian denominations acknowledge evolution
Catholic Church
The Catholic Church has now reacted favourably to evolution: Pope Pius XII stated in his encyclical Humani Generis (1950) that there was no opposition between evolution and the doctrine of the faith and that he considered the doctrine of "evolutionism" a serious hypothesis, worthy of investigation and in-depth study equal to that of the opposing hypothesis; Pope John Paul II, in an address to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences (1996), said that new knowledge has led to the recognition of the theory of evolution as more than a hypothesis; Pope Benedict has refused to endorse "intelligent design" theories, instead backing "theistic evolution" which considers that God created life through evolution with no clash between religion and science.
Episcopal Church
The Episcopal Church has said that the theory of evolution does not conflict with Christian faith. In 2006, the General Convention affirmed, via Resolution A129, that God is creator and added that "the theory of evolution provides a fruitful and unifying scientific explanation for the emergence of life on earth, that many theological interpretations of origins can readily embrace an evolutionary outlook, and that an acceptance of evolution is entirely compatible with an authentic and living Christian faith."
Church of England
The Church of England is considering the possibility of apologising posthumously to Darwin, for its earlier condemnation of his theory
United Methodist Church
General Conference, the only entity that speaks for the United Methodist Church, makes these three statements regarding evolution:
"We find that science's descriptions of cosmological, geological, and biological evolution are not in conflict with theology." (¶ 160. F. The Book of Discipline 2008)
"The General Conference of The United Methodist Church goes on record as opposing the introduction of any faith-based theories such as Creationism or Intelligent Design into the science curriculum of our public schools." (Resolution 5052 of The Book of Resolutions 2008)
"[The United Methodist Church] endorses The Clergy Letter Project and its reconciliatory programs between religion and science, and urges United Methodist clergy participation." (From resolution 1027 of The Book of Resolutions 2008)
The theological justification is: "We find that as science expands human understanding of the natural world, our understanding of the mysteries of God's creation and word are enhanced." (¶ 160. F. The Book of Discipline 2008)
Presbyterian Church
The Presbyterian Church (USA) Office of Theology and Worship, 1969 GA-approved theological statement on the subject, evolution and the Bible, stated, "Neither Scripture, our Confession of Faith, nor our Catechisms, teach the Creation of man by the direct and immediate acts of God so as to exclude the possibility of evolution as a scientific theory." However, it appears that the Southern Presbyterians dissent from this view.
National Council of Churches USA
A National Council of Churches USA committee has released a resource on the teaching of evolution in public school science classes, "to assist people of faith who experience no conflict between science and religion as they consider the issues around the teaching of evolution." Members of the NCC's Committee on Public Education and Literacy represent: the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ; the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; the Episcopal Church; the Presbyterian Church (USA); the Progressive National Baptist Convention; the United Church of Christ Justice & Witness Ministries; the United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society; and the United Methodist Women.
The Church of the Nazarene
The Church of the Nazarene, an evangelical Christian denomination, sees "knowledge acquired by science and human inquiry equal to that acquired by divine revelation."
You know Just, if you were interested in the reality of the world around you and not huddled inside your own private conceptual cocoon, this stuff is real easy to look up. The hard part I suspect is that you would have to be willing to learn about that outside world.
It really is rather nice out here. You might consider giving it a try.
Dizredux