Evolution and Christianity?

[pastorkevin73]

Is it possible to be a Christian and believe in evolution?

 

[ILoveYeshua]

<insert pic of dead beaten horse>

 

[The Lady Kate]

Is it possible to be a Christian and believe in evolution?

I could simply offer up scores of examples (including myself) which say yes, but let's try this a different way...what part of evolutionary theory makes you think it's not possible to believe it an still be Christian?

I've got a feeling that evolution isn't what you think it is...

 

[chaoschristian]

Is it possible to be a Christian and believe in evolution?

One believes in God, or not. That is a matter of faith.

One accepts evolution or rejects it. That is a matter of reason.

Just as I would never attempt to rationalize God, I also do not attempt to believe in evolution.

However, I do accept evolution and I do believe in God.

So, yes, it is possible.

That said, please research the threads in this forum. You will find that this is very familiar territory for this site.

And, welcome to CF!

 

[gluadys]

Is it possible to be a Christian and believe in evolution?

One does not believe in evolution any more than one believes that water is wet. One learns, either directly from one's own experience, or indirectly through the experiences of others, what is true about nature. Water is wet. Species evolve. One is as true as the other and no belief is required to know that.

And, yes, it is certainly possible to accept evolution and be a Christian.

 

[PaladinValer]

I do not "believe" in evolution. I agree with the overwhelming evidence that supports the theory and thus think of it as fact.

Evolution isn't a "belief" in terms of "faith;" that is why people are weary of your question...because it is stated in such a way that it might suggest such.

However, you will find out here that Christians can be evolutionists without denying God as Creater.

 

[shernren]

I'd recommend that you read "The Story We Find Ourselves In" by Brian McLaren, maybe that would help you understand better how we end up believing what we believe in. Also as you follow the discussions here, maybe it would make more sense to you if you asked, instead of

Why should I believe this ... but ask

Why do they believe this?

Try to understand us without feeling like you have to commit to be like us. For me myself as I talk to creationists one thing I would like to achieve is to be able to say "Well, I don't agree with what you believe, but I can see why you believe it."

 

[notto]

Is it possible to be a Christian and believe in evolution?

Of course. You don't think that all of the scientists, professors, researchers, authors, and biologists who accept evolution and base their work on it everyday are non-Christian do you? That would be quite a feat for non-Christians to hold that many positions in this nation that is 75-80% Christian.

 

[pastorkevin73]

Do you believe that God's word is truth and without inerrent?

 

[PaladinValer]

Fallacy of Amphiboly. Please define specifically "inerrent" and in which ways.

 

[notto]

Do you believe that God's word is truth and without inerrent?

God's word or pastorkevin73's understanding and interpretation of it?

 

[chaoschristian]

Do you believe that God's word is truth and without inerrent?

Did you mean God's word is truth and without error? OR alternatively: truth and inerrant?

 

[pastorkevin73]

Did you mean God's word is truth and without error? OR alternatively: truth and inerrant?

Oops! lol Sorry! Yes, inerrant.

 

[Dannager]

pastorkevin73, it is most certainly possible to adhere to my Christian faith (for my purposes, the ability to truthfully invoke the Nicene Creed) and accept evolutionary theory.

As for God's word being inerrant and truth, God's word is always truth. The world around me is God's word made manifest. What I observe in the world around me, I take to be truth, for that is as God intended it.

 

[artybloke]

Is it possible to be a Christian and believe in evolution?

a) Define Christian. Does your definition of Christian include all those who call themselves Christian, including the various varieties of Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant? Or does it limit itself only to those who follow your church's theology? As you call yourself "pastor", I take it that means you're probably protestant, and probably not Anglican. Inerrancy with regard to scripture, for instance, is not a belief that is accepted by all Christians.

b) Define evolution in your understanding. There's a lot of false ideas about what modern evolutionary theory actually says out there.

c) As others have pointed out, you have also to define "belief." One accepts or rejects a scientific theory on the strength of the evidence in favour of it, balanced against the evidence against it. The evidence for evolutionary theory is pretty well nigh overwhelming.

Evolutionary theory is perfectly acceptable to most varieties of Christianity.

 

[PaladinValer]

Again, you haven't defined inerrancy. Please give a definition so that we can answer it.

 

[FreezBee]

Is it possible to be a Christian and believe in evolution?

Towards the end of "The Origin of Species" Charles darwin wrote

To my mind, it accords better with what we know of the laws impressed upon matter by the Creator, that the production and extinction of the past inhabitants of the world should have been due to secondary causes, like those determining the birth and death of the individual

(Emphasis added)

So apparently you can both accept a creator and evolution.

Anyway, as others have pointed out, the existence of God is not a question of objective knowledge. God is not a carved figure, a graven image, a tree, a rock, a planet, a stor, nor any other object. Therefore the actions of God are not objective actions - science deals with the objective world.


- FreezBee

 

[pastorkevin73]

This morning I was reminded of 1 Timothy 1:3-4 which says,

As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.

In this passage Paul is admonishing Timothy to correct false teaching by some of the people in the Ephesian Church. I admit that I have let myself to continue in an arguement against a myth which some people are willing to accept over Scripture. So here is the truth and the end of the matter. The book of Genesis is a part of God's Word, which is without error. Therefore Genesis is truth, we must accept it or we believe a myth. Lee Strobel has done research and interviewed experts on the subject of evolution and points out that it has no scientific merit. I recommend reading this book as it will answer some of the questions for some of you who are holding fast to the evolutionary myth.

I encourage you all to seek the truth of God's word. God didn't say it would be easy to accept, but we must accept Him because He loves us and would never lie to us. God bless you all as you seek Him.

 

[notto]

Why would we accept Lee Strobels analysis of evolution? He is neither a biologist or scientist, and has no education, experience, or qualifications that would make him any type of sound or objective evaluator of the science involved. If he tells you otherwise, he is the one telling myths.

It is interesting to note that you have not addressed any of the questions or comments made here related to your opening post. Are you not here for discussion? You simply make assertions, claim them as true, ignore all responses, and then leave the building. Not a great way to persuade or discuss an issue.

You claim that the book will help us get answers about evolution. That assumes that many of us have not looked into it already and most likely in a lot more detail and with more dedication to discovering the truth about it than you may have done. Name one book on evolution that you have read that was written by a biologist. Can you do that?

Not really a good way to hold a conversation. If you would actually like to discuss the actual science of evolution or actually listen to what other have to say around the issue of evolution and Christianity, let us know. Until then, good luck in your quest to try to convince others that the realities that are apparent when one studies the creation are myths. That will certainly keep you busy but you might want to work on a more persuasive argument than 'you are wrong' and 'read a book by an unqualified author on the subject'.

 

[PaladinValer]

You've yet to answer my question.