Evolution & Orthodoxy

[tizziale]

I read on the OCA website that Orthodoxy and theistic evolution aren't incompatible. But it's my understanding that the Orthodox church believes that when mankind "fell" that instead of sin being passed along (as the western churches teach), rather death entered into the world. It is because of mans new needs and desires and lusts that all of creation suffers.

My problem with this, is in my mind this can in no way jive with theistic evolution. At what point did mankind get indued with immortality? and then lose it?

just asking if anyone had given thought to this

tizzi

 

[Dismas]

See if this article is any help...

http: / /w w w.orthodox.clara.net/ancestral_sin.htm

Dismas

 

[tizziale]

great article.

one question: how does this fit into the idea of evolution? I'm sorry this is a hang-up for me, and perhaps it shouldn't. Human history is a mystery to many, but one that we are learning about everyday.

tizzi

 

[Dismas]

Here are a couple more...

I may not fully understand what you are asking...


w w w.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/articles/dogmatics/fraser_concept_of_man.htm

w w w.sullivan-county.com/id4/ort_creation.htm

Dismas

 

[TWells]

Edited post out becuase I thought the original post was about something else. oopsy.

 

[tizziale]

Okay, let me explain what I'm saying. I know that this is from a Protestant perspective: If evolution is fact, then there was death prior to the sin of Adam and Eve. But I thought in Orthodoxy, death was the result of the sin of Adam and Eve. This is inconsistent from my point of view.

 

[MariaRegina]

Okay, let me explain what I'm saying. I know that this is from a Protestant perspective: If evolution is fact, then there was death prior to the sin of Adam and Eve. But I thought in Orthodoxy, death was the result of the sin of Adam and Eve. This is inconsistent from my point of view.

Good question. And if death originated at the fall of Adam and Even, then meat-eating animals didn't exist until after the Fall of Adam. That means that man was initially a vegetarian.

So, did fallen man exist at the time of meat-eating dinosaurs?

 

[Reader Nilus]

I have to wonder where does the idea come from that the big cats ever were veggies? Creation with out sin does not imply vegetarianism. Who is to say the rabbit was not meant for food for the cat? Goodness does it not imply death as well to eat plants, or are plants not living?
The problem with trying to read Genesis as a scientific treatise; it brings forth all sorts of wierd ideas.
Jeff the Finn

 

[tizziale]

I just got through reading the articles someone posted. I understand the Orthodox position better now, and realize that it makes wonderful sense.