The last two Sundays have been a little eye opening. Our Adult Sunday School class began a study of Genesis and I found that many people in the class. Meaning, almost all who spoke up, do not believe in the Theory of Evolution. I was surprised. Shame on me!! I spoke up the first Sunday, played nice the second, shame on me again!!!
So I guess that I could refute what they believe in, but guess what, I won’t. I don’t want to argue. Has anybody ever won an argument?
Instead I’ll talk about what I believe. Don’t worry, this is going to be short, I’m spreading it out.
I’m taking a lot of material from an excellent web site called Theistic Evolution – One Christian’s Perspective. There is also an excellent post on the New Scientist web site.
What do I believe about how man came to be here: I find no conflict whatsoever between Evolution, including Natural Selection, and the Creation Account of Genesis. I do not feel like I am “rationalizing” the two or twisting the concepts or anything. I believe that God made man (and woman).
Some of my fellow Christians make fun by saying “So you think that man came from the ooze.” I say no, the Bible teaches that God made man from dust. (Gen 2:7). Not much difference to me between dust and ooze, besides a little moisture.
I’ll tell you one thing. I’m not sitting silent any longer. I may be sitting somewhere else but I’m not keeping my mouth shut on this subject.
See I think this fake conflict between Spiritual matters and Scientific matters is important. I think that it is important because I think many people think they have to choose between believing in God, or believing in Science. I think Science reveals God’s creation to us. I don’t think it refutes it. I think that Science is a tool, it is not a religion. I love Science. The more I learn about our World and our Universe, the more I am in awe of God and his wonderful creation.
That’s all for now. What do you think? I would like to know.
Just so you know. I like my Sunday School Class and all the people in it. They are great folks. I just didn’t know them as well as I should. They are not shunning me. I think they feel a little sorry for me. It doesn’t change my high opinion I have about any of them. Also, they all know loads more about the Bible than I do. They are all spiritual warriors. They are also first in line to help just in case anybody needs a helping hand.
I think that was well said.
Maybe they are just a little suspect because of the license plate.
It doesn’t bother me either. I’m not sure if it’s even neccesary to reconcile it. Check out the Templeton Foundation. They have lots of smart stuff about science and religion.
You said in about 500 words what it’s taken theologians (and scientists) volumes to say. I agree with you 100 percent. My faith is not the least bit threatened by science. When I was a student at SNU, Christian professors carefully broached this subject. They all believed in evolution, and were people of tremendous faith. Many of them, despite the Church of the Nazarene’s conservative reputation, were liberals. They shaped me in so many ways. This post reminds me of all of them those who taught biology and theology. I was and am so lucky to have gone to SNU. Anyway, anytime people hold onto beliefs out of fear, I question whether or not they really believe it at their core. Again, great job!!
I don’t think it’s a choice thing. I think that Bible literalists really miss out on the beauty of the language, the metaphor, and ulitimately, the wisdom. There is one story, and there are many attempts at understanding it.
Baloney: Nobody in my SS Class knows about the license plate yet!
Jeff Shaw: I’m like you. I’d never felt the need to defend myself but like I said I was a little shocked at the beliefs expressed.
Jen: Thank you Jen, SNU sounds like a great place. I really enjoy your blog.
Sandy Carlson: You are right on woman! I kept hearing the old chestnut about “if any part of the Bible is untrue then it is all untrue.” I think the word is much more resilient than that. And besides it is a witness to God, not a science book.
Jeff: ps – thanks for the lead to the Templeton Foundation. I’ll be checking it out.
We think your going to hell in a handbasket—right beside us! We once wrote about this very subject. Four very different views and we still managed to piss people off. We didn’t sit silent and now were going to hell in a handbasket—so are you 666! We’ve since deleted the post. The email received was unreal.
Idabel Oklahoma: When some creationists feel threatened it is sometimes hard to see their hands of Christian Fellowship.