beyond the “evolution” vs. “creation” debate denis o. lamoureux associate professor of...
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BeyondBeyondthethe
“Evolution” “Evolution” vsvs. “Creation. “Creation””DebateDebate
Denis O. LamoureuxDenis O. LamoureuxAssociate Professor of Science & ReligionAssociate Professor of Science & Religion
St. Joseph’s College, University of AlbertaSt. Joseph’s College, University of Alberta
Thomas Henry HuxleyThomas Henry Huxley
1859 1859
T.H. HuxleyT.H. Huxley
Extinguished theologians lie about Extinguished theologians lie about
the cradle of every science as the the cradle of every science as the
strangled snakes of Hercules . . .strangled snakes of Hercules . . .
And history records that whenever And history records that whenever
sciencescience and and orthodoxyorthodoxy have been have been
fairly opposed, the latter has been fairly opposed, the latter has been
forced to retire from the lists, forced to retire from the lists,
bleeding and crushed if not bleeding and crushed if not
annihilated; scotched, if not slain.annihilated; scotched, if not slain.
T.H. HuxleyT.H. Huxley
TheThe
ProblemProblem
DICHOTOMYDICHOTOMY
““Science”Science” ““Religion”Religion”
Julian HuxleyJulian Huxley
The earth was not The earth was not createdcreated, ,
it it evolvedevolved. .
So did religion.So did religion.
So did all the So did all the
animals and plants that animals and plants that
inhabit it, including our inhabit it, including our
human selves, mind and human selves, mind and
soul as well as brain and soul as well as brain and
body.body.
Julian HuxleyJulian Huxley
Evolutionary truth frees us from Evolutionary truth frees us from
subservient fear of the unknown subservient fear of the unknown
and supernatural, and exhorts us and supernatural, and exhorts us
to face this new freedom. It shows to face this new freedom. It shows
us our destiny and our duty.us our destiny and our duty.
The truth will set us free.The truth will set us free.
Evolutionary man can no longer Evolutionary man can no longer
take refuge from his loneliness in take refuge from his loneliness in
the arms of a divinized father figure the arms of a divinized father figure
whom he has himself createdwhom he has himself created, nor , nor
escape from the responsibility of escape from the responsibility of
making decisions by sheltering making decisions by sheltering
under the umbrella of Divine under the umbrella of Divine
Authority.Authority.
Julian HuxleyJulian Huxley
Finally, the evolutionary vision is Finally, the evolutionary vision is
enabling us to discern, however enabling us to discern, however
incompletely, the outline of the incompletely, the outline of the
new religionnew religion that we can be sure that we can be sure
will arise to serve the needs of will arise to serve the needs of
the coming era.the coming era.
Julian HuxleyJulian Huxley
DICHOTOMYDICHOTOMY
“Science”“Evolution”
No GodHumanist Ethics
ScientismScientismScience & Secular WVScience & Secular WV
CONFLATIONCONFLATION
““Religion”Religion”
Henry MorrisHenry Morris
There are only two There are only two
basic world views:basic world views:
The God-centred world view and The God-centred world view and
the man-centred world view, the man-centred world view,
creationcreation or or evolutionevolution..
There is There is nono proven scientific proven scientific
evidence that the earth is old. evidence that the earth is old.
There is There is nono evidence whatever evidence whatever
that evolution of one kind of that evolution of one kind of
organism into a more complex organism into a more complex
organism has ever occurred.organism has ever occurred.
Henry MorrisHenry Morris
Divine revelation from the Creator Divine revelation from the Creator
of the world states that He did it of the world states that He did it
all in six days several thousand all in six days several thousand
years ago. The Bible contains all years ago. The Bible contains all
the basic principles upon which the basic principles upon which
TRUETRUE science is built. science is built.
The Bible is a book of science!The Bible is a book of science!
Henry MorrisHenry Morris
There is a personal Creator behind There is a personal Creator behind
the origin of all things and we the origin of all things and we
urgently need to know Him and to urgently need to know Him and to
order our lives according to His order our lives according to His
will as revealed in the Bible.will as revealed in the Bible.
Satan himself is the originator Satan himself is the originator
of the concept of evolution.of the concept of evolution.
Henry MorrisHenry Morris
DICHOTOMYDICHOTOMY
““Science”Science”““Evolution”Evolution”
No GodNo GodHumanist EthicsHumanist Ethics
ScientismScientismScience & Secular WVScience & Secular WV
CONFLATIONCONFLATION
““Religion”Religion”““Creation”Creation”
GodGodBiblical EthicsBiblical Ethics
FundamentalismFundamentalismChristianity & 6 DaysChristianity & 6 Days
CONFLATIONCONFLATION
DICHOTOMYDICHOTOMY
““Science”Science”““Evolution”Evolution”
No GodNo GodHumanist EthicsHumanist Ethics
ScientismScientismScience & Secular WVScience & Secular WV
CONFLATIONCONFLATION
““Religion”Religion”““Creation”Creation”
GodGodBiblical EthicsBiblical Ethics
FundamentalismFundamentalismChristianity & 6 DaysChristianity & 6 Days
CONFLATIONCONFLATION
??
Moving BeyondMoving Beyond
thethe
DichotomyDichotomy
Scientists Are Still Scientists Are Still Keeping the FaithKeeping the Faith
Ed Larson & Larry WithamEd Larson & Larry Witham
NatureNature3 Apr 973 Apr 97
I believe in a God in intellectual and I believe in a God in intellectual and
emotional communication with emotional communication with
humankind, i.e. a God to whom one humankind, i.e. a God to whom one
may pray in expectation of receiving may pray in expectation of receiving
an answer. By “answer” I mean more an answer. By “answer” I mean more
than the than the subjective psychologicalsubjective psychological
effect of prayer.effect of prayer.
I believe in continuation of the person I believe in continuation of the person after death after death into another worldinto another world..
40%40%
Science and God: Science and God: A Warming Trend?A Warming Trend?
Gregg EasterbrookGregg Easterbrook
ScienceScience15 Aug 9715 Aug 97
The National Academy of Sciences The National Academy of Sciences
and the American Association for and the American Association for
the Advancement of Science have the Advancement of Science have
launched projects to promote a launched projects to promote a
dialogue between science and dialogue between science and
religionreligion. .
Gregg EasterbrookGregg Easterbrook
New institutions aimed at bridging the New institutions aimed at bridging the
gap have been formed, including the gap have been formed, including the
Chicago Center for Religion and Science, Chicago Center for Religion and Science,
and the Center for Theology and Natural and the Center for Theology and Natural
Sciences in Berkeley, California. Sciences in Berkeley, California.
Universities such as Cambridge and Universities such as Cambridge and
Princeton also have established Princeton also have established
professorships or lectureships on the professorships or lectureships on the
reconciliation of the two campsreconciliation of the two camps..
Gregg EasterbrookGregg Easterbrook
Pope John Paul IIPope John Paul II
New knowledge leads to New knowledge leads to
the recognition of the the recognition of the
theory of evolution as theory of evolution as
more than a hypothesismore than a hypothesis..
The Bible speaks of the origin of The Bible speaks of the origin of
the universe the universe NOTNOT to provide a to provide a
scientific treatise, but to state the scientific treatise, but to state the
correct correct relationshipsrelationships of humanity of humanity
with God and with the universe.with God and with the universe.
Pope John Paul IIPope John Paul II
Sacred Scripture simply declares Sacred Scripture simply declares
that the world was created by God, that the world was created by God,
and it expresses this truth in the and it expresses this truth in the
terms of the cosmologyterms of the cosmology [science][science]
in use at the time of the writerin use at the time of the writer..
Pope John Paul IIPope John Paul II
The Bible is a book The Bible is a book
of Redemption, and of Redemption, and
of course I acceptof course I accept
Billy GrahamBilly Graham
the Creation story. I believe that the Creation story. I believe that
God did create the universe.God did create the universe.
The Bible is NOT The Bible is NOT a book of sciencea book of science..
Billy GrahamBilly Graham
WhetherWhether it came by an evolutionary it came by an evolutionary
process and at a certain point He process and at a certain point He
took this person or being and made took this person or being and made
him a living soul him a living soul or notor not, does not , does not
change the fact that God did create change the fact that God did create
humanity.humanity.
I believe God created humanity.I believe God created humanity.
Whichever way God did it Whichever way God did it
makes no difference as to makes no difference as to
what men and women are & what men and women are &
their their relationshiprelationship to God. to God.
Billy GrahamBilly Graham
DICHOTOMYDICHOTOMY
““Science”Science” ““Religion”Religion”
ScienceScience40% Believe in a Personal God40% Believe in a Personal God
Science-Religion DialogueScience-Religion Dialogue
ReligionReligionPope John Paul II Accepts EvolutionPope John Paul II Accepts Evolution
Billy Graham Open to EvolutionBilly Graham Open to Evolution
XX XXXX
TowardTowardaa
SolutionSolution
Teleology Dysteleology
CreationEvolution
Teleology Dysteleology
??istist ististCreationEvolution
BeliefBelief that beauty, complexity & functionality that beauty, complexity & functionality in nature point to an Intelligent Designerin nature point to an Intelligent Designer
Intelligent DesignIntelligent Design
STANDARD CELLSTANDARD CELL1/1000 inch1/1000 inch
1 yard of DNA1 yard of DNAInformation = 30 volsInformation = 30 vols
ID a DeIusionID a DeIusionDysteleologyDysteleology
ID RealID RealTeleologyTeleology
InstructionalInstructional ToolTool
Christian BiasChristian Bias
Mix & MatchMix & Match
Young Earth CreationYoung Earth Creation “Creationist” Position “Creationist” Position
Creation ScienceCreation Science
TeleologyTeleology
Intelligent DesignIntelligent Design
Age of the UniverseAge of the Universe
Biological EvolutionBiological Evolution
YesYes
YesYes
6000 yrs6000 yrs
Rejects Rejects Macro-Macro- evolutionevolution
Accepts Accepts Micro-Micro- evolutionevolution
Young Earth CreationYoung Earth Creation
God’s ActivityGod’s Activityin the Originin the Originof Universe & Lifeof Universe & Life
God’s ActivityGod’s Activityin the Lives in the Lives of Men & Womenof Men & Women
YESYESDirectDirect
Interventions Interventions over 6 daysover 6 days
YESYES
Personal GodPersonal GodDramatic & SubtleDramatic & Subtle
Young Earth CreationYoung Earth Creation
Nature of BibleNature of Bible
Interpretation ofInterpretation of
Genesis 1-11Genesis 1-11
Origin of Origin of
HumanityHumanity
Word of GodWord of God
Inspired by Holy SpiritInspired by Holy Spirit
Strict LiteralismStrict Literalism
Creation Days = 24 hrsCreation Days = 24 hrs
Global floodGlobal flood
Adam & EveAdam & Eve
Accepts Image of GodAccepts Image of God
& human sin& human sin
Young Earth CreationYoung Earth Creation
Theology orTheology or
PhilosophyPhilosophy
EthicsEthics
ExamplesExamples
Conservative ChristianityConservative Christianity
Accepts Incarnation &Accepts Incarnation &
ResurrectionResurrection
BiblicalBiblical
Institute for Creation Institute for Creation ResearchResearch
Henry Morris, Duane GishHenry Morris, Duane Gish
Answers in GenesisAnswers in GenesisKen HamKen Ham
Young Earth CreationYoung Earth Creation
Progressive CreationProgressive Creation Old Earth Creation Old Earth Creation
Day-Age TheoryDay-Age Theory
TeleologyTeleology
Intelligent DesignIntelligent Design
Age of the UniverseAge of the Universe
Biological EvolutionBiological Evolution
YesYes
YesYes
10-15 billion yrs10-15 billion yrs
Rejects Rejects Macro-Macro- evolutionevolution
Accepts Accepts Micro-Micro- evolutionevolution
Progressive CreationProgressive Creation
God’s ActivityGod’s Activityin the Originin the Originof Universe & Lifeof Universe & Life
God’s ActivityGod’s Activityin the Lives in the Lives of Men & Womenof Men & Women
YESYES1. Direct1. Direct
for basic “kinds” of lifefor basic “kinds” of lifeinterventions over billion yrsinterventions over billion yrs
2. Indirect2. Indirect for inanimate universefor inanimate universeOrdained & SustainedOrdained & Sustained
Natural ProcessesNatural Processes
YESYESPersonal GodPersonal God
Dramatic & SubtleDramatic & Subtle
Progressive CreationProgressive Creation
Nature of BibleNature of Bible
Interpretation ofInterpretation of
Genesis 1-11Genesis 1-11
Origin of Origin of
HumanityHumanity
Word of GodWord of God
Inspired by Holy SpiritInspired by Holy Spirit
General LiteralismGeneral Literalism
Days = Geologic AgesDays = Geologic Ages
Local floodLocal flood
Adam & EveAdam & Eve
Accepts Image of GodAccepts Image of God
& human sin& human sin
Progressive CreationProgressive Creation
Nature of BibleNature of Bible
Interpretation ofInterpretation of
Genesis 1-11Genesis 1-11
Origin of Origin of
HumanityHumanity
Word of GodWord of God
Inspired by Holy SpiritInspired by Holy Spirit
General LiteralismGeneral Literalism
Days = Geologic AgesDays = Geologic Ages
Local floodLocal flood
Adam & EveAdam & Eve
Accepts Image of GodAccepts Image of God
Accepts sinAccepts sin
Progressive CreationProgressive Creation
Theology orTheology or
PhilosophyPhilosophy
EthicsEthics
ExamplesExamples
Conservative ChristianityConservative Christianity
Accepts Incarnation &Accepts Incarnation &
ResurrectionResurrection
BiblicalBiblical
Reasons To Believe Reasons To Believe
Hugh RossHugh Ross
[[ Intelligent Design TheoryIntelligent Design Theory ]]
Progressive CreationProgressive Creation
Evolutionary CreationEvolutionary Creation
Theistic EvolutionTheistic Evolution
Evolutionary CreationEvolutionary Creation
TeleologyTeleology
Intelligent DesignIntelligent Design
Age of the UniverseAge of the Universe
Biological EvolutionBiological Evolution
YesYes
YesYes
10-15 billion yrs10-15 billion yrs
Accepts Accepts
Macro-Macro- evolutionevolution
God’s ActivityGod’s Activityin the Originin the Originof Universe & Lifeof Universe & Life
God’s ActivityGod’s Activityin the Lives in the Lives of Men & Womenof Men & Women
YESYESIndirectIndirect
Ordained & SustainedOrdained & SustainedNatural ProcessesNatural Processes
YESYESPersonal GodPersonal God
Dramatic & SubtleDramatic & Subtle
Evolutionary CreationEvolutionary Creation
Embryology-Embryology- Evolution AnalogyEvolution Analogy
God’s ActivityGod’s Activityin the Originin the Originof Universe & Lifeof Universe & Life
God’s ActivityGod’s Activityin the Lives in the Lives of Men & Womenof Men & Women
YESYESIndirectIndirect
Ordained & SustainedOrdained & SustainedNatural ProcessesNatural Processes
YESYESPersonal GodPersonal God
Dramatic & SubtleDramatic & Subtle
Evolutionary CreationEvolutionary Creation
Nature of BibleNature of Bible
Interpretation ofInterpretation of
Genesis 1-11Genesis 1-11
Origin of Origin of
HumanityHumanity
Word of GodWord of God
Inspired by Holy SpiritInspired by Holy Spirit
1.1. Divine Theology Divine Theology
2.2. Ancient Science Ancient Science
3.3. Ancient Poetry Ancient Poetry
Humanity evolvedHumanity evolved
Accepts Image of GodAccepts Image of God
& human sin& human sin
Evolutionary CreationEvolutionary Creation
1. Divine Theology1. Divine Theology
God created the world.God created the world.
The world is very good.The world is very good.
Humans bear God’s Image.Humans bear God’s Image.
Humans fallen into sin.Humans fallen into sin.
God judges humans for sin.God judges humans for sin.
2. Ancient Science2. Ancient Science
3-Tier 3-Tier UniverseUniverse
Ancient ScienceAncient Science
Ancient ScienceAncient Science
BabylonianBabylonianWorld MapWorld Map
66thth Century CenturyBC/EBC/E
Ancient ScienceAncient Science
UrUr
Is 41:8Is 41:8
Ancient ScienceAncient Science
ShebaSheba
Matt 12:42Matt 12:42JesusJesus
3. Ancient Poetry3. Ancient Poetry
FloodFloodAccountAccountChiasmChiasmGen 6-9Gen 6-9
History?
History?
CreationCreationAccountAccountPanelsPanelsGen 1Gen 1
Ancient Ancient PoetryPoetry Science?
Science?
Nature of BibleNature of Bible
Interpretation ofInterpretation of
Genesis 1-11Genesis 1-11
Origin of Origin of
HumanityHumanity
Word of GodWord of God
Inspired by Holy SpiritInspired by Holy Spirit
1. Divine Theology1. Divine Theology
2. Ancient Science2. Ancient Science
3. Ancient Poetry3. Ancient Poetry
Humanity evolvedHumanity evolved
Accepts Image of GodAccepts Image of God
Accepts sinAccepts sin
Evolutionary CreationEvolutionary Creation
Theology orTheology or
PhilosophyPhilosophy
EthicsEthics
ExamplesExamples
Conservative ChristianityConservative Christianity
Accepts Incarnation &Accepts Incarnation &
ResurrectionResurrection
BiblicalBiblical
Roman CatholicismRoman Catholicism
Some Evangelical Some Evangelical ProtestantsProtestants
Francis CollinsFrancis Collins
Evolutionary CreationEvolutionary Creation
Deistic EvolutionDeistic Evolution God-of-the-PhilosophersGod-of-the-Philosophers
“Theistic” Evolution“Theistic” Evolution
TeleologyTeleology
Intelligent DesignIntelligent Design
Age of the UniverseAge of the Universe
Biological EvolutionBiological Evolution
YesYes
YesYes
10-15 billion yrs10-15 billion yrs
Accepts Accepts
Macro-Macro- evolutionevolution
Deistic EvolutionDeistic Evolution
God’s ActivityGod’s Activityin the Originin the Originof Universe & Lifeof Universe & Life
God’s ActivityGod’s Activityin the Lives in the Lives of Men & Womenof Men & Women
YESYESIndirectIndirect OrdainedOrdained
Natural ProcessesNatural Processes
NONOImpersonal GodImpersonal God
God never entersGod never entersthe worldthe world
Deistic EvolutionDeistic Evolution
Nature of BibleNature of Bible
Interpretation ofInterpretation of
Genesis 1-11Genesis 1-11
Origin of Origin of
HumanityHumanity
Human beliefs about GodHuman beliefs about God
Rejects Divine revelationRejects Divine revelation
God never enters worldGod never enters world
Irrelevant origins mythIrrelevant origins myth
Humanity evolvedHumanity evolved
Rejects Image of GodRejects Image of God
& human sin& human sin
Deistic EvolutionDeistic Evolution
Theology orTheology or
PhilosophyPhilosophy
EthicsEthics
ExamplesExamples
DeismDeism
Liberal ChristianityLiberal Christianity
Rejects Incarnation &Rejects Incarnation &
ResurrectionResurrection
HumanismHumanism
Charles DarwinCharles Darwin
Michael Denton Michael Denton
Anthony FlewAnthony Flew
Deistic EvolutionDeistic Evolution
Dysteleological EvolutionDysteleological Evolution “Evolutionist” Position“Evolutionist” Position
Atheistic EvolutionAtheistic Evolution
TeleologyTeleology
Intelligent DesignIntelligent Design
Age of the UniverseAge of the Universe
Biological EvolutionBiological Evolution
NoNoPlan & purpose a delusionPlan & purpose a delusion
NoNoDesign a delusionDesign a delusion
10-15 billion yrs10-15 billion yrs
Accepts Accepts Macro-Macro- evolutionevolution
Dysteleological EvolutionDysteleological Evolution
God’s ActivityGod’s Activityin the Originin the Originof Universe & Lifeof Universe & Life
God’s ActivityGod’s Activityin the Lives in the Lives of Men & Womenof Men & Women
NoNoBlind ChanceBlind Chance
Natural ProcessesNatural ProcessesGod a delusion God a delusion
NoNoNo GodNo God
God an delusionGod an delusion
Dysteleological EvolutionDysteleological Evolution
Nature of BibleNature of Bible
Interpretation ofInterpretation of
Genesis 1-11Genesis 1-11
Origin of Origin of
HumanityHumanity
Human superstitionsHuman superstitions
Rejects Divine revelationRejects Divine revelation
God a delusionGod a delusion
Irrelevant origins mythIrrelevant origins myth
Humanity evolvedHumanity evolved
Rejects Image of GodRejects Image of God
& human sin& human sin
Dysteleological EvolutionDysteleological Evolution
Theology orTheology or
PhilosophyPhilosophy
EthicsEthics
ExamplesExamples
AtheismAtheism
Rejects Incarnation &Rejects Incarnation &
ResurrectionResurrection
HumanismHumanism
Richard DawkinsRichard Dawkins
Christopher HitchensChristopher Hitchens
Daniel DennettDaniel Dennett
Dysteleological EvolutionDysteleological Evolution
SummarySummary
5%5%
ConclusionsConclusions
Define Terms & ConceptsDefine Terms & Concepts
Recognize the Faith JumpRecognize the Faith Jump
Move Beyond the “Evolution” Move Beyond the “Evolution” vs. “Creation” Debatevs. “Creation” Debate
FALSE FALSE DICHOTOMYDICHOTOMY
Consider Two Books Model:Consider Two Books Model:
ConclusionsConclusions
Let no woman or man, Let no woman or man, out of conceit or laziness, out of conceit or laziness, think or believe that think or believe that anyone can search too far anyone can search too far or be too well informed inor be too well informed inthe the Book of God’s WorksBook of God’s Works or or the the Book of God’s WordsBook of God’s Words: : Science or Religion. Science or Religion.
Sir Francis BaconSir Francis Bacon
Instead, let everyone endlessly improve Instead, let everyone endlessly improve their understanding of their understanding of bothboth..