Should Christians Embrace Evolution? PDF Download

Author:
Publisher: Inter-Varsity Press
ISBN: 1844749010
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 254

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Book Description
God speaks. By his Spirit. Through the Bible. About his Son. This is one of the most crucial things for any Christian to get to grips with. If we understand how God speaks, then we can truly know him. Everything else slots into place. We see Jesus clearly. We fall in love with him more deeply. We make sense of our world. But get this wrong and we lose it all. This book covers the whole sweep of the subject from start to finish. It puts all the parts of the jigsaw in their proper place. Yet, mixing our metaphors, it’s also an appetizer, whetting your palate for more...

Author: Joan Roughgarden
Publisher: Island Press
ISBN: 1597261572
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 167

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Book Description
Click here to visit evolutionandchristianfaith.org "I'm an evolutionary biologist and a Christian," states Stanford professor Joan Roughgarden at the outset of her groundbreaking new book, Evolution and Christian Faith: Reflections of an Evolutionary Biologist. From that perspective, she offers an elegant, deeply satisfying reconciliation of the theory of evolution and the wisdom of the Bible. Perhaps only someone with Roughgarden's unique academic standing could examine so well controversial issues such as the teaching of intelligent design in public schools, or the potential flaws in Darwin's theory of evolution. Certainly Roughgarden is uniquely suited to reference both the minutiae of scientific processes and the implication of Biblical verses. Whether the topic is mutation rates and lizards or the hidden meanings behind St. Paul's letters, Evolution and Christian Faith distils complex arguments into everyday understanding. Roughgarden has scoured the Bible and scanned the natural world, finding examples time and again, not of conflict, but of harmony. The result is an accessible and intelligent context for a Christian vision of the world that embraces science. In the ongoing debates over creationism and evolution, Evolution and Christian Faith will be seen as a work of major significance, written for contemporary readers who wonder how-or if-they can embrace scientific advances while maintaining their traditional values.

Author: Kathryn Applegate
Publisher: Monarch Books
ISBN: 0857217887
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 209

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Book Description
Over two dozen Christian leaders describe how they changed their minds about evolution Perhaps no topic appears as potentially threatening to evangelicals as evolution. The very idea seems to exclude God from the creation the book of Genesis celebrates. Yet many evangelicals have come to accept the conclusions of science while still holding to a vigorous belief in God and the Bible. How did they make this journey? How did they come to embrace both evolution and faith? Here are stories from a community of people who love Jesus and honor the authority of the Bible, but who also agree with what science says about the cosmos, our planet and the life that so abundantly fills it. Among the contributors are Scientists such as: Francis Collins Deborah Haarsma Denis Lamoureux Theologians and philosophers such as: James K. A. Smith Amos Yong Oliver Crisp Biblical scholars such as: N. T. Wright Scot McKnight Tremper Longman III Pastors such as: John Ortberg Ken Fong Laura Truax

Author: Denis Alexander
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780857215789
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Few issues engender so much heat between Christians as the topic of creation. Reasonable, calm, and supremely well informed, this is a book written by someone who is passionate about both science and the Bible. 'I hope,' says Denis Alexander, 'that reading it will encourage you to believe, as I do, that the 'Book of God's Word' and the 'Book of God's Works' can be held firmly together in harmony.' This substantial new edition updates the science, and extends the author's discussion of the theological implications.

Author: Michael Dowd
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 9780670020454
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 452

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Book Description
Presents a philosophy that unifies evolution and religion, discussing evolution as a divine process, how to use insights derived from evolution to improve spiritual life, and how to work for systemic change within this framework.

Author: Denis Lamoureux
Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN: 0310526450
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 209

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Book Description
Christians throughout history have believed that God reveals himself both through Scripture and nature. The metaphor of God’s Two Books is often used to represent these two divine revelations. The Book of God’s Words is the Bible. Scripture reveals inerrant spiritual truths. These include, the God of Christianity is the Creator of the heavens and the earth, the creation is very good, and only humans are created in the Image of God (Gen. 1:1, 27, 31). The Book of God’s Works is the physical world. Nature declares God’s glory, eternal power, and divine nature (Ps. 19:1; Rom. 1:20). Through the gift of science, our Creator has blessed us with the ability to explore and understand the structure, operation, and origin of his creation. Together God’s Two Books offer us a complementary divine revelation of who created the world and how he created it. A majority of Americans view science and religion as being in conflict, according to the Pew Research Center. Christians and non-Christians alike share this view, yet if this perceived conflict misrepresents the relationship between modern science and Christian faith, then it is both unhelpful and unnecessary today. In Evolution: Scripture and Nature Say Yes, theologian and scientist Denis O. Lamoureux reviews several options for embracing biblical Christianity and findings of science, including biological evolution. Holding to a high view of Scripture alongside an expert appreciation for scientific discovery, Lamoureux further outlines a way to understand passages referring to the natural world in the Bible and also demonstrates how modern science can point toward God. Lamoureux shares his own story along the way, recounting struggles many readers will relate to on his journey toward PhDs in both theology and biology and a fruitful relationship between the two. Topics in this book include: A biblical model of intelligent design in nature based on Psalm 19 and Romans 1. Examination of the ancient science in Scripture, such as a flat earth and 3-tier universe. Comparison of different Christian views on origins—young earth creation, progressive creation (old earth creation), and evolutionary creation. Criticisms of the atheistic interpretation of evolution held by Richard Dawkins and his belief that intelligent design is merely an illusion. Galileo’s peaceful relationship between Scripture and nature, including his view that “the intention of the Holy Spirit [in the Bible] is to teach us how one goes to heaven, and not how heaven goes.” Darwin’s religious beliefs and evidence of the impact that intelligent design had on him throughout his life, along with his claim, “It seems to me absurd to doubt that a man may be an ardent Theist [personal God] and an evolutionist.” Believers wanting to honor God’s Two Books—Scripture and Nature—faithfully and without conflict will find an excellent introduction in Evolution: Scripture and Nature Say Yes.

Author: Denis O Lamoureux
Publisher: Lutterworth Press
ISBN: 0718842847
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 494

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Book Description
In this provocative book, evolutionist and evangelical Christian Denis O. Lamoureux proposes an approach to origins that moves beyond the 'evolution-versus-creation' debate.

Author: JOSH A. REEVES
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781481316156
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 264

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Book Description
Recently the scholarly community and popular media have highlighted the denial of science by conservative Christians, linking a low view of scientific expertise to the United States' current cultural turmoil. Various theories are offered to explain such Christians' persistent denialism: cognitive mechanisms that short-circuit human reasoning, manipulation by media companies for profit, or a cult-like willingness of believers to accept whatever their faith leaders assert. Critics contend that the religious impulse to believe blindly without evidence is the main obstacle to a more just and sustainable world. Redeeming Expertise: Scientific Trust and the Future of the Church argues against this diagnosis, suggesting that however misguided individual conclusions about science may be, most Christians reason their way to those conclusions in the same way that non-Christians do: they rely upon trusted sources of information to guide them through an overwhelmingly expansive information landscape. Rather than heaping derision on the uneducated or unenlightened believer, Josh Reeves offers a sympathetic account of the average Christian in the pew and explains the reasons why skepticism toward mainstream science is compelling to many conservative Christians. The second part of the book then proposes a uniquely Christian defense of taking scientific expertise seriously. Trusting experts plays an important role in a healthy intellectual life, and believers must learn how to make discerning choices. Redeeming Expertise presents a middle-ground that avoids the extremes of allowing experts to rule or of foregrounding populist positions that champion the intellectual superiority of laypersons. Christians who dismiss what communities of experts have discovered about our universe do so at their own peril. Unless the church can trust the best knowledge of the modern world, that same modern world will not trust the church.

Author: James Hosie
Publisher: Independently Published
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The content explores various perspectives within Christianity that seek to reconcile the belief in God's creative role with the scientific understanding of evolution. It highlights how some Christians interpret the Bible metaphorically, allowing for compatibility with evolutionary principles. Others see evolution as a mechanism through which God designed and continues to shape life on Earth. Some view creation as a gradual process rather than a literal six-day event, finding harmony with the gradual development proposed by evolution. The concept of free will is discussed, suggesting that evolutionary processes can be seen as a way God granted creatures the freedom to adapt and develop within the natural world. Many Christians appreciate the scientific method and see evolution as a scientific explanation that doesn't negate God's role but rather unveils the mechanisms. The unique spiritual nature of humans, as described in Christian theology, is emphasized by arguing that evolution explains physical aspects without diminishing human exceptionalism. Notable Christian theologians, including Pope Francis, are mentioned to have expressed compatibility between evolution and Christianity, encouraging a harmonious understanding. Acceptance of evolution is also tied to the principle of environmental stewardship, emphasizing the importance of caring for the Earth as part of the Christian responsibility of stewardship over God's creation. The non-literal interpretation of Genesis is explored, suggesting that the Genesis account doesn't necessarily demand a literal interpretation, allowing for compatibility with evolutionary timelines. Theological emphasis on purpose is discussed, asserting that evolution may be the method through which God achieves His purpose. The ongoing creation perspective is highlighted, aligning with the idea that God continually sustains and interacts with the world, even through evolutionary mechanisms. The theological emphasis on purpose is explored, suggesting that evolution could be the means through which God achieves His purpose. The content also discusses the harmony of faith and reason, emphasizing that embracing evolution can be seen as an acknowledgment of the compatibility between faith and scientific insights. Theological flexibility is highlighted, showcasing Christianity's historical adaptation to scientific advancements, with some arguing that embracing evolution is a way to integrate contemporary scientific understanding into religious thought. The focus on core doctrines is explored, suggesting that some Christians prioritize fundamental theological beliefs over specific interpretations of the creation account, allowing for room for evolutionary perspectives. The concept of unity in diversity is discussed, emphasizing how evolution's emphasis on interconnectedness and diversity resonates with Christian teachings about the unity of all creation under God. The acknowledgment of the mystery of God's work is explored, indicating that recognizing the complexity of God's creation leads some Christians to view evolution as a mechanism that reflects the mysterious and profound nature of God's creative power. Finally, theistic evolution is discussed, highlighting the perspective that God guided the evolutionary process, aligning with Christian beliefs in a purposeful creation.

Author: Gavin Ortlund
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 0830853251
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 265

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Book Description
How might premodern exegesis of Genesis inform Christian debates about creation today? Pastor and theologian Gavin Ortlund retrieves Augustine's reading of Genesis 1-3 and considers how his premodern understanding of creation can help Christians today, shedding light on matters such as evolution, animal death, and the historical Adam and Eve.