Darwin, Creation and the Fall: Theological Challenges
Overview
2009 is the bicentenary of Charles Darwin’s birth, and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his epoch-making Origin of Species. Christians (particularly evangelicals) have debated the extent and mechanisms of evolution—and some have rejected neo-Darwinism entirely.
The relationship between the scientific understanding of human origins and the biblical story of human origins and the Fall raises numerous questions. How does the Christian doctrine of humanity relate to the biologist’s account of human evolution? If we accept the Darwinian picture, how do we understand the Fall and sin, ‘good’ and ‘evil’? What about the problem of evil and suffering?
David Wilkinson begins this stimulating volume by setting the doctrine of creation in the context of worship of the Creator.
R. J. Berry gives a historical survey, from Darwin’s own struggle to relate his science to his faith up to the continuing attempt in the present day to wrestle with the theological implications of evolution. Darrel Falk examines the theological challenges that arose for Darwin himself.
Richard Hess carefully examines the early chapters of Genesis. T. A. Noble clarifies the doctrine of original sin and offers some fresh thinking on the doctrine of the Fall. A. N. S. Lane takes a close look at Irenaeus’s view of the Fall and original sin.
Henri Blocher responds to attempts at theodicy which rationalize evil by denying the reality of the fall. Richard Mortimer engages constructively with Blocher’s previous writings.
In their concluding summary, the editors affirm that there is no conflict between Holy Scripture and modern science, and acknowledge that our quest for deeper understanding is ongoing.
- Explores the theological implications of evolution
- Examines the early chapters of Genesis
- Affirms that there is no conflict between Holy Scripture and modern science
- Worshipping the Creator God: The Doctrine of Creation - David Wilkinson
- Did Darwin Dethrone Humankind? - R. J. Berry
- Theological Challenges Faced by Darwin - Darrel R. Falk
- God and Origins: Interpreting the Early Chapters of Genesis - Richard S. Hess
- Original Sin and the Fall: Definitions and a Proposal - T. A. Noble
- Irenaeus on the Fall and Original Sin - A. N. S. Lane
- The Theology of the Fall and the Origins of Evil - Henri Blocher
- Blocher, Original Sin and Evolution - Richard Mortimer
- Epilogue: The Sea of Faith – Darwin Didn’t Drain It - R. J. Berry and T. A. Noble
Top Highlights
“It is important to distinguish between what is good and what is perfect.” (Pages 143–144)
“Jesus did not die to atone for our sin, but gave us teachings and lived, and died, to show us how to live as God’s creatures in God’s world, beloved and accepted by him and, furthermore, he gives his presence to help and transform us.” (Page 192)
“Rather it is a way of describing the fracture in relationship between God and the human creature made in his image” (Page 70)
“evolution could provide a tenable ‘theory of the method of divine providence in the creation of mankind” (Page 46)
“limitations or lacking the fullness of being which is God’s” (Page 165)
- Title: Darwin, Creation and the Fall: Theological Challenges
- Editors: R. J. Berry and T. A. Noble
- Publisher: IVP
- Publication Date: 2009
- Pages: 208
- Resource Type: Collected Essays
- Topic: Science
R. J. Berry was Professor of Genetics at University College London 1984–2000. He is a former President of the Linnean Society, British Ecological Society, and Christians in Science. He was Gifford Lecturer in the University of Glasgow 1997–8 (published as God’s Book of Works, 2003).
T. A. Noble is Senior Research Fellow in Theology at the Nazarene Theological College in Manchester and Professor of Theology at the Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City. He is a former secretary of the Tyndale Fellowship and is chairman of its Christian Doctrine Study Group. He wrote a history of Tyndale House and Fellowship (IVP, 2006), and is one of the editors for the forthcoming revised edition of the IVP Dictionary of Theology. He is currently President of the Wesleyan Theological Society (2009–10).