Darwinian Evolution - the Really Hard Questions QUESTION 1: What - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Darwinian Evolution

• the Really Hard Questions

QUESTION 1: “What about the huge amount of death and suffering that is intrinsic to the evolutionary process - how can that be compatible with the notion of God’s creation in Genesis Chapter 1 repeatedly being declared ‘good’? QUESTION 2: “How does the Biblical teaching about Adam and Eve relate to the evolutionary account of the origins

• f humankind and how does this relate to the doctrine of

the Fall?

Three introductory points

• 1. The importance of doing full justice to both the theology

and the science.

• 3. Our responsibility both as Christians and as Christians

in science is to describe to the best of our ability what God has actually done in the created order, not what we think He should have done.

• 2. Getting used to not knowing the final answers.

“Whenever “Whenever we we feel feel there there is is something something odd

• dd in

in Christian Christian theology, theology, we we shall shall generally generally find find there there is is something something odd

• dd

in in the the truth”. truth”. G.K.Chesterton G.K.Chesterton

The three types of death in the Bible

• 1. PHYSICAL DEATH

In the Old Testament…earthy….matter of fact.. You have your allotted span on earth and then depart for sheol. The prayer of Hannah: “The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave (sheol) and raises up” (1 Samuel 2:6).

The three types of death in the Bible

• 1. PHYSICAL DEATH

In the New Testament….physical death looks more like an enemy to overcome… “The last enemy to be destroyed is death” (Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:26). Jesus has come to “free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Hebrews 2:15).

The three types of death in the Bible

• 2. SPIRITUAL DEATH - separation from God

Paul: “For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death” (Rom.7:11) BUT “through Christ Jesus the law of the spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2). Believers are those who have been “brought from death to life” (Romans 6:13).

The three types of death in the Bible

• 3. THE SECOND DEATH - permanent separation

from God Jeus: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). Jesus: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death” (Rev. 2:11 cf. Rev. 20:6; 20:14; 21:8)

Biology is a ‘package deal’

PLUS MINUS Life Death Mutations are essential for our existence and

• ur diversity

Pain Survival Mutations cause cancer and genetic diseases Apoptosis is essential for development and prevents cancer Apoptotic dysfunction can cause cancer Bacteria are essential for a healthy life Bacteria can kill us Eating Increases Reactive Oxygen Species DNA damage aging

Death in biology

Sun --> Oak Tree --> Squirrel -->Bobcat--> Fungus-->

sun --> producer --> herbivore consumer --> carnivore consumer --> decomposer

FOOD FOOD CHAINS CHAINS

THE THE SCALE SCALE OF OF DEATH DEATH IS IS HUGE: HUGE:

* An estimated 5 x 1030 bacteria in the world, >92% underground, equivalent roughly in weight to all the plants

• >99% of all species that ever lived

are extinct

HUMAN HUMAN DEATH DEATH 155,000/day 155,000/day 108/minute 108/minute A A pile pile nearly nearly 30 30 miles miles high high

BRAIN COMPLEXITY SENTIENCE

PAIN!

The The evolutionary evolutionary process process “could “could be be titled, titled, perversely, perversely, ‘the ‘the evolution evolution of

• f suffering’”,

suffering’”, Holmes Holmes Rolston Rolston III III

Mutations causing cancer -

example of one large recent study

• 518 kinase-encoding genes were analysed from 210 different

cancers.

• 1000 mutations were identified of which 158 were identified

as actual ‘drivers’ of carcinogenesis

Greenman, C. et al Nature 446: 153-158, 2007 HELIUM HELIUM BERYLLIUM BERYLLIUM CARBON CARBON

DEATH! DEATH!

Adam & Eve and the Fall

THREE THREE USES USES OF OF ADAM ADAM IN IN THE THE GENESIS GENESIS TEXT: TEXT: 1 . 1 . Adam, Adam, humankind humankind, , Gen Gen 1:26, 1:26, made made in in God’s God’s image, image, ‘male ‘male and and female female He He created created them’ them’ (cf.

• cf. Gen.
• Gen. 5:1-2).

5:1-2). 2 . 2 . The The Adam Adam with with the the definite definite article, article, as as in in Gen Gen 2:7 2:7 when when God God makes makes the-Adam the-Adam out

• ut of
• f the-

the- adama adama, , the the ground.

• ground. Personal

Personal names names in in Hebrew Hebrew do do not not carry carry the the definite definite article. article. 3 . 3 . Adam Adam as as a a personal personal name name, , first first found found without without the the definite definite article article in in Gen.

• Gen. 4:15

4:15 where where Adam Adam ‘lay ‘lay with with his his wife wife again’. again’.

‘Genetic fossils’ in our genomes from viruses reveal our ancestry

species range of a given provirus number of proviruses human specific 13 human, chimp 1 human, chimp, gorilla 10 human, chimp, gorilla, orangutan 7 human, chimp, gorilla, orangutan, gibbon 4 total 35

Gibbon Orangutan Gorilla Chimpanzee Human

Figure illustrates common ancestry

G E N E T I C I N H E R I T A N C E

4 7 10

CTGCCCCCACCCTAG/TCTTGGTTCCCTGAC

Pseudogenes are ‘genetic fossils’ in our genomes that reveal our ancestry

For For example, example, our

• ur chromosome

chromosome 7 7 encodes encodes 1,150 1,150 genes, genes, but but also also 941 941 pseudogenes, pseudogenes, molecular molecular relics relics of

• f our
• ur genetic

genetic past. past.

Anatomically modern humans

Archaic Archaic Homo Homo sapiens sapiens [emerged [emerged in in Africa Africa c.

• c. 0.5m

0.5m years years ago] ago] Spread Spread across across Africa, Africa, into into Near Near East East + + Asia Asia [displacing [displacing populations populations of

• f Homo

Homo erectus erectus] Anatomically Anatomically modern modern Homo Homo sapiens sapiens [earliest [earliest fossils fossils date date from from c.

• c. 195,000

195,000 years years ago, ago, found found in in S.

• S. Ethiopia,

Ethiopia, see see Nature Nature 433: 433: 733-736 733-736 2005] 2005]

70,000 70,000 60,000 60,000 40,000 40,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000

Adam & Eve, the Fall and Evolution

Michelangelo's Temptation and Fall from the Sistine Chapel Ceiling

Adam & Eve, the Fall and Evolution

• 5 Models

[Models A-C compatible with current evolutionary theory, Models D-E incompatible]

MODEL MODEL A: A: the the Ahistorical Ahistorical View View “The The story story of

• f the

the Fall Fall has has no no intention intention to to be be historical historical in in any any sense.

• sense. It

It is is a a theological theological narrative narrative that that describes describes the the common common human human experience experience of

• f alienation

alienation from from God God through through disobedience disobedience to to God’s God’s commands”. commands”.

Adam & Eve, the Fall and Evolution

• 5 Models

[Models A-C compatible with current evolutionary theory, Models D-E incompatible]

MODEL MODEL B: B: a a gradualist gradualist Protohistorical Protohistorical View View “As As anatomically anatomically modern modern humans humans evolved evolved in in Africa Africa there there was was a a gradual, gradual, growing growing awareness awareness

• f
• f God’s

God’s presence presence and and calling calling upon upon their their lives, lives, but but this this awareness awareness was was consciously consciously rejected rejected in in favour favour of

• f choosing

choosing their their own

• wn way

way rather rather than than God’s God’s way.

• way. Therefore

Therefore the the Fall Fall is is a a process process happening happening over

• ver a

a prolonged prolonged period period of

• f time

time”. .

Adam & Eve, the Fall and Evolution

• 5 Models

[Models A-C compatible with current evolutionary theory, Models D-E incompatible]

MODEL MODEL C: C: a a more more ‘event-based’ ‘event-based’ Protohistorical Protohistorical View View “God God chose chose a a couple couple of

• f Neolithic

Neolithic farmers farmers in in the the Near Near East East to to come come into into fellowship fellowship with with Himself, Himself, so so that that they they might might know know Him Him as as a a personal personal God, God, giving giving them them commands commands and and responsibilities, responsibilities, in in particular particular that that stewarding stewarding His His earth earth is is a a holy holy enterprise.

• enterprise. The

The Fall Fall then then becomes becomes the the disobedience disobedience

• f
• f these

these first first Homo Homo Divinus Divinus to to the the expressed, expressed, revealed revealed will will of

• f God.
• God. Adam

Adam is is the the ‘Federal ‘Federal Head’ Head’

• f
• f humankind”.

humankind”.

Adam & Eve, the Fall and Evolution

• 5 Models

[Models A-C compatible with current evolutionary theory, Models D-E incompatible]

MODEL MODEL D: D: the the Old Old Earth Earth creationist creationist view view “Although Although plant plant and and animal animal death death were were present present before before the the Fall, Fall, and and the the evolutionary evolutionary process process may may apply apply to to most most biological biological diversity, diversity, Adam Adam and and Eve Eve were were created created miraculously miraculously by by God God and and preserved preserved from from physical physical death death until until their their disobedience, disobedience, at at which which point point they they were were destined destined to to die die physically physically as as well well as as spiritually”. spiritually”.

Adam & Eve, the Fall and Evolution

• 5 Models

[Models A-C compatible with current evolutionary theory, Models D-E incompatible]

MODEL MODEL E: E: the the Young Young Earth Earth creationist creationist view view “All All biological biological diversity diversity originates

• riginates from

from the the creative creative acts acts of

• f God

God during during 6 6 literal literal 24 24 hours hours

• f
• f creation

creation about about 10,000 10,000 years years ago.

• ago. There

There was was neither neither physical physical nor nor spiritual spiritual death death of

• f any

any kind kind prior prior to to the the Fall Fall of

• f Adam

Adam and and Eve Eve who who were were created created separately separately by by the the miraculous miraculous creative creative work work of

• f God”.

God”.

Spiritual death is the immediate consequence of the Fall

“But “But you you must must not not eat eat from from the the tree tree of

• f

the the knowledge knowledge of

• f good

good and and evil, evil, because because

• n
• n the

the day day [yom [yom] ] that that you you eat eat of

• f it

it you you will will surely surely die” die” (Genesis (Genesis 2:17). 2:17). Genesis Genesis Chapter Chapter 3 3 -

• Adam

Adam and and Eve Eve die die spiritually spiritually

• shame

shame (v.3); (v.3); fear fear (v.10); (v.10); blame blame (v.12); (v.12); alienation… alienation…in in relationships, relationships, in in identity identity (vv.16-19) (vv.16-19)

A treatment of the Fall narrative in the Old Testament

[‘Pride comes before a Fall’]

Ezekiel 28: Prophecy against the proud King of Tyre v.2 ‘In the pride of your heart you say, “I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas”. But you are a man and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god’.

• vv. 12-13 ‘You (viz the King of Tyre) were the model
• f perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

You were in Eden, the Garden of God…..’

Spiritual death in the interpretation of the Fall in the New Testament

1 Cor. 15:22 ‘For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive’.

• Rom. 5:15 ‘For if the many died by the trespass of one

man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!’. Nicodemus in John 3: 4 “How

How can can a a man man be be born born when when he he is is old?”Nicodemus

• ld?”Nicodemus asked.
• asked. “Surely

“Surely he he cannot cannot enter enter a a second second time time into into his his mother’s mother’s womb womb to to be be born!” born!”

‘Oh death where is your sting, oh grave where is your victory?” (1 Cor. 15:55)

Four points in favour of Model C

1 . 1 . It It includes includes Model Model A! A! Of Of course course the the account account is is also also the the ‘story ‘story of

• f Everyman’.

Everyman’. 2 . 2 . The The model model seems seems to to fit fit better better with with the the New New Testament Testament focus focus on

• n Christ

Christ as as the the ‘second ‘second Adam’, Adam’, a a real real historical historical person. person.

Adam and Federal Headship

Adam & Eve (Third Century) Fresco. Catacomb

• f St Piretro and St. Marcellino, Rome

Federal Headship

REST OF HUMANITY

Federal Headship

REST OF HUMANITY

Michelangelo's Temptation and Fall from the Sistine Chapel Ceiling

THE FALL

Federal Headship

REST OF HUMANITY

Federal Headship

REST OF HUMANITY

SIN SIN SIN SIN SIN SIN Homo Divinus

1 Cor 15:22: “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive”.

Four points in favour of Model C

1 . 1 . It It includes includes Model Model A! A! Of Of course course the the account account is is also also the the ‘story ‘story of

• f Everyman’.

Everyman’. 2 . 2 . The The model model seems seems to to fit fit better better with with the the New New Testament Testament focus focus on

• n Christ

Christ as as the the ‘second ‘second Adam’, Adam’, a a real real historical historical person. person. 3 . 3 . The The model model is is consistent consistent with with the the Neolithic Neolithic type type culture culture painted painted for for us us in in the the Gen.3-4 Gen.3-4 narratives. narratives. As As a a bonus bonus also also explains explains where where Cain Cain got got his his wife wife from from and and why why he he was was afraid afraid of

• f being

being murdered murdered as as he he wandered wandered the the earth earth (Gen. (Gen. 4:14). 4:14). 4.

• 4. The

The model model focuses focuses on

• n God’

God’s s interactions interactions with with individuals individuals -

• setting

setting the the pattern pattern for for the the rest rest of

• f

the the Biblical Biblical text. text.

Nuances of the word ‘good’ (tob) in the Hebrew text of the Old Testament

[list kindly provided by Ernest Lucas]

1.

• 1. That

That which which is is pleasing pleasing to to the the senses, senses, both both physical physical and and intellectual.

• intellectual. In

In this this sense sense it it refers refers to to aesthetic aesthetic beauty beauty. . 2.

• 2. That

That which which is is good good of

• f its

its kind. kind. 3.

• 3. That

That which which is is usable, usable, effective, effective, efficient, efficient, in in

• ther
• ther words

words ‘fit fit for for purpose’ purpose’ -

• seems

seems to to be be a development development of

• f meaning

meaning (2). (2). 4.

• 4. A

A quality quality of

• f human

human character character -

• in

in many many cases cases ‘kindness’ ‘kindness’ or

• r ‘friendliness’

friendliness’ -

• also

also a a development development

• f
• f meaning

meaning (2). (2). 5.

• 5. That

That which which is is morally morally good good -

• a

a relatively relatively rare rare use use of

• f the

the adjective adjective in in the the Old Old Testament. Testament.

The dark face of providence and the question of Theodicy

Gottfried Leibniz 1646-1716 THEODICY Essays on the Goodness of God, the Freedom of Man and the origin of Evil 1710

Theodicy: Theodicy: “All All those those attempts attempts to to explain explain how how a a good good and and all- all- powerful powerful God God could could create create a world world with with suffering suffering and and so-called so-called ‘natural ‘natural evil’ evil’ in in it” it”. .

“I want to state immediately that no argument finally convinces. We cannot rationalise God, or fully explain suffering and evil”

Paul Fiddes, ‘The Vulnerable God and the Problem of Suffering’

“In seeking to justify the ways of God to man, one is inevitably tempted to extend faith’s dim sense of a hidden divine purpose and sovereignty into an open map of providence such as could be available only to the Creator Himself”.

John Hick, ‘Evil and the God of Love’.

Theodicy, evolution and the

• mnipotence of God

Laissez-faire Laissez-faire Total Total control control

Process Theology Kenosis: God restricts his

• mnipotence to allow the

creation ‘to be itself’

Jack Jack Haught: Haught: God God is is “willing “willing to to risk risk the the disorder disorder and and deviation deviation that that actually actually occur

• ccur

in in the the evolution evolution of

• f cosmic

cosmic beauty”. beauty”.

God is faithful in creating and sustaining the properties

• f matter which fulfill his

Intentions and purposes

Colin Colin Gunton: Gunton: “There “There is is no no suggestion suggestion in in the the Bible Bible that that the the act act of

• f creation

creation is is anything anything but but the the joyful joyful giving giving of

• f reality

reality to to the the other”.

• ther”.

[The The Triune Triune God God]

“Poor, limping world, why does not your kind Creator pull the thorn out of your paw? But what sort of a thorn is this? And if it were pulled out, how much of the paw would remain? How much, indeed, of the creation? What would a physical universe be like from which all mutual interference of systems was removed? It would be no physical universe at all”

Austin Farrer, Love Almighty and Ills Unlimited

John Hick’s ‘Vale of Soul Making’

• the world more like a ‘Boot Camp’

than a ‘Vacation Camp’.

Theodicy, evolution and the

• mnipotence of God

Laissez-faire Laissez-faire Total Total control control

God is faithful in creating and sustaining the properties

• f matter which fulfill his

Intentions and purposes

Looking forward to the new heavens and the new earth (Gk. kaine, ‘new in quality’ not neos ‘not having existed before’)

Luke Luke 10:9 10:9 Heal Heal the the sick sick who who are are there there and and tell tell them, them, ‘The ‘The kingdom kingdom of

• f God

God is is near near you.’ you.’ Luke Luke 11:20 11:20 But But if if I I drive drive out

• ut demons

demons by by the the finger finger

• f
• f God,

God, then then the the kingdom kingdom of

• f God

God has has come come to to you. you.

Jigsaws with missing pieces in science and theology

Quantum mechanics………… Theodicy………………………

‘You You come come from from the the Lord Lord Adam Adam and and the the Lady Lady Eve Eve’, said said Aslan, Aslan, ‘And And that that is is both both honour honour enough enough to to erect erect the the head head of

• f the

the poorest poorest beggar beggar’. C.S.Lewis, C.S.Lewis, Prince Prince Caspian Caspian

‘Through Christ it is possible to understand how the Father’s love is present in all things, even in suffering. Suffering can be regarded as a mark of our distance from God because we are subject to th e cosmos simply by being creatures. Yet, depending on a person’s response to suffering, a person can be in contact with God through their suffering and in suffering. To be in touch with the reality God has made, even when it is a painful touch, is to have indirect contact with him who is above it and who is above all else, love. Insofar as it is contact, it is good; insofar as it is painful, it is not. But what a difference when the same pain results from the grip of a friend, and not the mindless grip of nature’.

Diogenes Allen

The The End End