What’s A Girl To Believe (About Evolution)?
There are so many voices tugging and pulling me in all different directions. Every day. On the news. On social media. At work. In my neighborhood. At my home. From my family of origin.
As a Christian, I desire to practice embodied allegiance to Christ my King. But how do I sort through the drivel to find the truth?
It used to be simple. One could rely on Church and community leaders to communicate words to live by that largely enjoyed consensus. Now, not so much.
There are a number of reasons for this. One is change.
As a Christian, I believe in absolute truth. Truth doesn’t change. But my perception of Truth does change. I am a finite and fallible human being. I don’t have access to perfect knowledge of absolute truth. My perception of truth is growing and developing and becoming more accurate as I study and learn and mature. Hopefully. As is the case for all humans. Hopefully.
But on this earth, I will only ever see, at best, through a mirror darkly, in the words of St. Paul.
When the Church is encountering such profound changes in its perception of truth, as is the case now with regard to evolution, it seems like nobody possesses a reflecting surface of any kind, let alone one as “High Def” as a darkened mirror.
So what’s a person to do?
Pray. Read. Pray. Think. Pray. Listen. Pray. Share. Pray. Dialog. Pray. Interact. Pray.
The change to its position on evolution necessitated in the Church today was precipitated by the completion of the The Human Genome Project. This Project, led by evangelical Christian Dr. Francis Collins (now director of NIH), has provided overwhelming evidence in support of evolution.
Thoughtful Christian thinkers, leaders, and scholars are now engaging the evidence in an historic integration of faith and science. Since a specific doctrine of origins is not an essential of the faith, consensus is not necessary, though in the long term, it is important to Holy Spirit unity. But at this point in the dialog, it is of vital importance that space be made for opposing viewpoints, so that the Holy Spirit can work freely in hearts and minds. So we should accept civil debate, and not be alarmed by disagreement.
I’ve compiled a list of thoughtful Christian leaders and scholars, gifts from Christ to His Church (Eph 4), who are actively involved in the evolution conversation. This is not a consensus list, nor is it comprehensive. It is merely a list of influential thought leaders who have publicly entered the conversation, who I believe are worth interacting with. I have divided the list into 2 sections, those who accept evolution, and those who deny it. I have further subdivided the list of those who accept evolution into those who are open to a non-historical Adam & Eve, and those who are not.
A few caveats…
1) As the conversation evolves (ha), so will this list. Changes in opinion are occurring constantly. I shall endeavor to keep up to date with developments.
2) A significant number of influential leaders are silent on the subject. Most are silent because they accept that a range of opinions about evolution and creation is acceptable within the bounds of orthodoxy, and are willing to allow variation of individual conscience.
3) A vocal minority of other “leaders” on the subject have been excluded from the list because they have not demonstrated credibility or tolerance in their interaction with the subject matter.
4) I have personally done due diligence on all the names on my list, and believe that all meet commonly accepted standards for credibility, integrity, and tolerance of opposing viewpoints within the bounds of orthodoxy. All affirm a high view of the Bible, and God as Creator.
5) It’s possible I have misinterpreted the beliefs of some of the leaders in the list. The reader is invited to provide citations that support moving a leader to a different category.
LEADERS WHO ACCEPT EVOLUTION
Open to non-historic Adam & Eve
James K.A. Smith – Philosopher; Professor, Calvin College
Scot McKnight – Theologian; Professor, NBTS
Alister McGrath – Theologian; Professor, Oxford & Gresham College
Denis Venema – Biologist; Professor, Western Trinity University
Francis Collins – Geneticist: Director of NIH
Pete Enns – Theologian; Professor at Eastern University
John Ortberg – Pastor, Menlo Park Baptist Church
NT Wright – Theologian; Bishop of Durham
Tremper Longman III – Theologian; Professor, Westmont College
Darrell Falk – Biologist; Professor, Point Loma Nazarene University
Andy Crouch – Executive Editor, Christianity Today
Richard Mouw – Theologian; Professor, Fuller Theological Seminary (President 1993-2013)
John Scott – Pastor, Theologian, Author
C S Lewis – Novelist, lay theologian/Christian apologist
Billy Graham – Evangelist
Not open to non-historic Adam & Eve
John Collins – Theologian; Professor, Covenant Theological Seminary
Richard Averbeck – OT Scholar; Professor, TEDS
John Walton – OT Scholar; Professor, Wheaton College
Tim Keller – Pastor, Redeemer Presbyterian Church
LEADERS WHO DO NOT ACCEPT EVOLUTION
John Piper -Theologian; Pastor/Founder, Bethlehem Baptist Church/College/Seminary, DesiringGod.org
Al Mohler – Theologian; President, SBTS
Russell Moore – Theologian; President, ERLC
Hugh Ross – Astrophysicist; Founder, Reasons To Believe