Theistic evolution
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Rvt: it is called this *far* less often
{{creationism2}}
'''Theistic evolution''', less commonly known as ''evolutionary creationism'', is the general opinion that some or all classical religious teachings about [[God]] and [[creation (theology)|creation]] are compatible with some or all of the modern scientific understanding about biological [[evolution]]. Theistic evolution is not a [[scientific theory|theory]] in the [[Science|scientific]] sense, but a particular view about how the science of evolution relates to some religious interpretations. In this way, theistic evolution supporters can be seen as one of the groups who deny the [[conflict thesis]] regarding the relationship between [[Relationship between religion and science|religion and science]]; that is, they hold that religious teachings about creation and scientific theories of evolution need not be contradictory.
The term was used by [[National Center for Science Education]] executive director [[Eugenie Scott]] to refer to the part of the overall spectrum of beliefs about creation and evolution holding the theological view that God creates through evolution. It covers a wide range of beliefs about the extent of any intervention by God, with some approaching [[deism]] in rejecting continued intervention. Others see intervention at critical intervals in history in a way consistent with scientific explanations of [[speciation]], but with similarities to the ideas of [[Progressive Creationism]] that God created "kinds" of animals sequentially.<ref>[http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/articles/1593_the_creationevolution_continu_12_7_2000.asp The Creation/Evolution Continuum] by [[Eugenie Scott]], [[National Center for Science Education]]</ref>
This view is accepted (or at least not rejected) by major [[Christian]] churches, including [[Catholicism]] and some [[Mainline (Protestant)|mainline Protestant]] denominations; some [[Judaism|Jewish]] denominations; and other religious groups that lack a [[Biblical literalism|literalist]] stance concerning holy [[scripture]]s. Various biblical literalists have accepted or noted openness to this stance, including theologian [[Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield|B.B. Warfield]] and evangelist [[Billy Graham]].
With this approach toward evolution, scriptural creation stories are typically interpreted as being [[allegory|allegorical]] in nature.
Both Jews and Christians have considered the idea of the [[Allegorical interpretations of Genesis|creation history as an allegory]] (instead of a historical description) long before the development of Darwin's theory. Two notable examples are the writings of [[Philo of Alexandria]] ([[1st century]]) and [[Augustine of Hippo|St. Augustine]] ([[4th century]]).<ref name="book2.html">[http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/yonge/book2.html "Allegorical Interpretation, I" from ''The Works of Philo Judaeus'', translated by C.D. Yonge]</ref><ref name="PSCF3-88Young.html">[http://www.asa3.org/ASA/topics/Bible-Science/PSCF3-88Young.html Davis A. Young, "The Contemporary Relevance of Augustine's View of Creation" from ''Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith'' 40.1]</ref>
Theistic evolutionists argue that it is inappropriate to use [[Genesis]] as a scientific text, since it was written in a pre-scientific age and originally intended for religious instruction; as such, seemingly chronological aspects of the creation accounts should be thought of in terms of a [[Framework interpretation (Genesis)|literary framework]]. Theistic evolutionists may believe that creation is not literally a week long process but a process beginning in the time of Genesis and continuing through all of time, including today. This view affirms that God created the world and was the primary causation of our being, while scientific changes such as evolution are part of "creatia continua" or continuing creation which is still occurring in the never ending process of creation. Changes such as these caused by science are part of a secondary causation that changes us within the framework of the world God has created with primary causation.{{clarifyme|post-text=(incoherent)}} This is one possible way of interpreting biblical scriptures, such as Genesis, that seem to be in opposition to scientific theories, such as evolution.<ref name=Peters>''Can You Believe in God and Evolution'', Ted Peters and Matrinez Hewlett</ref>
The term ''evolutionary creationism'' refers to an understanding of God that transcends yet includes normal time and space, with nature having no existence independent of God. It allows interpretations consistent with both literal and poetic readings of Genesis and objective science.
==Definition==
{{Rquote|right|....creationism has come to mean some fundamentalistic, literal, scientific interpretation of Genesis. Judaic-Christian faith is radically creationist, but in a totally different sense. It is rooted in a belief that everything depends upon God, or better, all is a gift from God.|Fr [[George Coyne]], Director, Vatican Observatory, 1978-2006}}
Theistic evolution holds that the theist's acceptance of [[evolutionary biology]] is not fundamentally different from the acceptance of other [[science]]s, such as [[astronomy]] or [[meteorology]]. The latter two are also based on a [[methodology|methodological]] assumption of [[Naturalism (philosophy)|naturalism]] to study and explain the natural world, without assuming the existence or nonexistence of the [[supernatural]]. In this view, it is held both religiously and scientifically correct to reinterpret ancient religious texts in line with modern-day scientific findings about evolution. As St. Anselm said "Faith seeks understanding"{{citequote}} and theistic evolutionists believe that this search for understanding extends to scientific understanding.{{Fact|date=April 2008}} In light of this view, authors writing on the subject, such as Ted Peters and Martinez Hewlett, say that "The best science and our best thinking about God belong together."<ref name=Peters/> Peters, Hewlett, and many others{{who}} see science as a means of evaluating, understanding, and using to our benefit the intricacies of the world God that has created for us.
This synthesis of the [[teleology]] underlying [[faith]] and religious teachings with science can still be described as [[creationism]] in holding that divine intervention brought about the [[origin of life]] or that divine Laws govern formation of species, but in the [[creation-evolution controversy]] its proponents generally take the "evolutionist" side. For this reason, some on both sides prefer to use the term "theistic evolution" over "evolutionary creationism" to describe this belief.{{Fact|date=April 2008}}
==Spectrum of viewpoints==
Evolutionary creationism describes an approach to the biological world that accepts the scientific concepts of [[microevolution]] and [[macroevolution]] while retaining the theistic belief that the world is ultimately the result of divine [[Creation (theology)|creation]], of which [[evolution]] is held to be a mechanism.
As cited below, several religious organizations accept evolutionary theory, though their related theological interpretations vary. Additionally, individuals or movements within such organizations may not accept evolution, and stances on evolution may have adapted (or evolved) throughout history.
''See also sections of [[Abrahamic creationism]] on "The Christian Critique of Creationism" and "The western world outside the United States".''
===Deism===
{{seealso|Deism}}
[[Deism]] is belief in a [[God]] or [[first cause]] based on [[reason]], rather than on [[faith]] or [[revelation]]. Most deists believe that God does not interfere with the world or create [[miracle]]s. Some deists believe that a [[Divine Creator]] initiated a universe in which evolution occurred, by designing the system and the natural laws, although many deists believe that God also created life itself, before allowing it to be subject to evolution. They find it to be undignified and unwieldy for a deity to make constant adjustments rather than letting evolution elegantly adapt organisms to changing environments. Other deists take the stronger position that God ceased to exist after setting in motion the laws of the universe.
One recently-converted deist is philosopher and professor [[Antony Flew]], who became a deist in [[December 2004]]. Professor Flew, a former [[Atheism|atheist]], now argues that recent research into the origins of life supports the theory that some form of intelligence was involved. Whilst accepting subsequent Darwinian evolution, Flew argues that this cannot explain the complexities of the origins of life. He also stated that the investigation of [[DNA]] "has shown, by the almost unbelievable complexity of the arrangements which are needed to produce [life], that intelligence must have been involved"<ref>[http://www.livescience.com/strangenews/atheist_philosopher_041210.html Atheist Philosopher, 81, Now Believes in God | LiveScience<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, though he subsequently retracted this statement in an interview with Joan Bakewell for BBC Radio 4 in March 2005<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/programmes/belief/scripts/antony_flew.html BBC interview, Professor Antony Flew]March 22, 2005.</ref>.
===Christianity===
====The creation history====
{{seealso|Allegorical interpretations of Genesis|Framework interpretation (Genesis)}}
Evolution contradicts a literalistic interpretation of [[Genesis]]; however, according to Roman [[Catholicism]] and most contemporary [[Protestant]] Churches, [[biblical literalism]] in the creation account is not mandatory. Christians have considered allegorical interpretations of Genesis since long before the development of [[Charles Darwin|Darwin]]'s theory of evolution, or [[James Hutton|Hutton]]'s principle of [[uniformitarianism]]. A notable example is [[Augustine of Hippo|St. Augustine]] (4th century), who, on [[theology|theological]] grounds, argued that everything in the universe was created by God in the same instant, and not in six days as a plain reading of Genesis would require.<ref name="PSCF3-88Young.html"/> Modern theologians such as [[Meredith G. Kline]] and [[Henri Blocher]] have advocated what has become known as the [[literary framework interpretation]] of the days of Genesis.
====Contemporary Christian denominations====
Many [[Christian denomination|denominations]] of [[Christianity]] support or accept theistic evolution. For example, on [[12 February]] [[2006]] the 197th anniversary of [[Charles Darwin]]'s birth was commemorated by "[[Evolution Sunday]]" where the message that followers of Christ do not have to choose between biblical stories of creation and evolution was taught in classes and sermons at many [[Methodism|Methodist]], [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]], [[Episcopal Church in the United States of America|Episcopalian]], [[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]], [[Unitarianism|Unitarian]], [[Congregational church|Congregationalist]], [[United Church of Christ]], [[Baptist]] and community churches.<ref>[http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_060220creationism.shtml Churches urged to challenge Intelligent Design -20/02/06]</ref>
Additionally, the [[National Council of Churches]] [[USA]] has issued a teaching resource to "assist people of faith who experience no conflict between science and their faith and who embrace science as one way of appreciating the beauty and complexity of
God’s creation." This resource cites the Episcopal Church, according to whom the stories of creation in Genesis "should not be understood as historical and scientific accounts of origins but as proclamations of basic theological truths about creation."<ref>[http://www.ncccusa.org/pdfs/evolutionbrochurefinal.html Science, Religion, and the Teaching of Evolution in Public School Science Classes] (pdf), The [[National Council of Churches]] Committee on Public Education and Literacy, [http://www.ncccusa.org/news/060330evolution.html Teaching Evolution], March 2006</ref>
The positions of particular denominations are discussed below.
=====Anglicanism=====
Although [[Anglicanism|Anglicans]] (including the [[Episcopal Church in the United States of America]], the [[Church of England]] and others) believe that the Bible "contains all things necessary to salvation," nonetheless "science and Christian theology can complement one another in the quest for truth and understanding." Specifically on the subject of creation/evolution, Anglicans view "Big Bang cosmology" as being "in tune with both the concepts of creation out of nothing and continuous creation." Their position is clearly set out in the ''Catechism of Creation Part II: Creation and Science''.<ref>[http://www.episcopalchurch.org/19021_58398_ENG_HTM.htm Catechism of Creation Part II: Creation and Science]</ref> In an interview, the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] Dr [[Rowan Williams]] expressed his thought that "creationism is, in a sense, a kind of category mistake, as if the Bible were a theory like other theories. Whatever the biblical account of creation is, it's not a theory alongside theories... My worry is creationism can end up reducing the doctrine of creation rather than enhancing it."<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,,1735404,00.html ''The Guardian'', March 21, 2006]</ref> His view is that creationism should not be taught in schools.
[[Katharine Jefferts Schori]], [[Presiding Bishop]] of the Episcopal Church in the United States, holds a [[Doctor of Philosophy|Ph. D.]] in [[oceanography]], having written her dissertation on the evolution of a variety of [[squid]].<ref> [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6638780 "Episcopal Church's Bishop on Science and Faith", a National Public Radio interview with Debby Elliott, December 17, 2006]</ref>
=====Roman Catholic Church=====
{{main|Evolution and the Roman Catholic Church}}
The position of the Roman Catholic Church on the theory of evolution has changed over the last two centuries from a large period of no official mention, to a statement of neutrality in the 1950s, to limited guarded acceptance in recent years, rejecting the materialistic and reductionist philosophies behind it, and insisting that the human soul was immediately infused by God, and the reality of a single ancestor (commonly called [[Monogenesis|monogenism]]) for the human race. The Church does not argue with scientists on matters such as the [[age of the earth]] and the authenticity of the [[fossil record]], seeing such matters as outside its area of expertise. Papal pronouncements, along with commentaries by cardinals, indicate that the Church is aware of the general findings of scientists on the gradual appearance of life. The Church's stance is that the temporal appearance of life has been guided in some way by God, but the Church has thus far declined to define in what way that may be.
The official Church's position remains a focus of controversy and is fairly non-specific, stating only that faith and the origin of man's material body "from pre-existing living matter" are not in conflict, and that the existence of God is required to explain the spiritual component of man's origin.{{Fact|date=August 2007}}
Catholic schools do not teach theistic evolution as part of their science curriculum. They teach the [[evolution as theory and fact|facts of evolution]] and the [[Theory|scientific theory]] of its mechanisms. This is essentially the same biological curriculum taught in public schools and secular universities.
=====Church of the Nazarene=====
The [[Church of the Nazarene]], an [[evangelicalism|evangelical]] [[Christian denomination]], sees "knowledge acquired by science and human inquiry equal to that acquired by divine revelation," and, while the church "'believes in the Biblical account of creation' and holds that God is the sole creator, it allows latitude 'regarding the "how" of creation.'"<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20657204/site/newsweek/ "Can God Love Darwin, Too?" by Sharon Begley, ''Newsweek'', Sept. 17, 2007 issue]</ref> While [[Richard G. Colling]], author of ''Random Designer''<ref>''Random Designer: Created from Chaos to Connect with the Creator'', Browning Press, 2004, ISBN 0975390406</ref> and professor at [[Olivet Nazarene University]], received criticism from elements within the denomination in [[2007]] for his book (published in [[2004]]),<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20657204/site/newsweek/ "Can God Love Darwin, Too?" by Sharon Begley, ''Newsweek'', Sept. 17, 2007 issue]</ref> [[Darrel R. Falk]] of [[Point Loma Nazarene]] published a similar book<ref>''Coming to Peace with Science: Bridging the Worlds Between Faith and Biology'', InterVarsity Press, 2004, ISBN 0830827420</ref> in [[2004]], and [[Karl Giberson]] of [[Eastern Nazarene]], the first Nazarene scholar to publish with [[Oxford University Press]], has published three books since [[1993]] on the tensions between science and religion,<ref>''Worlds Apart: The Unholy War between Religion and Science'', Beacon Hill Press, 1993 ISBN 0834115042<br />With [[Donald Yerxa]], ''Species of Origins: America's Search for a Creation Story'', Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2002 ISBN 0742507645<br />With [[Mariano Artigas]], ''The Oracles of Science: Celebrity Scientist Versus God and Religion'', Oxford University Press, 2006 ISBN 0195310721</ref> and is under contract for a fourth book titled ''Saving Darwin''.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20657204/site/newsweek/ "Can God Love Darwin, Too?" by Sharon Begley, ''Newsweek'', Sept. 17, 2007 issue]</ref> The Nazarene ''Manual'', a document crafted to provide Biblical guidance and denominational expression for Church members, states: "The Church of the Nazarene believes in the biblical account of creation (“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth . . .”—Genesis 1:1). We oppose any godless interpretation of the origin of the universe and of humankind. However, the church accepts as valid all scientifically verifiable discoveries in geology and other natural phenomena, for we firmly believe that God is the Creator. (Articles I.1., V. 5.1, VII.) (2005)<ref>[http://media.premierstudios.com/nazarene/docs/Manual2005_09.pdf Manual, p.371]</ref>
===Islam===
{{seealso|Islamic creationism}}
Some Muslims believe in evolutionary creationism, especially among the [[Liberal movements within Islam|Liberal movements]] within [[Islam]]. The [[Ahmadiyya]] movement for example, accepts Adam as the first prophet, but denies that he was the first man on earth.<ref>[http://textonly.itl-usa.org/ahmadi/ahmadi13.html ITL: Jesus and the Indian Messiah - Every Wind of Doctrine<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> More literalist Muslims, including followers of [[Wahhabism]], reject origin of species from a common ancestor by evolution as incompatible with the [[Qur'an]]. However, even amongst Muslims who accept evolution, many believe that humanity was a special creation by God. For example, Shaikh Nuh Ha Mim Keller, an American Muslim and specialist in Islamic law has argued in ''Islam and Evolution''<ref>[http://www.masud.co.uk/ISLAM/nuh/evolve.htm Evolution and Islam<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> that a belief in [[macroevolution]] is not incompatible with Islam, as long as it is accepted that "Allah is the Creator of everything" (Qur'an 13:16) and that Allah specifically created humanity (in the person of Adam; Qur'an 38:71-76). Shaikh Keller clearly states in his conclusion however:
:"As for claim that man has evolved from a non-human species, this is unbelief (kufr) no matter if we ascribe the process to Allah or to "nature," because it negates the truth of Adam's special creation that Allah has revealed in the Qur'an. Man is of special origin, attested to not only by revelation, but also by the divine secret within him, the capacity for ma'rifa or knowledge of the Divine that he alone of all things possesses. By his God-given nature, man stands before a door opening onto infinitude that no other creature in the universe can aspire to. Man is something else."
===Judaism===
{{seealso|Judaism and evolution}}
In general, three of the four major [[Jewish denominations|denominations]] of [[Judaism]] ([[Reconstructionist Judaism|Reconstructionist]], [[Reform Judaism|Reform]], and [[Conservative Judaism|Conservative]]) accept theistic evolution. Within [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodoxy]], there is much debate about the issue. Most [[Modern Orthodox Judaism|Modern Orthodox]] groups accept theistic evolution and most [[Haredi Judaism|Ultra-Orthodox]] groups do not. This disagreement was most vociferous in the [[Natan Slifkin#Controversy|Natan Slifkin controversy]] which arose when a number of prominent Ultra-Orthodox Rabbis banned books written by Rabbi Natan Slifkin which explored the idea of theistic evolution within Jewish tradition. These Rabbis forming part of [[Jewish opposition to evolution]] considered that his books were [[heresy]] as they indicated that the [[Talmud]] is not necessarly correct about scientific matters such as the [[age of the Earth]].
The general approach of advocates of theistic evolution within Judaism comes in two tacts. Either the [[Creation according to Genesis|creation account]] in the [[Torah]] is not to be taken as a literal text, but rather as a [[symbolism|symbolic]] work, or, alternatively, that the 'days' do not refer to 24-hour periods (justified by how the first day in the biblical account actually precedes the creation of the sun and earth by which 24 hour days are reckoned). In the latter view, Jewish [[scholars]] point out how the order of creation in Genesis corresponds to the actual development of life on Earth--the sun, then earth, then oceans, then oceanic plant life, fish preceding land-based life, with mammals and finally humans last--and in no way specifies the method of creation in a manner prohibitive of evolution.
==Proponents==
===Evolutionary biologists who were also theists===
Although [[evolutionary biologists]] have often been [[agnostics]] (most notably [[Thomas Huxley]] and [[Charles Darwin]]) or [[Atheism|atheists]] (most notably [[Richard Dawkins]]), from the outset many have had a belief in some form of theism. These have included [[Alfred Russel Wallace]] ([[1823]]–[[1913]]), who in a joint paper with [[Charles Darwin]] in [[1858]], proposed the theory of [[evolution]] by [[natural selection]]. Wallace was effectively a [[deist]] who believed that "the unseen universe of Spirit" had interceded to create life as well as consciousness in animals and (separately) in humans.
An early example of this kind of approach came from computing pioneer [[Charles Babbage]] who published his unofficial ''Ninth [[Bridgewater Treatise]]'' in [[1837]], putting forward the thesis that God had the omnipotence and foresight to create as a divine legislator, making laws (or programs) which then produced species at the appropriate times, rather than continually interfering with ''ad hoc'' miracles each time a new species was required.
[[Pierre Teilhard de Chardin]] ([[1881]]–[[1955]]) was a noted geologist and paleontologist as well as a [[Jesuit]] Priest who wrote extensively on the subject of incorporating evolution into a new understanding of Christianity. Initially suppressed by the [[Roman Catholic Church]], his theological work has had considerable influence and is widely taught in Catholic and most [[mainline (Protestant)|mainline Protestant]] seminaries.
Both [[Ronald Fisher]] ([[1890]]–[[1962]]) and [[Theodosius Dobzhansky]] ([[1900]]–[[1975]]), were Christians and architects of the [[modern evolutionary synthesis]]. Dobzhansky, a Russian Orthodox, wrote a famous 1973 essay entitled ''[[Nothing in Biology Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution]]'' espousing evolutionary creationism:
:"I am a creationist and an evolutionist. Evolution is God's, or Nature's, method of creation. Creation is not an event that happened in 4004 BC; it is a process that began some 10 billion years ago and is still under way... Does the evolutionary doctrine clash with religious faith? It does not. It is a blunder to mistake the Holy Scriptures for elementary textbooks of astronomy, geology, biology, and anthropology. Only if symbols are construed to mean what they are not intended to mean can there arise imaginary, insoluble conflicts... the blunder leads to blasphemy: the Creator is accused of systematic deceitfulness."
The role of Scripture in relation to science is captured by an oft-quoted phrase: "The Bible tell us how to go to heaven, not how the heavens go." The phrase is especially heard in discussions of the relation between cosmology and theology. In the realm of biology and theology, the saying coined by [[Thomas Jay Oord]] is perhaps more appropriate: "The Bible tells us how to find abundant life, not the details of how life became abundant."
===Contemporary advocates of theistic evolution===
Contemporary biologists and geologists who are Christians and theistic evolutionists include
* Biologist [[Francis Collins (geneticist)|Francis Collins]], director of the [[Human Genome Project]] and author of ''[[The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief]]'' in which he has suggested the term [[BioLogos]] for theistic evolution.
* [[Kenneth R. Miller]], professor of biology at [[Brown University]], author of ''[[Finding Darwin's God]]'' (Cliff Street Books, 1999), in which he states his belief in God and argues that "evolution is the key to understanding God." Dr. Miller has also called himself "an orthodox Catholic and an orthodox Darwinist" (the 2001 PBS special "Evolution").
* [[R. J. Berry]], Professor of Genetics at [[University College London]]
* evangelical Christian and geologist [[Keith B. Miller]] (no relation to Kenneth) of [[Kansas State University]], who compiled an anthology ''Perspectives on an Evolving Creation'' (Eerdmans, 2003)
* biologist [[Denis Lamoureux]] of St. Joseph's College, University of Alberta, Canada who has co-authored with evolution critic [[Phillip E. Johnson]] ''Darwinism Defeated? The Johnson-Lamoureux Debate on Biological Origins'' (Regent College, 1999)
* biologist [[Darrel Falk]] of [[Point Loma Nazarene University]], author of ''Coming to Peace with Science''
* biologist [[Joan Roughgarden]], teaches at [[Stanford University]]; author of various books including ''Evolution and Christian Faith: Reflections of an Evolutionary Biologist''.
* paleontologist [[Robert T. Bakker]]
* microbiologist [[Richard G. Colling]] of [[Olivet Nazarene University]], author of ''Random Designer: Created from Chaos to Connect with Creator''
* paleobiologist Prof. [[Simon Conway Morris]] of Cambridge University, well known for his groundbreaking work on the [[Burgess Shale]] fossils and the [[Cambrian explosion]], and author of ''Life's Solution: Inevitable Humans in a Lonely Universe''
Philosophers, theologians, and physical scientists who have supported the evolutionary creationist model include
* theologian-philosopher [[John Haught]] of [[Georgetown University]]
* theologian Rev. [[Keith Ward]], former Regius Professor of Divinity at the [[University of Oxford]], author of ''God, Chance, and Necessity''
* physicist [[Karl Giberson]] of [[Eastern Nazarene College]], author of ''Worlds Apart: The Unholy War between Religion and Science'', ''Species of Origins: America’s Search for a Creation Story'', ''The Oracles of Science: Celebrity Scientists Versus God and Religion'', and ''Saving Darwin.''<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20657204/site/newsweek/page/0/ "Can God Love Darwin, Too?" By Sharon Begley ''Newsweek'' Sept. 17, 2007 issue]</ref>
* physicist and theologian Rev. [[John Polkinghorne]] of [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge University]]
* theologian-philosopher [[Thomas Jay Oord]] of Northwest Nazarene University (Oord is known in this context for his saying, "The Bible tells us how to find abundant life, not the details of how life became abundant.")
* [[Pope John Paul II]], who is famous for praising evolutionary biology and calling its accounts of human origins "more than a hypothesis"{{cite quote}}
* Fr. [[George Coyne]] of the [[Vatican Observatory]]
* Eco-theologian Fr. [[Thomas Berry]]
* [[biochemist]] and theologian [[Alister McGrath]], Professor of Historical Theology at the University of Oxford
* [[C. S. Lewis]], scholar of medieval studies, novelist, and influential Anglican Christian thinker <ref>See the [http://www.apologetics.org/acworthletters1.html Acworth-Lewis correspondence]</ref>
* Ted Peters and Martinez Hewlett, authors of the book ''Can You Believe in God And Evolution?''
==Criticism==
The major criticism of theistic evolution by non-theistic evolutionists focuses on its essential belief in a [[supernatural]] [[Creator deity|creator]]. By the application of [[Occam's razor]], sufficient explanation of the phenomena of evolution is provided for non-theistic evolutionists by the principle of ''natural'' selection, and the intervention or direction of a ''super''natural entity is not required. As [[Richard Dawkins]] says, "the illusion of design in the living world is explained with far greater economy … by Darwinian natural selection"<ref>Dawkins, R. ''[[The God Delusion]]'' (Transworld Publishers, 2006; ISBN 0-618-68000-4)</ref>. [[Robert Todd Carroll]] illustrates the point when he contends that "the universe would appear the same to us whether it was designed by God or not"<ref>.[http://skepdic.com/intelligentdesign.html The Skeptic's Dictionary]</ref>
Another criticism of some forms of evolutionary creationism (especially those of deists) is that they are simply a belief in a [[God of the gaps]], where anything that cannot currently be explained by science is attributed to God. For example, the [[physicist]] Dr [[Paul Davies]] has stated: "I flatly reject the argument that the origin of life was some sort of miracle. To be sure, we don't yet know how it happened, but that doesn't mean a cosmic magician is needed to prod atoms around." <ref>Davies P., ''The Fifth Miracle: The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life'' (Simon & Schuster, 1999; ISBN-10:0684837994) </ref>
[[Young Earth creationism|Young Earth creationists]] criticise theistic evolution on theological grounds, regarding it as an unbiblical view of history and a capitulation to "[[Atheism|atheistic]]" naturalism<ref>[http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v17/i4/theistic_evolution.asp answersingenesis.org: ''10 dangers of theistic evolution'']</ref>.
==Relationship to intelligent design==
{{Expand-section|date=March 2007}}
{{seealso|Intelligent design}}
Some adherents of theistic evolution hold that the deity both designed the universe and has a continuing part in its development, and feel that a term they favour has been hijacked by the proponents of the viewpoint called "[[Intelligent design]]". One notable proponent of theistic evolution, [[Francis Collins (geneticist)|Francis Collins]] is a critic of [[Intelligent design]].
==See also==
* [[Antilapsarianism]]
* [[Biblical cosmology]]
* [[BioLogos]]
* [[Cosmogony]]
* [[Cosmological argument]]
* [[Existence]]
* [[Natural theology]]
* [[Arthur Peacocke]]
* [[Theism]]
* [[Timeline of the Big Bang]]
* [[Timeline of the Universe]]
* [[Ultimate fate of the universe]]
* [[The Challenge of Creation]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==Books==
* [[Kenneth R. Miller|Miller, Kenneth R.]]; ([[1999]]) ''Finding Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution'' ISBN 0-0609-3049-7
* [[Keith B. Miller|Miller, Keith B.]]; ([[2003]]) ''Perspectives on an Evolving Creation'' ISBN 0-8028-0512-4
* [[Darrel Falk|Falk, Darrel]]; ([[2004]]) ''Coming to Peace with Science: Bridging the Worlds Between Faith and Biology'' ISBN 0-8308-2742-0
* [[Francis Collins|Collins, Francis]]; ([[2006]]) ''The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief'' ISBN 0-7432-8639-1
==External links==
* [http://atheism.about.com/od/creationismcreationists/p/theistic.htm About: Agnosticism/Atheism on 'Theistic Evolution & Evolutionary Creationism'] by Austin Cline; overview of various viewpoints
* [http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/wic.html What is Creationism?] by Mark Isaak, presents various forms of creationism
* [http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/evolution-definition.html What is Evolution?] by Laurence Moran, presents a standard definition for evolution
* [http://www.answersincreation.org Answers In Creation] old earth creationism, but open to theistic evolution
*[http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/sunrise/52-02-3/sc-wtst3.htm Evolution & Creation: A Theosophic Synthesis] Surveys critical problems in Darwinist explanations and common theistic views; explores ancient and modern "excluded middle" alternatives
*[http://www.catholic.net/us_catholic_news/template_article.phtml?channel_id=1&article_id=3901 US Catholic News - Creationists Hijack Intelligent Design]
*[http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/vaticanview.html The Vatican's View of Evolution: The Story of Two Popes] by Doug Linder (2004)
*[http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2005/06/17_townes.shtml Nobel Prize winner Charles Townes on evolution and "intelligent design"]
*[http://www.allviewpoints.org/RESOURCES/EVOLUTION/spectrum.htm Spectrum of Creation Beliefs] From Flat Earthism to Atheistic Evolutionism, including Theistic Evolution
===Proponents of theistic evolution===
* ''[http://www.2think.org/dobzhansky.shtml Nothing in Biology Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution]'' by [[Theodosius Dobzhansky]] (see also: [[Nothing in Biology Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution|Wikipedia's article]])
* [http://www.millerandlevine.com/km/ Kenneth R Miller's homepage]
* [http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/faq-god.html God and Evolution] — part of the [[talk.origins Archive]]
* [http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP961022.HTM Message to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences: On Evolution subtitled "Truth Cannot Contradict Truth"], by Pope John Paul II, 22 October 1996.
* [http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2COSM.HTM On Cosmology and Fundamental Physics], by Pope John Paul II, 3 October 1981.
* [http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/cti_documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_20040723_communion-stewardship_en.html Communion and Stewardship: Human Persons Created in the Image of God] Statement on creation and evolution from the International Theological Commission headed by Cardinal Ratzinger (now [[Pope Benedict XVI]]), 23 July 2004.
*[http://www.catholic.org.ezproxy.auckland.ac.nz/national/national_story.php?id=18504 Science Does Not Need God, or Does It? A Catholic Scientist Looks at Evolution] transcript of talk by astronomer George V. Coyne, S.J.
*[http://www.theisticevolution.org/ Perspectives on Theistic Evolution] An examination of both the theological and scientific aspects of theistic evolution.
*[http://www.uwosh.edu/colleges/cols/clergy_project.htm The "Clergy Letter" Project] signed by thousands of clergy supporting evolution and faith
*[http://home.entouch.net/dmd/dmd.htm DMD Publishing Co. home page] Essays arguing that even a literal treatment of Genesis requires theistic evolution.
*[[Thomas Jay Oord]] ''Science of Love: The Wisdom of Well-Being'', Templeton, 2003.
*[[Pierre Teilhard de Chardin]] ''Le Milieu Divin (Tome 4: Essai de vie intérieure)'', Seuil (1 January 1998) ISBN 2-02-020136-4
* Denis R Alexander, [http://www.eauk.org/resources/idea/bigquestion/archive/2005/bq7.cfm Can a Christian believe in evolution?], The Evangelical Alliance, 12 May 2006
*[http://seaver.pepperdine.edu/academics/catalog/2008seavercatalog.pdf Norman Hughes], Professor Emeritus of Biology, [[Pepperdine University]]. See his letter to the [http://www.asa3.org/ASA/PSCF/1986/PSCF12-86Hughes.html Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation] and the response by [http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/1990 Apologetics Press].
===Creationist opponents of theistic evolution===
* [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/3055/#theistic Why is evolution so dangerous for Christians to believe?] (articles from Creation Ministries International)
* [http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=articles&action=view&ID=281 ''The Compromise Road''] by [[Henry Morris]]
* ''Saving the Appearances: A study in Idolatry'' (ISBN 0-8195-6205-X) by Owen Barfield
[[Category:Creationism]]
[[Category:Evolution]]
[[Category:Religious views]]
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[[lt:Teistinė evoliucija]]
[[nl:Theïstisch evolutionisme]]
[[pl:Teistyczny ewolucjonizm]]
[[pt:Evolucionismo teísta]]
[[simple:Theistic evolution]]
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