Evolution, Bible & Christian Theology

Evolution, the Bible and Christian Theology is a good choice for students wondering how evolution fits into Christian faith. The expected topics are popular issues that Christians should be well-versed in understanding, giving them a better foundation and more confidence in their witness to others. Students can expect daily readings, journalings, and class discussions about the scientific and biblical evidence for these views. The class will also watch documentary videos, listen to guest speakers, and write an essay.

According to the course catalog, this class discusses questions such as ‘How is God active in a creation where random genetic mutation and natural selection are operative?’, ‘How can God’s creation be called ‘good’ when predation, suffering, and death are…necessary for life on earth?’

Pre-requisites for this class are one of either Bible, Theology, or Science. Dr. Harlow explained that he hopes students taking this class will want to learn, rather than argue against or be critics of evolution. He will be using a combination of articles, all by Christian authors, some of which are Calvin professors. The required book is I Love Jesus and I Accept Evolution, by Denis O. Lamoureux.

Dr. Harlow explained that Lamoureux has a Doctorate in dentistry, biology, and theology. A book review by James Anderson describes Lamoureux as having had other theological positions in the past, including atheistic Darwinism, young-earth creationism, progressive old-earth creationism, and now “evolutionary creationism” (htt;://proginosko.wordpress.com/2010/06/07/I-love-jesus-I-accept-evolution/).

In the preface to his book, Lamoureux writes what he proposes about creation and evolution - “God created the universe and life through evolution”, claiming the Bible and natural world “compliment each other in revealing the glory and character of the Creator” and that “scripture discloses the spiritual character of the world, while science reveals the divine method of creation”. Lamoureux admits that his book may be difficult to swallow for most Christians today.

In his review, Andersons gives information about the author’s views. According to Anderson, Lamoureux’s position depends on the distinction between theological and scientific statements, recognizing that the Bible makes both. The author outlines basic categories of origins, noting differences between them on key issues such as God’s role and the age of the universe. Chapter six presents the most popular issue of human evolution, and Lamoureux gives some scientific evidence for it, and identifies three approaches to his conclusions with biblical teachings.