Re: Evolution and the Image of god...a friendly challenge to Moorad

From: Joel Cannon (jcannon@jcannon.washjeff.edu)
Date: Wed Oct 03 2001 - 13:57:19 EDT

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    In saying that "there is no way anyone can make any sense of created
    or evolved in the image of God in the context of the theory" Moorad
    has made a statement with a great deal of theological
    content. Specifically, it involves what is meant by the Christian
    concept of being created in the image of God.

    Here the theological question of what it means to be `created in the
    image of God.' is surely more important than the scientific one. If
    the theologians that disagree with Moorad (and intelligent design
    writers in general), then the scientific question is irrelevant.

    Two questions:

    1. What is the theological justification for this? What is meant by
    `created in the image of God?'

    2. What contemporary (or even near contemporary) Christian
    theologians (I am discounting scientists, lawyers, philosophers,
    preachers who are not academic theologians, etc.) argue this or
    something similar (and what are their arguments). If there are none,
    why should we accept this statement?

    In writing this, I note that among the theologians that would disagree
    with this are Carl Henry, and J.I. Packer. Even at the roots of
    fundamentalism are theologians that disagree with this.
    B.B. Warfield, a seminal fundamentalists, called himself a "Darwinian
    of the purest water."

    What gives?

    Looking forward to hearing your reply (and any others).

    Joel

     

    >
    > Evolutionary theory is supposed to be a complete theory of the origin of man.
    > As a purely scientific theory, there is not need to invoke a Creator.
    > Accordingly, there is no way anyone can make any sense of created or evolved
    > in the image of God in the context of the theory. A Christian who believes in
    > both Christ and evolution can reconcile the two in his/her mind but that is
    > about it. It may take all sorts of intellectual contortions but one can do
    > that. Moorad
    >

    Moorad (or anyonne else)

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Joel W. Cannon | (724)223-6146
    Physics Department |
    Washington and Jefferson College |
    Washington, PA 15301 |
                                         
                        

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Joel W. Cannon | (724)223-6146
    Physics Department |
    Washington and Jefferson College |
    Washington, PA 15301 |
                                         
                        



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