"But what then to do with the problem of evolution within Christianity today? Ultimately, instead of seeing this as a science vs religion issue, the solution might be found within religion itself. The problem for literalists and non-literalists is their approach to the Bible. "
Dear Aaron Adair, Your question is the right question, but the answer is so startling that it will be initially difficult for any Christian or Jew to accept. If you start at the beginning you have to be willing to accept that Genesis was not written by Moses who could not possibly know how the world was created. That's the first hurdle, but for an objective scholar such as yourself, who can get over that hurdle, you have to admit that the biblical author(s) were not around when the earth was created, so the creation account must be theological. The most important part of the creation account is the fall of Adam and Eve. Their transition to the knowledge of good and evil is the Darwinian evolution from instinctive behavior to self consciousness. What else does the knowledge of good and evil entail but the ability to consciously choose from among many behavioral alternatives?
You quoted from the last sentence of Darwin's On the Origin of Species. Darwin was a lapsed seminarian who abandoned religion when his beloved daughter passed away, but he knew the Bible as well as any religious man, and in chapter 1 of the Origin of Species titled “Variation under Domestication” under the heading “Principles of Selection Anciently Followed and Their Effects,” Darwin makes the following remark: "From passages in Genesis, it is clear that the colour of domestic animals was at that early period attended to." Darwin, ironically, provides the key to understanding the allegories of Genesis. You may recall immediately that it is Jacob who breeds his separated flocks stronger while breeding Laban's flocks weaker and you may also remember Jacob's preference for Rachel over "dull-eyed" Leah. You may want to go to chapter 29, reread Jacob's story and discover the correct exegesis of the allegory of the 'elder serving the younger' yourself and enjoy the thrill of discovery that I enjoyed after seeing Darwin's remark or you can google: 'The Book of Genesis from a Darwinian Perspective' and read it.
After doing that, you can tackle the allegories of NT Christianity, which will be another huge hurdle for people to accept.
Thank you for considering my suggestion,
Richard Faussette
NYC
"But what then to do with the problem of evolution within Christianity today? Ultimately, instead of seeing this as a science vs religion issue, the solution might be found within religion itself. The problem for literalists and non-literalists is their approach to the Bible. "
Dear Aaron Adair, Your question is the right question, but the answer is so startling that it will be initially difficult for any Christian or Jew to accept. If you start at the beginning you have to be willing to accept that Genesis was not written by Moses who could not possibly know how the world was created. That's the first hurdle, but for an objective scholar such as yourself, who can get over that hurdle, you have to admit that the biblical author(s) were not around when the earth was created, so the creation account must be theological. The most important part of the creation account is the fall of Adam and Eve. Their transition to the knowledge of good and evil is the Darwinian evolution from instinctive behavior to self consciousness. What else does the knowledge of good and evil entail but the ability to consciously choose from among many behavioral alternatives?
You quoted from the last sentence of Darwin's On the Origin of Species. Darwin was a lapsed seminarian who abandoned religion when his beloved daughter passed away, but he knew the Bible as well as any religious man, and in chapter 1 of the Origin of Species titled “Variation under Domestication” under the heading “Principles of Selection Anciently Followed and Their Effects,” Darwin makes the following remark: "From passages in Genesis, it is clear that the colour of domestic animals was at that early period attended to." Darwin, ironically, provides the key to understanding the allegories of Genesis. You may recall immediately that it is Jacob who breeds his separated flocks stronger while breeding Laban's flocks weaker and you may also remember Jacob's preference for Rachel over "dull-eyed" Leah. You may want to go to chapter 29, reread Jacob's story and discover the correct exegesis of the allegory of the 'elder serving the younger' yourself and enjoy the thrill of discovery that I enjoyed after seeing Darwin's remark or you can google: 'The Book of Genesis from a Darwinian Perspective' and read it.
After doing that, you can tackle the allegories of NT Christianity, which will be another huge hurdle for people to accept.
Thank you for considering my suggestion,
Richard Faussette
NYC