Evolution and the Fall

by William T. Cavanaugh (Editor), James K. A. Smith (Editor), Michael Gulker (Foreword by)

Overview

What does it mean for the Christian doctrine of the Fall if there was no historical Adam? If humanity emerged from nonhuman primates—as genetic, biological, and archaeological evidence seems to suggest—then what are the implications for a Christian understanding of human origins, including the origin of sin?

Evolution and the Fall gathers a multidisciplinary, ecumenical team of scholars to address these difficult questions and others like them from the perspectives of biology, theology, history, Scripture, philosophy, and politics

CONTRIBUTORS:

William T. Cavanaugh
Celia Deane-Drummond
Darrel R. Falk
Joel B. Green
Michael Gulker
Peter Harrison
J. Richard Middleton
Aaron Riches
James K. A. Smith
Brent Waters
Norman Wirzba

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802873798
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	02/19/2017
Pages:	261
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

William T. Cavanaugh is director of the Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology and professor of Catholic studies at DePaul University. His other books include Being Consumed and The Myth of Religious Violence.

James K. A. Smith is professor of philosophy at Calvin College, where he also holds the Byker Chair in Applied Reformed Theology and Worldview. His previous books include How (Not) to Be Secular and You Are What You Love.

Table of Contents

Foreword Michael Gulker viii

Acknowledgments x

Contributors xi

Introduction: Beyond Galileo to Chalcedon: Resources for Reimagining Evolution, Human Origins, and the Fall William T. Cavanaugh James K. A. Smith xv

I Mapping the Questions

1 Human Origins: The Scientific Story Darrel R. Falk 3

2 In Adam All Die?: Questions at the Boundary of Niche Construction, Community Evolution, and Original Sin Celia Deane-Drummond 23

3 What Stands on the Fall?: A Philosophical Exploration James K. A. Smith 48

II Biblical Studies and Theological Implications

4 Reading Genesis 3 Attentive to Human Evolution: Beyond Concordism and Non-Overlapping Magisteria J. Richard Middleton 67

5 "Adam, What Have You Done?": New Testament Voices on the Origins of Sin Joel B. Green 98

6 The Mystery of Adam: A Poetic Apology for the Traditional Doctrine Aaron Riches 117

III Beyond "Origins": Cultural Implications

7 Being All We Should Have Been and More: The Fall and the Quest for Perfection Brent Waters 139

8 On Learning to See a Fallen and Flourishing Creation: Alternate Ways of Looking at the World Norman Wirzba 156

IV Reimagining the Conversation: Faithful Ways Forward

9 The Fall of the Fall in Early Modern Political Theory: The Politics of Science William T. Cavanaugh 181

10 Is Science-Religion Conflict Always a Bad Thing?: Augustinian Reflections on Christianity and Evolution Peter Harrison 204

Index of Names 227

Index of Subjects 229

Editorial Reviews

John H. Walton
— Wheaton College
“I was stretched by this book and found myself sometimes arguing with it and at other times enthusiastically affirming it. We need to do more creative thinking about science, tradition, theology, and the Bible, and as the authors affirm, we have to do that as it has always been done when done well—as a community of God’s people seeking to be faithful interpreters. We will have to take risks, as the authors and editors of this volume do, even as we constrain ourselves to the fundamentals that must not be undervalued or dismissed. This book salted my thinking with new ideas and sailed into what, for me, were some uncharted waters. Such mind-stimulating and faith-affirming contributions should be welcomed for thorough sifting as we work together to address the issues that so desperately cry for our attention.”
 

From the Publisher