Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Abbreviations
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Creation According to Modern Science
- 3 Creation According to the Bible I: Genesis
- 4 Creation According to the Bible II: The Creation Motif
- 5 The Framework of Biblical Cration
- 6 Creator–creation: How can a Ralationship be Described?
- 7 The Fall
- 8 Suffering and Evil
- 9 Scientific Eschatology and New Creation
- 10 Conclusions
- Bibliography
- Index of Ancient Citations
- Index
8 - Suffering and Evil
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Abbreviations
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Creation According to Modern Science
- 3 Creation According to the Bible I: Genesis
- 4 Creation According to the Bible II: The Creation Motif
- 5 The Framework of Biblical Cration
- 6 Creator–creation: How can a Ralationship be Described?
- 7 The Fall
- 8 Suffering and Evil
- 9 Scientific Eschatology and New Creation
- 10 Conclusions
- Bibliography
- Index of Ancient Citations
- Index
Summary
THE PROBLEMS OF PAIN AND DEATH
In the previous chapter we observed that the idea of a historical Fall – fundamental to so much Christian thought on sin, death and salvation – is not only problematic from a scientific perspective, but also finds rather less support in the Bible than might be supposed. We now turn to consider whether a suitable evolutionary theology can be framed: one without strong reliance on a Fall but which nevertheless can answer the challenge of human evil and death, and of evolutionary suffering in the natural world.
A note is in order at this point. The theological response to sin and death which takes account of the evolutionary context is often known as “theistic evolution”. My own tendency is to speak instead of “evolutionary theologies” because, besides the fact that there is a plurality of such responses, they offer ways to understand God in the light of evolution rather than the reverse; that is, they are incorrigibly theological rather than biological. For that reason, I consider that the term “evolutionary theologies” is more transparent than “theistic evolution”.
The problems of pain and death are highly significant in forming a successful evolutionary theology. It is difficult to see the cosmos as the loving work of a munificent Creator who cares for every bird, lily and grass of the field (Mt. 6:26-31) when it is also haphazard, and impersonally disregarding of suffering; full of sickness, destruction and death.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Nature of CreationExamining the Bible and Science, pp. 147 - 160Publisher: Acumen PublishingPrint publication year: 2013