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The BioLogos Forum is designed to foster a serious and comprehensive discussion of Christian faith and the sciences. We believe that charitable engagement of different perspectives within the Church helps sharpen our thinking and deepen our commitment to the truth that is hidden in Christ. So while many of the articles and videos under the distinctive Forum banner come from BioLogos staff and Senior Fellows, we feature a range of voices, including those that disagree with us and with each other. Unless otherwise noted, views expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily of The BioLogos Foundation. You can read more about what we believe here, and join the conversation in the comments section at the end of each post.
Asa Gray and Charles Darwin Discuss Evolution and Design
Many Christians believe that they face a painful choice-- either life was designed by God or it is an evolutionary product of natural selection. Charles Darwin himself believed in this dichotomy, and people ever since have felt the need to "choose sides". However, looking back at history, we find that one of Darwin's chief scientific colleagues, Asa Gray, did not share this perspective. In this three-part essay, part 1 charts the relationship of Asa Gray and Charles Darwin. Part 2 describes Darwin's struggle with the problem of natural evil and design in nature, and part 3 explores how Asa Gray was able to embrace evolution without rejecting the idea of design.
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Asa Gray and Charles Darwin Discuss Evolution and Design, Part 1
If Thomas Huxley earned the title of "Darwin's bulldog," then Asa Gray should be remembered as "Darwin's dove." As a Christian firmly anchored in the faith of the Nicene Creed, as well as a professor of botany at Harvard University, Gray was one of the few members of the scientific community to whom Charles Darwin revealed his theory before the publication of Origin of Species in 1859.
Asa Gray and Charles Darwin, Part 2
How could an omniscient, omnipotent, benevolent God set up a process that led to a struggle for existence? Darwin expected that Design would be without suffering, teleology without agony, and purpose without pain.
Asa Gray and Charles Darwin, Part 3
Gray saw design providing the overall, general plan, but not requiring specific details. Thus he could accept the elimination of unfavorable variations in the same way he could accept that, for the elect, God could work through suffering.