Questions Categorized "Harmony"
The Harmony Questions address the compatibility of faith and modern science.
Can scientific and scriptural truth be reconciled?
Truth is an increasingly complex notion. Post-modern epistemology challenges the very possibility of even obtaining truth, with some philosophers going so far as to say that there is no such thing as truth to be obtained. Very few scientists, however, accept this pessimistic view.
What role could God have in evolution?
Given that evolution accounts for the diversity of present life (see here), it might seem as if God plays no role in the process. But our modern understanding of physical laws, combined with a proper understanding of God’s relationship to time, can be synthesized into a robust theistic worldview.
How does the Fall fit into evolutionary history? Were Adam and Eve historical figures?
The early chapters of Genesis lay the foundation for much of the Bible. Here we meet Adam and Eve, formed “from the dust of the earth. Can this account fit into BioLogos? How does the Fall fit into an evolutionary history?
Was there death before the Fall?
The Fall, found in Genesis 3, is a central part of Christian belief. But if BioLogos claims that God created life through evolution, then surely death occurred before the Fall. How then can BioLogos be compatible with scripture?
How should we interpret the Genesis flood account?
The Genesis Flood of Genesis 6-9 tells a fascinating story, sometimes referred to as “Noah and the Ark.” It is a common fundamentalist claim that the biblical flood must have been a worldwide one, or else Scripture as a whole is undermined.
At what point in the evolutionary process did humans attain the “Image of God”?
Most theologians argue that the Image of God is not reflected as a physical image, but rather as characteristics of the mind and soul. From the BioLogos perspective, God planned for humans to evolve to the point of attaining these characteristics.
Did evolution have to result in human beings?
Because evolution involves seemingly "random" mutations, it seems that the Earth could have been the home of a different assortment of creatures. But belief in a supernatural creator leaves the possibility that human beings were fully intended. An omniscient creator could also have created the Universe's natural laws so as to inevitably result in human beings.
Does the presence of chance in natural processes conflict with belief in God’s sovereignty?
In popular usage, chance often means “without purpose.” Thus some materialists have described evolution as proceeding by “blind, purposeless chance.” But to mathematicians, statisticians, and scientists, chance simply means non-determinacy.
Can evolution explain morality?
Coming soon ...
Over the past few decades, sociobiologists have begun applying Darwin’s theory to many aspects of human behavior, including altruism. If evolution selects only traits that promote reproductive success, then altruistic behaviors seem contrary to the underlying principle of evolution. Sociobiology and evolutionary models can account for some elements of altruism, but radical altruism poses additional challenges.
Can evolution explain religion?
Coming soon ...
Recently, attempts have been made to give a scientific explanation of religion itself. Of course, a comprehensive explanation would need to explain everything from the believer’s sense of God’s presence during prayer, to the actual origins of religious belief. And while the existence of God cannot be proven or disproven by the scientific method, scientific explanations for the development of religious belief may seem threatening to faith. This response will also consider whether an evolutionary explanation of religious belief is compatible with the BioLogos framework.