Evolution

[93 Phillies]

It is hard to deny that humans, like all creatures have been evolving since life began on Earth. The temperature of the Earth, combined with certain gases reacting, blah blah blah, there are lipids, then single celled organisms, and after billions of years we have homo sapiens as well as countless other species of life.

Here is the question I have been thinking about as a Christian. Since human beings are supposedly set apart from other creatures, at what point in evolution did this happen? If we say that, at a certain point, God declares man divine and gives him a soul, then this means that the first person to be given a soul had soulless parents. That just doesn't sound right to me. What do you think?

[N/A Gone]

I am not an authority by any means.I am not speaking "for the church" but I do not see how this issue matters in soteriology.


But are you asking about theistic evolution? If so, couldnt man be a monkey that God turns into a human when he breaths into him? Adam would in fact be the first human as the first monkey receiving a soul. Im not saying I buy it, but that is the classic response by a theistic evolutionist. someting I know as a proto, but dont know whrre the church stands on.

also, I dont know your science background, but unless someone is completelty bias it is impossible to swallow macro evolution with an education in elementary genetics. Try me on it if you want, it could be fun..

ok, let the scholars speak..


btw, good to see you on here still...stay around and play, dont just use it as google.

Edited November 27, 2006 by Revprodeji

[DAF]

I would reject your premise that man is 'divine' first. I understand what you're saying, but be careful with terminology.

NOTE: THIS RESPONSE TENDS TOWARD THE NOTION OF THEISTIC EVOLUTION
Second, I don't really see a problem with the idea. It would simply mean that the first truly 'human' human being(s) (who we know as Adam and Eve), didn't have parents that fit the definition of 'human' (that is, having a soul). That just means that they had been the first step in the chain of true humanity. They had simply evolved just enough to qualify as human ([and] to have a soul), and not what their ancestors had been. I think this would be the 'missing link.'

I don't think having an image of people today is accurate. For example, imagining that you were the first 'human' that posessed a soul, and imagining that your mom and dad today had no soul. It's the same thing I guess, but there are the familial strings that come with imagining that, that I don't think would have applied in the same way to Adam and Eve.

That's just the response that springs to my mind, I'm sure there's a much better one here somewhere.

Edited November 27, 2006 by DAF

[93 Phillies]

I'm basically just asking what your opinion of evolution is. My knowledge of genetics is limited to high school biology which I took about six or seven years ago.

I'm stuggling with this issue right now, and I thought it'd be interesting to hear what other Catholics think.

[N/A Gone]

Let me know what you are struggling with. vunerability in admitting you are struggling with an issue is a beautiful thing (*trust me, I know) I have some education in genetics. I was considering med school before I decided to accept a theology scholarship. So perhaps I could help a little

Daf, for the sake of clarity with 93, could you show what is your view, and what the church believes. I am not saying you are speaking against the church, but to my understanding the Church is relatively open in this debate.

[93 Phillies]

Well to respond to your earlier edit, I feel that my knowledge on religious things is extremely limited compared to the people posting on here. I feel almost embarassed to give my opinion here which is why I've mostly just been asking questions.

About evolution, I understand only the basics of it, and I've been thinking a lot about the soul, the creation of the soul, and when mankind was first given a soul. The concept of time really confuses all of this, because I believe time is a human dimension which God transcends.

Another question I have which makes this a slightly more complicated is this: If mankind spread the earth and did not travel to other regions of the world and intermarry, would each respective region have people which evolved into almost different species from one another? Like different breeds of dogs, horses, cats, etc.?

[93 Phillies]

Well my views are constantly forming. I like to keep my mind as open as possible. In my high school days, I just believed whatever the Church said. I realized at a certain point, that this was ridiculous, and I wanted to form my own opinions. Over the past few years, I've been doing a lot of free thinking in my head. What's the point of devoting your life to God if you only do it because you were raised that way.

I figured it would mean a lot more to me and to God, if I can come to have faith in Him in my own way.

[thessalonian]

Be sure your own way is guided by the Church and give the answers time take form based on facts.

[phatcatholic]

check out Christoph Cardinal Schönborn's 6-part catechesis on creation and evolution:
[url="http://www.ewtn.com/library/Theology/schonevoind.HTM"]http://www.ewtn.com/library/Theology/schonevoind.HTM[/url]

it should answer all of your questions

[N/A Gone]

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