To what extent can naturalistic explanations of the origin of human life be reconciled by Christians to the Genesis narrative? (Last slide not really part of an answer to this question although it is an SQA answer)

Can be reconciled –Theistic Evolution Genesis as myth (Bultmann) Need to demythologise Genesis tells about God, human condition, metaphysical questions about origins, meaning etc De Chardin – evolution continues until man reaches omega point – ultimate moral and spiritual perfection Intelligent Design argument – Behe – idea of irreducible complexity – has to be a point when that object had to be designed that way

Cannot be reconciled - Historical creationism Objective science supports Genesis Biblical account of creation is factual Evolution is not proven scientifically and contradicts literal reading of Genesis All living things were made by direct acts of God in 6 days Biological changes since then have only been within species Fossil record shows there have been no intermediate stages Only 2 overall processes in universe – conservation and decay

Naturalistic response to Genesis account of the origin of life Only claims to truth must be scientific claims - Dawkins / Russell Evolution fully explains origins of human life Death is the result not of sin but evolution Evolution removes need for God Scientific method is only route to reliable knowledge