Darwin and Contemporary Theology

Author: Haught, John F.¹

Source: World Views: Global Religions, Culture, and Ecology, Volume 11, Number 1, 2007 , pp. 44-57(14)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

Darwin's "dangerous idea" challenges religious trust in a providential God, that is, one who influences and eternally cares for the world. Our religious ancestors had no knowledge of biological evolution, although they were certainly aware of the suffering of humans and other living beings. Evolutionary science vastly extends the story of life and life's suffering (and creativity as well) beyond those of traditional theological awareness. In what sense, then, after Darwin, might the doctrine of divine providence still be credible, if at all? Is it perhaps possible that evolutionary portraits of life may open up fresh ways of thinking about divine providence?

Keywords: PROVIDENCE; NEO-DARWINISM; INTELLIGENT DESIGN; NATURAL THEOLOGY; CONTINGENCY

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1163/156853507X173496

Affiliations: 1: Georgetown University eology Department, 120 New North—37th and O Sts. NW—Washington, DC 20057, USA

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