Evolutionary Literacy: A Prerequisite for Theological Education?

Author: Spencer, Daniel T.

Source: Worldviews: Global Religions, Culture, and Ecology, Volume 11, Number 1, 2007 , pp. 83-102(20)

Publisher: BRILL

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Abstract:

Scientific literacy in evolutionary theory and scientific methods should be a required component of graduate theological education in the United States, so that pastors and theologians may participate constructively in contemporary debates about religion and evolution. Four areas of deficiency in theological education that should be addressed include the need to (1) reintegrate scientific literacy back into theological education; (2) integrate the history of science and particularly evolution into Christian and church history courses; (3) engage in serious theological encounter with evolution; (4) integrate science into Christian ethics. I suggest that the following texts provide helpful resources for this project: Eugenie Scott's Evolution and Creationism: An Introduction; Edward Larson's Evolution: The Remarkable History of a Scientific Theory; Ted Peters and Martinez Hewlitt's Evolution from Creation to New Creation: Conflict, Conversation, and Convergence; and the work of the Center for Process Studies and John Cobb, Jr in engaging process theology with evolution.

Keywords: EVOLUTION; THEOLOGY; CREATIONISM; INTELLIGENT DESIGN; THEISTIC EVOLUTION

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/156853507X173513

Affiliations: 1: Environmental Studies, Rankin Hall, The University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812, USA

Publication date: 2007-03-01