Can a Christian believe in Evolution and still be a Christian?

Question

Or any scientific explanation of the origins of the universe and life? I know, this question has been asked a billion times here already. But I want to hear from the devout Christians who also believe in Evolution.

This question is for Christians. What are some stereotypes and misimpressions that people have about your religion? Do you feel that members of your religion contribute to these negative stereotypes in any way?

Sincere answers only, no Christian-bashing. I am trying to get past my own negative stereotypes and prejudices, and I will be asking a series of questions like this. Some of them may sound silly. These are sincere questions, not intended to offend, but to help me get past my own stumbling-blocks. I'm not looking to convert, just to understand.

Answer 1

Yes, evolution explains how we came to be but it doesn't explain why. That is where God comes into play.

Answer 2

I am a Christian and I accept the scientific theory of evolution to a degree:

in that I believe that there definitely was a Big Bang when the Lord created the earth. But I do not think it is possible for an entire world with life abundant to just "spring" into existence on it's own volition.
I think that science has given excellent testing to the "mechanics" of God's creation.

Answer 3

Yes, they can but I do not believe in Evolution.

Non-Christians ASSUME we are uneducated, follow the leader type of people. I have a science degree, I am a Dental Hygienist and have studied Evolution and it's a crock. SO many holes. When I took the time to study Creation Science it made total sense. I was a Christian at one time and didn't believe in; Noah's Ark, Jonah and the big fish, a 7 day creation by God UNTIL i searched and studied.

Now I know them to be the truth.

And yes some Christians contribute to the negative stereotypes God bless 'em. I met one man who thought fossils were put here by Satan-dumb.

Also I take little notice what the Roman Cath. church teaches, they are not my mediator to God, Jesus is.

†

Answer 4

Frater, Christianity has been around for 2000 years. Creationism in opposition to science has only been a mass movement since the 1980s, and evn then only amongst a small but very vocal group of Americans. It was not even on the radar when I went to a Christian school in the 1970s in Australia. If there were such a thing as Creationists then they would have been laughed at. They certainy would have failed science, as taught by Christians who had a bit of intellectual integrity.

Some American christians are stuck in a fad. Learn some history and geography, and you won't get so hung up on the idiocy which spews out of TV sets and moron internet sites. There's a bigger world out there. Proper science is part of it.

Sheesh. Thanks for the opportunity to rant.

Answer 5

I think so- Jesus didn't really speak on the subject. He cared more about how we interact with each other in everyday life than the origins of the universe, I believe.

The real issue people have is can you believe some of the bible, but not all of it. That's where people may attack one's sincerity of faith. I am of the Thomas Jefferson camp where the other stuff is interesting, but I'm most interested in the teachings of Christ and the way I live my life according to those teachings.

Answer 6

I don't believe that mankind came from ape-like ancestors but the Bible doesn't teach that someone is or is not a Christian based upon their views of how to interpret Genesis 1. Here's a link that you would profit from checking out where a Christian who has investigated how to interpret Genesis 1 and how to reconcile God's truth with what science seems to tell us is also true.

http://www.christianity.co.nz/science.htm

On the right side you can go to different chapters of the book and you might find something very interesting when you consider the 4th possible interpretation of Genesis 1.

What does Genesis 1 really teach? http://www.christianity.co.nz/science7.htm

Answer 7

I believe that the Theory of Evolution can be correct. However, I don't think that the theory explains specifically how life on this particular planet came about.

The process of evolution is like a roulette wheel, we know a lot about roulette wheels but we know nothing about who is going to win. Random chance is an essential part of evolution and the tendency is to substitute "chance" or "coincidence" for acts of God. Chance means a gap in our knowledge or ignorance of how something came about. To say something happened by chance is like saying it happened by ignorance. Ignorance is not a causal agent.

Evolution does not explain how we came to be here any more than we can explain how a particular roulette player came to be a winner. We can say the roulette player came to be a winner by way of a roulette wheel and that's it.

In order to be good science, the theory (and all scientific theories) must be stated so that it it doesn't imply guidance from God nor must it imply no guidance from God.

Answer 8

Please look at this to see how God's Word is truth.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ApMXtBKTa_fUUNmjFtpE7H_ty6IX?qid=20070804163818AAZH8TS

I believe Creation is truth and it is supported by scientific fact.
http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/IntheBeginningTOC.html

Evolution on the other hand is an unproven theory which scientists have continuously found fault with. It is taught in public schools as fact when it is just some persons idea or theory that many are trying to make true.

Answer 9

if it works for the pope (and probably most clergy of varying denominations as well), why shouldn't it work for you?
I've known priests who had not problem with evolutionary theory at all, and they were not excommunicated or whatever...
I Galileo's time you apparently couldn't be a good christian and not believe that the earth is the center of the universe. I bet you don't have any problems with that. Why not? But then why should you?

Answer 10

Evolution and the Big Bang only speaks against a literal reading of Genesis. Most Christians in the world accept it now. The Catholic church all but endorses it in their official position: http://www.catholic.com/library/Adam_Eve_and_Evolution.asp

Answer 11

sure! that's if you've never read Genesis 1.
qualifications of a Christian:
1) born again
2) living by the word (once possible)

if you believe the Word is a mere invention of man or is inaccurate, you are not living by the Word of God.

don't get me wrong, I understand evolution and the big bang. I just don't think that's what happened.