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To: ohioWfan
But doesn't a theistic evolutionist need something less abstract than that?

Not at all. Theology is, by its very nature, abstract. It deals with the supernatural--something which is outside the realm of science. So why would the theistic part of a "theistic evolutionist"'s outlook require anything more concrete than theology can provide?

If you are trying to make evolution fit into some kind of theology, surely you would have more than "I imagine God did it" as an argument.

These address two diffenent things. Science deals with the natural; theology with the supernatural. Science is based on facts, theories, analysis, etc. Theology is based on faith. "I imagine God did it" is a weak statement of faith, but it is a statement of faith.

This homonid/homo sapiens evolving person had to have suddenly had not only a soul, but the ability to think and reason and create. I am asking who was first, and how did it happen......or should I say what are the theories for how it happened.

I would say that the first ensoulment is a question of faith. I couldn't say with certainty, because, again, it is theology, which doesn't lend itself to concrete proofs, but is subject to faith. (And because souls don't fossilize.)

I think a reasonable conclusion is that the first creature to understand the difference between good and evil was ensouled. If you ask the theistic evolutionist who that creature was, the answer is, I'm sure, that it is something you have to ask God.

If we throw out the Genesis version as merely allegory, we should have a viable substitute, shouldn't we?

No. And who said anything about "throw[ing] out Genesis"?? When I said it is an allegory, that does not mean it is a fairy tale or is without value. I mean that it can be seen as being a symbolic representation. (In a real sense every written work is allegorical, by its very nature. The word "bus" isn't a bus.)

Genesis says, through the allegorical device, that God created the world and is the source of life, that man's nature is sinful,imperfect, and in need of salvation. Genesis should be important because of the literal science it purports to portray, but because of the theological truths about the nature of God and man which it contains.

317 posted on 01/26/2005 11:38:16 AM PST by WildHorseCrash
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To: WildHorseCrash
That was a very reasoned response, and I have read it and will think about it further.

However, I will not take the time to respond because of other elements on this thread which are forcing me to leave before I say things I will regret.

Thank you for some 'food for thought.'

331 posted on 01/26/2005 11:51:55 AM PST by ohioWfan (Have you PRAYED for your President today?)
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