Darwin & Forgiveness
I remember growing up with such a beautiful theology, God was good, life was meaningful, and the world seemed infused with His presence.
Then I reached high school. In one of our private school morning devotions. we had a visiting speaker present the Big Bang Theory and Darwin's theory of Evolution by Natural Selection. I could see how this really did a number on our wonderful, solid, Mennonite Christian teachers as they all adjusted their theology to include this new theory. But when I looked at the scientific explanations, I didn’t see natural selection – I saw the notes of a creative God improving on His creations – until he formed man from dust “and it was good.” And then He improved on even that and created Eve - and it was perfect. ":)
Yet my childhood faith was challenged, and from that point on it often felt as though science and faith were engaged in a constant battle—and science seemed to be winning. Not in my life - but in the world. I felt slightly diminished, I felt science was laughing at my naive faith in a loving God.
Years later, during the decade-long journey through the trial of Candace’s murder – we learned all about the DNA science. Again and again, I encountered evidence that pointed toward God. I saw traces of His creative genius that put him way ahead of science - not behind.
That is why I was so fascinated to discover this new scientific research connecting forgiveness and revenge. I had always thought of forgiveness primarily in spiritual terms, perhaps psychological terms, and more recently even through the lens of addiction. But to see forgiveness studied scientifically as the antidote to the destructive cycle of revenge felt profound.
It was as though two worlds that had long seemed divided were finally meeting. Not because faith had defeated science, or science had defeated faith, but because they were speaking the same truths but using a different language.
This is rich…..
Thank you, God, for this good life and forgive us if we do not love it enough. Garrison Keillor
Photo by: Cliff Derksen
Then I reached high school. In one of our private school morning devotions. we had a visiting speaker present the Big Bang Theory and Darwin's theory of Evolution by Natural Selection. I could see how this really did a number on our wonderful, solid, Mennonite Christian teachers as they all adjusted their theology to include this new theory. But when I looked at the scientific explanations, I didn’t see natural selection – I saw the notes of a creative God improving on His creations – until he formed man from dust “and it was good.” And then He improved on even that and created Eve - and it was perfect. ":)
Yet my childhood faith was challenged, and from that point on it often felt as though science and faith were engaged in a constant battle—and science seemed to be winning. Not in my life - but in the world. I felt slightly diminished, I felt science was laughing at my naive faith in a loving God.
Years later, during the decade-long journey through the trial of Candace’s murder – we learned all about the DNA science. Again and again, I encountered evidence that pointed toward God. I saw traces of His creative genius that put him way ahead of science - not behind.
That is why I was so fascinated to discover this new scientific research connecting forgiveness and revenge. I had always thought of forgiveness primarily in spiritual terms, perhaps psychological terms, and more recently even through the lens of addiction. But to see forgiveness studied scientifically as the antidote to the destructive cycle of revenge felt profound.
It was as though two worlds that had long seemed divided were finally meeting. Not because faith had defeated science, or science had defeated faith, but because they were speaking the same truths but using a different language.
This is rich…..
Thank you, God, for this good life and forgive us if we do not love it enough. Garrison Keillor
Photo by: Cliff Derksen
RSS Feed
