Pastor's ponderings: Debating evolution and the Bible

Question: Is there room for belief in God with belief in the concept of evolution?

Response: Yes! But whoa, such brevity does not a column make. Let me expand on my reply. For me, it is a very simple thing to make a faith assertion: God chose to use evolution as the process or method for bringing the earth's species into being. Can I prove it as I might prove 2 + 2 = 4?

No, I cannot. Can you prove God did not choose an evolutionary method? Probably, we could debate the matter until after the cows have come home, and still not resolve it one way or another.

Bill Sanford -

Much of the disagreement people have about this question can be traced back to the views they have about the Bible. Some observe that the Bible does not say God used evolution in his role as creator. Strict literalists might argue that God spoke things into existence over a span of six days. "And God said ... " ( See Genesis, chapter 1).

There are other folks, however, who might say, "Wait just a minute. There's been a huge increase in human knowledge since the Bible came into being. We must not dismiss things simply because they aren't recorded in scripture. Think of various fields of knowledge -- anatomy, anthropology, astronomy, botany, chemistry, physics, psychology and on through zoology. We must engage all these fields."

One of the things that has long interested me about the evolution debate is this: Why do some people get so worked up about it?

We have, it appears to me, plenty of challenges to deal with given things as they are. It seems to me that we should be present and future-oriented. We should use the time and talents God has given us to improve conditions for the people occupying the planet. According to John 10:10, Jesus said: "I have come in order that you might have life -- life in all its fullness."

I say let's join Jesus on that splendid mission. Let's pour our energies into creating a better future. Let the past take care of itself.

I said earlier that people's different views on this matter usually derive from their different ways of interpreting the Bible. I am reluctant to refer, perhaps overmuch, to my own denominational heritage. Still, I think readers may find interesting the Methodist approach to Bible interpretation. It is officially spelled out in the Methodist's Book of Discipline. There we read about what is sometimes referred to as the Wesleyan (named for John Wesley) quadrilateral. By that is meant that we should take four things into account. The first is scripture and that is declared primary. But along with Scripture we are advised to take into account tradition, experience, and reason. What do these terms mean in the present context? Let me attempt brief explanations, relying largely on the Book of Discipline.

Tradition. In discussing this topic, the Discipline declares in part: "Christianity does not leap from New Testament times to the present as though nothing were to be learned from that great cloud of witnesses in between. For centuries Christians have sought to interpret the truth of the gospel for their time." Take some notice is the counsel.

Experience. "Our experience interacts with scripture. We read scripture in light of the conditions and events that help shape who we are and we interpret our experience in terms of Scripture."

Reason. "... we also believe that any disciplined theological work calls for the careful use of reason."

And at length there comes the summation: "These four sources ... guide our quest as United Methodists for a vital and appropriate Christian witness."

So, when most any concern arises, including what we should believe regarding the theory of evolution, Methodists are advised to bring into consideration Scripture, Tradition, Experience and Reason. I have observed Methodists doing this and still coming out at different places, but I think the approach has merit.

Do I have a column yet? For your sake and for mine, I hope so.

Bill Sanford is a retired pastor living in Atwater. He can be reached at wjsanford@sbcglobal.net.