Table Of ContentEvolution, Chance, and God
Evolution, Chance, and God
Understanding the Relationship between
Evolution and Religion
Brendan Sweetman
Bloomsbury Academic
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First published 2015
© Brendan Sweetman, 2015
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Sweetman, Brendan.
Evolution, chance, and God : understanding the relationship
between evolution and religion / Brendan Sweetman.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-62892-985-0 (hardback : alk. paper) –
ISBN 978-1-62892-984-3 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Evolution (Biology)–Religious
aspects–Christianity. 2. Creationism. 3. Evolution. I. Title.
BS651.S888 2015
215'.7–dc23
2015011137
ISBN: HB: 978-1-6289-2985-0
PB: 978-1-6289-2984-3
ePub: 978-1-6289-2986-7
ePDF: 978-1-6289-2987-4
Typeset by Integra Software Services Pvt. Ltd.
In memory of my grandparents
Nicholas and Esther Fagan
Contents
1 Introduction: Evolution and Religion Today 1
How to approach the topic of evolution and religion 2
Evolution and contemporary culture 12
The compatibility of religion and evolution 14
The dialogue model 18
A philosophical approach 21
2 The Theory of Evolution 27
Three important questions to ask about the theory of evolution 27
Some preliminary points about science and the scientific method 28
Historical background to evolution 33
The theory of evolution: Key concepts 37
Illustrations of natural selection: Finches and bacteria 41
Microevolution and macroevolution 44
Timeline of evolution 46
3 Evolution and the Evidence: Questions and Answers 49
Two kinds of natural selection: Is the evidence convincing? 50
What is the evidence for common descent? 59
Is the DNA evidence for macroevolution persuasive? 61
A problem for evolution? 64
Is evolution only a theory? 66
Can evolution be falsified? 70
4 Evolution: Reactions and Implications 75
Overview of some reactions to evolution 75
Is evolution an ideology? 82
Are there different types of evolution? 85
The implications of evolution 89
viii Contents
5 Evolution, Chance, and Determinism 99
Necessity and contingency 99
Chance, and the random nature of evolution 101
What does chance mean? 106
The meaning of randomness 109
Determinism and chance in the universe 113
6 Chance and Randomness in Evolution 123
Evolution, determinism, and the absence of chance 123
Replaying the tape of life 130
Chance and probability 135
Chance and quantum mechanics 141
Is evolution progressive? 145
7 How Does God Act? The Compatibility of Religion and Evolution 149
Ultimate origins: An argument against naturalism 150
Do we come from stardust? 156
Divine action in the universe 160
What is God’s role in evolution? 165
Could chance be part of nature after all? 171
8 Evolution and Design, and the Challenges of Evil and Morality 177
Design and chance 177
Design in the universe 183
Intelligent Design theory 187
Determinism and the question of evil 191
Evolution, naturalism, and morality 200
The significance of free will and moral agency 207
Notes 210
Further Reading 224
Index 230
1
Introduction: Evolution and
Religion Today
Few topics concerning the general worldview of religious belief today, and
especially in its relationship and interaction with science, have caused as
much controversy as the topic of the relationship between religion and
evolution. One only has to mention the topic in the appropriate circles
to start an often contentious, sometimes unsettling, and yes, frequently
heated argument. It also seems that everyone has an opinion on this topic,
and, more often than not, that these opinions are strongly held, and their
advocates are not usually willing to give much ground to those with whom
they disagree! Unfortunately, many people adopt an entrenched position on
the subject, so that there is frequently little room for informed discussion
and exploration of what is a quite fascinating, but also very complex, topic.
It is regrettable that there is little place in the contemporary discussion for
exploring carefully and responsibly the major questions and issues involved,
and their various implications for matters in religion, philosophy, ethics,
science, education, and culture. The topic of religion and evolution has
proved to be multifaceted, with many different themes, emphases, and
perspectives, so that it becomes necessary to bring a clarity and logical order
to the topic before one can begin to develop an informed view of the overall
subject matter. Unfortunately, our conversation today concerning religion
and evolution is frequently uninformed, especially in the public square; in
addition, it is often contentious, and suffused with political implications,
even agendas and ideologies, that make it difficult to bring discipline,
insight, and knowledge to our thinking about this vitally important cluster
of issues.
As well as attempting to introduce the general, educated reader to the
main concepts, themes, and arguments of the discussion concerning religion
and evolution, informed by the main perspectives in the contemporary
debate, this book will consider the implications that evolution raises for
philosophy, religion, and morality, and explore various ways in which
evolution and religion might be compatible. It will explain the theory of
evolution and the evidence for the theory, and will address a number of
