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Wisdom of Solomon
DAY 306 Evolution and Faith
CHALLENGE: “Faith and science are fundamentally opposed, as illustrated by Christians’ opposition to the theory of evolution.”
DEFENSE: The Catholic Church doesn’t have a problem with evolution.
Some Christians have read the early chapters of Genesis in a way that would preclude evolution, but the Church recognizes these chapters as using significant symbolism (see Days 90 and 290).
The statement God created man from the dust of the ground is understood as an affirmation that “the human person, created in the image of God, is a being at once corporeal and spiritual. The biblical account expresses this reality in symbolic language when it affirms that ‘then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being’ (Gen. 2:7)” (CCC 362).
Faith thus allows the view that the way God “formed man of the dust” was through a process of biological evolution, leading to the development of primates and eventually to man, whom God endowed with a soul. “If the origin of the human body comes through living matter which existed previously, the spiritual soul is created directly by God” (John Paul II, Message to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, October 22, 1996).
Consequently, the Church is able to express appreciation for the “many scientific studies which have splendidly enriched our knowledge of the age and dimensions of the cosmos, the development of life-forms and the appearance of man. These discoveries invite us to even greater admiration for the greatness of the Creator, prompting us to give him thanks for all his works and for the understanding and wisdom he gives to scholars and researchers” (CCC 283).
This doesn’t mean every version of the theory of evolution is compatible with the Faith. For example, one must recognize God as the Creator and Ruler of the universe, so the process of evolution would take place only as part of his providential plan.
On the other hand, the Church’s appreciation for scientific studies pointing to evolution doesn’t mean evolution is a doctrine of the Faith. Although the Church has concluded the biblical texts can be understood in a way compatible with evolution, beyond that the theory must stand or fall on its scientific merits, for it is a matter of science rather than faith.
Jimmy Akin, A Daily Defense: 365 Days (Plus One) to Becoming a Better Apologist
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