evolution

[athenasius]

What are the churches views on evolution?

 

[puzzleannie]

the Church does not typically take a position on matters being debated by science unless and until the contradict Catholic teaching on faith and morals.

 

[JacquesMaritain]

What are the churches views on evolution?

Hi Athenasius:

Have you had a look at the Catholic Answers article on this yet? It is here:

catholic.com/library/Adam_Eve_and_Evolution.asp

Basically, it says that if you believe in evolution, that’s fine, a long as you believe that it was guided by God. The article notes, “Concerning biological evolution, the Church does not have an official position on whether various life forms developed over the course of time. However, it says that, if they did develop, then they did so under the impetus and guidance of God, and their ultimate creation must be ascribed to him.”

As for human evolution, that’s ok too, so long as you concede to the special creation of the soul. Again, from the article, " Concerning human evolution, the Church has a more definite teaching. It allows for the possibility that man’s body developed from previous biological forms, under God’s guidance, but it insists on the special creation of his soul. Pope Pius XII declared that “the teaching authority of the Church does not forbid that, in conformity with the present state of human sciences and sacred theology, research and discussions . . . take place with regard to the doctrine of evolution, in as far as it inquires into the origin of the human body as coming from pre-existent and living matter—[but] the Catholic faith obliges us to hold that souls are immediately created by God” (Pius XII, Humani Generis 36). So whether the human body was specially created or developed, we are required to hold as a matter of Catholic faith that the human soul is specially created; it did not evolve, and it is not inherited from our parents, as our bodies are."

I hope this helps.

Jacques

 

[CountrySteve]

Hi Athenasius:

Have you had a look at the Catholic Answers article on this yet? It is here:

catholic.com/library/Adam_Eve_and_Evolution.asp

Basically, it says that if you believe in evolution, that’s fine, a long as you believe that it was guided by God. The article notes, “Concerning biological evolution, the Church does not have an official position on whether various life forms developed over the course of time. However, it says that, if they did develop, then they did so under the impetus and guidance of God, and their ultimate creation must be ascribed to him.”

As for human evolution, that’s ok too, so long as you concede to the special creation of the soul. Again, from the article, " Concerning human evolution, the Church has a more definite teaching. It allows for the possibility that man’s body developed from previous biological forms, under God’s guidance, but it insists on the special creation of his soul. Pope Pius XII declared that “the teaching authority of the Church does not forbid that, in conformity with the present state of human sciences and sacred theology, research and discussions . . . take place with regard to the doctrine of evolution, in as far as it inquires into the origin of the human body as coming from pre-existent and living matter—[but] the Catholic faith obliges us to hold that souls are immediately created by God” (Pius XII, Humani Generis 36). So whether the human body was specially created or developed, we are required to hold as a matter of Catholic faith that the human soul is specially created; it did not evolve, and it is not inherited from our parents, as our bodies are."

I hope this helps.

Jacques

as for human evolution how could that be cause God said he created man in his image when he took dust and created the body of man

 

[thistle]

as for human evolution how could that be cause God said he created man in his image when he took dust and created the body of man

D-R Bible, Haydock Commentary:

Ver. 26. Let us make man to our image. This image of God in man, is not in the body, but in the soul; which is a spiritual substance, endued with understanding and free-will. God speaketh here in the plural number, to insinuate the plurality of persons in the Deity. (Challoner) — Some of the ancient Jews maintained that God here addressed his council, the Angels; but is it probable that he should communicate to them the title of Creator, and a perfect similitude with himself? (Calmet) — Man is possessed of many prerogatives above all other creatures of this visible world: his soul gives him a sort of equality with the Angels; and though his body be taken from the earth, like the brutes, yet even here the beautiful construction, the head erect and looking towards heaven, &c. makes St. Augustine observe, an air of majesty in the human body, which raises man above all terrestrial animals, and brings him in some measure near to the Divinity. As Jesus assumed our human nature, we may assert, that we bear a resemblance to God both in soul and body. Tertullian (de Resur. 5.) says, “Thus that slime, putting on already the image of Christ, who would come in the flesh, was not only the work of God, but also a pledge.” (Haydock) See St. Bernard on Psalm xcix. (Worthington)