Genesis and Evolution Theory

[ConfusedTim]

I have read that the Catholic Church is not anti evolution theory. However, if this is the case where does that leave Adam and Eve and original sin? Can you hold a belief in Adam and Eve as well as evolution? If so how does it work in practice i.e.at what stage in evolution did the original sin occur?

 

[Orogeny]

I have read that the Catholic Church is not anti evolution theory. However, if this is the case where does that leave Adam and Eve and original sin? Can you hold a belief in Adam and Eve as well as evolution? If so how does it work in practice i.e.at what stage in evolution did the original sin occur?

Good questions. You won’t find any definitive answers to these because the Church has not spoken specifically about how the two concepts (evolution and original sin) work together.

Several of us on the Catholic Answers forum accept evolution and Adam and Eve/original sin. I have my way of thinking, but since the Church has not definitively taught on the subject, my way may not ultimately be the correct way. Bottom line is that we don’t know absolutely how the two mix, but we know that evolution happens and we know that original sin exists. There has to be a way the two interacted at the beginning of human history.

Peace

(not confused) Tim

 

[reggieM]

I have read that the Catholic Church is not anti evolution theory. However, if this is the case where does that leave Adam and Eve and original sin? Can you hold a belief in Adam and Eve as well as evolution? If so how does it work in practice i.e.at what stage in evolution did the original sin occur?

It depends on what you mean by “evolution theory”. The Catholic Church is opposed to “several” evolutionary therories which are incompatible with the faith.

“the Holy Father’s message acknowledges that there are “several theories of evolution” that are “materialist, reductionist and spiritualist” and thus incompatible with the Catholic faith … the message of Pope John Paul II cannot be read as a blanket approbation of all theories of evolution”
bringyou.to/apologetics/p80.htm

 

[ConfusedTim]

Several of us on the Catholic Answers forum accept evolution and Adam and Eve/original sin. I have my way of thinking, but since the Church has not definitively taught on the subject, my way may not ultimately be the correct way.

I would be interested in hearing any possible explanations that you may have, even if they are not official church teaching. I have racked my brains and cant come up with anything remotely plausible. I want to have the knowledge that somebody knows

Thanks

 

[ConfusedTim]

Did more homework and found this article which goes some way to providing an explanation for anyone who is interested

americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=1205

 

[Orogeny]

I would be interested in hearing any possible explanations that you may have, even if they are not official church teaching. I have racked my brains and cant come up with anything remotely plausible. I want to have the knowledge that somebody knows

Thanks

I think Adam and Eve were real people. They were the first two ensouled by God. Biologically, they had many equals, but the other hominids didn’t have immortal souls.

Their decision to disobey God was the original sin. At that point, either God began ensouling others or, as Adam and Eve began reproducing and their children began reproducing with others, each newborn had an immortal soul and were truly human.

I don’t know how it all worked, but the evidence of our evolution is clear and I believe that original sin exists. If both are true as I believe, then there is an explanation.

Peace

Tim

 

[mchale]

I have read that the Catholic Church is not anti evolution theory. However, if this is the case where does that leave Adam and Eve and original sin? Can you hold a belief in Adam and Eve as well as evolution? If so how does it work in practice i.e.at what stage in evolution did the original sin occur?

Tim,
The short answer is, yes you can hold a belief in Adam and Eve as well as evolution . I certainly do

I think what you are more interested in is how the two can be reconciled.

The first thing that should be considered is that many people tend to mistake the Theory of Evolution, which describes the mechanisms of how animals changed over time and how the physical structures of the human species developed with the materialistic philosophy that many (but by no means all) scientists hold. My one personal belief is that Evolution is the mechanism God used to develop bodies that were suitable for us. The process may have appeared random, but only because we are unable to directly see God’s role in that process.

Now as to the question of the Fall; there are two possible approaches, that I can think of. I don’t strongly hold either one, but rather consider both to be possibilities.

The first is, as another poster described, a situation where Adam and Eve (or at least some small group of early humans) were given souls and then committed sins. Their ancestors thus inherited that sin.

The other possibility is that Adam and Eve’s sin was not an historical event. I.e., it happened, but not inside what we would recognize our Universe or Time. If that is the case, this Universe may well have been created as a place that man has been exiled to while Salvation History is worked out by God. I tend to like this version myself because it allows for the introduction of Death, the exile from the Garden, and it can explain why our World can be so inhospitable at times.

–
Bill

 

[SkinnyJay]

This is more about the Argument for the existence of a God but I think it’s important to note a couple of the points made. From Peter Kreeft’s writing:

But doesn’t evolution explain everything without a divine Designer? Just the opposite; evolution is a beautiful example of design, a great clue to God. There is very good scientific evidence for the evolving, ordered appearance of species, from simple to complex. But there is no scientific proof of natural selection as the mechanism of evolution, Natural selection “explains” the emergence of higher forms without intelligent design by the survival-of-the-fittest principle. But this is sheer theory. There is no evidence that abstract, theoretical thinking or altruistic love make it easier for man to survive. How did they evolve then?

Even Evolution has flaws in the way we understand it. We, Catholics, as well as secular scientists are waiting for more data. I have never really thought that much about how Gen and Evo connect I will have to think and read more about this.