Theistic evolution is basically saying that God’s creative processes include “creation by evolution”.
Tommy, it is difficult to answer as you would wish, as the Catholic official teachings do seek to understand the bible in context of science and reality in a deeper sense than you are accustomed to. It may not help you much but perhaps may give some small idea of how you can reconcile scripture to the real world and scientific evidence.
It may be difficult to be absolutely literal about everything in the bibe, eg, Jesus wan’t literally “the Good Shepherd” for instance, in spirit He was, but not literally. Nor was he literally a Vine, and we the branches, as He claimed…Once again, a spiritual truth not a literal fact. I hope this doesn’t faze you.
It’s nearly 1 a.m. here in Australia so I haven’t thought out how to explain the quotes below in clearer language. I should be asleep! Could someone read these words and put them in plainer language for Tommy? Or do you get what these quotes are saying, Tommy. I should get to sleep but I wanted to do this bit of research for you.
The Catholic Catechism: Imprimatur Cardinal Ratzinger( Pope Benedict.)
***Article 283 "The question about the origins of the world and of man has been the object of many scientific studies which have splendidly enriched our knowledge of the age and the dimensions of the cosmos, the development of lifeforms 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. With Soloman they can say: “it is he who gave me the unerring knowledge of what exists, to know the structure of the world and the activity of the elements…”
"284 The great interest accorded to these studies is strongly stimulated by a question of another order, which goes beyond the proper domain of the natural sciences. It is not only a question of knowing when and how the universe arose physically, or when men appeared, but rather of discovering the meaning of such and origin: is the universe governed by chance, blind fate, anonymous necessity, or by a transcendent, intelligent and good Being called “God”? …***
It is a pity that people become trapped with words that are translations of translations from long age cultures where “day” means “period of time.” When humanity reached the point of evolution that God put eternal souls into them, shared His Spirit with them, this was when humankind became of central value in creation.
*"The literal sense of a passage of scripture"is not always as obvious in the speeches and writings of the ancient authors of the East as it is in the works of our own time…the interpreter must, as it were, go back wholy in spirit to those remote centuries of the East and with the aid of history, archeology, ethnology, and other sciences which accurately determine what modes of writing, so to speak, the authors of that ancient period would be likely to speak." *( Quoted from Catholic Christianity Richard Chilson. Imprimatur John S. Cummins Bishop of Oakland)
**"The spiritual sense for interpretation of scripture, “The exegete, just as he must search out and expound the literal meaning of the words intended and expressed by the sacred writer, must also seek the spiritual sense, provided it is clearly intended by God…”**etc. (Pope Pius 12th, quoted in “Catholic Christianity”.
God bless and guide you, Trishie
