Evolution and Christian Faith: Reflections of an Evolutionary Biologist

Electronic Green Journal

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She admits she is strong on the science side and weak on the theology side given her training. As a person who has spent time in both camps - and I want to be charitable in the midst of this critique - I think she was weak on both sides. Perhaps it was because the book was short, thus there was not as much room in which to consider the topic.

Or per Not my favorite book on this topic. Or perhaps the issues are more complex than she admits, and her efforts were not equal to the task. I found little that would provide a detailed roadmap forward, although I appreciate the attempt.

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Apr 02, Mark Geisthardt rated it really liked it. Joan Roughgarden is an Evolutionary Biologist and a Christian, something which some in the conservative fundamentalist branch of Christianity would consider to be mutually exclusive. In this book she responds to those who would consider her scientific beliefs and her Christian beliefs to be in conflict.

She lays out a good basic explanation of evolutionary theory and specifically lifts up those areas where the theory is proven as well as those areas where there are problems. It is a good read, i Joan Roughgarden is an Evolutionary Biologist and a Christian, something which some in the conservative fundamentalist branch of Christianity would consider to be mutually exclusive.

It is a good read, informative, insightful, and well written for a book on a topic like this. Plus it's a fast read. Nov 03, Elizabeth rated it liked it Shelves: Overall, it was an interesting and often informative read, but definitely flawed in many of its arguments. Oct 09, John rated it really liked it. This is a very thoughtful, gentle book and succeeds in many areas where I doubted that it could.

I met Joan Roughgarden years ago when she was John Roughgarden and fairly new at Stanford, so I was intrigued to see how she had changed over the years.

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Roughgarden has led a most interesting life, both internally and as a scientist, and brings a deep, thoughtful passion to her Episcopalian faith and to this book. Aug 30, Matt Hill rated it really liked it. Sep 14, Kyle rated it liked it Shelves: Enjoyable taken as one individual's account of reconciling evolution and Christianity.

Not overly religious or scientific, and the author's writing style puts you at ease and makes you trust her right away.

Aug 10, Charles rated it it was amazing Shelves: I liked this book so much I wrote a note to the author saying so. What a refreshing approach to the topic. Roughgarden shows that a believe in evolution and an expression of Christian religious faith are not incompatible. Mar 06, Chad rated it liked it Shelves: Good introductory book from a Christian and Evolutionary Biologist.

Not much new has been said, just rehashed arguments. Jan 31, Alisse Metge added it Shelves: I skipped one chapter entirely you can guess which one , but I thought the rest offered some really good ideas. I particularly enjoyed the analysis of Intelligent Design.

May 08, Jeremy Thompson rated it it was ok. There are much better books on the topic. While Roughgarden is a brilliant biologist, the Biblical interpretation in the book often shows a lack of awareness. William rated it liked it Feb 03, In their place, she offers an inspiring accommodation between thoughtful science and compassionate religion.

Evolution and Christian Faith

Roughgarden's thoughtful analysis sheds much-needed light on the contemporary debate over the compatibility of Christian belief and evolutionary biology. Eschewing polarizing rhetoric and antithetical claims, she demonstrates that there is no contradiction between Christian faith and the facts of evolution and that it is false to suggest such dichotomous thinking is required by either faithfulness to the Bible or scientific evidence. Roughgarden's fresh approach suggests that much in the Bible invites Christians to recognize God's good creation precisely as a universe in evolution.

Book Description Review Quotes Contents. Science with Religion Chapter 2. Single Tree of Life Chapter 3. Species Change Chapter 4. Taking the Bible Literally Chapter 5. Roughgarden echoes this specific criticism but apparently misses the broader er- ror of making scientific theory—even well-established ones—the arbiter of hu- man thought and behavior.

Who chooses the facts and theories? Unless everyone—including reli- gious people—gets some say in how these facts play out in the public sphere, those decisions will remain points of contention. Privileging science avoids the hard questions. Christians can, and should, learn from evolutionary biology, but what does evolutionary biology learn from Christians? And on what basis? Roughgarden believes that the debate over evolution is not about plants and animals but about God. Her approach is not going to satisfy those who want to talk about God, however. We need to approach these questions in a way that takes both science and religion seriously, and she does not accomplish this in her book.

But, by clearing up confusion about what we are talking about, and providing some common ground, it remains a valuable tool for conversation.

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The challenge is to take up the task and answer the hard questions that Roughgarden leaves unanswered. Remember me on this computer. Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link. Click here to sign up.

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