Creation, Evolution, and Theology: An Introduction to the Scientific and Theological Methods

Should Christian theology accommodate the six-day account of biblical creation to deep time (several billion years) evolution? The prestige of empirical science has convinced many theologians and entire denominations that evolution is the true account of the history of life on earth. For them evolution is just as true and certain as the fact that apple trees produce apples. This conviction has compelled theologians to reinterpret Scripture and rearrange their beliefs to fit the new fact of evolutionary history. In Creation, Evolution, and Theology: An Introduction to theScientific and Theological Methods, Fernando Canale presents the basic structure of scientific methodology and its application to the construction of evolutionary history. He shows the popular belief in the absolutely certain results of scientific methodology to be a myth, something already acknowledged by scientific philosophers and postmodern critics. Canale then explains how, because of past historical accommodations in their theologies, Roman Catholic and protestant theologies are now able to coherently adapt their beliefs to include evolution. However, Canale argues, when Christians choose to develop their theologies from Scripture alone, Christian theology cannot accommodate its beliefs to deep time evolutionary history without losing its essence and inner coherence. Canale hopes that in the heated debate between Biblical Creationism and Evolutionism contenders will finally recognize the critical and foundational role methodologies play in the formation of evolutionary theory and Christian creationism. The focus on methodology will unmask the fact of evolution as mere theory and help Christians understand that the accommodation of evolution hinges solely on the theological method they choose to follow.