Christianity and Darwinism

Abstract

Since the publication of On the Origin of Species in 1859, some have viewed Christianity and Darwinism as bitter enemies, and others as useful partners in the process of understanding the nature of reality. Current scholarship suggests that Christianity has much to gain from a serious dialogue with Darwinism, particularly in relation to the doctrines of Creation, the Sabbath, Death and Suffering, Christology, and Eschatology. Given the fact that the year 2009 is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species, it is rather fitting to examine Darwinism from the perspectives of both the nature of science and theology. This paper suggests that there may be a case for a more open encounter with the claims of Darwinism, even if Darwinism still fits uncomfortably within a conservative Christian framework.