| Title | : | Chance or Purpose? Creation, Evolution, and a Rational Faith |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1586172123 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781586172121 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 181 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2007 |
In this book, Cardinal Schönborn responds to his critics by tackling the hard questions with a carefully reasoned "theology of creation". Can we still speak intelligently of the world as "creation" and affirm the existence of the Creator, or is God a "delusion"? How should an informed believer read Genesis? If God exists, why is there so much injustice and suffering? Are human beings a part of nature or elevated above it? What is man's destiny? Is everything a matter of chance or can we discern purpose in human existence?
In his treatment of evolution, Cardinal Schönborn distinguishes the biological theory from "evolutionism", the ideology that tries to reduce all of reality to mindless, meaningless processes. He argues that science and a rationally grounded faith are not at odds and that what many people represent as "science" is really a set of philosophical positions that will not withstand critical scrutiny.
Chance or Purpose? directly raises the philosophical and theological issues many scientists today overlook or ignore. The result is a vigorous, frank dialogue that acknowledges the respective insights of the philosopher, the theologian and the scientist, but which calls on them to listen and to learn from each another.
Chance or Purpose? Creation, Evolution, and a Rational Faith Reviews
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If you are a Catholic and you want to be sure of Church's position on the theory of evolution and the Christian understanding of Creation, this book can serve you better. Shonborn is readable and at the same time does not mince words when it comes to Christian theology and Church's position.
As he treats the tension between the theory of evolution and idea of creation he goes on to say with convincing arguments that evolution can help deepen the faith in Creator and that the faith in Creator can help in shedding more light on the theory of evolution.
Few Questions raised and analysed are:
- The theory of evolution is different from evolutionism/Darwinism.
- If creation by the Creator is believed then how do we answer the question of evil present in the world?
- What is the role of man in the evolutionary process? Is he the crown of creation? Or just a falling out of the evolution process? If he is the crown of creation how is he different?
- What is the role of God-man (Jesus Christ) in the evolutionary world?
- How are we to hold the theory of evolution and the idea of creation? Are we to consider them as one against another or or we to consider them together?
Read it. Interesting. -
I attended a talk by a Harvard professor of Evolutionary Dynamics. He is a devout Catholic and talked about how Evolution and our Christian faith are not in disagreement. He mentioned this book, which explains the same thing. In fact, the Catholic Church is not "against" evolution. Chance or Purpose? presents a view and argument that is never seen in the "creation versus evolution" debate. Evolution always comes back to God. The Cardinal references Biblical verses and how science supports God and not "random chance". God sustains and upholds the universe. God is above time.
We have been thinking about this debate in the wrong way. The book looks at this in a rational way including faith and science. It argues that science is not atheism and reveals the beauty of God's creation. The book is slightly heavy with concepts and scientific and theological explanations, but is recommended for anyone who has ever struggled with this hot debate. -
Schonborn dedicated 9 monthly sessions in the Vienna Cathedral to catechesis on the Christian doctrine of creation and its interplay with the natural sciences. I found it straightforward and helpful in setting out some of the basic approaches to the "science and religion" issues out there these days, with a clear integration of these with Christian faith. The Cardinal definitely puts a spin on things that finds its origin in his broad learning and theological specialization.
(For a much more thorough and helpful review,
consult Fr. Ed Oakes. -
This was a very thoughtful and articulate book, offering one man's well-supported opninions and musings regarding the origins of life on earth and the universe. The Cardinal Schonborn offers his opinions as just that: his alone, though not without support from the teachings of the Catholic Church. Throughout, he makes it clear that although what he writes is in no way in contradiction to the teachings of the Magisterium, it is still just a private opinion. And as such, it is a splendid testament to the Cardinal's thoughtful and rational consideration of the matter.
The following reference page numbers with thoughtful points:
36, 37*, 38
60, 65, 66-67
end of 77 - 78, 79 - 80
84-86
101-103
111
116-117
119, 121, 123
133 -134
137/138 middle/139
140
end of 143
150
154 - 155
bottom of 156
bottom of 157
158
164
175 -
Written by the Archbishop of Austria in response to a New York Times op-ed. Outlines the Church’s contemporary position on evolution as well as the scientific questions regarding Darwin. The basic premise is that evolution is teleological.
There is no contradiction with regard to special creation from the “dust” of the earth and creation from the “slime” of animal matter.
In the end, the Cardinal takes the middle course in advocating evolution that is directed by a Creator who is bringing design out of imperfection (The Alpha and the Omega). This is similar to creation ex nihilo in the book of Genesis where nothing is the principle of disorder and God is the principle of creative ordering.
Should the process of evolution remain in development then there is no contradiction between perfect spirit or imperfect evolutionary mechanisms. -
Cardinal Schoenborn looks at the way Science and Religion can complement each other. From the point of view of Religion, he lists those theological truths which are accepted by Religion, and argues that those truths are not contradicted by Science: either because Science does not apply, or because Science bolsters them (as opposed to undermine them).
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Schonborn does a good job of showing the Catholic concept of God acting through creation continually in evolution. He also distinguishes from "The Theory of Evolution," and "Evolutionism." The first is irrefutable, the second more like a religion without a god.
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Cardinal Schönborn reconciles science and faith where many dispute them as two philosophical positions that are at loggerheads with one another. This is a very short book which takes the reader through a logical and rational look at creation from the eyes of faith.
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As another Goodreads reviewer wrote, if you're Catholic and you want to know what the Church teaches about creation, evolution, etc. this sets things out really well. He presents the Church's teachings confidently and provides solid backup. He is not afraid to deride materialism and scientism. He proposes, as the Church has always done (at least as far back as Thomas Aquinas and Augustine) that faith and reason cannot be in conflict. He urges scientist and theologians to learn from each other - while they operate in different spheres, these spheres should not ignore the other.
I wonder if he will change anybody's minds. -
Very good. Schonborn uses standard Aquinas-based theology to argue his point but he does so in a clear, distinct way.
