Evolutionary THEORY

There is a form of sleight of hand that happens when Intelligent Designers and Creationists discuss the THEORY of Evolution. They say theory, with a particular meaning in mind (an iffy proposition) and then they wheel the spotlight across the stage onto Evolution. Presumably they want to show us why it is such an iffy idea. Scientists have been driven batty trying to make evolution appear bigger than it is, when they might give attention to the cynical use of the word theory. Theory can mean a guess. Certainly that is true about Creationist Theory. Theory can also mean a construct into which unconnected facts find a home. More than that, they find a home whose address you can verify. Intelligent Design, Creationism leads to a predetermined address, like masturbation. But it is not fruitful to explain interrelations of things. It has no scientific offspring! Evolution is a kind of springboard from which an entire branch of applied science is launched. Advances in ecological theory, in genetics and in the treatment of disease may be seen as important examples of applied evolutionary theory.

It appears that the stakes are quite clear in the Evolution Debate. It is all about theory. One definition leads to buttress the truth claims of an increasingly shrill (and shrinking) segment of the population. Another definition leads to advancement and the improvement of the quality of life of the globe's inhabitants. Now, you make the call. What kind of theory is Evolution?

Work in Progress

I have begun work on a series of essays on the subject of fidelity. The basic thesis is that of Hebrews 11:1, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." What has mystified me is the "true believer" form of conviction that makes rigid affirmation as if it is a destination. "I believe." But faith, in my limited experience, is a point of departure. "I believe, so."
It may be that the reason that American Protestantism, and now Catholicism is so pugnacious and sterile is that there is a willingness to arrive at conviction, but not at dialogue. It seems to me that the route through the bankruptcy of our present faith climate is somehow tied up with the recovery of mystery at the heart of faith. So, I will be pursuing the mystery at the heart of seven lifegiving capacities (with which I hope to supplant the seven deadly sins.) Here is a preliminary agenda of essay titles

The Mystery of the Person
in the flesh
in nature
in conversation

The Mystery of a People
as strangers
as understanding
as pilgrims

Where Mystery is met
at table

The aim will be to reframe the way we do our faith from a problem/solution frame that is the prevailing frame used in our culture to a mystery/capacity frame, one that searches for openings onto divine life in the context of our humanity.