Christianity in Evolution

An Exploration

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Christianity, Denominations, Catholic, Catholicism, Theology
Cover of the book Christianity in Evolution by Jack Mahoney, Georgetown University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Jack Mahoney ISBN: 9781589017993
Publisher: Georgetown University Press Publication: August 1, 2011
Imprint: Georgetown University Press Language: English
Author: Jack Mahoney
ISBN: 9781589017993
Publisher: Georgetown University Press
Publication: August 1, 2011
Imprint: Georgetown University Press
Language: English

Evolution has provided a new understanding of reality, with revolutionary consequences for Christianity. In an evolutionary perspective the incarnation involved God entering the evolving human species to help it imitate the trinitarian altruism in whose image it was created and counter its tendency to self-absorption. Primarily, however, the evolutionary achievement of Jesus was to confront and overcome death in an act of cosmic significance, ushering humanity into the culminating stage of its evolutionary destiny, the full sharing of God’s inner life. Previously such doctrines as original sin, the fall, sacrifice, and atonement stemmed from viewing death as the penalty for sin and are shown not only to have serious difficulties in themselves, but also to emerge from a Jewish culture preoccupied with sin and sacrifice that could not otherwise account for death. The death of Jesus on the cross is now seen as saving humanity, not from sin, but from individual extinction and meaninglessness. Death is now seen as a normal process that affect all living things and the religious doctrines connected with explaining it in humans are no longer required or justified. Similar evolutionary implications are explored affecting other subjects of Christian belief, including the Church, the Eucharist, priesthood, and moral behavior.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Evolution has provided a new understanding of reality, with revolutionary consequences for Christianity. In an evolutionary perspective the incarnation involved God entering the evolving human species to help it imitate the trinitarian altruism in whose image it was created and counter its tendency to self-absorption. Primarily, however, the evolutionary achievement of Jesus was to confront and overcome death in an act of cosmic significance, ushering humanity into the culminating stage of its evolutionary destiny, the full sharing of God’s inner life. Previously such doctrines as original sin, the fall, sacrifice, and atonement stemmed from viewing death as the penalty for sin and are shown not only to have serious difficulties in themselves, but also to emerge from a Jewish culture preoccupied with sin and sacrifice that could not otherwise account for death. The death of Jesus on the cross is now seen as saving humanity, not from sin, but from individual extinction and meaninglessness. Death is now seen as a normal process that affect all living things and the religious doctrines connected with explaining it in humans are no longer required or justified. Similar evolutionary implications are explored affecting other subjects of Christian belief, including the Church, the Eucharist, priesthood, and moral behavior.

More books from Georgetown University Press

Cover of the book Biosecurity Dilemmas by Jack Mahoney
Cover of the book Aquinas on Virtue by Jack Mahoney
Cover of the book Civil Disagreement by Jack Mahoney
Cover of the book Reconsidering the American Way of War by Jack Mahoney
Cover of the book Security and Development in Global Politics by Jack Mahoney
Cover of the book Collaborative Innovation in the Public Sector by Jack Mahoney
Cover of the book The Qur'an and the West by Jack Mahoney
Cover of the book Managing the Fiscal Metropolis by Jack Mahoney
Cover of the book American Spies by Jack Mahoney
Cover of the book Insincere Commitments by Jack Mahoney
Cover of the book Strategic Challenges in the Baltic Sea Region by Jack Mahoney
Cover of the book The Responsible Contract Manager by Jack Mahoney
Cover of the book Medicaid Politics by Jack Mahoney
Cover of the book The Ethical Lobbyist by Jack Mahoney
Cover of the book Contemporary Catholic Health Care Ethics by Jack Mahoney
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy