Is Theistic Evolution Viable?: A Reflection on Evolution and Christian Theism

This book explores one of the most contentious issues in contemporary thought: the relationship between Christian theism and evolutionary theory. In a defense of theistic evolution, the author argues that God’s purposes and evolutionary processes are not merely compatible but can be reconciled in a way that is both viable and intellectually compelling. The book addresses several pressing questions: Does evolution conflict with biblical revelation? Can divine purpose coexist with apparently random evolutionary processes? Does evolution increase suffering, diminish human status, and undermine purpose? Engaging a range of views, the author clarifies crucial concepts concerning chance, randomness, determinism, unpredictability, and divine action, showing how misunderstanding and confusion have often led people astray. Written in an accessible yet rigorous style, the book presents theistic evolution as a more reasonable framework than competing theological approaches or atheistic naturalism. Written for philosophers, theologians, clergy, educators, and general readers, this book—one of the first to robustly defend theistic evolution’s viability—offers a constructive path forward, upholding both divine providence and a commitment to science.Read less