Theistic evolutionary conundrum

[Rumely]

Many people consider themselves Christians, holding to the tenets of the faith, yet believe in evolution. While I don't question the validity of their faith, nor do I have an axe to grind regarding any pet theory of origins, I do have one question which I have not seen answered. If evolution is the mechanism by which God created Man, how does one account for all the death before a primate would have developed to the point of being morally culpable and thus capable of sinning? Seems to me theistic evolution introduces death before sin.

[Mitchell]

Oh no! You have to know that only humans can cause extinction! Just like climate change, only humans can cause that right? (Ice ages?)

Rumely, you are doing something that liberals dislike. You are considering all evidence not just that which supports their views.

[Rumely]

There's actually a multi-page thread on creation/evolution/faith/science etc. on another forum site. I'm not going to advertise where, though, as I want to build up THIS site. I haven't waded through it all, but so far I have not seen an attempt to answer this particular issue, which I consider crucial in trying to reconcile evolution and creation. If it can be reconciled without compromising Scripture it would remove one of the major weapons in the Atheists' arsenal and a stumbling block to those weak in the Faith.

[mcswan]

Evolution is a scientific theory that tries to explain how an already existing organism, that reproduces itself, can change over time through minor mutations and adaptations. Evolution has nothing to do with creation, indeed, cannot have anything to do with creation. Science may try to develop a theory about creation, but it will certainly have nothing to do with evolution.

Theistic evolution also doesn't really explain creation, at least the creation of the universe. It talks of life emerging from non-living building blocks, but doesn't claim to explain where the building blocks came from. This thinking just seems to move things a step further away in the minds of the theistic evolutionists, but certainly doesn't explain creation. Creation is about more than the beginning of life, it's about the begining of EVERYTHING, including time, space, and the laws of nature that the theistic evolutionists just assume without trying to explain. Any discussion about evolution, theistic or otherwise, has to just assume a creation that has already been accomplished.

Our God is not just an entity that moves already existing building blocks around; He created those building blocks and the natural laws that govern them.

[Rumely]

Nice to meet you, Mcswan. I'm gonna ruminate on your post for a bit. That grinding, rattling, and clanking sound you hear is just me thinkin'.

[mcswan]

Good to hear from you Rumely. Hope we can draw some other people into this discussion, and onto this site.