"Challenges to Faith" Conference: Ron Cowie, "Theistic Evolution"
Note to people who arrive here from search engines: the purpose of this website is to explore reconciliation of the Bible and Science; this talk illustrates a contrary view.
This virtual youth conference was broadcast by Zoom on 12th March, 2021. There was no live audience, hence no interaction, but we can make up for that here, perhaps, with as much interaction as interested Christadelphians want.
Click here to follow the slides consecutively; alternatively click on the page numbers below on this page, in the left hand column of the table "All scriptures cited".
A printer-friendly collation of these "dialog" pages is at R Cowie "Theistic Evolution" 2021 responses.
An Artificial Intelligence Response
"Overall, the argument presented is based on subjective interpretations, lacks logical coherence, and fails to provide substantial evidence to support its claims. It is important to critically evaluate arguments and consider alternative viewpoints before accepting them as valid."
— says chatGPT!
Scripture cited against evolution of species
| Bible reference | Purpose of citation |
|---|---|
| Psalm 33:6 | Said to support instantaneous creation — not against evolution directly — but even so, see this note re Ps. 68 there! |
Comment: In contrast, as of March 2023, more than 750 Bible References are considered in this wiki, from diverse perspectives, including many that support the science of Biology with all its detail. Also note that a great deal of new evidence for evolution has been found since Darwin's time. Please continue the discussion here! — Bruce
- Note: as of April 2023 brother Ron is unwilling to discuss evolution or offer any other Scripture against it.
- Pages entitled "In dialog with brother Ron Cowie ..." were too optimistic and are being renamed.— BP
- Pages entitled "In dialog with brother Ron Cowie ..." were too optimistic and are being renamed.
- Note: as of April 2023 brother Ron is unwilling to discuss evolution or offer any other Scripture against it.
Assumptions against evolution of species
| Assumption | Discussion or Justification |
|---|---|
| Bible verses can be read literally if it suits us |
(NB. We're documenting assumed or implied disproofs here, not accusations against people.)
All scriptures cited
| Scripture(s) cited | reason(s) for the citation | relevant links | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 001 — Why are we talking about this? | Jude 3-4 | encouraging vigorous defense of the faith against certain ungodly persons who have crept in | |
| 002 — a warning to believers | 2 Timothy 2:15-18 | claims evolution is ungodly, infectious, and disturbing to faith | |
| 003 — God-directed evolution | |||
| 004 — Bible truth matters | Colossians 1:5-6, James 1:18 | equating denial of evolution with the truth of the Gospel | |
| 005 — why true doctrine matters | Galatians 1:6-8 | a curse on Christadelphians who accept evolution | |
| 006 — doctrine is important | 2 Peter 3:16-18 | be careful! they wrest scripture | |
| 007 — What is theistic evolution? | |||
| 008 — Charles Darwin did not agree with theistic evolution | |||
| 009 — noted atheist Richard Dawkins on theistic evolution | |||
| 010 — where the debate is happening | |||
| 011 — reasons this has arisen | |||
| 012 — theistic evolution believes [sic] | |||
| 013 — Bro Jonathon [sic] Burke - 2013 | |||
| 014 — theistic evolutionists say . . . | |||
| 015 — the Bible always true, though often misread | |||
| 016 — what TE supporters believe | |||
| 017 — Bro Jonathon [sic] Burke - 2013 | |||
| 018 — TE expressed in simple terms | |||
| 019 — two major TE propositions | |||
| 020 — TE reading the Bible wrongly | |||
| 021 — evolutionary creationism | |||
| 022 — at the extremes . . . some say | |||
| 023 — why some very intelligent Christadelphians accept TE | |||
| 024 — what these ideas mean for our reading of the Bible | |||
| 025 — evolution accepted as fact – in their own words – TE supporters say | |||
| 026 — why this has surfaced now | |||
| 027 — theistic evolution concludes . . . | |||
| 028 — some implications of TE belief | |||
| 029 — methods TE teachers employ | |||
| 030 — must we prove science wrong? | Psalm 33:6, Isaiah 8:19 | Ps 33 cited to support instantaneous creation in the beginning; Isaiah 8 probably misquoted (q.v.) — in any case irrelevant |
|
| 031 — how readest thou? | |||
| 032 — Tactic 2 – the two books | (Psalm 19) | (rejects the "Two Books" interpretation of this psalm without explicit reference) | |
| 033 — theistic evolution's foundation | |||
| 034 — the TE view on Genesis | |||
| 035 — the Bible and Science? | (“the worldwide Bible Flood”) | ”totally destroys” scientific dating methods | |
| 036 — Follow the Bible – not the guesswork of science | |||
| 037 — why this matters . . . | |||
| 038 — Does this really matter? Some implications of accepting TE are . . . | |||
| 039 — What the Bible clearly says . . . | Psalm 33:6 (repeated) | ||
| 040 — guard the deposit | |||
| 041 — the Nicolaitines [sic] – Dr Thomas | |||
| 042 — the oppositions of "science" – falsely so called – 1 Tim 6v20 | 1 Timothy 6:20 | science is opposed to truth | |
| 043 — God has Chosen . . . | 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 | those who argue against evolution should not be intimidated by the science or “intellect” | |
| 044 — the coming humiliation of evolutionists of all kinds | Jeremiah 16:19, Isaiah 25:7 | evolutionists will be discredited and humiliated | |
| 045 — the question is all about belief | 1 Corinthians 4:10 | believe “fools for Christ’s sake”, not scientific authority | |
| 046 — what should ecclesias do? | |||
| 047 — the danger of arguing science | |||
| 048 — the Watford conclusion | |||
| 049 — the Watford statement | |||
| 050 — the warning against error | Romans 16:17-19 | avoid evolutionists | |
| 051 — it is not a time to change | Colossians 1:23 | hold fast to the gospel and deny evolution — did God mislead all past generations? | |
| 052 — the final warning | Revelation 22:18-20 | curses on those who change the words of prophecy | |
| 053 — our resolve | 1 Corinthians 2:5 | Trust the power of God, not the wisdom of men |
