Science and Jesus

tony777 · Oct 16, 2023

can you believe in both evolution and jesus ?

Jayhawker Soule · Oct 16, 2023

What does "believe in Jesus" mean?

danieldemol · Oct 16, 2023

Sure, it is possible to believe literally anything so why not in my view.

Dan From Smithville · Oct 16, 2023

A Christian can accept science. Sure.

Father Heathen · Oct 16, 2023

Yes, they are not mutually exclusive.

Heyo · Oct 17, 2023

Many, no most, Christians manage to do so. It takes a bit of doublethink, though.

blü 2 · Oct 17, 2023

I can't.

Clearly that doesn't stop other people who can believe in both, and yet other people who believe in neither.

When I'm with friends and relatives who are believers, the solution is simple ─ we never talk about the theology (though we talked about the scandals without effort).

And clearly it doesn't stop them being decent, inclusive, positive people which is the important part ─ nor does it stop them being knowledgeable about and accepting of and fascinated by the sciences. I have no reason to think they think the world is only a few thousand years old and was under water at any time when humans were around, nor do they appear to be fussed at being genus Homo and grouped with the great apes.

It occurs to me to add that their children (some of whom have been and remain good friends with mine) are less concerned about church observances, and I'd guess faith plays very little part in their lives except for ceremonial occasions, but of course there's a spectrum there, some more, some less.

SalixIncendium · Oct 17, 2023

Whether or not I can believe in both evolution and Jesus depends upon what one believes about Jesus. For me, Jesus was an enlightened teacher, but no more a "son of God" than anyone else that walks the planet, and I don't believe in the virgin birth or that he was bodily resurrected as most Christians do.

But my view of Jesus does not conflict with evolution.

Also, evolution doesn't require belief. One can simply observe the objective evidence for it.

Or were you talking about you? You're free to believe whatever you feel will bring you a greater understand of you, your life, and the world you live in.

Father Heathen · Oct 17, 2023

Only if you believe that literal interpretation is a prerequisite.

Heyo · Oct 17, 2023

When you interpret the Jesus stories in a way that no magic remains. do you then believe in Jesus?
Do you believe in Vampires if you eliminate all the magic?

Father Heathen · Oct 17, 2023

Right, but we weren't talking about eleminating the magic. While belief in magic is required for a literal interpretation of creation myths, a literal interpretation of creation myths isn't required for belief in magic.

Heyo · Oct 17, 2023

I don't see the relevance. We are talking about Jesus, not about creation myths.
My question is, if you believe, like @SalixIncendium, in a Jesus who never never performed any miracles, can you say you believe in the same Jesus a typical Christian believer believes in?

SalixIncendium · Oct 17, 2023

I do. I dated one.

She didn't drink blood, but she did drink a substantial part of my bank account and dignity.

Audie · Oct 17, 2023

No. Evolution is not something to
"believe in". Itsvsomething to understand.
Like calculus.

As for "Jesus", believe in what?

Bthoth · Oct 17, 2023

Sure...just read what he said and skip the religious beliefs. Even if no one there recording the exact words, it is easier to accept material like this than what a church spins up.

kneeled to him, was questioning him, `Good teacher, what may I do, that life age-during I may inherit?'

18 And Jesus said to him, `Why me dost thou call good? no one [is] good except One -- God;

19 the commands thou hast known: Thou mayest not commit adultery, Thou mayest do no murder, Thou mayest not steal, Thou mayest not bear false witness, Thou mayest not defraud, Honour thy father and mother.'

paarsurrey · Oct 17, 2023