Religion 176 - Christianity and Evolution: A Case Study in the Development of Religious Commitments

Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution was controversial among Christians from the moment of its introduction in the mid nineteenth century.  But many Christians saw no reason to object to the theory, and many Christian intellectuals and Christian institutions accepted it.  But by the middle of the twentieth century, the rejection of the theory of evolution was a non-negotiable component of certain forms of Christian identity.  How did this come about— why did certain Christian groups turn against the theory of evolution more than fifty years after its first appearance?  Over the course of the semester we will explore issues in the relationship between Christianity and the natural sciences in the generation before Darwin;  the contents of Darwin’s theory of natural selection and its ramifications for understanding the origins of the human species;  a variety of Christian responses to the theory in the late nineteenth century;  the rise of a concerted movement in opposition to evolution in North America in the early 20th century;  and the later development of “young-earth” creationism and the "Intelligent Design" position.  Our explorations will constitute an investigation of ways in which religious traditions develop the commitments that define them.

Fall semester. Professor A. Dole

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Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Close reading and analysis of unfamiliar texts; brief written reflections; classroom discussions and presentations; formally written papers.