What About Evolution? A Biologist, Pastor, and Theologian Answer Your Questions
Imagine being in a room with a biologist, a pastor, and a theologian, where you can freely ask any questions about evolution, and they each provide honest, thoughtful responses based on their unique perspectives. This is precisely what occurs in What About Evolution? A Biologist, Pastor, and Theologian Answer Your Questions, authored by April Maskiewicz Cordero, Douglas Estes, and Telford Work. In this short (about 100 pages) question-and-answer book, the authors present a nuanced and thoughtful dialogue between science, theology, and the intersection of the two, specifically in the context of the theory of evolution. The book serves as an introduction for those seeking to understand how evolution and faith can coexist, offering insight from three different professional perspectives: biological, pastoral-biblical, and theological. This multifaceted approach makes the book accessible and useful to a wide audience, including professionals in these disciplines, lay readers, students, churchgoers, concerned parents, and those who are simply curious about the compatibility of evolutionary science with Christian belief.
This book is a product of the authors’ own journeys integrating the theory of evolution and their faith. Each chapter is divided into sections, with each author responding to the questions and offering insights based on their expertise. The questions span a wide range of topics, from foundational scientific explanations of evolution to deeper theological inquiries about its implications for biblical interpretation and the nature of God. The dialogue between the authors, often found in footnotes, provides a well-rounded discussion. Cordero, a biologist, brings clarity and precision to the scientific explanation of evolution. Estes, writing from a pastoral-biblical perspective, focuses on the pastoral implications, considering how Christians can understand and respond to the scientific consensus on evolution without feeling their faith is undermined. Finally, Work, a theologian, delves into philosophical and doctrinal concerns, analyzing how traditional Christian teachings might be reinterpreted in light of evolutionary theory. Refreshingly, the writers do not always agree on some of the nuanced components of this discussion, admitting in the introduction “We won’t always agree on particulars, and we make each other a little nervous once in a while, but that is true of Christian fellowship in other areas of life and learning, so why not this one too?” (xxii). This overarching structure creates a balanced conversation that avoids the polarization often seen in debates over evolution and faith. Instead of framing the discussion as a dichotomy between science and religion, the authors seek to show how both can inform and enrich each other.
April Maskiewicz Cordero’s contributions are the backbone of the scientific section of the book. As a biologist, she provides an accessible, yet thorough, explanation of the core concepts of evolution. She effectively demystifies complex biological processes without oversimplifying them, making the science behind evolution clear for readers with little or no background in biology. One of the strengths of Cordero’s section is her emphasis on the overwhelming evidence supporting evolution. She clarifies scientific language and presents a strong case for why evolution is not just a theory but a well-established scientific fact, drawing on diverse fields such as paleontology, genetics, and comparative anatomy. Cordero’s writing also emphasizes that evolution is an ongoing process, with species continuing to evolve and adapt to their environments in real-time. This is important because it reinforces the idea that evolution is a dynamic, observable phenomenon, not a static historical event confined to the past. Cordero is careful to avoid presenting evolution as incompatible with the existence of a Creator. While she explains evolution from a naturalistic perspective, she does not frame it in opposition to faith. This allows the reader to see evolution as a process that could very well be guided by a divine hand, offering room for both scientific and theological interpretations. Cordero finishes the section imploring Christians to engage with the topic at hand: “Instead of avoiding evolution because it is perceived as too contentious, we instead must do the difficult work of thinking about our scientific, philosophical, and theological assumptions about evolution and turn negative emotional responses into opportunities for dialog and learning” (34). Cordero concludes with the comforting fact that “If everything is part of God’s creation, then there is no need to fear science because all truth, ultimately, will lead us to marvel at the God who created” (35).
Following Cordero’s solid scientific foundation, the theological perspectives offered by Douglas Estes and Telford Work give depth to the book’s engagement with faith. Estes focuses on the practical, pastoral concerns that many Christians might have when confronted with evolution. He addresses common fears, such as the perceived threat evolution poses to the authority of Scripture, and provides explanation of the value of learning about evolution, whether one accepts it or not, stating “Part of living a blessed life on earth, though, requires that we learn to navigate the world in which we live. I (Estes) believe it is essential that Christians understand evolution – the science of evolution, not caricatures – in order to navigate their world well” (37). Estes extends this idea, implicating the importance of this knowledge in kingdom work: “a by-product of greater knowledge about the way God reveals himself in our world is a greater ability to minister to others – especially the ability to share the gospel with others” (49).
Telford Work builds upon Estes’ narrative by addressing deeper theological questions, such as the relationship between God’s sovereignty and the apparent randomness of evolutionary processes. Work suggests that evolution, far from challenging the idea of a purposeful Creator, can actually enhance our understanding of divine creativity, positing that God’s method of creation through evolutionary processes might reflect a divine wisdom that we are only beginning to comprehend. However, Work ironically uses obscure analogies to try to convey his thoughts in a manner that can make his conclusions ambiguous at times. Further, while Estes addresses and actively avoids proof-texting, Work’s section can be interpreted as an implementation of this strategy. Regardless, both authors include the importance of validating scientific expertise and its relevance to personal faith: “Since all truth is God’s truth, if we discount, or worse, mock, something that has truth in it, then we dishonor ourselves before others and run the risk of dishonoring how God creates in our world” (46, Estes); and “Ignoring genuine knowledge just makes Christian faith more isolated, distorted, and vulnerable, and its gospel less credible” (97, Work).
What About Evolution? is a valuable resource for all Christians, especially those seeking to reconcile their faith with the scientific understanding of evolution. In a contemporary world where many young Christians are abandoning their faith, engaging in discussions about controversial issues such as evolution is paramount. As the authors note in their introduction, “While college science majors receive instruction in biological issues that evoke controversy (such as evolution), these students are not usually well versed in the science-and-faith dialogue. Moreover, few parents, relatives, or friends are equipped to engage in substantive dialogue with these young adults to help them overcome the disconnect they are experiencing between what they hear at church or at home, and what they learn in science class” (xx). This idea highlights the need for resources, such as this book, which bridge the gap between science and faith. The authors succeed in presenting a balanced, respectful, and well-informed discussion that engages both scientific and theological perspectives. Whether one is a skeptic of evolution or a believer in its validity, this book provides a thoughtful framework for considering how evolution and Christian faith can coexist and we can be comforted with the thought that “We can be wrong about earthly things and still believe” (44).
