ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
August 20, 2025
On this day in 1858, Charles Darwin first published his theory of evolution. Have you ever watched a three-year-old in a checkout line lose his/her mind when the answer is, “No!” after requesting a chocolate bar? Well, the meltdown among many Christians was similar once word began to spread about Darwin. But like a lot of things, the information received by people lacked context and any sort of necessary scientific framework to actually engage with the theory beyond the emotions people were feeling. If you remember, Jesus presented a handful of ideas that caused both religious and political folks to lose the capacity for a conversation. We find stories in the Gospel that end with those who confronted Jesus not knowing what to say once it actually became a conversation, and only after walking away from Jesus, did they talk about how to discredit him or even kill him. As I have said often, Christianity is rarely invited into an actual conversation on important and challenging topics because they (we) have a habit of losing our capacity to speak intelligently and respectfully. And how often has the passing of time not remembered such moments well?
Keep me grounded, Good and Gracious God, and continue to remind me that you are the God of the universe and beyond. There will be ideas that sound outlandish, even heretical, because I am not in the right place to hear them, yet I hope to remember that what might be mystery in my mind is pre-k in divinity school. Continue to encourage good questions and good listening skills. Amen.
