Freeform Friday 14 - The Selfless Gene

One of my very favorite classes in seminary looked at the relationship between science and the church. We learned how the relationship had not always been as strained as it is these days; we learned that in the past science and the church were used to inform and advise each other to gain a greater understanding of the universe. Unfortunately, those days are long gone, and in the eyes of most observers science and the church seem to be at an impasse.

In his book The Selfless Gene: Living with God and Darwin, Charles Foster examines the relationship between Neo-Darwinists and New Earth Christians. Foster argues that while both of these groups stand on opposite sides of the spectrum, they agree on one major point: if the Neo-Darwinist view natural selection is true, then it excludes the existence of God. Foster highlights the trouble in holding onto either of these extreme views, that it doesn’t leave a lot of wiggle room for any new thoughts or new ideas. The book is a discussion of how to hold science and faith in both hands and live in the middle. He challenges the reader to examine some of their preconceived ideas and step beyond those to see how science or faith could expand their understanding.

While I enjoyed this book tremendously, it is not for everyone; it is written very much like a text book and contains some challenging ideas about the creation of the universe and evolution and how they relate to the biblical narrative. In the end, I think this book might be more challenging than edifying for some, which is I why I can’t really recommend it. If you are a Christian, though, and would like to read it, I suggest doing so in community; the book may be challenging but the discussion that comes from it could be tremendously edifying.