(Note: the blue horizontal menu bar directly above lists the subsections of "Evil, Ethics, and Human Values in an Evolving World." Beginning with "Selfish Behavior of Primates and Other Animals," be sure to read each of these subsections before moving on to the next primary section, "Original Sin in the Bible as Read Today.")

Evil, Ethics, and Human Values in an Evolving World
by Daryl P. Domning

Given the conclusions of natural science outlined in "Evolution According to Contemporary Science," theologians today have no alternative but to accept evolution as the method God used to create the wonderful diversity of living things on this planet—the world of nature that God finally pronounced "very good" (Genesis 1:31⁵ ).

This, however, leads at once to a major paradox. Associating God with "evolution red in tooth and claw" raises serious problems for theodicy in the minds of many people. Are we to understand that physical suffering and death, which we have always labeled "evil," can not only be willed by God, but can even be pronounced "very good"? Even if suffering and death are unavoidable, indeed necessary to the evolutionary process, can they possibly be seen as having some positive value? Or must we reject as flawed and false any worldview that has such abhorrent logical consequences?

Here we encounter what philosophers call the "problem of evil," and with it the traditional Christian explanation of evil: original sin. What possible form might these concepts take when transposed into an evolutionary worldview? Is there any place in an evolving world for values or ethics that Christians would recognize?

5. All the Bible quotes are from the Catholic New American Bible.

Words highlighted in green appear in the Glossary.