Crevolution!

(I dunno; it just seems like it demands an exclamation point.)

It’s not creationism, and it’s not Darwinian evolution. It’s an amalgam called “theistic evolution” or “BioLogos,” a term coined by proponent and head of the NIH Francis Collins (who also jokingly referred to it as “Crevolution[!]” [it just needs that exclamation point – j]).

Here are the basics from Wikipedia:

Theistic evolution or evolutionary creation is a concept that asserts that classical religious teachings about God are compatible with the modern scientific understanding about biological evolution. In short, theistic evolutionists believe that there is a God, that God is the creator of the material universe and (by consequence) all life within, and that biological evolution is simply a natural process within that creation. Evolution, according to this view, is simply a tool that God employed to develop human life.

Theistic evolution is not a scientific theory, but a particular view about how the science of evolution relates to religious belief and interpretation. Theistic evolution supporters can be seen as one of the groups who reject the conflict thesis regarding the relationship between religion and science – that is, they hold that religious teachings about creation and scientific theories of evolution need not contradict. Proponents of this view are sometimes described as Christian Darwinists.

I didn’t know this line of thought existed until recently, but I must say I’m intrigued. Unlike Intelligent Design, it doesn’t seem like it’s trying to pose as a scientific discipline, and unlike Young Earth Creationism, it doesn’t seem like the theological equivalent of a late-night make-millions-in-foreclosed-real-estate infomercial.

Collins’ book The Language of God looks like it could be an interesting read, coming as it does from a for-real geneticist and former atheist. I definitely believe that Christians have nothing to fear from science, so he’s got me halfway convinced already. But no matter what, I’m going to trademark Crevolution!^tm and start using it as my own.