I am not against conservative theology or people (though many of my writings make it seem so); in fact I am a Baptist pastor and depending on where your standing I am conservative in many of my theological views. But I do think we, as Christians need to be careful when we take on certain issues.
First that we enter dialogue informed about what we are talking about, and second that if evidence is suggested that counters our present-held beliefs, that we take a deep breath and engage the material respectfully, and third that we don't try to be too controlling. What I mean by too controlling is when we try to censor certain theological viewpoints that actually fall within the pale of orthodoxy because they challenge long-held, theology or politics.
It is a scary thing to realize that book publishers censor books based on very specific theological/political agendas within the pale of orthodox thinking. I do not believe there is a conspiracy, and I do recognize that at then end of the day it is about making money but what I have realized is that many times publishers print books that simply re-affirm the theological conclusions of the kinds of people they are supported by. Again this is obviously about making money (supply and demand). But I believe book publishers have a higher calling than that -- they are a conduit for the sharing of important theological information. Ones who help createtheological dialogue.
This is what scares me about the choices these publishers make. What is the evangelical church going to believe when all they are exposed to is a certain theological slant without being exposed to other viewpoints? Now, I must say that over the years Christian book publishers have not been afraid to publish stuff that challenges long-held beliefs which tells me there is an option for dialogue in the evangelical book-publishing world, however this is not always the case.
I was listening to an interview the other day with Denis O. Lamoureux, Assistant Professor of Science & Religion at St. Joseph's College, University of Alberta. He is an evangelical scientist with three earned doctoral degrees: dentistry, theology, and biology. He is an "evolutionary creationist"-- someone who believes that God created humanity through the evolutionary process. I will write about this viewpoint some time soon; because I think it is interesting from a biological perspective. But it was something he said in the middle of the interview that was interesting.
First, He said that he has to work at a Catholic University because Evangelical Schools will not hire him. Second, he has written a book about about it, and many book publishers simply rejected it outright. In fact, 26 evangelical book publishers rejected his book! 26! One could argue that it simply wasn't good; which is an option, but it was finally picked up by a British publisher (and will be coming out soon) which tells me there might be more behind it than quality.
Are Christian book publishers trying to suppress evolutionary-creationism? I ask the question in hopes that the answer is NO.
Please respond by listing titles of books on evolutionary creationism by evangelical publishers. If there are a bunch than that puts this question to rest and we can sum it up to other variables.
3 comments:
have you read "The Creation" by E.O. Wilson?
Although I didn't take a course with Dr. Lamoureux, he did give a guest lecture in my Philosophy of Religion course - he is very knowledgeable and quite witty, I look forward to his publication.
Today's Christian bookstores (read, evangelical) look like an off assortment of New Age literature, self-help gurus, and classical gnostic spirituality. But what can you expect from a group of people in a nation so adverse to theology and creedal religion? North American Christianity is saturated in experiential religion, whether found in the sensationalist Pentecostals or slightly orphic emerging church.
Back to the subject at hand (concerning evolution, etc.), Francis Collin's "The Language of God" is a mediocre rundown of evolutionary theory by an evangelical. Although he presents the book as a scientist's reasons for belief in God, it is actually more of an evangelical's reasons for belief in science.
A much better book is Kenneth Miller's "Finding Darwin's God" - although he is *gasp* a Roman Catholic. His science is impeccable and he succinctly differentiates and decimates young Earth creationists and intelligent design proponents. Philosophically speaking, however, he fails to realize that he himself simply creates another "god of the gaps" theory by placing a theistic god in the realm of quantum theory. Oh well, it is a good read.
Try anything by Hugh Ross (www.reasons.org). We even used to have some of his books in our library. But I'll warn you - last time he came and spoke at our church a bunch of people left. Tread carefully.
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