What do you think?
Rate this book
En Arche: Evolution, Genesis and the Church Fathers
Evolutionists have no interest in or acquaintance with the faith of the Church Fathers. There would seem to be no reason for them to read them inasmuch as they are thought to be theologians with a fatal attraction to the supernatural - and Greek philosophy. Nevertheless, they offer a treatment of Genesis - the "six days" or periods of creation (hexaemeron) - of which Darwinists are disdainful. Unfortunately, if Darwin and his disciples knew anything about "those mystical trumpets of the Spirit," it was from the pen of secular historians who thought of them as obsolete. En Evolution, Genesis and the Church Fathers aims to expose Darwinian or Neo-Darwinian pretensions. They have not yet to undertake "a really disinterested, critical research of their assumptions," but also to introduce the cosmology of the Church Fathers.
124 pages, Paperback
First published May 26, 2012
2 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 12, 2017
Fr. Michael presents a cogent philosophical argument against biological evolution from certain philosophical perspectives but at the end of the day the science is not at all up to date and even the philosohical developments that engage evolution are not fully dealt with beyond evolution's origin as a theory.
In the end this does very little to advance the discussion in the Orthodox Church regarding evolution's place (very similar arguments had already been made by Fr. Rose in "Genesis, Creation, and Early Man"). One thing that Azkoul does quite well is philosophical definitions and he does present one perspective of the Orthodox Church in an easy to read and short format. I think the book would benefit from several additions, however brief:
1) The serious addition of Orthodox thought regarding natural science (broadly speaking) and evolutionary thought (specifically), including the relation of "scientia" to "theologia" and why certain branches of science are untouched by most theologians due to the lack of theological "input" of these sciences - at least in a perceived way. What I mean is, why is gravity and the nature of physical natural laws NOT a subject of discussion but biological evolution IS (when it is itself based on the operation of natural laws no different than the Theory of Gravity).
2) Some updated science regarding biochemistry and genetics, coevolution, specific instances of convergent evolution and analogy (i.e. eyes, placental structures, etc.). This would help lend credence that he is at least aware of the nature of science as an active and "evolving" field of study.
I would recommend this for new converts or Orthodox Christians who are interested in learning about how the Church approaches the discussion of science and theology so long as it is balanced with other views - the Church has not dogmatically spoken on this issue.
In the end this does very little to advance the discussion in the Orthodox Church regarding evolution's place (very similar arguments had already been made by Fr. Rose in "Genesis, Creation, and Early Man"). One thing that Azkoul does quite well is philosophical definitions and he does present one perspective of the Orthodox Church in an easy to read and short format. I think the book would benefit from several additions, however brief:
1) The serious addition of Orthodox thought regarding natural science (broadly speaking) and evolutionary thought (specifically), including the relation of "scientia" to "theologia" and why certain branches of science are untouched by most theologians due to the lack of theological "input" of these sciences - at least in a perceived way. What I mean is, why is gravity and the nature of physical natural laws NOT a subject of discussion but biological evolution IS (when it is itself based on the operation of natural laws no different than the Theory of Gravity).
2) Some updated science regarding biochemistry and genetics, coevolution, specific instances of convergent evolution and analogy (i.e. eyes, placental structures, etc.). This would help lend credence that he is at least aware of the nature of science as an active and "evolving" field of study.
I would recommend this for new converts or Orthodox Christians who are interested in learning about how the Church approaches the discussion of science and theology so long as it is balanced with other views - the Church has not dogmatically spoken on this issue.
Displaying 1 of 1 review