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Re: definition of "Creationism"



For what it is worth, let me throw in some definitions of different
positions in the origins debate from Denis O. Lamoureux (St. Joseph's
College, University of Alberta) who holds a doctorate in evolutionary
biology and one in Christian theology. He believes it is possible to
reconcile biological evolution with traditional Christian theology.
Whether one accepts that as possible or not, I think his description of
different positions are helpful. He defines at least five distinct camps;
here is a synopsis of his definitions and some of the people or
institutions that (according to him) hold to them.

Young Earth Creation ("Scientific Creation") which claims a earth less than
10,000 years old and a catastrophic flood. Position of Henry Morris and
Institute of Creation Research.

Progressive Creation, which accepts an old earth but claims that life as we
now know it required many direct divine interventions over the years.
Position of Berkley Law professor Phillip Johnson and the "Intelligent
Design Theorists".

Evolutionary Creation ("Theistic Evolution") which accepts standard
evolutionary description of how life developed but rejects that it was just
by chance. Rather, God ensured that human-like creatures would appear
through natural processes by extremely judicious choice of physical laws,
setting the initial conditions, and perhaps controlling "random" events.
This is the position of the Catholic Church (and Lamoureux teaches in a
Catholic school).

Deistic Evolution, which accepts full blown evolutionary biology but still
believes there is a God around who may be involved at some level. This
appears to have been the position of Charles Darwin.

Dysteleological (Atheistic) Evolution, which rejects the existence of God
and asserts that biological evolution was driven entirely by chance.
Richard Dawkins and Carl Sagan fall into this category.

The first three positions could be labeled "creationist," and the last
three could be labeled "evolutionist." Unfortunately, the same words are
sometimes used to mean very different things, depending on who is using them.

Scott Bonham