We Fell Through Time?

The weight of scientific research suggests that Homo sapiens are at least biologically the result of a few million years of evolution since our divergence the other great apes and that the earth is about 4.5 billion years old. This is in direct opposition to a concordant view of the Bible. This has understandably created a lot of conflict between the church and science over the past 150 years or so. Many secular scientists scoff at Christians for believing in literal six day creation, while Christians shun “secular science” as an anti-God philosophy. A growing number of scientists and theologians no longer see such a conflict between Christianity and science. Many hard-line conservative theologians are appalled at this attempt at reconciliation. They see it as an attack on the inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible at its very foundation. One of the first theological problems they point out is explaining millions of years of pain and suffering before the Fall. This is a valid criticism, but it may also be a false dilemma.

One possible explanation is that the Fall could have been a space-time event which led to all sin and death, both before and after the event itself. In numerous instances, Lewis states that God exists beyond time. If this is so, God knows all that has happened, is happening, and will happen. Is it possible that deep history itself even reflects the fall of humankind? If so, we may have an explanation for animal suffering before the Fall. However, I don’t find this entirely satisfying, because the question of why animal suffering should exist because of our species fallen nature isn’t answered. There are a number of different theodicies and theories that relate to Darwinian evolution and the Bible. If this intrigues you, I would encourage you to look some up or chat with me sometime. It’s hard work, but it’s worth exploring.