Science-Engaged Theological Argument for Common Descent

[swamidass (S. Joshua Swamidass)]

@colewd

When you say common descent what is that exactly mean? Universal? Partial?

@swamidass

If God made humans with common descent, there is zero reason to object to him making other animals by common descent. There is precisely zero people arguing simultaneously that (1) Cambrian explosion was not be common descent, but (2) human evolution was by common descent. That would be a totally incoherent position. This is why it makes most sense to focus on human evolution, where the theological challenges are greatest, and the scientific evidence is strongest.

Well now that is a very strong point. I agree with you that this would seem incoherent. I don’t think that this is what happened.

The evidence for common descent of man is much stronger and clearer than UCD, which is why I focus there. If this is true, then there is no reason to theologically object to UCD. Nor is it clear why it matters theologically or scientifically.