Abstract:
Between scientism and fideism: Acceptance of evolution as a theological challenge. In this
contribution to the special issue of HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies that is dedicated
to Prof. Buitendag, I will explore what Prof. Buitendag’s notion of a ‘revised natural theology’
might mean for the theological reception of the scientific theory of biological evolution. I argue
that two extremes must be avoided here. One is the fideistic ignoring of (or refusal to take into
account) the data that have been placed on the table regarding the evolutionary development
of life on earth, as if these do not concern theology. The other extreme that theology must steer
clear of is a scientistic over-interpretation of our knowledge of the evolutionary past, whereby
the theory of evolution is magnified to a comprehensive philosophy of life (‘evolutionism’)
that is incompatible with Christian faith.
