Michael Dowd

Michael Dowd’s Thank God for Evolution is rather inspirational and informative. It addresses aspects of our religious lives that many don’t normally think about. It’s a basic fact that many of those who are religious are that way based on tradition. They are following in the footsteps of their parents, grandparents and great grandparents. That’s how they become Roman Catholics, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists, Fundamentalists and the like. Some might even be believers in other faith traditions like Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Daoism, Shintoism or any other of the many indigenous sects worldwide.
The bedrock of these belief systems are based on their faith’s scripture. This scripture whether it’s the Torah, Talmud, Old and New Testaments, the Quran, or Indian holy books were written thousands of years ago. They don’t reflect contemporary times. They aren’t scientific. Many of the stories are myths and are grounded in the revelations of prophets. Dowd argues why should only these works be holy and used as guideposts for these religions while scientific knowledge is pushed aside? That’s why he’s advocating a synthesis of religion and science to correct this misconception.
Dowd sees scripture as “night language” and science “day language.” The former is subjective and the latter is objective. He writes that the originators of the scriptures who lived thousands of years ago would not be knowledgeable of the scientific realities that people know today. Dowd explains that scientific developments are based on evolution that he feels should also be considered scripture – the modern day revelation of God. To him this revelation is ongoing it has never stopped, but has taken on a new form.
Dowd, an evolutionary theist doesn’t consider the scriptures of the past as being new in any sense. He recognizes that it is still relevant in telling us many things about life. But because they were formulated ages ago they don’t speak correctly about our present circumstances, but only science could. So when believers look at the New Testament as the gospel of good news they are mistaken. According to Dowd the new understanding about life isn’t only found in ancient texts but in all scientific discoveries that’s the bedrock of truth. To Dowd truth is God’s language. And science is mankind’s best source of Reality.… (mais)

Few issues have revealed deeper divisions in our society than the debate between creationism and evolution, between religion and science. Yet from the fray, Reverend Michael Dowd has emerged as a reconciler, finding faith strengthened by the power of reason.

With evidence from contemporary astrophysics, geology, biology, anthropology, and evolutionary psychology, Thank God for Evolution lays out a compelling argument for how religion and science can be mutually enriching forces in our lives.

Praised by Nobel laureates in the scientific community and religious leaders alike, Thank God for Evolution will expand the horizon of what is possible for self, for relationships, and for our world.… (mais)