From Evolution to Eden: Making Sense of Early Genesis - Softcover

Laughery, Gregory J; Diepstra, George

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1938367197 ISBN 13: 9781938367199

Publisher: Destinee S.A., 2015

Synopsis

Adam and Eve? Magic trees in the Garden? Was the world created in six days? Is evolution found in the Bible? Are science and the Bible at war with each other? What's it all about?

Recognizing this need motivated scientist George Diepstra and theologian Gregory Laughery to rethink common assumptions about the nature of Genesis 1-3. What kind of text is this? In a provocative and creative manner, Laughery and Diepstra take both the biblical and scientific informers seriously, arguing for the necessity of a dialogue between them and the worlds they represent. With this innovative, rather than reactionary approach, From Evolution to Eden is dedicated to exploring where this journey might lead us.

About this title

About the Author

Gregory J. Laughery (D.Th., University of Fribourg, Switzerland) is a writer and thinker based in Switzerland. His publications include, Living Hermeneutics: An Analysis and Evaluation of Paul Ricoeur's Contribution to Biblical Hermeneutics; Living Reflections: Theology, Philosophy, and Hermeneutics; and "Ricoeur on History, Fiction, and Biblical Hermeneutics," in: Behind the Text. History and Biblical Interpretation. Presently, he is finishing a book on Imagination.


George R. Diepstra (PhD., University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas) is a retired biology professor, Northeastern Illinois University. He has published in both scientific and theological journals. His ongoing work focuses on the interaction between theology, evolution, and neurobiology.

From the Back Cover

The significance of early Genesis - and how we read its narratives and their relevance for today - is currently generating a lot of questions. Discoveries from various disciplines about ourselves and the wider world are prompting an urgent need for credible methods of interpretation and ways of understanding that can engage in challenging interdisciplinary discussions. Recognizing this need motivated scientist George Diepstra and theologian Gregory Laughery to rethink common assumptions about the nature of Genesis 1-3. What kind of text is this? In a provocative and creative manner, Laughery and Diepstra take both the biblical and scientific informers seriously, arguing for the necessity of a dialogue between them and the worlds they represent. With this innovative, rather than reactionary approach, From Evolution to Eden is dedicated to exploring where this journey might lead us.

From the Inside Flap

In the past, the Genesis creation account was seen as a credible source for understanding the beginning of the world. Today, however, the meaning and validity of the text has undergone many challenges, as our scientific knowledge has advanced. We wrote From Evolution to Eden: Making Sense of Early Genesis in order to contribute fresh perspectives to the interpretation of Genesis 1-3, without losing sight of our evolutionary history. What kind of text is Genesis 1-3 and how is it to be read? Discussions of this nature are often heavy handed and unproductive. In our book, we wanted to play off the idea that stories are powerful tools that we use to interpret and understand God and the world. It is from this storytelling perspective that the early chapters of Genesis will find a home and a place from which they can still speak today. Our hope is that readers will benefit from this book and come away with a clearer perspective of how to better interpret the Genesis stories and the world, with integrity and humility.

Edition details

• Publisher: Destinee S.A.
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1938367197
• ISBN 13: 9781938367199
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 142