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Rev. Dowd considers himself to be a Pentacostal Evangelical or Evolutionary Pentecostal minister.<ref>How and Why I'm a Pentecostal Evangelical [http://thankgodforevolution.com/category/blog]</ref>,<ref>How and Why I’m a Pentecostal Evangelical [http://evolutionarychristianity.theooze.com/2009/01/29/how-and-why-im-a-pentecostal-evangelical/] retrieved 2009-1-29</ref>
Rev. Dowd considers himself to be a Pentacostal Evangelical or Evolutionary Pentecostal minister.<ref>How and Why I'm a Pentecostal Evangelical [http://thankgodforevolution.com/category/blog]</ref>,<ref>How and Why I’m a Pentecostal Evangelical [http://evolutionarychristianity.theooze.com/2009/01/29/how-and-why-im-a-pentecostal-evangelical/] retrieved 2009-1-29</ref>


He is an advocate of what he terms '''evolution theology''', the position that science and religious faith are not mutually exclusive (a form of [[Religious Naturalism]] or [[neo-Pantheism]]). As a Christian minister, Dowd addresses the concerns that Christians have about evolution, but he provides insights that appeal to all people of faith, religious naturalists and the faithless. When Dowd is asked why he is so enthusiastic about evolution to the extent of dedicating himself to being a nomadic evangelist about it, he replies –''I see sacred views of evolution as the Good News (the gospel) of our time, personally and collectively. I thank God for the entire 14-billion-year epic of cosmic, biological, and human emergence because an inspiring interpretation of the history of everything and everyone builds bridges, provides guidance, and restores realistic hope''*<ref>http://thankgodforevolution.com/faq</ref>
He is an advocate of what he terms [[Theistic evolution|'''evolution theology''']], the position that science and religious faith are not mutually exclusive (a form of [[Religious Naturalism]] or [[neo-Pantheism]]). As a Christian minister, Dowd addresses the concerns that Christians have about evolution, but he provides insights that appeal to all people of faith, religious naturalists and the faithless. When Dowd is asked why he is so enthusiastic about evolution to the extent of dedicating himself to being a nomadic evangelist about it, he replies –''I see sacred views of evolution as the Good News (the gospel) of our time, personally and collectively. I thank God for the entire 14-billion-year epic of cosmic, biological, and human emergence because an inspiring interpretation of the history of everything and everyone builds bridges, provides guidance, and restores realistic hope''*<ref>http://thankgodforevolution.com/faq</ref>


For Dowd, evolution theology refers to those who integrate their theology with belief in evolution and their position on the science vs. religion controversy tends toward synthesis ([[consilience]] of religious beliefs). The term also includes those who do not see themselves on either side of the polarizing [[Creation-evolution controversy]]. [[Theistic evolutionists]], [[religious naturalism|religious naturalists]], [[ humanists]], [[pantheists]], and signers of the [[Clergy Letter Project]] may differ in their views but they all manage to integrate evolution and theology into a similar outlook.
For Dowd, evolution theology refers to those who integrate their theology with belief in evolution and their position on the science vs. religion controversy tends toward synthesis ([[consilience]] of religious beliefs). The term also includes those who do not see themselves on either side of the polarizing [[Creation-evolution controversy]]. [[Theistic evolutionists]], [[religious naturalism|religious naturalists]], [[ humanists]], [[pantheists]], and signers of the [[Clergy Letter Project]] may differ in their views but they all manage to integrate evolution and theology into a similar outlook.

Revision as of 18:52, 29 January 2009

jlrobertson - My full resume is at [17]Jlrobertson (talk) 15:51, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

This is my sand boxJlrobertson (talk) 15:51, 29 January 2009 (UTC)

Evolutionary Evangelist
Rev Michael Dowd
Alma materMDiv – Palmer Seminary (with honors), BA - Evangel University (summa cum laude)[citation needed]
Known forevolutionary theology
Scientific career
Fieldsbiblical studies and philosophy
Institutionstraveling speaker

Reverend Michael Dowd is considered one of the most dynamic speakers in America today. [1]. Enlighten Next Magazine says he is a gifted teacher, preacher, and evolutionary theologian and a leading voice in the Evolutionary Spirituality movement. Rev. Dowd is the author of the 1991 book EarthSpirit: A Handbook for Nurturing an Ecological Christianity (twenty-three publications), which was inspired by the writings of cultural historian Thomas Berry, physicist Brian Swimme, and deep ecologist Joanna Macy.[2]

He and his wife Connie Barlow, an acclaimed science writer in her own right, have nomadically traveled North America since 2002 by van, offering an inspiring view of evolutionary theology to both secular and religious audiences. His travels and evangelistic preaching to over a thousand audiences produced material for his 2008 book, Thank God for Evolution (influences – Thomas Berry,David Sloan Wilson and others[3]). The book is noteworthy for its breadth and depth of endorsements (including five Nobel Prize-winning scientists) [4][5]. Reviewer Jennifer Kuncker says the book "is part science lesson, part motivational speech, and part sermon, this book has it all (…) a well-written work that presents some interesting concepts”. Thirdy-four of forty-eight Amazon reviewer gave it a five star rating [6].

Dowd’s books, his Epic of Evolution gospel and bridge-building speaking ministry have been featured in media ranging from The New York Times Magazine and The Washington Post to the National Catholic Reporter, NPR, the BBC and numerous other radio programs. [7], [8]

Biography

Raised a Roman Catholic, Dowd describes himself as having been 'born again' while serving in the United States Army in Germany in 1979, and for the next three years living within a fundamentalist culture that was strongly opposed to evolution. Thereafter he came under a more eclectic range of religious influences (including a friendship with a "Buddhist-Christian" former Trappist monk), that opened him up to first intellectual, and then spiritual, acceptance of evolution.[9]

Dowd graduated from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri summa cum laude receiving a B.A. in philosophy and biblical studies. He went on to earn a Master of Divinity degree with honors at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now Palmer Seminary) in Philadelphia. Rev. Dowd then served as a congregational minister for nine years in churches in Massachusetts, Ohio, and Michigan.[10]

File:United Church of Christ logo.png

During the 1980s and 90s, Rev. Dowd pastored three United Church of Christ congregations, allying with Jewish, Roman Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, Unitarian Universalist, and New Thought leaders across America on environmental, peace, and justice issues. [11] In 1995 he worked on social and environmental issues that were being considered by Congress. He was Religious Organizer for the Washington D.C.--based National Environmental Trust. From 1997 to 2000 he headed The Portland Sustainable Lifestyle Campaign, in Portland, Oregon, the first government-funded program designed to produce large-scale voluntary citizen behavior change along stewardship lines in the United States. In 2000 and 2001 he served as Campaign Manager of Global Action Plan's EcoTeam and Livable Neighborhood Programs in Rockland County, New York. [12]

His 1991 book, EarthSpirit: was one of the first attempts to look appreciatively at biblical Christianity from the perspective of a modern cosmology. His 2008 book, Thank God for Evolution:, endorsed by many notable scientists helped to popularize the narrative story of cosmic, planet, life and social evolution (Epic of Evoulution). He has become an itinerant "evolutionary evangelist".[13][14] Dowd and his wife have traveled the country since 2002 teaching their "Gospel of Evolution."[15] They present their case for "the marriage of religion and science" at events sponsored by a diverse group of denominations, including Christian, Unitarian Universalist, Unity Church, Free Thinkers, Religious Science, secular humanism and Religious Naturalists venues.[16]

Dowd states:[17]

Humanity is the fruit of fourteen billion years of unbroken evolution, now becoming conscious of itself…When the Bible speaks about God forming us from the dust of the Earth, it's actually true, we did not come into this world—we grew out of it, just like an apple grows from an apple tree. Do you get this? I mean, do you really get this? We are the universe becoming conscious of itself. We are stardust that has begun to contemplate the stars. We have arisen out of the dynamics of the Earth. Four billion years ago, our planet was molten rock, and now it sings opera.

File:Connie barlow.jpg
Connie Barlow

Dowd’s wife and ministry companion, Connie Barlow, is the author of four popular science books that Dowd uses to explore the intersection of evolutionary and ecological sciences with philosophy and religion: The Ghosts of Evolution, [18], Green Space, Green Time: The Way of Science [19], Evolution Extended: Biological Debates on the Meaning of Life, [20], From Gaia to Selfish Genes, [21]

Michael met Connie at a talk given by Brian Swimme in New york City in 2000. They found they both had a passion for spreading the Epic of Evolution. So they got married and left their jobs to become twenty-first-century itinerant evangelists, preaching and teaching at churches and science centers, at conferences and on university campuses across the country. Their message embraces both science and religion combined her scientific humanism with his evolutionary theism, her soft spoken manner with his zealous preaching style. They offer an answer to the debate over evolution and intelligent design. It draws in Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, and Christians; theists and atheists; scientists and philosophers [22]

Book reviewer William Grassie on meeting them says the enthusiasm of Dowd and Barlow for their mission reminds him of the Japanese Buddhist term satori, a zesty born-again religious zeal that in time will develop into a more mature spirituality. [23]

Philosophy/Theology

Epic of Evolution at work

Rev. Dowd considers himself to be a Pentacostal Evangelical or Evolutionary Pentecostal minister.[24],[25]

He is an advocate of what he terms evolution theology, the position that science and religious faith are not mutually exclusive (a form of Religious Naturalism or neo-Pantheism). As a Christian minister, Dowd addresses the concerns that Christians have about evolution, but he provides insights that appeal to all people of faith, religious naturalists and the faithless. When Dowd is asked why he is so enthusiastic about evolution to the extent of dedicating himself to being a nomadic evangelist about it, he replies –I see sacred views of evolution as the Good News (the gospel) of our time, personally and collectively. I thank God for the entire 14-billion-year epic of cosmic, biological, and human emergence because an inspiring interpretation of the history of everything and everyone builds bridges, provides guidance, and restores realistic hope*[26]

For Dowd, evolution theology refers to those who integrate their theology with belief in evolution and their position on the science vs. religion controversy tends toward synthesis (consilience of religious beliefs). The term also includes those who do not see themselves on either side of the polarizing Creation-evolution controversy. Theistic evolutionists, religious naturalists, humanists, pantheists, and signers of the Clergy Letter Project may differ in their views but they all manage to integrate evolution and theology into a similar outlook.

He says –“ evolutionary spirituality “is not about anything ethereal but about being in right relationship with reality at all nested levels: within yourself; with all your relations (…) leaving a positive legacy (…) being committed to what I call ‘deep integrity’ or ‘evolutionary integrity”* He sees the worldview of evolution theology that he proposes as different from Intelligent Design. - “the 'intelligent design' (ID) movement, ultimately I think it's a dead-end path. The main problem, as I see it, with ID is that it trivializes God and dishonors science (…) ID fails to appreciate the revelatory nature of the worldwide, self-correcting scientific enterprise. It also perpetuates in people’s minds a god of the gaps view of time, space, and matter. (…) In my opinion, the courts are right to reject the teaching of intelligent design in public schools, at least in science classes.”[27]

Concerning the concept of evolutionary epic he says – “In my opinion, the single most significant insight gained from a soul-satisfying interpretation of the Epic of Evolution would be what I call “the nested emergent nature of divine creativity.” What I’m pointing to with this phrase is the now widely accepted understanding that everything did not come into being all at once but, rather, emerged over great expanses of time and in a nested fashion: subatomic particles within atoms, within molecules, within cells, within organisms, within ecosystems, and so on, like nesting dolls. (…) As I’m using the term, “God” cannot possible be less than a sacred, proper name for Ultimate Reality, the largest nested whole—that One Supreme Reality which transcends yet includes all other realities”[28]

Dowd is a strong advocate for the Epic of Evolution (The Great Story). He sees science as a source of physical truths that empower technology resulting in human material affluence and the complexity of modern life. It is also an aide for a naturalistic spirituality. The 14 billion year revolutionary epic – with its eons of increasing complexity of life, consciousness and intelligence – is a story filled with meaning and moral texture for him. He takes great joy is telling this 14 billion year epic. He tells it in a way to evoke awe, gratitude, and trust, inspire faith and openheartedness, and empower people to follow this path for happiness. [29]

Ministry

Rev.Dowd

Rev. Dowd in his ministry reaches out to a broad audience of people. He appeals particularly to those who reject the epic of evolution. He finds ways to effectively discuss evolution to devout Christians and other faiths along with agnostics, atheists and humanists. To the non-religious he promises that his vision of “evolutionary spirituality” will benefit them without their need to endorse a religion or believe in anything otherworldly. His eclectic evolutionary gospel is intended to make sense of the world and provide a moral and ethical foundation for a life of deep meaning in the midst of inevitable difficulties. [30]

Dowd teaches that we will never see an end to the science and religion war in America until religious leaders do their part and preach evolution enthusiastically from the pulpit and teach evolution in inspiring ways in religious education classes. He highly recommends the Clergy Letter Project website as a resource for clergy to help them do that. He is also promoting what he calls a global integrity as a new concept of truthfulness that recognizes the immensity and grandeur of the reality we are becoming increasingly aware of.[31]

Dowd preaches that the Epic of Evolution is “ a shared sacred story that honors both objective truth and subjective meaning: For the first time in human history we have a creation story that not only addresses life’s biggest questions—Who are we? Where did we come from? Where are we going? Why are we here? How are we to live?—but helps us answer those questions in ways that are both religiously inspiring and scientifically accurate. No longer are subjective meaning and objective truth isolated from one another in separate domains. Both are conveyed through the same story.” [32]

Dowd explains why he thanks God for Charles Darwin -“For me, the ethics of evolution are not only consistent with the teachings of religion, they advance it. An evolutionary understanding urges me to grow in morality and to expand my circles of care and compassion—even to include those who see the world in very different ways. My worship of God now includes doing everything I can to ensure a just and thriving future for planet Earth, for our children’s children, and for as many species as possible. As an ordained Christian minister, I cannot imagine a higher calling for myself.” [33]

Major Publications

  • Thank God for Evolution: How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World - Viking Adult (June 19, 2008), ISBN-10: 0670020451
  • Earthspirit: A Handbook for Nurturing an Ecological Christianity, - Twenty Third Pubns, (April 1991), ISBN-10: 0896224791
  • Study Guide - Thank God for Evolution, 4 hr DVD [18]

Besides his two books, Dowd has made available [19] free DVDs of his live sermons and offers several 4 hour instructional DVD’s of his most popular presentations on the 14 billion-year Epic of Evolution (Celebrating Evolution, Evolutionary Christianity, The Great Story and Thank God for Evolution [20])

Further Reading

  • Thinking Like a Mountain: Toward a Council of All Beings; Joanna Macy, John Seed, Pat Fleming, Arne Naess, Dailan Pugh; New Society Publishers (1988); ISBN 0-86571-133-X
  • The Universe is a Green Dragon: A Cosmic Creation Story; Brian Swimme, Bear and Company, 1984, ISBN 0939680149
  • The Universe Story: From the Primordial Flaring Forth to the Ecozoic Era: A Celebration of the Unfolding of the Cosmos; Brian Swimme, Harper, 1992 (1994, ISBN 0062508350) - a culmination of a 10-year collaboration with cultural historian Thomas Berry
  • David Sloan Wilson - Evolution for Everyone: How Darwin's Theory Can Change the Way We Think About Our Lives, Delta (December 26, 2007), ISBN-10: 0385340923
  • Epic of Evolution - On Human Nature, Edward O. Wilson, Harvard University Press,1979,ISBN 0-674-01638-6
  • Best Evolution Reading Resources [21]

See Also

References

  1. ^ The Penguin Speakers Bureau [1] retrieved 2009-1-29
  2. ^ EnlightenNext Magazine [2] retrieved 2009-1-29
  3. ^ The Global Spiral [3] retrieved 2009-1-29
  4. ^ "Thank God for Evolution/The Author". Retrieved 2009-01-18.
  5. ^ Endorsements:
    • "The science vs. religion debate is over! Michael Dowd masterfully unites rationality and spirituality in a world view that celebrates the mysteries of existence and inspires each human being to achieve a higher purpose in life. A must read for all, including scientists." - Craig Mello, 2006 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
    • “The universe took 13.7 billion years to produce this amazing book. I heartily recommend it. I am often asked how science and religion can co-exist. This is a wonderful answer.” - John Mather, NASA Senior Astrophysicist, 2006 Nobel Prize in Physics
    • “If anyone can persuade a monotheist that the science of evolution—biological, geological, or cosmological—can enrich his or her faith, I'm betting on Michael Dowd. Thomas C. Schelling, 2005 Nobel Prize in Economics
    • “Honest students of God should welcome the revelations of science as insights, not fear them as threats. Here is a book in that spirit by an ardent believer, who takes evolution to heart, and celebrates it. – Frank Wilczek, 2004 Nobel Prize in Physics
    • “At last someone who understands that all of reality is sacred and science, our method of comprehending it.” - Lee Hartwell, 2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
  6. ^ Customer ratings [4] retrieved 2009-1-29
  7. ^ The Penguin Speakers Bureau[5] retrieved 2009-1-29
  8. ^ Audio Interviews with Michael Dowd [6] retrieved 2009-1-29
  9. ^ Dowd, Michael (2008). Thank God for Evolution: How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World. Viking Adult. pp. 1–6. ISBN 0-670-02045-1.
  10. ^ The Making of an Evolutionary Evangelist [[7] retrieved 2009-1-29
  11. ^ EnlightenNext Magazine [8] retrieved 2009-1-29
  12. ^ Michael Dowd:The Author[9]
  13. ^ Science Meets Religion ... Amicably?
  14. ^ America’s evolutionary Evangelist Michael Dowd in Sedona on Feb 7
  15. ^ Leslie Palma-Simoncek (2008-08-10). "Author to talk on 'Gospel of Evolution'". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2008-09-04.
  16. ^ Past Speaking Itinerary of Michael Dowd and Connie Barlow
  17. ^ Humanity is the fruit of fourteen billion years, Carter Phipps, EnlightenmentNext magazine, Issue 25, May–July 2004
  18. ^ The Ghosts of Evolution - Basic Books (February 28, 2002), ISBN-10: 0465005527
  19. ^ Green Space, Green Time: The Way of Science - Springer; 1 edition (September 26, 1997), ISBN-10: 0387947949
  20. ^ Evolution Extended: Biological Debates on the Meaning of Life - The MIT Press (August 4, 1995), ISBN-10: 0262522063
  21. ^ From Gaia to Selfish Genes - The MIT Press (July 8, 1992), ISBN-10: 0262521784
  22. ^ Michael and Connie [ http://www.uuworld.org/ideas/articles/2679.shtml] retrieved 2009-1-29
  23. ^ The Global Spiral [10] retrieved 2009-1-29
  24. ^ How and Why I'm a Pentecostal Evangelical [11]
  25. ^ How and Why I’m a Pentecostal Evangelical [12] retrieved 2009-1-29
  26. ^ http://thankgodforevolution.com/faq
  27. ^ http://thankgodforevolution.com/faq
  28. ^ http://thankgodforevolution.com/faq
  29. ^ EnlightenNext Magazine [13] retrieved 2009-1-29
  30. ^ Michael’s Promises [ http://thankgodforevolution.com/authors-promises]
  31. ^ Evolutionary Evangelist [14]
  32. ^ Reasons Why Nothing Matters More Than What We Think About Evolution [15]
  33. ^ Thank God for Evolution [16] retrieved 2009 -1-29
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