Evolution has provided a new understanding of reality, with revolutionary consequences for Christianity. In an evolutionary perspective the incarnation involved God entering the evolving human species to help it imitate the trinitarian altruism in whose image it was created and counter its tendency to self-absorption. Primarily, however, the evolutionary achievement of Jesus was to confront and overcome death in an act of cosmic significance, ushering humanity into the culminating stage of its evolutionary destiny, the full sharing of God’s inner life. Previously such doctrines as original sin, the fall, sacrifice, and atonement stemmed from viewing death as the penalty for sin and are shown not only to have serious difficulties in themselves, but also to emerge from a Jewish culture preoccupied with sin and sacrifice that could not otherwise account for death. The death of Jesus on the cross is now seen as saving humanity, not from sin, but from individual extinction and meaninglessness. Death is now seen as a normal process that affect all living things and the religious doctrines connected with explaining it in humans are no longer required or justified. Similar evolutionary implications are explored affecting other subjects of Christian belief, including the Church, the Eucharist, priesthood, and moral behavior.

Jack Mahoney is emeritus professor of moral and social theology in the University of London and a former principal of Heythrop College, University of London. He is the author of several books, including The Making of Moral Theology: A Study of the Roman Catholic Tradition.

Introduction

1. Accepting EvolutionCatholic Responses to EvolutionEvolution and Christian EthicsOther Theological Responses to EvolutionTheological Implications of Evolution

2. Evolution, Altruism, and the Image of GodUnderstanding the Image of GodThe Evolutionary Challenge of AltruismImaging the Divine AltruismA Theology of Altruism

3. The Evolutionary Achievement of JesusSaving Humanity from DeathDispensing with Original SinFinding a New ExplanationBaffling Death

4. Incarnation without the FallWhat if Adam Had Not Sinned?Christ as Lord of Creation “For Our Salvation” What Kind of God?A Poor Alternative

5. Seeking a New ParadigmProcess Theology and Kenotic Theology Accepting the UnavoidableMoral Evils and Human Freedom

6. The Church and the Eucharist in EvolutionWho Shall Be Saved?The Evolving Church“Through Christ Our Lord”The Eucharist in Evolution The Evolutionary Community

7. Theology in EvolutionEvolutionary Impact on Other Traditional BeliefsEvolutionary Ethics“Development of Doctrine”?Demythologizing DeathSaving Sacrifice?Straining FaithSumming Up

BibliographyIndexes