Biological evolution Quote by Mark Shea
![“This was borne out again in October 1996 when Pope John Paul II, standing in the context of a train of Catholic thought which stretched back to the Church Fathers said, in essence, "Looks like there's some good evidence for some sort of biological evolution."[22] That is, he said, as so many…” quote by Mark Shea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5a3/mark-shea-86645_catholic_this-was-borne-out-again-in-october-1996_2906849.jpg)
““This was borne out again in October 1996 when Pope John Paul II, standing in the context of a train of Catholic thought which stretched back to the Church Fathers said, in essence, "Looks like there's some good evidence for some sort of biological evolution."[22] That is, he said, as so many Catholics have already said, that there is nothing in divine revelation that particularly forbids you to believe that God made Adam from the dust of the earth r-e-a-l-l-y s-l-o-w-l-y rather than instantaneously (and used other creatures to somehow assist in the process) so long as you bear in mind that God did, in fact, create man and woman (particularly the soul, which is made directly by God and is not a result of the collision of atoms). --Making Senses of Scripture””
About This Quote
Source Book: Making Senses of Scripture, 1996
Pope John Paul II acknowledged that Catholic teaching does not forbid belief in evolution, while affirming divine creation of the soul.
In simple terms: Catholic view allows evolution with divine soul creation.
Key Takeaway
Accept scientific evidence alongside faith.
Themes
faith
science
theology
Mood
thoughtful
respectful
Type
theological
interpretive
When to use this quote
- religious education
- personal belief
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
evolution
divine creation
Catholic doctrine
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile scientific findings with spiritual beliefs?
- What role does the soul play in this reconciliation?
A Different Perspective
Some may argue this view dilutes traditional doctrine.
![“God created man out of dust from the ground. At a basic level, the Creator picked up some dirt and threw Adam together. The Hebrew word for God forming man is yatsar,[11] which means “to form, as a potter.” A pot usually has but one function. Yet when God made a woman, He “made a woman from the…” quote by Tony Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fb1/tony-evans-1635_first-time_god-created-man-out-of-dust-from-the-gro_580448.jpg)
