XII.] THEOLOGY AND EVOLUTION. 259 



CHAPTER XII. 



THEOLOGY AXD EVOLUTION. 



Prejudiced Opinions on the Subject. " Creation " sometimes denied from Prejudice. 

 The Unknowable. Mr. Herbert Spencer's Objections to Theism; to Creation. 

 Meanings of Term " Creation." Confusion from not distinguishing between " Pri- 

 mary" and "Derivative" Creation. Mr. Darwin's Objections. Bearing of Chris- 

 tianity on the Theory of Evolution. Supposed Opposition, the Result of a Miscon- 

 ception. Theological Authority not opposed to Evolution. St. Augustine. St. 

 Thomas Aquinas. Certain Consequences of Want of Flexibility of Mind. Reason 

 and Imagination. The First Cause and Demonstration. Parallel between Chris- 

 tianity and Natural Theology. "What Evolution of Species is. Prof. Agassiz. In- 

 nate Powers must be recognized. Bearing of Evolution on Religious Belief. Prof. 

 Huxley. Prof. Owen. Mr. Wallace. Mr. Darwin. A priori, Conception of Di- 

 vine Action. Origin of Man. Absolute Creation and Dogma. Mr. "Wallace's Yiew. 

 A Supernatural Origin for Man's Body not necessary. Two Orders of Being in 

 Man. Two Modes of Origin. Harmony of the Physical, Hyperphysical, and Super- 

 natural. Reconciliation of Science and Religion as regards Evolution. Conclusion 



THE special " Darwinian Theory " and that of an evolu- 

 tionary process neither excessively minute nor fortuitous, 

 having now been considered, it is time to turn to the im- 

 portant question, whether both or either of these concep- 

 tions may have any bearing, and if any, what, upon Chris- 

 tian belief. 



Some readers will consider such an inquiry to be a work 

 of supererogation. Seeing clearly themselves the absurdity 

 of prevalent popular views, and the shallowness of popular 

 objections, they may be impatient of any discussion on the 

 subject. But it is submitted that there are many minds 

 worthy of the highest esteem and of every consideration, 

 which have regarded the subject hitherto almost exclusive- 

 ly from one point of view ; that there are some persons who 



