Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 12/31/2004

Question
Hello,

In my recent readings of the Bible I came across two questions that have puzzled me.

The first involves the creation story in Genesis. The Holy Father has said evolutionary theory is not incompatible with the Faith. What should a Catholic believe about the creation described in Genesis? Is this a Jewish author's interpretation of the beginning of the world? Or was it a story related by God that is in fact truth? And why does the order of creation and the details, such as when man was created in relation to the animals, change from Genesis 1 to Genesis 2?


My second question involves the books of the Old Testament prophets. In debates with non-Catholics, many have pointed out to me the constant references in the Old Testament to God's punishing wrath. In reading other works, though, I have always seen God described as perfect Love, incapable of anger or evil, and capable only of recognizing love and good. Is this again an instance of skewed interpretation by the prophets?

Thank you for your help and God bless you.  

Answer
                        Peace

Dear Michael,
   When the Holy Father has spoken on Genesis, he has spelled out somethings very clearly we must believe. The following are some that he has stated:
  1. Adam and Eve are real historical persons
  2. there souls like ours are directly created by God
  3. That man can't evolutionary change from current man to a new man of the future
  4. that sin entered to the world by an act of man free will
  5. despite "injury" man still bears the image of God
  6. evolutionary theories are just that theories until proven otherwise.
  7. other things
The two major evolutionary theory groups: Macro and Micro, all Macro conflict and some of the Micro have conflicts with Reason and Faith. Why difference between chapter 1 and 2, its a matter of focus.


Second question:
 God is all-mercy and all-justice. He calls all to Himself, yet He punishes us when need to be. Both Testaments show God as both.
Anger doesnt conflict with love. Yet some of actions done in anger conflict with love. Evil does conflict, always




                    your servant but His first
                       george