Theology needs to engage what recent developments in the study of evolution mean for how we understand moral behavior. How does the theological concept of holiness connect to contemporary understandings of evolution? If genetic explanations of altruism fall short, what role should we give to environmental explanations and free will? Likewise, how do genetic explanations relate to theological accounts of human goodness and holiness?In this groundbreaking work, Matthew Hill uses the lens of Wesleyan ethics to offer a fresh assessment of the intersection of evolution and theology. He shows that what is at stake in this conversation is not only the future of the church but also the fine-tuning of human evolution.



Falk is professor of biology, associate provost, and dean of graduate studies and continuing education at Point Loma Nazarene University in Point Loma, California.







Matthew Nelson Hill (PhD, Durham University) is associate professor of philosophy in the department of theology at Spring Arbor University. He is an ordained elder in the Free Methodist Church and the author of Evolution and Holiness.



Foreword by Darrel R. Falk

Acknowledgments



Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 The Aim of This Study

1.2 Brief Summary of Main Chapters

1.3 What Is at Stake?

1.4 Brief Clarifications Before Main Chapters



Chapter 2: Sociobiological Explanations of Altruism

2.1 An Introduction to Biological Altruism

2.2 Sociobiological Altruism: From Darwin to Dawkins

2.3 Moving Forward



Chapter 3: Altruism and the Explanatory Limitations of Evolution

3.1 The Environment and Its Influence on Human Behavior

3.2 Problematic Language

3.3 Reductionism and Its Relationship to the Explanation of Altruism

3.4 A Reductionist-Driven False Opposition Between Philosophy/Theologyand Sociobiology

3.5 Conclusion



Chapter 4: Overcoming Genetic and Environmental Constraints on Altruism

4.1 The Determined Human Person?

4.2 The Human Person as Influenced but Not Determined

4.3 Humans Are Genuinely Free and Consequently Responsible

4.4 Conclusion



Chapter 5: Wesleyan Holiness Against a Backdrop of Evolution

5.1 The Quest for Holiness

5.2 Genetic Selfishness and Its Implications for Wesleyan Ethics

5.3 Conclusion



Chapter 6: How Wesley Nurtured Altruism Despite Biological Constraints

6.1 Wesley?s Structure and Organization

6.2 How Wesley Understood and Nurtured Altruism by Way of Holiness

6.3 Environmental Constraints That TemperBiological Constraints

6.4 Conclusion



Chapter 7: A Lifestyle of Holiness

7.1 Brief Summary of Main Chapters

7.2 Holiness Outside the Wesleyan Community

7.3 Practical Implications and Further Explorations

7.4 Conclusion



Appendix 1:Excerpt from "Principles of a Methodist" on the Topic of Christian Perfection

Appendix 2: Excerpt from "A Plain Account of Christian Perfection"

Appendix 3: Rules of the Band Societies--Drawn Up Dec. 25, 1738

Bibliography

General Index