I recently came across a most interesting website on faith and science called “The Hump of the Camel,” run by Jon Garvey in the UK (with contributions from a group of like-minded Christians). The contributors to this website attempt to take biblical, orthodox Christianity seriously while also freely investigating what science has to tell us about origins. They are attempting to develop a thoughtful theological approach to the question of origins and are very difficult to categorize (which may be why I’m attracted to their approach). On the one hand, the don’t deny science (including deep time for cosmic origins, or biological evolution). On the other hand, they don’t allow science (which is a constantly changing enterprise) to trump Christian theology. Precisely how they hold both together is something I’m trying to figure out.

One of the recent posts on this website (back in March) attempts to articulate a “manifesto” of the sort of position that might be considered by those interested. Garvey came up with the name “Classic Providential Naturalism” for this position and he explains what he means by this in the post. Here are his basic assumptions:

SUMMARY OF THE FIVE POINTS OF HUMPISM
1 – A commitment to a classical theological basis
2 – A commitment to good science, and a realisation that good science is hard to find
3 – A commitment to broadness of approach and of knowledge
4 – A commitment to Christian respect for those providing content, and for those visiting and posting
5 – To develop and propagate in these ways models for integrating God’s two book of “nature” and “Scripture”, through the integration of science and theology in an effective way.

This entire post is worth reading (along with the comments, which take the conversation further).

I myself posted a comment, introducing myself, as well as my project on evolution and the fall, to the group. You can read my introductory comment here, followed by Garvey’s response, then my further reflections, and his responses.

Beyond this particular discussion, the website is worth visiting for the many posts on a whole range of issues related to a Christian theological approach to the faith, science, and especially origins.