Hopefully the above video is a welcome relief from other topics currently dominating Catholic and world news. At the moment, I will not elaborate upon the December 18 “declaration” whose very name and mention rightfully causes many people to get upset. [Cardinal Mueller has always been an excellent source I turn to for counsel on documents issued by Rome.] For those wanting to understand the additional issues involved, I might complete a scriptural exegesis on Romans 1:18-32 in light of Acts 15:20 after the 12 Days of Christmas are over (and if I think such an exegesis ultimately will edify the faith of Christians in both tone and content). I do not publish everything I write, especially when the many wiser and better persons have clarified the issues. The truth sets us free and this Catholic460 Substack is dedicated to edification of the faithful in light of the Catechism of the Catholic Church #460.
The above YouTube discussion with Catherine Hadro [a host, producer and news contributor for EWTN] and Dan Kuebler, PhD [a biology professor at Franciscan University of Steubenville] was filmed in early November and released December 21, 2023. The theological discussions have nothing to do with events currently in the news or other divisions. Catherine and Dan are excellent and friendly hosts and contributors and exceedingly more knowledgeable on these issues in both depth and breadth than this episode’s time limits allow. I’m always humbled by their breadth and depth of theological knowledge as you can see in the many seasons and episodes of “Purposeful Lab.”
The above “Purposeful Lab” of the Magis Center delves into reconciling Genesis with modern evolutionary theory which will continue in Season 3. An hour and a half interview is edited down to basically 45 minutes so as to not be too intimidating in time length for a podcast. The seamless and excellent editing are a testimony to the producers. You may find material covered in the podcast of interest if reconciling Genesis and evolutionary thought fascinates you.
Time and editing did not allow a fuller theory and framework on how to approach reading Genesis and the story of Eden. In a future article, I should write about how the Virgin Mary’s apparitions to Saint Bernadette at Lourdes helps us contemplate “Eden.” The focus of the editing in this current episode is upon reconciliation of Genesis and modern sciences more so than “how to” approach Genesis exegetically.
Some dense explanations of exegetical approach are briefly given inside the interview concerning approaches to reading Genesis and Eden. A fuller theory and framework on how to approach reading Genesis is addressed in a Communio: International Catholic Review essay [“Unmasking the Pharaoh in the Garden of Eden…”] which is only available in the print journal. However, a two-part essay series which complements the Communio essay and reworks some of its ideas is published in Adoremus Bulletin. The digital versions of the Adoremus essays can be found here:
Part I: “Sinai as Interpretive Key to Genesis”
and here:
Part II: “From Eden to the Temple [in the Book of Revelation]”
An International Theological Commission document which is repeatedly mentioned in the above interview is entitled: “Communion and Stewardship: Human Persons Created in the Image of God.” One time I accidentally call it “Creation and Stewardship” in the interview. The International Theological Commission is made of experts who consult with the Vatican to give counsel to what was the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, then under Cardinal Ratzinger. The document came from proceedings in 2002-2003, but was then published in 2004 by the Vatican. Paragraphs 56-70 are very important to discussions on reconciling Genesis and issues of the modern sciences such as theistic evolutionary theories.
That Vatican document is here: “Communion and Stewardship: Human Persons Created in the Image of God.”
Wishing you a joyous Christmas Season!