There is no standard Christian position on the role of reason in religion. Catholics think that “natural theology” has a significant and full role to play: “Illumined by faith, reason is set free from the fragility and limitations deriving from the disobedience of sin and finds the strength required to rise to the knowledge of the Triune God” (John Paul II 1998, 43). While there are Protestants who accept and even welcome natural theology, the “neo-orthodox” (like Barth) think not only that it fails but also that it is pernicious in its effects and promises. A true faith needs no proofs and indeed is destroyed by such proofs. Our radical freedom to accept God's gift of grace would be compromised were it possible to give logical proof of Christian claims.

Obviously we must discuss the interaction of Darwinism and natural theology, but equally obviously the Christian's own stand will have to be considered in any overall assessment of these issues.

The Teleological Argument

Arguments for the existence of God lie at the heart of natural theology. Some such arguments touch but slightly or not at all on the Darwinian system. The “teleological argument” or the “argument from design,” however, is right on the front line. Many people, Richard Dawkins most vocally recently, claim that here above all Darwinism and Christianity come into conflict, precluding belief in both systems. By going back in history, let us see why this opinion might be held.