The Nonviolent Character of God, Evolution, and the Fall of Satan.

The evolutionary creation model Of origins best matches the scientijic evidence for evolution with common descent. However, the violence and harni associated with the evolutionary history of li# may be viewed as incompatible with religious traditions such as Anabaptist that understand God to be nonviolent as revealed in the li# and teaching ofJesus. This article argues that malevolent wills such as fallen angels opposed God's will in the evolutionary process and that explanations for natural evils that do not recognize the corrupting activities of fallen spirit-beings make God culpable Br evil and non-Christlike in moral character. In this light, the rejection Of the angelic-jall thesis by many writers is surprising. Consequently, a number Of common objections to the thesis are examined. The angelic-jall approach to natural evil has biblical support, a long history in the church, support Of theologians, the ability to resist objections, and many usefid outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]