David O. Brown

Theologians often claim that evolution is the way that God creates; however, this is not how biologists understand evolution. David O. Brown argues that a sober appreciation of neo-Darwinism understands evolution as a theory of preservation, not creation. Evolution is not a temporary process that will end in the completion of creation (or deification), but is a permanent feature of how creation is. In other words, evolution is a scientific theory of ontology, not a scientific theory of creation, and the point of connection between evolution and theology is ontology, not creation.This leads to two important implications: First, evolution cannot be the way that God creates and, further, shows that God cannot influence the universe. This leads to the idea that Christ is the sole agent of all divine activity; God creates through Christ. Second, there is a connection between the theological ontology of participation and imitation on one side and neo-Darwinism on the other. Evolution is simply imitation and participation at a biological level. Thus, causing participation is the divine act achieved through Christ, of which evolution becomes a necessary side effect. Evolution is not the way that God creates, but is a consequence of creatures' imitating and participating in God.In this ground-breaking theological appreciation of neo-Darwinism, David O. Brown argues that evolution is not the way that God creates, but is a consequence of creatures' imitating and participating in God.

The Collection of Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary offers more than 135 Scripture passages through which the faithful might deepen their devotion to Mary. While some texts are very familiar, others are not as well known to contemporary Catholics. In Preaching the Scriptures of the Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Father David Brown examines each of the texts in detail, offering valuable insights for homily preparation.This helpful book includesinsightful exegesis of every Scripture passage of the Lectionary for these Masseshelpful summary statements about each readinga generous set of musings" on the readings for each Mass rich enough to prompt a variety of different homilies, making it useful year after yearsuggestions for further worthwhile readingHomilists will turn to this nourishing resource gratefully and repeatedly for inspiration and information.