Paleontology and "Ivory-Tower Orthodoxy"

Paleontology is an imprecise and very outward science. And evolution does not come from paleontology—it is a philosophy which many paleontologists accept.

Theology and paleontology are not two entirely independent spheres—that’s a modern rationalistic idea. They are different levels which sometimes overlap. And the basic philosophies of [Orthodox] theology and [evolutionist] paleontology are radically distinct: man as fallen from the angelic state, vs. man rising up from savagery. One can’t hold both these ideas seriously.

The idea that paleontology can believe whatever it wants and Orthodox Christianity isn’t affected—this is an ostrich mentality, which makes Orthodoxy either fairy tales or simply remote from life. On the contrary, Orthodoxy often impinges on everyday problems; and a lack of Orthodox philosophy to apply revelation to life, means we are crippled for ordinary life. This is ivory-tower Orthodoxy, not real Orthodoxy.

We must be precise about “science.” Most people assume “science” knows what it is talking about. But there is no such thing as “science”—there are different “sciences,” each with a very different level of accuracy and preciseness. Paleontology is one of the less precise sciences, requiring much guesswork to fill vast gaps of time and knowledge. All the sciences connected with “proving” evolution are imprecise—pre­history, paleontology, geology. The more precise sciences whose testimony is called for to “prove” evolution—embryology, genetics, etc.—if anything give proof against evolution.