What is the best fitting term/label for my beliefs?

Question

So starting off, the best I can narrow beliefs down is somewhere between a monotheistic system and science. I grew up in an Anglican household and grew up with Anglican teachings. Going through public school also taught me the scientific side of things so now I'm sort of stuck in the middle so I'll try to list of some of my beliefs to help. 1. I accept most scientific theories (like evolution) with the exception of the big bang theory. Instead, I believe that God created the universe and all its principles. I still believe that the universe is 13 billion years old and the Earth is 4.5 billion yo. 2. With the exception of some good things (like don't murder/steal, etc. and "love our neighbors as ourselves") I don't put much faith in the Bible. Not that there aren't good teachings in it, it's just I feel like you need to take everything with a grain of salt when taking life advice that was written by humand 1500-2000 years ago and possibly changed/interpreted in many different ways to fit the needs of the ruling governments and societies it was taught in. 3. I don't think humans are very special. Maybe we were pushed along over time by God who got bored (in an evolutionary sense) or we're just a random mutation that appeared at some point and became self aware to the point we are today. 4. Going back to my first point, I believe that all the scientific theories and laws that we are discovering are the mechanism that God (or a higher power) created. The best comparison I can think of for this would be that we are slowly, piece by piece, figure out high a complex computer program works and manipulating it to fit our needs/wants. 5. I believe in an afterlife similar to, if not exactly like Christian heaven where we see in spirit form everyone who has passed away like loved ones and friends. 6. I also believe that God/angels/past relatives are watching over us and will guide and protect us if need be. Also helping us hold on to life if it is not our time to go. There rest of the stuff I believe in falls either under scientific beliefs or in a region best classified as "I don't know". I'm very casual with religion so sorry if my beliefs are haphazardly put together. I'm just curious, what would be my best fit label? (P.S. Sorry if there's grammar/spelling mistakes, it's rather late here so it's possible to happen. And thanks for your time and input on my situation.)

Answer 1

I appreciate your question and want to touch on each point briefly in hopes of adding some clarity, but more importantly, some resources that might interest you as well. The Anglican tradition, as opposed to more fundamentalist denominations, has been one that has welcomed the current scientia (knowledge) of the day, whether that be evolutionary theory or quantum mechanics.

1. I'm inclined to think that most Christians accept evolutionary theory, they just reject that the guiding principle is a blind cutthroat survival of the fittest; namely, that it is random. The harmony of science and religion has been well exemplified in the work of many philosophers such J.P. Moreland and William Lane Craig. I would also recommend a great book by philosopher Alvin Plantinga called "Where the Conflict Really Lies." It's about the harmony between science and Christianity.
2. The Bible is considered inerrant by some, others consider it inspired, still more authoritative, and some merely a collection of historical documents. Of all the aforementioned, you can still be a Christian, there are many different camps and many different theological interpretations to Scripture.
3. The Bible does create space to exemplify that humans are unique in God's eyes, that they are made in the imago Dei, but how that is interpretated has been up for debate for two thousand years. Certainly a central crux of Christianity is the uniqueness of the God-man, Christ.
4. You may be interested in one current camp in the theological discussion called ecotheology or deep international theology. See for example Christopher Southgate, who is a theologian at the University of Exeter, an Anglican no less just like you! Essentially it posits God as the creative mechanism that brings the universe into being, both with its order and beauty as well as with its disorder and chaos. Suffering, both animal and creature, is necessary to bring about new more creative forms, all pushing the cosmos towards an eventual eschatological consummation when God is in all and all is in God. Much of deep incarnational theology deals with current science (quantum mechanics, evolution) as well as the environment and even racial justice issues.
5. Sounds pretty much in harmony with current Anglican teaching! The big debate with theologians now is will heaven be like earth, or will it be much more spiritual and ethereal. It is true that Christianity has historically placed more stock in the latter (suggestive of the platonic inheritance of the early Greek patristic fathers).
6. Again, pretty much in line with the broader consensus of Christian teaching!

All in all, I would worry less about the labels, and continue to learn, grow, and stand firm in what you believe. With that being said, if you started going to church at any Anglican church, you would be welcomed with open arms.

Hope some of that helped!