Essay by Archpriest Сonstantin Boufeev Virology and theology: «More Friends Than Foes»? On the Karin Moelling’s «Viruses: More Friends Than Foes?»

The essay on viruses, written by a well-known Orthodox priest, Archpriest Konstantin Bufeev, under the impression of reading the book by the honored German virologist Karin Mölling, contains a scientific and theological analysis of this hotly debated topic. It is shown that none of the facts discovered in the study of microorganisms contradicts the Christian doctrine of Creation and the fall into sin.

The author has managed to find an alternative scientific interpretation to each of Dr. Moelling's conclusions, in agreement with the Bible and the teachings of the Holy Fathers.

The major error of evolutionists in placing viruses at the base of the tree of life is pointed out. A new corrected philosophical view of the problem is offered.

The book will be of interest to all who are engaged in natural science, medicine, as well as theology and philosophy; especially to teachers, graduate students, and undergraduates studying at universities and theological seminaries.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

1.1. Why I took up the pen. Three reasons

1.2. About the author and her good jokes

1.3. Spiritual views of the author and her bad

2. On the logical inconsistency of the evolutionary concept of viruses

2.1. «Experimental confirmation» of evolution

2.2. About some contradictions of the evolutionary hypothesis

2.3. Conclusions not arising from facts

3. Are viruses the structural basis of all living things?

3.1. Evolutionary Opinion: Everything comes from viruses, and we come from viruses

3.2. There is an alternative opinion!

3.3. Which faith is better?

4. Virology and computer science

4.1. Where does the genetic information come from in viruses?

4.2. The biblical basis of natural science: creation and

5. Where did life come from?

6. On the age of viruses

6.1. Evolutionary model. Measurement or calculation?

6.2. «The Model of the Prophet Moses»

6.3. Beyond the bounds of reliable knowledge

7. Viruses as parasites

7.1. A view from the perspective of evolutionism: viruses – smart parasites

7.2. A view from the perspective of creationism: action of the Wise God

7.3. Once again about faith. About belief in evolution

8. On the hypothesis of the «evolutionary origin» of the cell

8.1. Did the cells come from viruses? Some difficulties of the hypothesis

8.2. Have bacteria and viruses been involved in cell creation?

8.3. Viruses and the “evolutionary tree”

9. The «further course» of evolution

9.1. How did the placenta appear?

9.2. Viruses, wasps and caterpillars

10. Conclusion. A disappointing result. But there is hope. 10.1. Microbiome and free will

10.2. Tutti