THEISTIC EVOLUTION: STRADDLING THE FENCE IN THE CREATION VS EVOLUTION DEBATE

In recent years, the idea of theistic evolution—a belief that God used evolutionary processes to create life—has gained popularity among Christians. This perspective tries to harmonise modern science with Scripture. It suggests God guided the process of evolution to form life on earth, including us. But can this view truly align with a biblical understanding of creation, sin, and salvation? Join us as we explore why theistic evolution contradicts foundational biblical doctrines and why it’s essential for Christians to hold fast to a literal understanding of creation.

Understanding Theistic Evolution: Its Core Claims

Theistic evolution combines aspects of evolutionary theory with belief in a divine Creator. Proponents of theistic evolution accept ideas such as common ancestry, natural selection, and millions of years of gradual development but argue God ultimately guides the process. In doing so, they reinterpret the creation account in Genesis, viewing it as symbolic rather than literal.

Yet, in trying to bridge Scripture and secular science, theistic evolution makes significant assumptions about God’s nature and works. At its core, this perspective challenges the authority and clarity of the Bible, suggesting Scripture must be reinterpreted to fit modern scientific theories.

Theistic Evolution: The Backstory

Theistic evolution, as a concept, began to gain traction in the 19th century, primarily as Christian thinkers sought ways to reconcile Darwin’s theory of evolution with the Genesis creation account. Early advocates included figures like Asa Gray, a botanist and close associate of Charles Darwin, who believed evolutionary processes could align with faith in divine creation. In the 20th century, Catholic priest Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was also a major proponent: he suggested evolution was not only compatible with Christianity but was a divine process moving humanity toward greater spiritual unity.

In recent years, theistic evolution has been promoted by figures in various Christian denominations, with key advocates including Francis Collins, founder of BioLogos and director of the National Institutes of Health, and John Polkinghorne, an Anglican priest and physicist. Today, theistic evolution continues to be a significant position, particularly among those in academic and scientific communities.

Scriptural Objections to Theistic Evolution

• The Creation Account in Genesis: The Bible opens with the clear, orderly account of creation in Genesis 1-2. God creates all things in six days, speaking each element into being with purpose and authority. In this account, Adam and Eve are uniquely created as the first humans, made in God’s image, and placed in a specific environment to fulfill a purpose. Accepting theistic evolution requires viewing this account as myth or allegory rather than history. However, Scripture consistently treats Genesis as historical fact, including the creation of Adam and Eve as real events.
• The Nature of Death and Sin: A central tenet of Scripture is that death entered the world as a consequence of human sin (Romans 5:12). However, if we accept theistic evolution, then death, suffering, and predation existed long before humanity’s fall. This presents a theological dilemma: if death was already present in creation, then it cannot be the consequence of sin. This undermines the foundation of the Gospel, which is built on the reality that Jesus came to conquer death, a penalty directly resulting from sin.
• God’s Power and Purpose in Creation: The Bible portrays creation as a direct act of God’s power and wisdom, revealing His glory. In contrast, theistic evolution implies God “needed” evolutionary processes to bring about His plans. This diminishes the picture of an all-powerful Creator, capable of forming life by His word alone. Instead of direct and purposeful creation, theistic evolution suggests a process marked by trial, error, and suffering, which conflicts with the nature of God as revealed in Scripture.

Theological Concerns with Theistic Evolution

• Undermines the Authority of Scripture: If we accept Genesis 1-2 is symbolic or allegorical, where do we draw the line in how we interpret the rest of Scripture? Theistic evolution’s re-interpretation of Genesis opens the door to viewing other parts of the Bible as metaphorical when they seem inconvenient or contradictory to modern thought. Rather than allowing the Bible to interpret itself, theistic evolution risks placing human understanding above God’s word.
• Erodes the Doctrine of Original Sin: The Reformed faith affirms that through one man, Adam, sin entered the world, affecting all humanity (Romans 5:12, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22). A historical Adam is not merely a theological point but foundational to understanding the human need for salvation. Theistic evolution often suggests that humanity emerged as a group rather than descending from a single, historical Adam, which undermines the doctrine of original sin and, by extension, the necessity of Christ’s atoning work.
• Compromises the Gospel Message: If sin and death did not originate with Adam, the very purpose of Jesus’ death and resurrection is called into question. The Bible teaches Jesus is the “second Adam,” coming to redeem what was lost through the first man’s sin. Without a historical fall, the Gospel message of redemption is weakened, as the need for a Saviour becomes less clear. Christ’s work on the cross was necessary because of humanity’s inherited guilt from Adam, an inheritance that theistic evolution’s framework blurs.

Scientific Objections to Theistic Evolution

Beyond scriptural and theological concerns, there are also scientific objections to evolutionary theory from a creationist perspective. For instance, the fossil record lacks the transitional forms one would expect if all life evolved through gradual changes. Furthermore, the incredible complexity of life—from DNA to biological systems—points toward intelligent design, not random processes. Creation science offers alternative interpretations that affirm a recent creation, emphasizing that scientific evidence, properly interpreted, supports the Bible’s account.

The Importance of Maintaining a Biblical View of Creation

In a culture that often pressures Christians to conform to secular views of science, it’s critical to maintain a biblical perspective on creation. Accepting theistic evolution dilutes the authority of Scripture, weakens core doctrines, and creates confusion over the nature of salvation. God’s revelation through the Bible is clear: creation was a purposeful act by a powerful Creator, not an accidental by-product of evolutionary processes.

By embracing a literal understanding of creation, Christians uphold the integrity of Scripture, affirm the nature of sin and death, and protect the clarity of the Gospel message. Rather than adapting to cultural pressures, believers are called to stand on the foundation of God’s word, trusting that it offers a coherent, consistent, and trustworthy account of our origins.

Conclusion: Why We Must Reject Theistic EvolutionTheistic evolution may seem like a way to bridge faith and science, but in doing so, it undermines the Bible’s authority and risks compromising the Gospel. God’s Word is clear, purposeful, and powerful, and it gives us a foundation for understanding creation, sin, and redemption. As Christians, we must hold fast to the truths revealed in Scripture, trusting that God’s account of creation is not only reliable but essential to our faith. May we have the courage to stand firm on this truth, proclaiming the glory of the Creator who made all things for His purposes and His praise.

 

Why We Must Reject Theistic Evolution—Related FAQs

Why can’t Genesis be understood metaphorically, as theistic evolution suggests? From a creationist perspective, the Genesis account is viewed as a historical narrative rather than metaphor or poetry. Genesis includes specific genealogies, sequences, and clear, literal language—features intended to recount historical events. Creationists believe interpreting Genesis metaphorically risks undermining the Bible’s authority, as it opens the door to reinterpreting other foundational doctrines based on modern cultural or scientific perspectives.

Doesn’t evolution help Christians engage with science and reach a broader audience? Creationists agree Christians should engage science thoughtfully but argue that accommodating evolution undermines core biblical doctrines, such as the special creation of us, humanbeings in God’s image. Creationists believe science and Scripture, when properly understood, align without the need to reinterpret foundational beliefs. Embracing evolution may offer a bridge to secular science but is seen by creationists as compromising biblical authority.

Wouldn’t a 6,000-year-old Earth contradict scientific dating methods that show billions of years? Creationists believe current dating methods are based on assumptions about the constancy of decay rates and initial conditions, which are not infallible. From a young-Earth creationist perspective, God created the universe with the appearance of maturity, much like Adam was created as an adult. We argue a young Earth is consistent with a literal reading of Genesis and that dating discrepancies arise from worldview-based interpretations of scientific evidence.

Doesn’t evolutionary theory fit better with the fossil record than the creationist view? As creationists we interpret the fossil record differently, viewing it as evidence of a global flood, as described in Genesis. We argue the fossil layers reflect rapid burial during a single catastrophic event rather than gradual evolution over millions of years. This perspective explains fossil distribution and the appearance of complex life forms without transitional fossils, which we believe evolutionary theory fails to explain satisfactorily.

Isn’t advocating for creationism a barrier for people, including scientists, who might be open to faith? Creationists believe standing by Scripture helps reveal a consistent, understandable worldview that isn’t compromised by shifting scientific theories. While evolution is common in mainstream science, creationists see biblical truth as more than just belief; we argue it explains the complexity and order we see in the world around us. Rather than being a barrier, creationism offers a distinctive framework that allows seekers to explore Christianity’s claims in a way that’s cohesive and grounded in both faith and reason.

Wouldn’t evolution be a more elegant way for God to create than a direct, step-by-step process? Creationists argue God’s creation, as described in Genesis, demonstrates purpose, intentionality, and the immediacy of His power. They see evolutionary processes—marked by randomness and death before the Fall—as conflicting with God’s declaration of a “very good” creation. Instead, creation is viewed as a deliberate act reflecting God’s wisdom, beauty, and love, aligned with His nature as a personal Creator who brings order and life directly, rather than through an impersonal process of survival and mutation.

Won’t accepting evolution strengthen Christian credibility in the scientific community? While creationists recognise the desire to integrate faith with scientific credibility, they caution aligning with evolution compromises key biblical doctrines, such as the origin of sin and death. They argue credibility shouldn’t come at the expense of biblical truth, as accepting evolution introduces theological contradictions. Creationists believe maintaining biblical integrity offers a more consistent and ultimately credible witness to the world.

 

Why We Must Reject Theistic Evolution—Our Related Posts

• Creation or Evolution: Let the Evidence Speak for Itself
• Defending Creationism: Responses to Evolutionists
• Conspicuous Gaps in the Evolution Narrative
• Beyond Chance: Exploring the Scientific Case for Creation