Evolutionism is the belief that life on earth arose from natural processes and developed over time through random mutation and natural selection without any divine intervention. It stands in contrast to creationism, which asserts that God created the universe and life according to supernatural means. Evolutionism is based on the theory of biological evolution, which seeks to explain how living things change over generations and develop new and differing characteristics. The theory posits that species change through a process called natural selection, whereby organisms with traits best suited to their environment are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass on their genes. Over long periods of time, these changes can result in the emergence of new species. Evolutionism accepts evolution as the explanation for the origin and development of life.
The Bible does not explicitly use the term “evolutionism,” as that is a more modern word ascribed to biological evolution as an ideology and belief system. However, the Bible speaks to the big questions of origins that evolution seeks to answer – where life came from, how humans came to be, and how long the earth has existed. As such, the Bible offers a competing worldview to evolutionism. Here are some key biblical teachings that relate to evolutionism:
Special Creation
The Bible teaches that God specially created the heavens, earth, and life. This doctrine rules out any naturalistic explanation for the origin of the universe or life. Several verses indicate that God created by divine fiat – his spoken word.
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.” (Psalm 33:6)
“For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.” (Psalm 33:9)
Creation of Distinct Kinds
The creation account in Genesis 1 states that God made distinct kinds of creatures according to their own kind. This allows for variation within a kind but not the emergence of wholly new kinds of organisms. Evolutionism proposes a universal common ancestry for all life, a view contrary to the biblical kinds.
“And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so.” (Genesis 1:11)
“So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:21)
“And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:25)
Adam as First Man
The Bible presents Adam as the first human being, specially formed by God rather than gradually evolved from primate ancestors. This rules out human evolution from a common ancestor with apes.
“Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” (Genesis 2:7)
“Thus it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being’; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” (1 Corinthians 15:45)
“For Adam was formed first, then Eve.” (1 Timothy 2:13)
Age of the Earth
While evolutionism requires long ages for life to evolve, the Bible paints a picture of a relatively young earth of several thousand years. Tracing biblical genealogies leads to an approximate date for creation around 4000 BC, a far shorter timespan than proposed by evolutionists.
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
“For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day.” (Exodus 20:11)
Death Through Sin
According to the Bible, death entered creation through Adam’s sin. But evolutionism requires death over millions of years for natural selection to occur. The biblical perspective rules out death before the Fall.
“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” (Romans 5:12)
“For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:21-22)
Not Through Random Processes
Evolution depends on random mutation and undirected natural processes like natural selection. But Scripture states that God directly and intentionally created the heavens, earth, and life. This contradicts the randomness integral to evolution.
“For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.” (Psalm 33:9)
“But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.” (2 Peter 3:7)
All Things Uphold His Word
The Bible affirms that Christ sustains all things and in Him all things hold together. Rather than undirected processes, evolution is undergirded by the creative word of Christ.
“And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:17)
“…sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Hebrews 1:3)
God’s Providence and Sovereignty Over Creation
Scripture testifies to God’s providence and sovereignty over all of creation. He directs all things according to his will, contradicting the purposelessness central to evolution.
“Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.” (Psalm 115:3)
“All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”’ (Daniel 4:35)
Humans Created in God’s Image
The Bible teaches that God created humans in his image, giving us dignity and purpose. Evolution considers humans just another organism that emerged through natural selection with no spiritual significance.
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13)
“It is I who made the earth and created man on it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host.” (Isaiah 45:12)
Biblical Genealogies
The genealogies in Scripture point to the age of the earth being several thousand years old, not billions of years. They trace the lineage from Adam through key biblical figures to later generations, including known historical persons.
“When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.” (Genesis 5:3)
“When Seth had lived 105 years, he fathered Enosh.” (Genesis 5:6)
“The days of Adam after he fathered Seth were 800 years; and he had other sons and daughters.” (Genesis 5:4)
Testimony of Christ
Jesus affirmed the Genesis account of creation as true, undermining biological evolution. He referenced the creation of Adam and Eve as the beginning of human origins.
“From the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’” (Mark 10:6)
“For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be.” (Mark 13:19)
“For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark.” (Matthew 24:37-38)
The Flood
The Genesis flood radically reshaped the earth’s geology and habitats, contradicting the slow pattern of change demanded by evolution. All land creatures except those on the Ark perished in the deluge.
“For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die.” (Genesis 6:17)
“And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ark to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female.” (Genesis 6:19)
“For the coming wrath upon the world, to make all sinners perish.” (Isaiah 13:9)
The Curse
Due to man’s sin, God cursed the ground and subjected the creation to futility and corruption. The created order now groans under the weight of the curse rather than being on an upward progression.
“And to Adam he said, ‘Cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life.'” (Genesis 3:17)
“For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.” (Romans 8:20-22)
The Great Commission
Christ commanded his followers to spread the gospel and make disciples of all nations. Evolutionary ideas of common descent contradict the biblical perspective and can hindered evangelism.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
“And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’” (Mark 16:15)
Miracles and the Supernatural
The New Testament records many miracles that demonstrate God’s supernatural intervention in creation, subverting naturalistic explanations.
“Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” (Acts 3:1-6)
“Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked…he listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking.” (Acts 14:8-10)
Christ’s Resurrection
The resurrection of Christ from the dead demonstrates God’s supremacy over natural laws and death itself.
“We have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (2 Corinthians 5:1)
“That the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” (Romans 8:21)
“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16)
A New Creation
Scripture promises that God will create a new heavens and new earth. He will restore creation from the effects of the Fall and the curse.
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.” (Isaiah 65:17)
“But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:13)
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.” (Revelation 21:1)
In conclusion, the Bible paints a very different picture of origins than evolutionism. Scripture attributes creation to God’s supernatural work, not undirected natural processes over long ages. It presents a young earth and unique direct creation of life according to kinds. Human origins trace back to Adam and Eve, not a pre-human ancestor. The Bible speaks of God’s sovereignty over the universe, not purposeless chance and randomness. Genesis provides an historical account of origins, not merely symbolic mythology. Jesus affirmed a literal understanding of Genesis. The biblical account contradicts the key tenets of evolution in many ways. Ultimately, Scripture presents a theocentric perspective on creation that stands opposed to the naturalism of evolutionism.
