Darwinism is the theory of biological evolution developed by Charles Darwin that states that all species of organisms arise and develop through the natural selection of small, inherited variations that increase the individual’s ability to compete, survive, and reproduce. Darwin first proposed his theory in his 1859 book On the Origin of Species.
The core ideas of Darwin’s theory can be summarized as follows:
- Individuals within a species have variations in their characteristics and traits. This occurs through random mutations in an organism’s genetic code.
- Some of these variations give particular individuals an advantage over others in survival and reproduction. This is known as natural selection.
- Individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass on their favorable traits to future generations.
- Over time, advantageous traits become more common in a population, while unfavorable ones become rarer. This leads to gradual change and adaptation within species.
- Given enough time, natural selection can result in the emergence of new species and the extinction of others as environments change.
Darwin proposed natural selection as the primary mechanism driving this process of evolution. His theory challenged the prevailing view that species were unchanging creations designed by God. It replaced this with a completely naturalistic explanation for the origin and evolution of life on earth.
Darwin drew evidence for his theory from a wide range of scientific disciplines, including geology, paleontology, comparative anatomy, embryology, and biogeography. Some key lines of evidence included:
- The fossil record showing gradual changes in organisms over long periods of time.
- Similarities in early embryological development across species indicating common descent.
- Anatomical homologies, like vertebrate limbs, pointing to shared ancestry.
- Biogeographical distribution of related species suggesting evolutionary diversification.
- Rudimentary, vestigial organs in species that seem to have lost their original function.
Darwin’s theory gave a natural explanation for how species originate, change over time, and give rise to new species. It implied that all life on earth is descended from common ancestors and related through evolutionary processes. Darwinism remains the foundation of the modern theory of biological evolution, supported by over 150 years of scientific research and discoveries.
What does the Bible say about Darwinism?
The Bible does not directly address Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection, as it was developed centuries after the biblical texts were written. However, the Bible provides an alternative perspective on the origins of life and the diversity of species that differs from Darwinism in important ways.
Here are some key biblical principles relating to origins and the natural world:
- God created the heavens, earth, and all life according to His divine will and for His glory (Genesis 1-2; Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:20).
- God created distinct kinds of plants and animals to reproduce according to their kind (Genesis 1:11-12, 21, 24-25).
- The earth and all creatures were originally created “very good” by God, without flaws, disease, or death (Genesis 1:31).
- Sin profoundly affected the natural world, bringing decay, suffering, and death (Genesis 3; Romans 8:20-22).
- Christ’s redemption and restoration of creation began at the cross and will be completed when He returns (Colossians 1:20; Revelation 21-22).
These biblical truths present a very different picture of origins than Darwinism. Scripture attributes the existence of the natural world directly to God’s creative power, not an undirected process like natural selection. It also teaches that life was originally created in an ideal state, before being corrupted by human sin. This contrasts with the Darwinian concept of life evolving in a “dog-eat-dog” struggle for survival over eons of time.
At a deeper level, the Bible and Darwinism offer incompatible perspectives on the nature of reality and life’s ultimate purpose. Darwinism presents a thoroughly naturalistic worldview, excluding any supernatural creative action or design in nature. Scripture affirms that the living God created and sustains the natural world to glorify Himself and accomplish His good purposes.
How should Christians think about Darwinism?
Christians evaluating Darwin’s theory of evolution must carefully consider how it aligns or conflicts with biblical revelation and sound theology. Here are a few principles for Christians to keep in mind regarding Darwinism:
- Accept what is well-supported scientifically while rejecting unsubstantiated speculative claims (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
- Remember that scientific theories are fallible and limited, not equal to God’s infallible Word (Psalm 19:7-9).
- Distinguish between observational science and the worldview assumptions of historical/origins science.
- Understand theories of origins in light of God’s revelation about history in Scripture.
- Avoid integrating Darwinism into theology in ways that reinterpret or compromise key biblical doctrines.
For many Christians, fully accepting Darwinian evolution as currently defined by the scientific community requires adopting naturalistic assumptions that conflict with biblical authority and theology. However, Christians need not deny well-evidenced scientific observations about adaptation, speciation, and change over time within limits. Allowing for created kinds, variation, and adaptation within kinds is compatible with theology while stopping short of Darwinian universal common descent.
Christians can thoughtfully analyze Darwinism, retaining that which is scientifically well-supported while rejecting anti-biblical worldview implications. Above all, Scripture rather than scientific theories must be our ultimate authority on the history of life and the nature of biological change over time.
What are the main problems with Darwinism from a biblical perspective?
While Darwinism has scientific merit in explaining processes like adaptation and variation within species, several of its core claims are highly problematic from a biblical perspective. Some key issues include:
- Naturalism – Darwinism rejects any supernatural creative action or design in nature, conflicting with Scripture’s teaching that God created the world.
- Randomness – Darwinian mechanisms like random mutation and natural selection contradict the biblical view of an ordered creation governed by God’s sovereign will.
- Universal common descent – The claim all organisms evolved from a single common ancestor diverges from the Genesis account of God distinctly creating different kinds of plants and animals.
- Humans as animals – Darwinism implies humans are just highly evolved animals, contrary to the biblical teaching that humans are unique image-bearers of God.
- Purposelessness – The Darwinian view of undirected, purposeless evolution contradicts Scripture’s depiction of an intentional creation designed to glorify God.
- Death before sin – Darwinism requires death, suffering and struggle eons before human sin, conflicting with biblical teaching that these resulted from the Fall (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12).
Taken together, these areas clearly demonstrate that Darwinism’s naturalistic worldview and evolutionary narrative are incompatible with Scripture’s theological teachings about creation, human nature, sin, redemption, and God’s sovereignty over history. Christians must uphold biblical authority over human theories that contradict God’s revelation.
How do Christians reconcile science and Scripture regarding origins and evolution?
Christians have taken various approaches to reconciling science and Scripture regarding biological origins and evolution. Several major views include:
- Young Earth Creation – God created a mature earth 6,000-10,000 years ago over 6 literal days. All major kinds of life were specially created by God, not evolutionarily related.
- Old Earth Creation – The earth is billions of years old, but biological change has been limited. God specially created major kinds of life at separate times as Scripture indicates.
- Theistic Evolution – God used Darwinian evolution to develop life over billions of years. This is aimed at reconciling naturalistic mechanisms with divine guidance.
- Intelligent Design – Emphasizes evidence of intelligent design in nature. But avoids speculation about the identity of the designer or history of life.
Each view has its own merits and difficulties regarding scientific evidence and biblical interpretation. Christians should study these positions carefully against Scripture. But all Christians can affirm God’s active creation and providence, human dignity as image-bearers, the biblical Adam and Eve, the historical fall, and Christ’s redemption through His incarnation, death and resurrection.
Conclusion
Darwinism presents both opportunities and challenges for Christians seeking to think biblically about origins. Christians can thoughtfully analyze Darwin’s theory, retaining well-supported scientific insights while rejecting anti-biblical worldview claims. Above all, God’s authoritative Word rather than speculative human theories must shape our understanding of where we came from in God’s created world.
