Evolutionary creationism is a view that seeks to integrate the Christian faith with modern science, particularly the scientific consensus on biological evolution. It accepts evolution as the scientific explanation for the development of life on earth, while also holding to the Christian doctrines of creation and divine providence. Evolutionary creationists believe that God created the universe and life through natural processes that He ordained and sustains. They see evolution as God’s method of creation.
Some key beliefs of evolutionary creationism include:
- God created the universe, the earth, and life. The Bible teaches that God is the Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1; John 1:3).
- God created through ordained natural processes. God could have created instantaneously, but chose to create through natural laws and processes over long periods of time.
- Evolution is an accurate scientific explanation for the development of life. There is abundant evidence that life developed and diversified through biological evolution.
- Humans share ancestry with apes and other organisms. Humans were not specially created apart from other animals, but emerged through gradual evolutionary processes.
- Human uniqueness comes from the image of God. Humans have spiritual and moral capacities that reflect God’s image, not just advanced cognitive abilities.
- God providentially guided evolution. Evolution has some randomness, but within the boundaries and toward the purposes God established.
- Death and suffering have been part of nature for millions of years. These are not the result of human sin, but are part of how God chose to create life through evolution.
- The Bible is divinely inspired, but not a textbook of science. Scripture teaches theological truths, not detailed scientific explanations.
- The biblical creation accounts are theological, not scientific. Their purpose is to teach that God is Creator; they are not literal scientific histories.
Evolutionary creationism stands in contrast to young earth creationism, which teaches that God created the earth only thousands of years ago, likely in six 24-hour days. Young earth creationism denies the evidence for biological evolution and an old earth. Evolutionary creationism disagrees with young earth views, arguing that science demonstrates life’s development over billions of years. It sees young earth claims as imposing unrealistic expectations on Scripture that do not account for its ancient Near Eastern context and theological purpose.
Evolutionary creationists also differ from theistic evolutionists in some respects. Theistic evolution sees evolution as God’s sole method of creation, with no room for any supernatural intervention along the way. Evolutionary creationists are open to God at times acting supernaturally within natural processes, for example in the creation of human spiritual capacities. However, evolutionary creationism still sees natural mechanisms as the primary means God used to create life.
Several biblical themes shape the perspective of evolutionary creationism:
- God as Creator – The Bible begins by declaring “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Scripture continually affirms that God is the Creator of all that exists (e.g. Psalm 104; Isaiah 45:18; John 1:3).
- Creation by God’s Word – God creates simply by speaking words, not through arduous labor or struggle. This reflects God’s omnipotent power (e.g. Genesis 1; Psalm 33:6, 9; Hebrews 11:3).
- Creation for God’s glory – God created the cosmos as a display of His majestic splendor and authority. The whole earth reveals God’s qualities and handiwork (e.g. Psalm 19:1; Isaiah 43:7; Romans 1:20).
- Creation’s goodness – God declared His creation to be “very good” at each stage. All parts of creation have goodness and purpose in God’s design (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31).
- Humans in God’s image – Human bear God’s image in their spiritual, moral, rational, relational, and creative capacities (Genesis 1:26-27; 5:1; 9:6; 1 Corinthians 11:7; Colossians 3:10; James 3:9).
- Human responsibility – As beings made in God’s image, humans are called to steward creation in morally responsible ways. We are accountable to God for our actions. (Genesis 1:28; 2:15; Psalm 8:6-8).
- Sabbath rest – God instituted the Sabbath to provide rhythm of work and rest. The Sabbath commemorates God’s completion of creation (Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 20:8-11).
- Christ the creator and sustainer – The New Testament identifies Jesus Christ as the agent of creation through whom all things were made. He also sustains all things by His power (John 1:3; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:2-3).
Evolutionary creationism believes evolution accurately describes how God brought forth the diversity of life. At the same time, it wholistically integrates evolution within a Christian vision of reality focused on God’s purposes, human dignity, and Christ’s redeeming work.
Biblical evolutionists see scientific study of the natural world as a way to learn more about how God created. They believe modern science gives greater insight into the vast ages, amazing processes, and marvelous creatures God made. Evolution does not diminish human value, but magnifies God’s creativity and wisdom in crafting humanity through natural means. Evolution prompts greater worship of the God who purposes and guides all things over eons of time to bring about His intentions.
Some implications of evolutionary creationism include:
- Taking mainstream science seriously, including evidence for an old earth, shared ancestry, and natural selection acting over deep time.
- Letting nature inform interpretation of Scripture, not forcing modern ideas onto an ancient text.
- Seeing evolution as God’s chosen process for developing life rather than alternative mechanisms (e.g. fixity of species).
- Viewing Adam and Eve as representing the early human population, not particular individuals created de novo.
- Considering human dignity and uniqueness in spiritual rather than merely biological terms.
- Emphasizing cooperation, interdependence, and sustainability as outworkings of human responsibility to creation.
- Stressing Christ’s redemption of all creation, not just individual souls.
- Appreciating natural history and biodiversity as reflections of the Creator’s abundance.
Evolutionary creationism engages mainstream science while holding firmly to essential Christian tenets. It maintains historic Christian beliefs in light of modern understandings. In this view, evolution is not a contradiction to faith, but a means by which God providentially ordained the development of life – including human beings made in His image.
Evolutionary creationism has been advocated by numerous Christian scientists, theologians, philosophers, pastors, and organizations. Prominent evolutionary creationist scholars and leaders include:
- Francis Collins – Former director of the Human Genome Project and current director of the National Institutes of Health.
- Denis Lamoureux – Evolutionary biologist and theologian who coined the term “evolutionary creationism.”
- John Walton – Old Testament scholar at Wheaton College.
- N.T. Wright – New Testament scholar, former bishop of Durham.
- Alister McGrath – Christian theologian and biochemist.
- John Stott – leading British evangelical pastor and theologian.
- Tim Keller – Influential pastor and theologian in New York City.
- Joel Green – New Testament scholar at Fuller Theological Seminary.
- C. John Collins – Old Testament scholar at Covenant Theological Seminary.
- Deborah Haarsma – Astrophysicist and President of BioLogos.
- J. Richard Middleton – Biblical scholar at Northeastern Seminary.
- BioLogos – Organization dedicated to evolutionary creationism.
- American Scientific Affiliation – Network of Christians in science.
These and many other distinguished evangelical thinkers advocate evolutionary creation as a viable option for Christians seeking to integrate biblical faith with contemporary science. They provide extensive theological and scientific support for this perspective.
There is active discussion around questions evolutionary creationism raises. Some issues include:
- Scriptural interpretation – How best to understand the creation accounts in Genesis and other biblical passages in light of modern science?
- Human origins – When and how did God impart spiritual capacities to humankind? Did this occur gradually or more suddenly with the first spiritually aware humans?
- Divine action – How does God interact with the world, especially through extraordinary means? Did God perform miracles at key points in evolutionary history or solely work through natural processes?
- Natural evil – Does evolution’s “survival of the fittest” mechanism imply nature is red in tooth and claw, or can it be part of God’s good design?
- Free will – Did human free will emerge gradually or require special divine creative action at some point in evolutionary history?
These complex issues spark ongoing investigations by scholars seeking to develop evolutionary creationism as a robust theological paradigm. Yet the core principles of this perspective provide a framework for pursing Christian faith and evolutionary science in an integrated way. Evolutionary creationism offers a path for Christians to celebrate evolution as the means God chose to fill the earth with His wonderful creations.