Creation vs. naturalist evolution - What does the Bible say?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Creation and naturalism are two different explanations of life, with opposing viewpoints. Creation accepts the God of the Bible while naturalism rejects God. Creation exhibits the glory of God (Psalm 19:1), the goodness of God (Psalm 33:5), the wisdom and steadfast love of God (Psalm 136:5), and the eternal power and divine nature of God (Romans 1:20). Creationists (young earth or old) believe in the historicity of Adam and Eve, and the doctrines of sin, redemption and salvation that originate from them. Some creationists believe that God may have used aspects of “evolution” as part of His design. On the other hand, adherents to naturalism in evolution take the stance that there is no God and, therefore, no divine involvement in the origins of the universe or life. Creation and naturalism are not compatible; creation may be compatible with some views of evolution, but not all.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• From the very beginning in Genesis 1, God created life according to His design and intentions. Believers disagree about how literal the timeline and descriptions in Genesis are meant to be taken. Adaptive changes within a kind are noncontroversial. Macroevolution, involving the change of one kind to another, is subject to more controversy.
• Genesis 1-2 gives the history of creation. This text tells us about the miracle of how God created the earth and life. Genesis 1:27 tells us God created humans in His own image. The days of creation could be literal 24-hour days, or much longer periods. The text does not explicitly prove or disprove either view. The intended message is that all that exists is the result of God's creative acts.
• The fool says in his heart, "There is no God" (Psalm 10:4; 14:1; 53:1). According to the Bible, anyone who denies the existence of God is a fool. Foolishness does not imply a lack of intelligence. By necessity, naturalist scientists are intellectually brilliant. “Foolishness” in this context means an inability to properly apply knowledge. Proverbs 1:7 tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” There is no way to correctly interpret the origin of life without God.
• Creation exhibits the glory of God and the work of His hands (Psalm 19:1).
• Creation exhibits the goodness of God (Psalm 33:5).
• Creation exhibits God's wisdom and steadfast love (Psalm 136:5).
• Creation exhibits God as the sole object of worship (Isaiah 45:18).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Jesus confirmed the divine creation of humankind in Matthew 19:4-6 when He told the Pharisees that from the beginning God created humans male and female. Jesus referred to Adam and Eve as literal people.
• Creation exhibits the existence, eternal power and divine nature of God (Romans 1:20).
• According to naturalist views of evolution, Adam was not a real person. Without a literal Adam, there is no literal sin and no need for a literal Savior (Romans 5:12). However, the parallel of Adam and Jesus in Romans 5:15-17 does not allow an interpretation of Adam as merely symbolic or hypothetical. If we affirm Jesus as one, real historical man, we must also take Adam as one, real historical man as created by God.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

This brief article does not attempt a thorough comparison of the scientific debate between creationists and evolutionists. Arguments become technical and can soon become out-of-date. What we do see, however, is that the wider argument about creation vs. evolution has turned into a mud-slinging brawl of scientific fallacies and political expediencies.

Within the Christian church, debates about special, instantaneous creation versus God-directed evolution are about how to interpret Scripture and evidence. Core questions about God’s involvement are not at stake. The conflict between those creationist views and the nonbelieving world are rooted in deeper worldviews.

The way these issues are approached matters for each person. If there is a Creator, all mankind is responsible to Him and valued by Him. If there is no Creator, then our lives are random chance and our only worth is that which we determine, living without hope.

However, the Bible is clear: God is the Creator. Any interpretation that attempts to remove God from involvement with origins is incompatible with Scripture. The origin of life cannot be directly tested or observed. Both special creation and atheistic evolution—and everything between—require a evel of faith: some accept God, others reject Him.

UNDERSTAND

• Creation displays God's glory, goodness, wisdom, and divine nature.
• The Bible teaches that God created humans in His image, rejecting naturalistic processes.
• Naturalist (atheist) views exclude God and conflict with the biblical account.

REFLECT

• How do you reconcile the Biblical account of creation with scientific theories such as evolution?
• How does believing in creation influence my understanding of human purpose and value? How does this align with my daily life and choices?
• How can I address doubts or challenges from others regarding the compatibility of the Bible's creation narrative with scientific perspectives? What role does my faith play in these discussions?

ENGAGE

• What are the implications of interpreting the origins of the world and for understanding the nature of God and His creation?
• How does the concept of a literal Adam and Eve, as described in the Bible, impact Christian doctrines such as sin and salvation? How does this compare with views that do not recognize a historical Adam?
• What are the strengths and limitations of both creationist and evolutionary viewpoints when it comes to explaining the origin and diversity of life? How can these perspectives be integrated or contrasted within the framework of scientific and theological inquiry?