7 Essential Questions for Theistic Evolutionists: Unveiling the Truth

Some Questions for Theistic Evolutionists

Theistic evolution, the belief that God used evolution as a means to create everything, raises several questions that challenge its compatibility with the Bible and the foundational concepts of the Gospel. Let's explore these questions and consider their implications.

1. The Goodness of God

The Bible declares that "God is good" (Psalm 100:5) and describes His creation as "very good" (Genesis 1:31). However, if God used evolution, with its inherent struggle for survival and suffering, to bring about His creation, how do we reconcile this with His goodness? Evolution, often characterized by a "nature red in tooth and claw," seems incongruent with a God who is purely good.

Why This Matters: Understanding the goodness of God is essential in comprehending His character and trusting Him. If we accept theistic evolution, we must grapple with how suffering, struggle, and death fit into a God who is described as wholly good.

Think About It: If God used evolution to create, does that mean He purposefully designed a system that includes immense animal suffering and extinction? How does this align with our understanding of His character?

2. Adam's Sin and the Basis of the Gospel

In theistic evolution, fossils indicate that death, disease, and bloodshed existed before humans appeared on Earth. This contradicts the biblical account that attributes death and decay to Adam's sin (Romans 8). If death and suffering predate Adam's sin, how can we reconcile Jesus' redemptive work on the cross? The Bible clearly states that through Adam's sin came both physical death and eternal life through Christ (1 Corinthians 15:22).

Why This Matters: The foundation of the Gospel rests on the belief that Jesus' sacrifice offers redemption from sin and eternal life. If death and suffering existed before Adam's sin, it challenges the need for Jesus' sacrifice and undermines the central message of Christianity.

Think About It: How can death be referred to as "the last enemy" (1 Corinthians 15:26) and "the wages of sin" (Romans 6:23) if it was always present in creation, as proposed by theistic evolution?

3. The Divine Inspiration of the Whole Bible

The first 11 chapters of Genesis, including accounts of Creation, the Fall, the origin of nations, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel, are written as historical narratives. Jesus Himself understood them as such. However, proponents of theistic evolution often view these accounts as non-literal or metaphorical. If we discard these portions as unhistorical, what implications does that have for other parts of the Bible that may be seen as unfashionable or inconvenient?

Why This Matters: The belief in the divine inspiration of the whole Bible is foundational to Christianity. If we start rejecting certain parts because they do not align with popular scientific views, we risk undermining our confidence in the entire Word of God.

Think About It: If we can reinterpret the Genesis account to fit an evolutionary framework, how do we discern which other historical accounts in the Bible should also be reinterpreted? Can we trust any part of Scripture to have a fixed meaning?

4. Straightforward Understanding of the Word of God

If we must "interpret" the plain meaning of the Genesis account to fit an evolutionary worldview, it raises questions about how we understand other parts of the Bible. Can we trust that historical accounts such as Jesus' life, death, and resurrection are not subject to reinterpretation? If we can so readily adapt our understanding of Scripture to fit current scientific paradigms, how can we be certain about anything?

Why This Matters: A straightforward understanding of God's Word provides a solid foundation for our beliefs and guides our understanding of who God is and how He works. If we allow for reinterpretation based on cultural or scientific trends, we risk losing the stability and authority of Scripture.

Think About It: How can we be confident in the reliability of the Bible if it can be molded to fit changing scientific theories? Can we trust that God's Word accurately reveals His character and His plan for humanity?

5. Clear Display of God's Hand in Creation

Theistic evolution suggests that God used evolution, a naturalistic process, to create. However, this appears philosophically inconsistent with the idea of a God who reveals His divine nature and power through creation (Romans 1:20). If God employed evolution, which portrays a purposeless and directionless process, how can we recognize His handiwork in creation?

Why This Matters: Recognizing God's hand in creation is vital to understanding His existence, power, and sovereignty. If evolution can be explained solely through naturalistic terms, it challenges our ability to perceive the divine attributes displayed in the natural world.

Think About It: If God used evolution as a mechanism for creation, does it render Him unnecessary? Can we truly grasp His eternal power and divine nature if they are not explicitly evident in His creation?

6. The Purpose of Creation

Theistic evolution implies that over millions of years, God created through a process that involved death. If this were the case, the Earth would not be ruined by sin but would align with God's intended design. In light of this perspective, why would God desire to destroy the current earth and create a new heavens and earth (2 Peter 3)?

Why This Matters: Understanding the purpose of creation provides insight into our role as stewards and participants in God's redemptive plan. If there was no fall or corruption due to sin, the need for restoration and the promise of a new creation lose their significance.

Think About It: If God created everything through an evolutionary process without any original sin or corruption, why would He need to intervene and bring about a new creation? What does this say about His plan for humanity and the significance of redemption?

In considering these questions, it is essential to grapple with the implications of theistic evolution on our understanding of God, the Gospel, and the reliability of Scripture. As Christians, we must seek truth that aligns with the entirety of God's Word and honors His character and purposes.