Can a Christian believe in a creator and evolution?

Question

The DNA in a single cell is extremely complex. It could be argued that a creator seeded the primitive earth for simple organisms to evolve. Does the bible completely rule out this potential?

Answer 1

Creationism is not "against" modern science! In fact, the Biblical mandate to "subdue" the earth (Genesis 1:28) requires us to understand it, which is what science is all about. "Creation Science" is simply the practice of science with the assumption and acknowledgement that there is a creator God, versus the now standard operating assumption of naturalism (that nature is "all there is").

No one, including creation scientists, disputes that so-called "micro-evolution" (variation within a type of organism) caused by natural selection occurs and may be responsible for the large number of species found within a type. Almost all touted evidences for evolution are of this category (like Darwin's finches, the "peppered moth", or bacteria that become resistant to antibiotics). However, it is important to note that "micro-evolution" is a misnomer, as it implies that "a little" evolution is taking place. In actuality, NO evolution is taking place, as no increase in complexity (such as the development of a new organ) is being generated, but merely the emphasis of some already present traits over others.

Large scale change of one type of organism into another, so-called "macro-evolution", is beyond the ability of mutation coupled with natural selection to produce. Evolutionists acknowledge this is a "research issue". Even non-creation scientists (such as Denton and Behe) have written books giving the hard scientific facts that document why this is impossible.

The "geologic column", which is cited as physical evidence of evolution occurring in the past, is better explained as the result of a devastating global flood which happened about 5,000 years ago, as described in the Bible. Even evolutionists acknowledge that the fossil record is one of "fully-formed abrupt appearance" and "stasis" (that is, no change over time).

The belief that the atoms of a "Big Bang" eventually produced people ALL BY THEMSELVES (that is, without any intelligent guidance) is contrary to the well-proven Second Law of Thermodynamics, and the fundamentals of Information Theory. The universe is known to be "running down" yet evolution postulates it is "building up". Atoms to people evolution is much more a "religious belief" than a scientific fact.

There is no reason not to believe that God created our universe, earth, plants, animals, and people just as described in the book of Genesis!

Answer 2

Sorry, but BZZZ...That is so far fetched about "seeding the primitive earth for "simple" organisms to evolve". Evidence shows there are very few "simple" cells or organisms. There's much more complex cells. How did male and the more complex female "evolve" at just the same time?? Why aren't there much more tracks and evidence of cells that were trying to become viable cells. So much points to a CREATOR that evolutionists have to have blinders on to keep their narrow religious views. Just read the BIBLE for what it says is true. What it leaves to your imagination it's okay to ask questions. Proverbs 25:1-2 states "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;
to search out a matter is the glory of kings. As the heavens are high and the earth is deep . . ."

Keep searching. I know you're fed a lot of lies in evolution. Those films are extremely arrogant and misleading.

Answer 3

The evidence for evolution is compeling, this is a fact.However, the acceptance of this does not by necessity exclude belief in God, this is. in an eternal being, qua creator, who may have chosen to bring about life by means of this mechanism.
In logical terms, both options are not mutually exclusive, the case could be given that both A and B are true. The problem then is not this,what actually opposes directlty the scientific and empiric evidence is the litteral acceptance and belief of the genesis story of the garden of eden, which must be taken as an allegory and not as a litteral event. That is: The Genesis story must be taken in the context it was written, in atime when the empirical means to achieve knowledge was unavailable to those who wrote it. Their cosmology was different and they could not explain many phenomena in the light of rational enquiry.
The garden of Eden stpry is an allegory that sheds light more into the divine origin of life and man, and human broken nature which causes many of our suffering and alienation...our distancing from the divine source which can only be brought about full again by the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

But again, evolution is not something you "believe" is something that is there, in evidence. However...to say that God did actually and litterally made a first couple, this...is an article of pure "faith".

Answer 4

I dont learn about the entire: "...author might want to plant the spark of existence in a microscopic speck and through doing so create guy and all different existence." yet I do position self belief in God because the author of the universe, and that i even trust that evolution probable is conceivable. To what volume, im no longer particular. yet to assert that adult men developed from monkeys, I thoroughly disagree. yet there should be some form of Evolution, that coincides with Creationism. Refusing this actuality is basically ordinary lack of understanding on christians section.

Answer 5

Yes, they are completely compatible

I believe that God is the source of all existence. In a sense, God created everything.

The problem with the word creation is that applies a very human way of interacting with the world to god. When I create something, I make a plan, gather my materials, put it all together and then I have a creation. I don't think that anyone can talk about God this way. It is to attribute things to God that we have no knowledge of.

However, I believe that I, as well as everyone else, has a source outside of my self. This source sustains my life. And this source could easily cause species to evolve.

Answer 6

I am sorry, but creation and evolution are completely incompatible. You are putting forth a hypothesis that is not supported by Scripture. Evolution teaches death before sin, the Bible states otherwise. Genesis 1 -11, should be read and understood as history. God created all that is, fully matured and complete. He created man, fully developed. Jesus believed in the creation account and spoke of it, I guess He would know, since He was there in the creating process.

Answer 7

According to the stories; if God can evolve into physical man who can say that man as a species had not evolved from a much larger species than ourselves.

It's extremely hard to ignore the common characteristics of humanity as an individual species, more difficult to truthfully argue the merits of reasonable differences upon the total outcome of humanity.

Answer 8

Genesis can be interpreted figuratively but heres a few problems with that....

A. Evolution isnt marketed or taught as a creationist theory. Merely a Naturalistic (atheistic) one.

B. You confuse people if you were to tell them youre an evolutionist that believes in God. The Christian will view you as a person trying to mix theology with the atheistic philosophy. The atheist will view you as a weak semi-crazy religious nut that is just starting to understand the natural world.

Evolutionary Theory was born and raised in Naturalism which states there is NOTHING outside of testable scienceincluding God and we are products of chance and natural forces. Nature is all there is and ever will be in their eyes.

If it turns out to be the case, so be it! God works in mysterious ways then! Thus far though it has had over 100 years to prove itself and is only proven in the minds of atheists. But in the meantime, I dont see any value in trying to encorporate a huge part of atheistic philosophy into our theology simply at the threat of being called dumb by atheists.

Answer 9

You ask two questions:

First, a Christian can believe in evolution and still be a Christian. Being a Christian means being "in Christ". Anyone who believes the gospel of Christ and puts their trust and faith in Him alone for their salvation is a true Christian. Period.

Second, does the Bible completely rule out evolution? Yes it does. For many, many reasons. Check out some of the links.

Answer 10

That is a possibility with Intelligent Design. Other people might say that they just don't know the role that God played in the creation and development of life here. Others may say that we have to look at what the Bible tells us. It is the first part of the first chapter of the first book. If it is wrong from the very beginning, what does that say about the rest of the book?