Theistic Evolution: Love Divided

Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines...      [Hebrews 13:9]

I, along with many devout Christians, accept evolution because of the overwhelming scientific evidence supporting it.                                                 [Ray Chavez,
                                    Letter to the Editor, Alameda Journal, October 10, 2000]

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.                           [Galatians 1:8]

Society’s temptation to try to "have it all" resounds as a drumbeat in the Church. Many Christians worship God on Sunday morning, and football on Sunday afternoon. They proclaim love for God via a bumper sticker in public, and love for the world via R-rated movies in private. And they profess Christianity during Bible study, and paganism during science class.

A short while ago I wrote a letter to the editor (click here) of our local newspaper, decrying the force-feeding of evolutionism in classrooms. Evolutionism would be laughable if not for its pernicious effects on society (spawning racism, abortion and Nazism, among other ills). A response to my letter came, not from a scientist offended that I had trespassed on hallowed scientific ground, but from a professing Christian named Ray Chavez, who was outraged that I would dare elevate the word of God above the word of men.

My purpose in this article is not to debunk the theory of evolution, although I have taken jabs at it in the past (see Archive). Others have ably confuted the evolutionary theory elsewhere (True Origin, Institute for Creation Research (ICR),  and Answers in Genesis, for example). Rather, my purpose is to point out the inconsistency of trying to walk in the ways of God but talk in the ways of the world.

Mr. Chavez proposes to straddle the border between darkness and light, saying, "I do not ‘believe’ in evolution the way I believe in God. I, along with many devout Christians, accept evolution because of the overwhelming scientific evidence supporting it." Yet in the next breath he claims, "In this age of dissecting the precise definitions of words, it is important that we all remember this distinction..." In other words, "I believe the universe was created by God, and at the same time I believe it just happened by chance. It all depends on what I mean by the word 'believe.'"

My dictionary defines the word "believe" as "to have a firm conviction as to the reality or goodness of something." I ask, can one have a firm conviction as to the reality or goodness of God the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of the universe, while at the same time attributing these same roles to an accident of nature? Can one declare the truth of God’s word, while sacrificing it on the altar of political (or scientific) correctness? As James observed, "no spring can yield both salt water and fresh." [James 3:12]

The reason why many are stuck on this point is twofold. First, they don't really know the greatest commandment, which demands an all-consuming commitment. In the words of Jesus, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." [Matt 22:37] To love God with heart and soul but not mind is a compromise unacceptable to God. How do we love God with our mind? The Psalmist declares that the blessed man’s "delight is in the law of the Lord (i.e., the Bible), and in His law he meditates day and night." [Psalm 1:2] Paul admonished, "Whatever things are true ... noble ... just ... pure ... lovely ... of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things." [Phil 4:8]

Thus, we ought not to fill our minds with the foolish, fruitless teachings of atheism or agnosticism, but with the pure milk of God’s word. Doing so puts us at odds with the world. But "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." [2 Cor 10:4-5] Evolution has clearly exalted itself against the knowledge of God.

The second reason why many hesitate to accept the Bible unequivocally is a lack of understanding of evolution. Many believe that science is a subject that is not necessary to understand because it has nothing to do with Christianity. But as Chuck Colson points out, "To suggest that science is somehow outside the scope of Christianity is to suggest that Christianity is not a total worldview."

Theistic evolutionists such as Mr. Chavez take a cafeteria approach to science and to the Bible, accepting enough of evolutionary dogma so as not to disturb its champions, while accepting enough of the Gospel to try to procure a reservation in heaven. But riding with one foot on the train and one scraping on the ground will result in severe damage to the leg at best, and falling off the train at worst.

Space considerations preclude including here a good presentation of the clear Scriptural teaching against evolution. Henry Morris has powerfully done so in his excellent video, "Introduction to Biblical Creationism," which is available through ICR. I will point out, though, that the theme of creationism pervades the Bible from the first page to the last. Those who do not realize this understand little of the Bible or of its Author. 

Ken Ham has said that the Christian Church does not need revival but reformation. He is right. We need to return to the Word, no longer dividing our love and loyalty between God and the world. We need to allow the Bible to be "a lamp to our feet and a light to our path." [Psalm 119:105]