Summary Statements - 16 of X - Theistic Evolution & Critique - 1

1. Theistic evolutionists typically hold orthodox beliefs about Jesus, but do not view the first eleven chapters of Genesis as the “true” history of God's working from creation to Abraham. They typically view them as myths, or alternate creation stories, written to combat the other creation stories that were available at that time.

2. Per John Otis (pg. 127), “theistic evolution is a sinful compromise of the (Christian) faith because it robs God of His glory, denies the fundamental hermeneutical principle of letting Scripture interpret Scripture, and it makes the findings of modern science as interpreted by evolutionists the means by which the Scripture must be reinterpreted.”

   As a result, theistic evolutionists typically DON’T accept/believe the following ORTHODOX Christian/Jewish/Scriptural beliefs as espoused in Gen 1-11:
   

   • Creation in 6 days (in the order written in Gen 1, which does not comport with modern science)

   • Mature creation

   • Literal & historical Adam & Eve by special creation (Adam from the dust, woman from Adam's rib)

   • The ability of Adam & Eve to speak language fluently at creation

   • Introduction of (spiritual/physical) death to mankind as a punishment/consequence of Adam’s fall; this spiritual & physical death is propagated by natural birth

   • Young earth/cosmos (~6000-10,000 years old) created with the appearance of age

   • No macroevolution (evolution from one “kind” to another “kind”)

   • Long lifespans for man (up to ~969 years old – Methuselah) (pre-flood)

   • Worldwide flood (the flood waters covered the whole earth)

   • Death of all mankind & land animals, except Noah and his family & those in the ark, as God's judgment by the flood

   • All current animals descended (by kind) from those that were on Noah's ark via microevolution

   • The division of the earth after the flood

   • Tower of Babel account is true, along with the division of languages, and the spreading out of people

   Theistic evolutionists typically DO accept/believe the following UNORTHODOX Christian/Jewish beliefs:

   • Extreme age (deep time) of the universe & world

   • They accept both cosmological & geological evolution (2/3 evolutionists per T. Mortenson)

   • Uniformitarianism – The natural “laws” in operation at creation were the same natural "laws” that are in operation today (note that this excludes miracles, although some theistic evolutionists allow for “miracles”)

   • Life started from non-organic life (miracle?)

   • Once started, life evolved from simple to complex organisms through God intervening in making new life forms - also known as macroevolution

   • Death of animals before the fall

   • Natural disasters before the fall

   • Sickness & disease before the fall

   • Hominid-like creatures existed before Adam and Eve, but they were “soulless.”

   • Life & death of man (and/or hominid like creatures) before Adam’s fall

   • The flood of Noah's day was local (not global)

   Typical theistic evolutionists: Note: These people and organizations do not all hold the same views, but they do NOT hold to the traditional orthodox reading of Gen 1-11. Many of these people are orthodox believers in other ways. Some of them have been influential in my life (e.g., CS Lewis). This list is not complete and is not intended to disparage their testimony, but it is intended to caution you and your children concerning their beliefs/teachings about the Bible’s creation account, esp. Gen 1-11.

   Biologos Foundation contributors

   Choong, Ron

   Collins, Francis

   Collins, C. John (Jack)

   Craig, William Lane

   Enns, Peter

   Erickson, Millard

   Falk, Darrel

   Gingerich, Owen

   Gray, Asa

   Hasker, William

   Kaiser, Walter

   Keller, Timothy

   Kline, Meredith G.

   Lamoureux, Denis O.

   Lennox, John C.

   Lewis, C.S.

   Miller, Kenneth R.

   Moreland, J. P.

   Murphy, Nancey

   PCA Creation Report of 2000

   Ross, Hugh

   Stott, John

   Strobel, Lee

   Till, Howard J. Van

   Waltke, Bruce

   Walton, John

   Wright, N.T.

   Young, Davis

   Youngblood, Ronald F.

   Note: See also John Otis’ book “Theistic Evolution: A Sinful Compromise” for more information on Biologos Foundation, Tim Keller, Ron Choong, Gregg Davidson, Jack Collins, Peter Enns, & the PCA Creation Report of 2000. See also the Resource list for other books critiquing theistic evolution. See also John Byl’s booklet “How Should Christian’s Approach Origins” Appendix for a more detailed breakout of theistic evolutionary views (Old Earth Creationism, Gap Theory, Theistic Evolution, Literary Framework, etc.) and associated adherents.

   The following is taken from Chapter 14, Why Theistic Evolution is a Sinful Compromise, of John Otis’ book (see pages 281-286). See his book for more detail.

   - It robs God of His due glory

   - It elevates science as an equal (or superior - PB) authority to Scripture

   - It adopts a faulty hermeneutic

   - It assaults the uniqueness and dignity of man

   - It is insulting to Jesus’ true humanity

   - It can undermine the glorious gospel

   - It undermines the Bible’s credibility

Questions to be answered:

What is the theistic evolutionary story of creation?

What is cosmological evolution? Geological evolution? Biological evolution?

Why did the geologists and biologist assume an old earth?

Where did the idea of an ancient earth (deep time) come from?

How does one reconcile chance with God?

Other questions ….

What are your questions?

Next reading: 17 of X - Theistic Evolution & Critique (continued - 2)