Theistic Evolution

Theistic Evolution (Part 1)

Is ‘Theistic Evolution’ consistent with scripture? Theistic evolution is the philosophy that God used evolution to create the world. Those who teach this claim that God started creation and then allowed natural processes to evolve us into what we are today. One thing that amazes me is how people will see hidden doctrine between the verses of scripture but can’t see or even deny the plain truth presented in scripture. By the end of this study, I think you will see clearly that evolution is completely incompatible with scripture. My goal is not to force anyone to believe what they don’t want to believe. My hope is that you will see and choose truth, but my goal is to force a decision. I want this to be a fork in the road. The Bible commands that we compare teaching to the revealed word of God. We are commanded to test all things in light of scripture and then choose what is good, and abstain from all that is evil - or contrary to God’s word. I want to begin by summarizing the ‘Gap Theory’ or ‘Theistic Evolution’.

The Gap Theory
This is based on the assumption that there is a pause between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Verse two says, the earth was without form and void. The Gap Theory claims that there is a break between these two passages that we can’t see. God created a world that was later destroyed in judgment. Genesis 1:2 picks up after the judgment has occurred.

There are a few ‘proofs’ that Theistic Evolutionists use as evidence. It is presented that God created the heavens (plural), which would imply that this is at least the second time heaven was created. It is then argued that Genesis 1:28 in the KJV says that God commanded man to replenish the earth, possibly implying that man was destroyed. The same word is used in Genesis 9:1 when Noah was commanded to replenish the earth after the flood. In Genesis 1:2, we are told that the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. Since water was used as judgment in Genesis 8-9, it is assumed that the waters in Genesis 1 are a previous judgment.

Another proof text is 2 Peter 3

8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

This is interpreted to mean that a day in the Genesis account is not a 24 hour day, but could mean a thousand years or longer. Some theorize that each day represents a time period that could have even been millions of years.

Another piece of evidence provided is satan’s presence in the garden as a fallen creature. Since he was already a fallen creature, he must have been condemned before creation. In the Garden of Eden, he was already an enemy of God. When did He fall? Theistic Evolution teaches that satan’s fall is the cause of the judgment that brought the world to its flooded state in Genesis 1:2. Perhaps he led the old world into sin and God judged it.

Though this overview is not in great detail, I believe this accurately summarizes the Gap Theory / Theistic Evolution position. This view of scripture means that Christians can accept evolution without denying their faith. Instead of choosing evolution or God, they marry the two into a theistic evolution doctrine. This allows Theistic Evolutionists to agree with Darwinism on the age of the earth and fossils. The geological layers are not as the result of a flood, but millions of years worth of accumulation from fossils and catastrophic events. Man can then evolve because God has set the process in motion. He created evolution and laws that govern evolution such as mutations, natural selection and other evolutionary theories.

Does 2 Peter 3:8 show that a day could equal a thousand years or provide evidence for the ‘Day/Age Theory’?

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What about the second part of 2 Peter 3:8. Does this mean that a day could be 1/1000th of a day or a micro day?

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Why don’t people argue that a thousand years is only one day or less?

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Adding to the Word
It is a serious offense to dilute or pollute the word of God. Diluting the word of God is to water it down and remove plainly stated truth. For example, many modern churches eliminate the nature of God when it conflicts with their feel-good message. The Bible tells us that God is merciful and He is just. Mercy forgives, but justice demands retribution for violations against the law of God. The Bible says that Jesus is love and compassion, but He also is the judge who will use a rod of iron to shatter the rebellious like a potter’s vessel. God’s mercy does not nullify God’s justice. His compassion does not end judgment. It was because of God’s mercy that He paid the penalty demanded by His justice. Contrary to the opinion of some, God will never violate His own character. The law is based on God’s own character. God does not change. Yet, we somehow think that God should change to fit our idea of what fairness should be. Jesus did not change God’s character, nor did the cross change the way God looks at sin. Romans 3 tells us that God was just and the justifier of the one who puts their trust in Jesus. The penalty for justice was paid through the cross of Jesus Christ. Therefore, God was just - the penalty for sin was paid, and God justified us by our faith in His provision for our sin.

When someone eliminates God’s justice and declares Him merciful only, then it becomes impossible for us to understand what mercy is. Without judgment, what is mercy? Mercy from what? It is impossible to understand the gospel message without understanding sin. Until I see that I am hopelessly lost because of my sin, I can’t grasp my need of salvation. When I see that I am a sinner, then I see clearly the value of God’s mercy. I then can truly understand how much God loves me as an individual.

Polluting God’s word is the opposite, but just as harmful. Polluting the word is adding to it. When I have a belief that I value over God and His word, I will insert into scripture what is not there. The Gap Theory does just that. Between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2 there is nothing. The Gap Theorist adds volumes of books into it and can create any doctrine they wish. The Bible warns sternly against both of these methods of error. Look at Revelation 22

18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;
19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Some will argue that this only applies to the book of Revelation. However, this warning is strongly given in Proverbs 30:

5 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
6 Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.

As we continue on, we will clearly see that the Bible rebukes every theistic evolution and the gap theory argument as well.

Why does the Bible take care to warn us not to alter the Word by removing or adding to it?

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Biblical Truth
In the next few sections, I will explore clear biblical truths that make it impossible to marry Theistic Evolution with scripture. As we examine scripture, it is important for us to examine our own beliefs in light of scripture. My goal is for each person reading this to decide whether they believe God’s word or not. My aim is to ‘uncloud’ the waters so that each of us can see where we stand in relation to the Bible. Truth becomes clouded when it is mixed with world philosophy. When it is mixed, it is easy to stand on error without realizing it. When the truth of God’s word is made clear, then we can clearly choose whether to stand on it, or in the world’s beliefs.

Word Usage
Theistic Evolutionists confuse the interpretation of words and apply interpretation rules inconsistently. Rules applied to Genesis 1 and 2 are not applied anywhere else in scripture. Two examples of this are the words ‘heavens’ and ‘replenish’ used in Genesis.

First look at the word ‘heavens’.
Theistic Evolutionists argue that the plural word for heavens proves that more than one heaven was created. However, the first rule of biblical interpretation is to compare scripture with scripture. If someone zeros in on a selected phrase and discounts the rest of the Bible, they will fall into error.

Why is it dangerous to build a doctrine around one verse without looking at the rest of scripture?

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Therefore, let’s look at the rest of scripture and see if more light is shed on the usage of the word ‘heavens’. In Genesis 1 and 2, the Bible references the heavens. Genesis 2:1 says, ‘thus the heavens and the earth were finished’. Gap theorists point to this as proof that more than one heaven was created. However, we see this term outside of Genesis. 2 Peter 3:7 says:

But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Notice that ‘heavens’ is not past tense, but present tense. The heavens are now preserved by the same word. Hebrews 8:1 shows another present tense usage:

Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,

God’s throne is now in the heavens. Someone might argue that this is Greek and the words are different because Genesis is written in Hebrew. Let’s look at the Old Testament passages that also use the same Hebrew word found in the creation account in Genesis. A quick look up of the word yields many, many references. Psalms gives glory to God and uses the heavens as God’s throne. Look at these two passages:

Psalm 2
4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The LORD shall hold them in derision.

Psalm 8:1
How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens!
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3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
4 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?

Notice what the Bible says here. God sits in the ‘heavens’ - same Hebrew word used in Genesis. When I consider Your heavens - the Psalmist is marveling at the creation work that he sees. ‘Heavens’ is also the same Hebrew word. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, the word ‘heavens’ is referenced as existing now. It is NEVER referenced as something that has passed away. Why doesn’t the rule for interpretation of Genesis 1-2 apply to the rest of scripture?

Some people argue as though the King James Version is the original scripture. The Bible was written in Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic. To dig in to find word usages, we must go to the source, not the KJV.

Does the word ‘heavens’ in Genesis 1 and 2 refer to multiple creations, or the same ‘heavens’ referenced throughout the Bible?

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Why would someone think that heavens meant multiple re-creations of heaven?

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Replenish the earth.
The argument of many Theistic Evolutionists is that the word ‘replenish’ is used in both Genesis 1:28 and Genesis 9:1. In Genesis 1:28, when man was created, he was told to ‘replenish’ the earth. In Genesis 9, Noah is commanded to ‘replenish’ the earth because man has been destroyed off the earth. Gap believers say that this proves that the earth was destroyed prior to Adam. However, once again we must compare scripture to scripture and look at the original word usage.

Genesis 1:28 uses the word ‘male'’ (pronounced maw-lay). The KJV translates this into the word ‘replenish’ while most other translations use the word ‘fill’ in this passage. This Hebrew word can accurately be translated into ‘fill, full, fulfill, consecrate, accomplish, replenish, overflow, and satisfy’. In fact, the KJV translates the word ‘male’ into the word ‘fill’ in Genesis 1:22, ‘multiply and fill [male’] the waters’. The KJV uses this same word as fill throughout the Old Testament. Exodus 10:6, the locust ‘shall fill [male’] your houses’. Psalm 17:14, ‘whose belly thou fillest [male’] with hidden treasures’. There are dozens of other passages using this word where it is not translated as ‘replenish’.

Does the King James Version’s translation into the word ‘replenish’ provide conclusive evidence that Adam was refill the earth that God wiped out?

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If God has a plan, why did He have to destroy the earth twice?

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Why did God judge the earth because of satan’s fall, but then allowed satan to survive to corrupt the new earth?

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The important point is that we should look at scripture in light of scripture and when there is doubt, go to the Greek or Hebrew text. To believe that God has hidden messages in the Bible that contradicts what He plainly states in the Bible is false. We are commanded to study so that we can accurately divide the word of truth. As we will see in the rest of this study, evolution is in direct, unmistakable violation against the plainly stated truth of God’s word.

Creation is Very Good
In creation, the Bible tells us that God called each step of His creation ‘good’. When He created light, it was good. When God separated the land from the waters, God saw that it was good. God created the trees and plants and designed them to yield after their own kind and it was good. The birds and animals were created and were designed to reproduce after their own kind, and God saw that it was good. God saw each step of creation as good. Yet when God finished all of creation, God put a new stamp of approval on it. Look at Genesis 1:31

Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Very good? How can God call creation very good in verse 31 if sin and death entered between verses 1 and 2?

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Can creation be “very good” if it has sin, death and disease?

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In the fossil records themselves, we see dinosaur skeletons and other animals with evidence of disease. How can a diseased world be very good? God doesn’t call death, disease and sin part of a very good creation. God calls sin, death and disease the curse that afflicts creation. In fact, the Bible tells us that all of creation groans for His return when the curse will be removed. God’s declaration of a very good creation should alone dispel any assumption that sin was already in the world.

Genesis 1:27 says, “God created man in His own image”. How does this fit into Theistic Evolution?

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At what point did man become a reflection of God?

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Are man’s so-called relatives also images of God?

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Are the animal rights people right then when they claim that there is no difference between the value of human life and animal life?

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If evolution is true, they have an argument. But the Bible tells us that only man was created in God’s own image.

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