Are evolution and creation compatible teachings?

Answer 1

Creation and evolution are most certainly notcompatible teachings. Some Christians, usually those who have been convinced by the alleged 'infallibility of modern science' and the fact of evolution decide it is possible/necessary to make a compromise view and have both. Such thinking ignores the nature of the Christian faith, which is based on the historicity of certain historical events as the resurrection, creation, flood etc. If one is free to disbelieve what The Bible says about creation why not also disbelieve the amazing fact of the resurrection? Atheists are not slow to understand this:

Dr William Provine, atheist professor of Biology at Cornell University stated: '�¢ï¿½�¦ belief in modern evolution makes atheists of people. One can have a religious view that is compatible with evolution only if the religious view is indistinguishable from atheism.' [in 'No free will'; in Catching up with the Vision, Margaret W Rossiter (Ed.), Chicago University Press, p. S123, 1999.]

In addition to this, many Christians do not think through the real meaning of accepting evolutionary teaching, which is a principal of 'nature red in tooth and claw.' The Genesis record of creation and the fall would clearly indicate first of all a very good creation (pronounced so by God) which was then cursed and spoiled by man's fall into sin. Accepting evolution and natural selection as God's creative method necessarily means the acceptance of death, pain and suffering as a normal part of life rather than intruders. What does this do to the promise in the book of Revelation 21:4 "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." This is thus an insult to the goodness and love of God and also an insult to His wisdom, since evolution is a wasteful process requiring the death of many for progress.

As atheistic Nobel Laureate Jacques Monod said: '[Natural] selection is the blindest, and most cruel way of evolving new species, and more and more complex and refined organisms �¢ï¿½�¦ The struggle for life and elimination of the weakest is a horrible process, against which our whole modern ethics revolts. An ideal society is a non-selective society, one where the weak is protected; which is exactly the reverse of the so-called natural law. I am surprised that a Christian would defend the idea that this is the process which God more or less set up in order to have evolution.' [The Secret of Life, broadcast interview, 10 June 1978.]

In connection with the historicity of what Genesis tells us about the first man Adam and Paul's commentary in Romans: Paul of course assumed that a real historical Adam existed and fell into a real historical sin against God. He points out that Jesus is the 'second Adam' who has come to take away that sin (Romans 5:14 cf 1 Cor 15:22). If Adam, as evolution teaches, was not the first man who fell into sin, then Christ cannot be the second Adam to atone for a non-existent man and a non-existent fall. As Richard Dawkins in the God Delusion (page 253) explained:

"Oh, but of course, the story of Adam and Eve was only ever symbolic, wasn't it? Symbolic? So, in order to impress himself, Jesus had himself tortured and executed, in vicarious punishment for a symbolic sin committed by a non-existent individual? As I said, barking mad, as well as viciously unpleasant." (emphasis in original).

To summarize: Belief in creation with all that that entails, and belief in evolution with all that it entails are definitely not compatible. Trying to make them compatible clearly shows a misunderstanding of one or both.

Answer 2

Many conservative Christians in dealing with evolution display a lack knowledge about evolution and even a lack of understanding of their own religion. They fail to realise that there is a considerable difference between what is meant by 'creation' and the notion of creationism. Several mainstream religions have accepted the reality of evolution, but in doing so have not forfeited their right to teach creation, often as 'theistic evolution'. Even if there is no God and theistic evolution is therefore untrue, at least it demonstrates that evolution and creation can be compatible.

Some place great store on events (not necessarily concerned with evolution) in earth's history as "not observable", as of course they can not be. Yet, they ignore the very clear fact that creation, by definition, is also not observable. This is a selective argument that tells some what they want to hear, but ought not mislead others who seek after the truth.
For more information, please visit: http://christianity.answers.com/theology/the-story-of-creation

Answer 3

No, they simply are not. The biblical narrative beginning in Genesis 1, is in sharp contrast to those who believe that evolution has shaped dust into humanity. What many fail to see, especially those who have accepted the ideas of 'theistic evolution and Intelligent design, is that in essence this belief amounts to idolatry since evolution has been put in the place of God.

Jesus Christ Himself, who is the Creator by His word (see John 1:1-4), confirmed the fact of creation in the Mark 10:6 account saying, "But from the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female'" Then again in Matthew's 19:4 parallel account Christ asks the question: "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female' . . . ?" So not only does the Bible give us an account of the Creation, it gives us the Creator in physical form confirming all things He has done, and history validates His coming.

The Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul, also confirmed the creation in the Bible when he confronted the philosophers of Athens on the Areopagus telling them that "the God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth . . . From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth" (see Acts 17:24-26). All mankind sprung from Adam (see 1 Corinthians 15:45).

So unlike those who accept the manmade idea of the beginning of all physical things from nothing, Creation has physical proof by the one who Created and a long line of men beginning with the first created man, Adam who passed along the event confirmed by Jesus in His 1st century lifetime.

Answer 4

Though one can claim to believe in Divinely-guided evolution, this is often not the case. The general paradigm in which Evolution is taught, is one of mere natural causes. This may then be taken as an implicit excuse for hedonism, as few people want "bothersome" rules, or limitations to their personal pleasure. Lack of self-discipline has led to a breakdown of society, with epidemic obesity, drunkenness, divorce rates, violence etc.
Many think that science, and specifically Evolution, have proved that there is no God. They don't comprehend that even if Evolution was an unquestionable fact, it would not automatically follow that God isn't there. They also seem unaware that there are some highly-qualified scientists who do not believe in Evolution.

Those wishing to look for further evidence may find these links useful:See also:

Is there evidence against Evolution?

God's wisdom seen in His creations

Can you show that God exists?