"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Gen. 1:1). This is the foundation for how a Christian sees the world (worldview). It stands in contrast to the general theory of evolution. The word "evolution" is a significant term in modern society. It stands for the leading scientific idea as to how all of the animals and people of this world came to be in their present condition. One hears the term constantly. It’s in the news, on television, and in schools. It’s usually spoken of in such a way that makes it sound like the theory is a proven fact. One is made to think that only those who are superstitious or not very intelligent reject it.

Just what is evolutionary theory? We want to have a working definition of the theory so that one may be equipped to discuss the issue in a proper manner. Proper definitions serve as a solid framework from which to discuss any issue. If two people use the same term, but do not mean the same thing by it, then they will misunderstand one another, and there will be a lack of communication. With proper definitions, people can understand and communicate with each other. This is what Christians should seek to do (cf. Prov. 18:13; 1 Pet. 3:15).

Macro vs. Micro

There are actually two different concepts of the term "evolution" within the context of the debate over evolutionary theory. Some may not realize this. As a result, they can be led to believe that "evolution" is a proven fact because it has been demonstrated by science. However, an understanding of two different ideas can help to clarify the issue. The two terms expressing these ideas are macroevolution and microevolution.

Macroevolution refers to the process that is normally thought of when one hears the term "evolution." It describes changes that supposedly have occurred on a massive scale, as indicated by the prefix macro. This has also been referred to as the "General Theory of Evolution." It is also sometimes called "Darwinism" because it was the theory popularized by Charles Darwin in the nineteenth century. It became the leading scientific idea as to how every living thing came to its present state.

Macroevolution is the idea that all present life forms (plants and animals) have developed over billions of years from a single, common ancestor, as a result of unguided processes. It refers to "changes in the kinds of animals and plants on earth, changes that take place over long periods of time, with new forms replacing old ones" (Raven and Johnson 367). The idea goes something like this: at some point in the past, billions of years ago, an explosion (often called the "Big Bang") gave rise to planet earth. Among the chemicals present in this newly-formed planet were those that would make life possible. The conditions were just right, and a single living organism developed from a "premordial soup" on the earth. Other organisms came from this one, and these organisms began to take on various characteristics in response to their environment. Because of their ability to adapt and change, new species arose, and the changes continued. Through the process of "natural selection" ("survival of the fittest"), over these billions of years, all living organisms evolved into their present state. Hence, on a grand scale, new organisms and new kinds arose from older ones, along with major episodes of extinction. This accounts for the existence of all life forms upon this earth. When one speaks of evolution, this is usually what is referred to.

Microevolution, also known as the "Special Theory of Evolution," refers to smaller, limited changes within a "kind" of plant or animal. Within a given kind of animal, there are variations that arise from generation to generation. For example, within the family of animals known as dogs, one can observe many different variations. Many breeds exist with characteristics that are readily noticed, distinguishing one breed from another. They are small, large, and all different sizes, colors, and temperaments. But they are all dogs. The evidence for limited variations are readily seen, but the evidence that they arose from a completely different "kind" of animal is missing.

Now here is what happens. Darwinists will often appeal to microevolution as proof of macroevolution. They believe that microevolution provides the mechanism and explanation of how macroevolution occurs. But in so arguing, they rarely use the macro and micro prefixes. One might say, "evolution has been shown to occur in laboratory tests. Thus, evolution is true." But this is deceiving. What that is saying is, "microevolution has been shown to occur," which is true, as can be observed. Then they make a leap by arguing that, therefore, macroevolution is true. This is where the problem exists. Microevolution is true, but the only thing that showing it proves is that limited changes occur within given kinds. It does not justify the idea that kinds have changed into different kinds. So, when someone says that "evolution is true," ask what is meant by "evolution." This is a significant distinction that needs to be made.

From a biblical viewpoint, the concept of limited changes within a kind is acceptable. The Bible teaches that everything was created after its kind (Gen. 1). This includes mankind. Yet, from Adam and Eve (or, later, Noah and his family) arose all of the various ethnic groups and nations (Acts 17:26). God placed within Adam and Eve the genetic pool necessary to bring about all of the various types of people. However, all descendants of Adam and Eve are still human! Never has anything but a human come from descendants of humans. This is true of all plant and animal kinds. So, the Bible allows for the variety within the kinds, but does not allow for kinds to cross over into other kinds. So far as science goes, we see support for what the Bible allows (micro), but only assumptions and dogmatic statements for that which the Bible does not allow (macro).

A Theory Without God

It is important to understand that Darwinism is a theory that does not allow for the presence of God. Some believe that God can be added to the theory, allowing for what is called "Theistic Evolution," but this shows a misunderstanding of the whole concept of evolutionary theory. By definition, evolutionary theory excludes the idea of intelligent guidance. For example, the American National Association of Biology Teachers issued an official statement regarding evolution:

"The diversity of life on earth is the outcome of evolution: an unsupervised, impersonal, unpredictable and natural process of temporal descent with genetic modification that is affected by natural selection, chance, historical contingencies and changing environments" (quoted in Johnson 15).

Did you catch terms like "unsupervised," "impersonal, "natural" and "chance"? When biologists speak of evolution, they do not mean a process guided by God; they mean an unsupervised, impersonal process involving an impersonal nature and chance. There is no room for God. The whole idea of "natural" selection excludes anything outside of nature (God). A college biology textbook states, "Darwin was able to arrive at a successful theory when many others had failed because he rejected supernatural explanations for the phenomena that he was studying" (Raven and Johnson 8). Julian Huxley, a champion of Darwinism, explained natural selection as that which "converts accident into apparent design, randomness into organized pattern" (Huxley 36). It is all a random affair. Everything is the result of "accident." So, if one adds God to the mix, then this necessarily changes the whole definition and concept of evolutionism. By its definition, evolutionism excludes God.

Sometimes evolutionists will argue that they are not trying to say anything about religion or God. They are only trying to explain nature. However, when they use the terms associated with evolutionary theory, such as "chance," "accident," and "unsupervised," they are implying that everything exists apart from and without God. As a famous evolutionist, George Gaylord Simpson, said, "Man is the result of a purposeless and natural process that did not have him in mind." This is why "biologists insist that evolution must be unsupervised and why God’s purposes are not listed among the things that might have affected evolution" (Johnson 15). Naturalism (also sometimes called materialism), the doctrine that nature is all there is, is the primary worldview of evolutionists. If they admit that God had anything to do with it, their whole worldview must change.

At once one should see that evolutionism is at odds with those who accept and believe the Bible. It is inherently contradictory to take on a position that is based on God not being involved and then trying to hold on to a position that necessarily involves God. The whole doctrine of evolution is based upon God not being a part of the process of how animal and plant life came to exist in the present state.

Summing Up

First, it is important to understand the distinction between macroevolution and microevolution. Microevolution (limited changes within a kind) is both scientifically and biblically valid. Macroevolution (large-scale changes across kinds) has not been proven. The mistake is in arguing that since microevolution is true, therefore macroevolution is also true. These are two entirely different matters.

Second, one should know that macroevolution is a theory based upon naturalism, meaning that it is a theory without God. The whole theory arose based upon the assumption that God had nothing to do with the development of animal and plant life. Because of this, naturalists use such terms as "purposeless," "chance," and "accident." Don’t be deceived into thinking that evolution is just another way of explaining how God made the world.

Works Cited

Huxley, Julian. Evolution in Action. New York, NY: Mentor Books, 1953.

Johnson, Phillip E. Defeating Darwinism by Opening Minds. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997.

Raven, Peter H. and George B. Johnson. Biology. St. Louis: Times Mirror/Mosby College Publishing, 1989.

Doy Moyer