Theistic evolution takes two forms in general. One is basically deism, in that the materialistic philosophy of naturalism is assumed regarding the study of life on earth. God is viewed as starting the process and then not interfering at all with the development. In other words life develops in a totally random method with no purpose at all. Most theistic evolutionists would state that at some time in history past God chose a particular set of primates and ensouled them. The other view is progressive creationism in that God directed the process of species development through special creative acts in time. Progressive creationists would reject Darwinian macro-evolution as well as the materialistic philosophy of naturalism. They also would hold to God specially creating Adam and Eve.
With both of these my main objection is that theology is subjugated to a secondary type of truth. The “facts” of evolution take precedence over what the Word of God says and so the Bible must conform to the presuppositions of naturalism and the current theories of science. Please remember “science” doesn’t deal with “truth” that is philosophy. Whenever a new theory comes about then the previous set of “facts” are relegated to the back burner. However, the Bible states that what it teaches is truth itself (Ps. 119:160; John 1:14;17:17;Eph. 1:13; Col. 1:5; 2 Tim. 2:15; James 1:18). And that truth never changes. (Num 23:19; 1 Sam 15:29; Ps 89:35; Hab 2:3; Mal. 3:6; Luke 21:33; Rom. 11:29; Tit 1:2; Heb. 6:18; Jam. 1:17)
So when I read :
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned–
(Rom 5:12 ESV)Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.
(Rom 5:14 ESV)
For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
(Rom 5:19 ESV)
Am I to believe that what happened to Adam was just a pleasant story not a historical statement that just explains in a non-technical manner why humans die? If so then why did Christ come to the earth? Why did he die? Why does Paul say:
Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
(Rom 5:9-11 ESV) {emphasis mine}
If Adam never actually lived or sinned then what is the point of Christ’s death? If humans dying isn’t because of sin but because of natural means then Christ’s life, death, and resurrection is meaningless. And if it is meaningless then truly we are of all people most to be pitied. (1Co 15:19 ESV).
So getting to the point, what should be preeminent when it comes to believing Theology or Evolution. I say Theology comes first and all other sciences are subjected to it from there we can obtain true knowledge.
Resources: Fred’s Bible Talk: What is Evolution, ID, and Creationism?
