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Why should Christians consider evolutionary creation?



First, Christians should study evolution because, like all the natural sciences, it is the study of God’s creation. Creation itself is a complementary revelation to what God has communicated through Scripture, and through the created order God shows how and when he brought about the life we see today—to his honor and glory. The regular patterns in nature that we call natural laws have their foundation in the regular, faithful governance of God. Thus we believe that God created every species and did it in such a way that we can describe the creation process scientifically. The scientific model of evolution does not replace God as creator any more than the law of gravity replaces God as ruler of the planets.

Second, considering evolutionary creation aids the church in its gospel mission, including discipling young Christians in their faith. An anti-evolution attitude can harm Christian young people by presenting them with a false choice between pursuing science or holding to faith. One recent survey showed that a key factor in the evangelical church’s loss of credibility among young people is its assertion of anti-evolutionary creation models that contradict virtually all of the evidence we find in nature. Similarly, a hostile attitude towards evolution can hinder evangelism if seekers hear that they must reject evolutionary science before they can follow Christ. On the other hand, studying evolution as a God-ordained process helps Christians refute the argument that science leads to an atheistic worldview. By showing that the science of evolution is a description of God’s processes and not a worldview in and of itself, Christians can expose atheism as secular philosophy and not part of science.

Because today’s culture is saturated with science and technology—from the latest communication gadgets to new biomedical advances to discoveries of fundamental particles—engaging culture means engaging science. Since evolutionary science is integral to modern biology, the church must grapple with the evidence and implications of evolution in order to be an effective witness in the public square. Informed Christian voices are critical for leading bioethical discussions on issues such as stem cells and the use of DNA information in caring for the unborn, the aged, and the disabled. Today, evangelical Christians can show that we love God’s work in the created order by taking up full participation in cutting-edge research and advocating for science as a tool to protect rather than prey upon the helpless.

Science is a way of loving God with our minds. When we seek to understand the created order through science we bear witness to the Creator and glorify him through our work.

Learn More about how science complements Scripture:


Blog article: "Come and See": A Christ-centered Invitation for Science

By Mark Noll

Blog article: Science and the Bible: Concordism, Part 1

By Ted Davis

Read stories of young Christians who have struggled with evolution:


Blog article: Saving Anthony

By Darrel Falk

Blog article: Confessions of a Failed Young-Earth Creationist

By Daniel Stork Banks

Blog article: The Evolution of a Southern Baptist

By Jacob Crumb

Read about Christian scientists who are evolutionary creationists:


Blog series: Seeing God in Everyday Work

By Deborah Haarsma

Blog article: Katharine Hayhoe: Evangelical Christian, Climate Scientist

By Katharine Hayhoe

Blog series: Genes, Cells, and the Changing Face of Technology

By Doug Lauffenburger and Emily Ruppel

Blog article: Meet Jimmy Lin, “Medical and Scientific Doxologist”

By Jimmy Lin and Emily Ruppel

Further Reading


Blog article: Raising Children to Pursue Truth

By Joel Hunter

Blog article: What is Scientism?

By Thomas Burnett