The “Other Side” of Theistic Evolution
The future destiny of mankind is probably the most important topic to consider in the discussion of evolution and/or theistic evolution, even more so than man’s origins. In the course of discussion regarding creation vs. evolution the focus is most of the time, if not all of the time, on the question of man’s origins. But let’s consider for a moment a statement by Charles Darwin from his book on Origins:
- “…we may look with some confidence to a secure future of great length. And as natural selection works solely by and for the good of each being, all corporeal and mental endowments will tend to progress toward perfection.”1
But what is this perfection that he is talking about? What is his reference point? What is the goal of natural selection, to evolve life into the ultimate perfect being (God)? What will happen then? Once perfection is achieved, will evolution then be obsolete, no longer necessary since the ultimate goal has finally been reached? Will evolution then stop altogether? And if not, then how could Darwin ever have declared natural selection to be progressing toward perfection? If evolution would never stop, then how would it ever achieve its goal? And how could we “look to a secure future,” as stated by Darwin, if natural selection never achieves perfection?
The Bible gives us a very different picture of the future than that of an endless “natural selection.” In the book of Revelation (21:1-4) the “first heaven and the first earth” has passed away – in the new heaven and the new earth, “God will wipe away every tear,” and “there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.” There shall be “no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” There will be no more “struggle for existence.” If evolution were used by God, then it would now stop, become obsolete, cease to exist altogether! Since death was instituted as a curse upon life because of sin, and since evolution depends upon death as a means for creating or perfecting new life, then how could God possibly have used evolution to bring life into being? And since, according to the book of Revelation (21:1-4), God eliminates death, sorrow, crying, and pain, and thereby brings his creation into perfection without them, why would He ever use death as a means for creating or perfecting new life in the first place, especially considering the fact that “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good…”? (Gen. 1:31).
This obvious contrast between Darwin’s statements and the declarations of Scripture regarding the future show the two to be incompatible thus challenging the viewpoint of those who believe in Theistic Evolution. It also demands an answer regarding the “perfection” that is claimed to be achieved by Evolution. I have not yet seen any progression towards this “perfection” professed by Darwin in our present world. I have, however, seen the changes made in a person’s life when they truly accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour and begin to live for Him. Evolution as taught in public schools does not, in my opinion, give us any reason to have hope or to find meaning for our lives that has any real ultimate purpose or conclusion. I put this discussion as a challenge to those who are considering the question of their origins, and of their ultimate destiny at the end of their life.
NOTES
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Charles Darwin. The Origin Of Species. New York: Hurst & Company, 1859. 473-474.
Charles Darwin. The Origin Of Species. New York: Hurst & Company, 1859. 473-474.
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