Science

Evolution Sunday: A Paradox in the Making

Author Alan Shlemon Published on 04/19/2013

Alan’s monthly letter for March 2007

Dear Friend,

Sunday, February 11, was Evolution Sunday. 613 churches across America paid tribute to Charles Darwin. It was more than a birthday tribute—it was an ecclesial blessing on evolution, the very principle that undermines God’s hand in creation. To date 10,594 church leaders have signed the “Clergy Letter Project,” a letter stating “the theory of evolution is a foundational scientific truth.” Pastors across the nation came out to preach sermons on the merits of evolution and how evolutionary ideas are in concert with Christian beliefs and do not contradict them.

Either these clergy are grossly misinformed about the nature and purpose of evolution or, worse, they are deliberately attempting to gloss over fundamental differences between two competing worldviews. Either way, it seems like we’re facing a growing problem from within the walls of the church.

Evolutionary theory is an explanation of how life appeared on earth in the absence of any intelligence or divine direction. Any faithful Darwinist will affirm this. Douglas Futuyma wrote, “The human species was not designed, has no purpose, and is the product of mere mechanical mechanisms.... [This is] the message of evolution.” George Simpson, in his book The Meaning of Evolution, writes, “Mankind is the result of a purposeless and natural process that did not have him in mind.” Their point? Evolution rules out God’s influence entirely. It is a blind and random process that is driven by chance—a process inconsistent with design or intelligence.

How does that harmonize with the biblical doctrine of creation? It doesn’t. It flatly contradicts it. In fact, it’s supposed to. Prior to evolution, atheists were without an explanation of how life emerged on earth. Christians had God, but atheists had nothing. Darwin changed that. He gave atheists a theory that didn’t appeal to God. As Richard Dawkins pointed out, “Darwin made it possible to be an intellectually fulfilled atheist.”

Evolution’s purpose is to challenge the biblical creation model. This is the paradox of Evolution Sunday. It attempts to harmonize two competing accounts of human history. While it may become popular, it can never be intellectually honest.

This only serves to remind me of the importance of my work with Stand to Reason. Every day brings a new challenge and a new opportunity to train believers with the skills to respond to confusing events like Evolution Sunday.

Your prayerful support is critical. However, I’m asking you to keep 2007 in your prayers as I not only continue to serve the body of Christ through my ministry with Stand to Reason, but as my wife and I begin a new chapter in our family’s life with the upcoming birth of our daughter this month. Please pray for a safe and healthy delivery for both mother and baby. Our due date is March 21.

For those of you who faithfully support my work financially, I can’t thank you enough. My salary at Stand to Reason is dependent upon the faithful and generous giving of people like you. Without your support my work would simply not exist.

For those of you who are not yet financial supporters, won’t you consider making a commitment today?

Thank you for your partnership.

For His kingdom,

Alan Shlemon