Do the Heavens Declare His Glory?

Theistic evolutionists are a strange breed. On the one hand, these people claim to believe God and the Bible. On the other hand, they hold the same beliefs about our origins as the most devout atheist. Evolutionists believe that life began on earth some 4 billion years ago; over countless generations, species of animals have changed; and one species of animal happens to be humans. Theistic evolutionists believe pretty much the same thing except they insert the qualifier, “God did it.” Perhaps the god of theistic evolution (TE) is that elusive “god of the gaps” I keep hearing about. He must be an extremely impotent god who is virtually indistinguishable from dumb luck.

Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” When the atheist looks at the creation, what does he see? He only sees matter being acted upon by natural forces. The universe may seem big to him, but it does not seem sublime. Even life, in all of its complexity, is only matter being acted upon by natural processes. Over time, atoms became molecules, which became self-replicating molecules, which became a living organism, which became multicellular organisms, which became marine animals, which became birds, bugs, and beasts. Humans are merely another species of animals that happen to have more highly evolved intelligence; other than that, they are rather mundane. Atheists see no divine fingerprint anywhere.

The God of Genesis spoke the earth, sun, and moon into existence (Genesis 1). He is the One who calls the stars by name (Psalm 147:4). Yet rather than believe in the God who is Lord over His creation, TE Christians believe in a god who has hidden himself so well that he isn't seen in his creation. He is merely a wink and a nod between the atheist and the TE Christian, brothers in evolution. It seems that blind faith in science makes strange bedfellows.

To Christian evolutionists I would ask, “where is the glory of the god of TE?” Is God revealed in nature or isn't He? If you think evolution is how God created, then you have wed yourself to a theory which, at its very core, denies there is a god who guides it. Of course, the TE Christian does not see it this way. In addition to compromising on the interpretation of Scripture, Christian evolutionists must also compromise on their view of evolution. While the atheist believes evolution is blind and meandering, the Christian sees evolution as meandering yet guided. Mutations aren't “random” but are teleological.

Besides believing in a hidden god, TE Christians have another problem. Evolution is also a very cruel process. Renown atheist, Richard Dawkins, has this view of nature:

“The total amount of suffering per year in the natural world is beyond all decent contemplation. During the minute that it takes me to compose this sentence, thousands of animals are being eaten alive, many others are running for their lives whimpering with fear, others are slowly devoured from within by rasping parasites, thousands of all kinds are dying of starvation, thirst, and disease. It must be so. If there is ever a time of plenty, this very fact will automatically lead to an increase in population until the natural state of starvation and misery is restored.”

As a creationist, I understand perfectly why nature seems so cruel. God created a perfect world but, because of sin, He has cursed the world with death. Death is an intruder into the creation, not the device of creation. The person who suggests that God used evolution to create, must somehow reconcile this very cruel process with a very good God.

I am puzzled how TE Christians understand Scripture. They already must reject Genesis. It seems they also must reject Psalm 19:1. Do the heavens declare the glory of God or not? The god of evolution is certainly not seen in his creation. Worse yet, where he does reveal himself, it is as a tyrant who is more deserving of our loathing than our worship. Why do people reject the God of Genesis for the sake of this lesser god? Romans 1:20-25 comes to mind:

“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”