Is “survival of the fittest” compatible with the Bible?

Answer

Darwin coined the term “survival of the fittest” to describe species that are most adaptable to their ever-changing environment, enabling them to live longer and reproduce successfully. Adaptability and reproduction are key traits that contribute to a species’ success and continuation. To explore the compatibility of the concept of “survival of the fittest” with the teachings of the Bible, we need to carefully examine the premise mentioned above.

First and foremost, evolution is a theory that falls within the realm of the natural sciences. It is one thing to discuss survival in natural terms concerning natural elements such as trees, soil, and other aspects of the environment, and it is quite another to apply the same principles to humans, who are described in the Bible as beings beyond the purely natural.

The Hebrew term “nephesh” is primarily used in reference to humanity (Genesis 2:7;Genesis 7:22;Ecclesiastes 3:19). The Bible distinguishes between mere physical life and life that also encompasses a spiritual dimension. If we were to apply the concept of “survival of the fittest” in a spiritual context, it would prove inadequate as it is a notion that is ill-suited for comprehensively defining the complexity of human existence. Evolution oversimplifies human capabilities and diminishes the value of all creation.

Furthermore, the notion of being the “fittest” implies being “superior to others.” This idea contradicts the teachings of Scripture, as God evaluates all beings and things against the same standard: His own perfection. Only He is truly “fit.” Anything falling short of perfection cannot measure up to the divine standard of holiness. Falling short of perfection is what the Bible defines as sin, a condition that affects every individual and aspect of creation (Romans 3:23; Romans 8:19-24; 1 John 3:4). Sin, at its core, has corrupted and continues to decay the natural and spiritual order of things. We are not evolving but devolving. We are deteriorating.

Third, when left to ourselves, without the glorious promise made to Abraham’s descendants—that God would establish a family and a righteous people through Christ (Genesis 12:1-3; Galatians 3:16), we only bring about destruction unless something or someone intervenes. Only God can step in and bless humanity as we multiply for His sake because, without the gospel, multiplication is not beneficial for sinful humanity, but rather our foe. As the sinful human population grows historically, sin becomes more widespread and destructive because we act in our self-interest, not out of love «In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.», (Judges 21:25). Therefore, for example, in Genesis 12, God had to intervene multiple times. On one occasion, He appears to Abraham and assures him of a “seed” for reproduction that will be of a flawless lineage. This seed will rise and defeat the enemy, introducing an entirely different reproductive DNA into creation «and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. », (Genesis 3:15). A flawless one. A restorative one. A redeeming one.

This “seed” promised to Adam and Abraham—and hinted at to many others throughout the Old Testament—became a proclamation in the person of Jesus (Galatians 3). He provided us with a flawless source, and throughThrough His lineage and His blood, we become part of His flawless family line (Ephesians 1:7-10). This family is everlasting, transcending the temporal to the eternal.

One could argue that by the righteousness of one seed, Jesus, we are sustained.