What is evolutionary creationism?

Answer

Evolutionary creationism aims to reconcile the theological teachings of evangelical Christianity with evolution. It differs from other efforts that have attempted to merge God and evolution in that evolutionary creationism is not deistic. Followers believe that God created all things and is actively involved in His creation, while maintaining that evolution is the most credible scientific explanation for the diversity and similarities of all life on Earth.

Evolutionary creationists reject atheistic evolutionism and, ostensibly, claim to uphold the fundamental doctrines of Christianity (e.g., the Trinity, Christ’s divinity, His resurrection, the authority of Scripture, salvation by grace, etc.). However, several key Christian doctrines are challenged in evolutionary creationism.

The movement asserts that all living beings—including humans—are descended from a common ancestor over numerous generations. Consequently, evolutionary creationists grapple with the interpretation of the Bible when it states that humanity is created “in the image of God” «So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. », (Genesis 1:27). Additionally, some within the movement affirm a historical Adam and Eve, while others do not. This leads to variations in the realm of hamartiology (the study of sin), with some evolutionary creationists rejecting a literal fall into sin as depicted in Genesis 3 and denying the idea that the sinful nature was inherited from Adam (Romans 5:12-14).

Biblical inerrancy is another doctrine that is not clearly defined in evolutionary creationism; some evolutionary creationists endorse significant documents on the topic such as the Chicago Statement.

Some scholars affirm the stance on Biblical Inerrancy, while others reject it. Evolutionary creationism asserts the truth of the Bible’s teachings and advocates for considering the cultural and theological contexts of Scripture when interpreting its meaning. Conversely, evolutionary creationism tends to heavily allegorize certain parts of Scripture, particularly those related to anthropology and the nature of sin.