Is there Bibical evidence for theistic evolution

[Delta Leader]

Is there any Biblical evidence for theistic evolution?We know that many of the New Testament writers, including Jesus Himself, appear to take a literal interpretation of Genesis. But is there any evidence throughout the passages of Scripture that man has evolved and/or the universe being eons of years old?

Further more, how do theistic evolutionists deal with the verses about man being made in the Image of God (Genesis 1:26-27)? By evolution, we have evolved over eons of years of change from a microbe into a who we are today, and we should continue to evolve into the future. Does this mean that God's image is constantly evolving, or is this verse ignored?

 

[Karl - Liberal Backslider]

Is there any Biblical evidence for theistic evolution?

Yep. Right between the verses on nuclear physics and the ones on hydrocarbon chemistry.

We know that many of the New Testament writers, including Jesus Himself, appear to take a literal interpretation of Genesis.

We 'know' no such thing. Creationists say it, but they more display their own inability to distinguish between truth and historicity, between using a legendary example and making an assertion of literal truth, than they do about the text itself.

But is there any evidence throughout the passages of Scripture that man has evolved and/or the universe being eons of years old?

Like I say, it's with all the other bits where the Bible teaches physical sciences - i.e. nowhere.

Further more, how do theistic evolutionists deal with the verses about man being made in the Image of God (Genesis 1:26-27)? By evolution, we have evolved over eons of years of change from a microbe into a who we are today, and we should continue to evolve into the future. Does this mean that God's image is constantly evolving, or is this verse ignored?

And the "image of God" was equivalent to the physical form of man since when, exactly?

You are trying to create problems where none exist. Why are you doing this?

 

[ab1385]

Is the bible the only source of truth in the world? Has God revealed Himself only in words, and there is nothing to see in nature of Him? I think not.

 

[tryptophan]

There is no biblical evidence for evolution. I don't see why there would need to be. As far as references to the creation accounts, have you ever heard of references to ancient Greek myths, Shakespeare characters, or other cultural figures that definitely did not exist? Is it possible that these are what they are referencing?I also have no problem with the Bible saying that we were made in the image of God, and that it happened through evolution, or some process that worked along with evolution. How is this a conflict?

 

[Vance]

Well, I would say the only particular evidence in the Bible is that God said He created every living creature, and since we know every living creature was developed via evolution, there we have theistic evolution. :0)

Glenn Morton would say the evidence is in the term "let the earth bring forth". That can sound an awful lot like an evolutionary process, but I don't think it must be read that way. I am perfectly fine reading the whole thing non-literally.

 

[theotherguy]

Or could it mean that God used evolution and then stoped when he got to where he wanted, in which case no futher evolution will be observed.

 

[Vance]

Or could it mean that God used evolution and then stoped when he got to where he wanted, in which case no futher evolution will be observed.

Except, of course, that we still do observe it. In some species, like humans, it moves too slowly to be noticeable in such a short time (ie, thousands of years), but in other species under selection pressures causing faster changes, we have actually observed the evolutionary changes at work, all the way to new species (ring species, nylon eating moths, etc).

While God can manipulate evolution however He wants, and can speed it up or slow it down (or even halt it for certain species, if He likes), I have not seen any compelling evidence that He has, or argument why He would.

Oh, and while I am here, you were asking about some resources in another thread. You might want to pick up the current National Geographic (I think it is still the current one) with the headline "Was Darwin Wrong?". Of course, some creationists may say they are definitely not a unbiased source, all that means is that they are not a creationist source, so they don't share the same bias as them. Overall, it gives a good overview of where science is in the study of the mechanics of evolution. All we have to do as Christians is add in "and God did all this" at the end of every paragraph.

 

[Treasure the Questions]

Theistic evolution theories agree with the Bible that God made the world. There is no scientific discussion in the Bible to say how God did this, just a beautiful poem in praise of the results. So the Bible does not contradict theistic evolution theory and it doesn't prove it any more than it proves creationist theories.

Peace

Karin

 

[Vance]

"a beautiful poem in praise of the results"

That is a very interesting way of putting it. Thanks!

 

[Underdog77]

Is the bible the only source of truth in the world? Has God revealed Himself only in words, and there is nothing to see in nature of Him? I think not.

No, God has revealed His nature to us in other ways, such as His creation. BUT, the Bible is the only perfect, direct, special revelation that we have.

Everything is flawed and can be skewed. The Bible says one thing and there is only one interpretation that can be correct.

 

[Underdog77]

Is there any Biblical evidence for theistic evolution?We know that many of the New Testament writers, including Jesus Himself, appear to take a literal interpretation of Genesis. But is there any evidence throughout the passages of Scripture that man has evolved and/or the universe being eons of years old?

Further more, how do theistic evolutionists deal with the verses about man being made in the Image of God (Genesis 1:26-27)? By evolution, we have evolved over eons of years of change from a microbe into a who we are today, and we should continue to evolve into the future. Does this mean that God's image is constantly evolving, or is this verse ignored?

The Bible disproves TE by declaring YEC as the way creation came about. I won't list the evidence here (unless asked to) but the Bible is pretty clear on how God created the earth.

 

[Vance]

Oh, please do present the evidence.

A little hint, though. If you are just going to restate the evidence you have found on creationist sites like AiG and ICR, you won't get very far, since it has all been presented and shown to be incorrect.

 

[searchingforanswers1]

Or could it mean that God used evolution and then stoped when he got to where he wanted, in which case no futher evolution will be observed.

There is evolution going on every day in the farming business.

 

[Crusadar]

delta said: Is there any Biblical evidence for theistic evolution?

No. But then neither is there any other evidence for evolution.

 

[searchingforanswers1]

delta said: Is there any Biblical evidence for theistic evolution?

No. But then neither is there any other evidence for evolution.

Sure there is.
http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=10605373&posted=1#post10605373

 

[Crusadar]

searching said: sure there is

What farmer has bred cows from carrots that you know of lately? Now that would be evidence for evolution.

 

[gluadys]

searching said: sure there is

What farmer has bred cows from carrots that you know of lately? Now that would be evidence for evolution.

No, the day something like that happens, evolution is falsified. At least if it happens naturally.

 

[Vance]

Gluadys, meet Crusader, a poster from days gone by and little has changed. That last post of his is all you need to know. You may have become used to the YEC's we generally have on this forum lately who, for the most part, provide substantive, and usually thoughtful posts. You can see that it was not always so.

 

[grmorton]

Well, I would say the only particular evidence in the Bible is that God said He created every living creature, and since we know every living creature was developed via evolution, there we have theistic evolution. :0)

Glenn Morton would say the evidence is in the term "let the earth bring forth". That can sound an awful lot like an evolutionary process, but I don't think it must be read that way. I am perfectly fine reading the whole thing non-literally.

Here is a link to a page where I discuss the Hebrew and its implications to evolution. Vance is right, I think Genesis does teach evolution, but he is also right that one doesn't have to read it that way, but it is important that one can read it as I do.

http://home.entouch.net/dmd/Gen1-11.htm

 

[Crusadar]

Well now look who stopped by, vance himself and still ranting on as usual I see! The pleasure however is all mine. Of course on other forums I know her by the screen name gbunty - and the above rant - simply some of gbunty's wisdom.