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Writer's pictureEdward D. Andrews
Oct 148 min read

What Is Theistic Evolution and How Does It Differ from Naturalistic Evolution?

Theistic evolution is the belief that God used the process of evolution as a means to bring about the various forms of life, including human life, on Earth. In contrast to naturalistic evolution, which asserts that life emerged and developed entirely through undirected natural processes, theistic evolution posits that God initiated and guided the evolutionary process. The key difference lies in the involvement of a divine creator, as opposed to a purely materialistic, atheistic explanation of life’s origins.


In contrast to the biblical account of creation, which teaches that Jehovah created life by His direct command (Genesis 1:1-27), theistic evolution claims that God used evolution as a tool over vast periods of time to produce the diversity of life. This concept introduces significant theological questions, particularly concerning the nature of God’s creative acts and whether the theory of evolution can be reconciled with the biblical record of creation.


The Bible states that "Jehovah God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being" (Genesis 2:7). This verse directly attributes the creation of man to God’s intentional and personal act, which contradicts the impersonal process suggested by evolutionary theory. The core issue with theistic evolution lies in its attempt to harmonize God’s direct creative work with the naturalistic process of evolution, a system that lacks divine intervention according to its original formulation.



How Does Theistic Evolution Account for God’s Role in Creation?


Theistic evolution proposes various models of how God might have been involved in the evolutionary process. At the heart of these models is the belief that God created the universe ex nihilo—out of nothing—but then allowed natural processes to take over.


Minimal Theistic Evolution posits that God performed two supernatural acts: the creation of matter and the creation of the first life form. After these initial acts, natural processes were left to bring forth all subsequent life, including humans. This view is problematic from a biblical perspective because it diminishes God’s active involvement in the ongoing creation of life. Genesis 1 details a direct, purposeful creation by God over a series of days, not through a long, undirected evolutionary process.


Maximal Theistic Evolution, on the other hand, suggests that God performed three supernatural acts: the creation of matter, the creation of first life, and the creation of the human soul. According to this view, God used evolution to form the bodies of animals and humans, but the human soul was a special creation. While this view attempts to reconcile the uniqueness of humanity as described in Genesis with evolutionary theory, it raises serious theological concerns about the nature of human beings as created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). The Bible teaches that both the physical and spiritual aspects of humanity were uniquely created by God, not the result of an impersonal evolutionary process.


Deistic Evolution removes God from the process after the initial creation of matter. This view is incompatible with biblical teaching because it denies God’s continuous involvement in creation and governance of the universe. Scripture repeatedly emphasizes God’s active role in sustaining the world: “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17). Deistic evolution stands in stark contrast to this affirmation of God’s ongoing involvement in the created order.


Does Evolutionary Theory Conflict with the Biblical Account of Creation?


The biblical account of creation in Genesis offers a detailed and structured explanation of how Jehovah brought the world into existence, shaping it according to His will. Genesis 1-2 describes God creating various life forms according to their kinds: "And God said, 'Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.' And it was so" (Genesis 1:24). The phrase “according to their kinds” implies a distinction between species that is fixed and determined by God. This directly contradicts the idea of macroevolution, where species gradually transform into entirely new kinds over millions of years.


Furthermore, the theory of theistic evolution often assumes the framework of macroevolution, which posits that small genetic changes accumulate over time, leading to the emergence of new species. However, this idea runs counter to the biblical concept of creation, where God brings forth fully formed creatures, each with distinct characteristics. The Bible teaches that God’s creation was “very good” from the beginning (Genesis 1:31), which leaves little room for the idea of a long, trial-and-error evolutionary process filled with death and suffering—a central component of Darwinian evolution.



What About Human Beings—Did They Evolve or Were They Created?


One of the most contentious points of theistic evolution is its explanation of human origins. Evolutionary theory asserts that human beings evolved from apelike ancestors through gradual changes over millions of years. Theistic evolutionists, depending on their particular view, either suggest that God guided this process or that He intervened to create the human soul after the body had evolved naturally.


This position, however, conflicts with the Bible’s explicit teaching that humans are uniquely made in the image of God: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). The idea of humans evolving from apelike creatures undermines the special status of humanity as bearing the image of God from the beginning. The Bible clearly teaches that humans were distinct from animals from the moment of their creation.


Moreover, the doctrine of original sin, as described in Romans 5:12, is directly tied to the historical reality of Adam as the first human being created by God. “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” If humans evolved from pre-existing life forms, as theistic evolution suggests, the theological foundation for original sin and the need for redemption through Christ becomes problematic.



How Does Theistic Evolution View God’s Supernatural Acts?


At its core, theistic evolution struggles to maintain the biblical understanding of God’s supernatural acts in creation. For example, minimal and maximal theistic evolution both limit God’s direct involvement in creation to a few key moments, such as the creation of matter, life, and the human soul. This view, however, reduces God’s ongoing work in the world, presenting Him as distant and detached from His creation.


In contrast, Scripture affirms that God is intimately involved in every aspect of creation, sustaining it by His power. “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-17). The biblical view of creation is not one of a God who sets things in motion and then steps back, but rather of a God who continuously upholds and governs His creation.



Does Evolution Undermine God’s Sovereignty?


Theistic evolution often adopts the presuppositions of naturalistic evolution, which assumes that natural processes are sufficient to account for the complexity of life. However, this assumption undermines the biblical teaching of God’s sovereignty over creation. According to Psalm 33:6-9, God’s creative power is immediate and authoritative: “By the word of Jehovah the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host... For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.”


Theistic evolution, by contrast, attributes much of the diversity of life to natural processes, suggesting that God’s role was more indirect. This view diminishes the majesty and authority of God’s creative work as presented in Scripture. The Bible presents creation as a display of God’s glory and wisdom, accomplished through His direct and purposeful acts (Romans 1:20).



What Are the Implications for Biblical Inerrancy?


One of the most significant theological challenges posed by theistic evolution is its impact on the doctrine of biblical inerrancy. Theistic evolution requires a re-interpretation of Genesis 1-3, often treating the creation account as metaphorical or allegorical. This approach undermines the historical reliability of Scripture, which clearly presents the creation of the world, animals, and humans as real events that occurred by God’s command.

If the creation account is reinterpreted to accommodate evolutionary theory, it raises questions about the trustworthiness of other parts of Scripture. Jesus Himself affirmed the historical accuracy of Genesis when He referred to the creation of man and woman: "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female" (Matthew 19:4). The New Testament authors also consistently treat the Genesis account as literal history (Romans 5:12-19; 1 Timothy 2:13-14). To adopt theistic evolution is to undermine the authority of Scripture as a whole.



Does Theistic Evolution Harmonize with Scripture?


Ultimately, theistic evolution introduces numerous theological and biblical challenges. While it seeks to reconcile the scientific theory of evolution with the belief in God, it compromises key biblical doctrines. The Genesis account of creation emphasizes that Jehovah created life by His direct command, not through an undirected, lengthy process. This view of creation is affirmed throughout Scripture and stands in stark contrast to the evolutionary model.


Isaiah 45:12 declares, “I made the earth and created man on it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host.” The Bible consistently teaches that God’s creative work was immediate, purposeful, and complete. Theistic evolution, on the other hand, suggests a process that relies heavily on natural laws, with minimal divine intervention. This view diminishes God’s sovereignty, His involvement in creation, and the uniqueness of human beings as created in His image.


The theological implications of theistic evolution are far-reaching, affecting our understanding of sin, redemption, the authority of Scripture, and the very nature of God’s creative work. In light of the clear teaching of Scripture, theistic evolution cannot be harmonized with a literal interpretation of the Bible. Instead, believers must hold to the truth that "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1), recognizing that life, in all its forms, is the result of God’s direct and powerful command.



About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).



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