Micro-evolution, that is, the changing of characteristics within a species, happens regularly and is biblical. God created plants and animals each “according to its kind” to reproduce each “according to its kind” (Genesis 1). We see changing characteristics within a “kind,” but no transformation from one kind to another.
Macro-Evolution speaks of a change from one species to another over a tremendous time period. This is what most people mean when they speak of evolution. It is not biblical, and we of the CLC reject it as falsehood.
Faith is required when answering questions about the origin of the universe. By definition, faith is “the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). None of us were present at the origin of the universe and none of us saw it, so whatever one believes to be true about these origins is a confidence in something neither seen nor witnessed—that is faith.
In whom will I place my faith concerning the origin of the universe? Will I trust fellow sinners who were no more there than I was? Or will I place my faith in the Word of the only One Who was there?
Every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we ask that God’s name be hallowed among us. Hallowing God’s name is honoring, upholding, believing, and treasuring His Word in which He reveals His name. That includes His Word concerning the origin of the universe.
God reports clearly in Genesis 1-2 how the earth and universe came into being. Step by step, day by 24-hour day, with the power of His Word, God made everything that was made. God affirmed this truth in His Law: “In six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them” (Exodus 20:11).
God’s Word is abundantly clear in explaining how the universe came into existence, and it allows no room for the theory of evolution. The theory of evolution contradicts God’s clear Word. The theory of evolution cannot coexist with God’s Word; it and God’s Word mutually exclude one another. In evolution there is no God. In God’s Word there is no evolution.
Those who question God’s truthfulness on the matter would do well to read what He said to Job: “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?. . . He who argues with God, let him answer it” (Job 38:1ff ESV).
Many Christians and Christian churches try mightily to make God’s Word and evolution work together. The result always diminishes and compromises God’s Word. Such people compromise God’s Word by trying to bend God’s truth to conform with man’s theory. Consider how foolish that truly is! Conform the Word of the holy God to fit the ideas of sinful man? There is no sense in doing so and no truth or value in the outcome.
Why is it then that so many Christians and Christian churches believe in evolution? Sadly, it means they have exchanged the truth of God for a lie (Romans 1:25), and when this is done in one area, soon other parts of God’s truth will similarly be rejected.
Yes, it is true—our church teaches that evolution is false. We do not believe in evolution because we do believe in the truth and inerrancy of God’s Word. Many in the world will call us fools. Professing to be wise, they are the ones who have become fools (Romans 1:22). May God grant us strength to build our house upon the rock (Matthew 7:24ff), even amid a torrent of worldly opinion that disparages God’s truth.
There is much in true science that declares the glory of God (Psalm 19:1), illustrates the truths of Scripture, and highlights evolution’s foolishness. Your pastor will be happy to explore this topic further with you in the light of God’s Word.
Wayne Eichstadt is pastor of Gethsemane Lutheran Church of Spokane Valley, Washington.