Christianity: The Origins & Value of Human Life (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B)

Christian Responses to Scientific Explanations & Non-religious Explanations of Life

The Theory of Evolution

• The theory of evolution is based on the theories of Charles Darwin that the origin of human life is due to the gradual development of species over millions of years

  • The theory of evolution suggest that living organisms developed and diversified from earlier forms of life during the history of the earth

  • Individuals who were better adapted to the environment survived to pass on their genes to the next generation

    • This is known as the ‘survival of the fittest’

  • Humans evolved from primates, and have a common ancestor with apes such as chimpanzees

  • Evidence of evolution can be found in fossils, and by looking at examples of adaptation in birds and animals

• Christians have mixed opinions about this theory with some Christians rejecting it completely and some believing that God is responsible for it

Christians’ Responses to the Theory of Evolution

• Some Christians believe that the theory of evolution conflicts with the Christian view that God created everything

  • Fundamentalist Christians do not accept scientific explanations because it contradicts the story in Genesis

• They believe the Bible is the word of God, and therefore contains the truth

• Some Christians accept scientific explanations but believe that God plays a role in the creation

  • Liberal Christians believe that God created the beginnings of life, or the conditions for life to develop in this way

  • Many liberal Christians accept the theory of evolution

The Significance of the Responses to Christians Today

Christians' Responses to Discussions on the Origins of Human Life

• The Special Agenda IV Diocesan Synod (SOA) is a document which attempts to bring together ideas of evolution and traditional Christian teachings on creation

  • In 2010, the Church of England agreed that the design of the universe was achieved by God through the process of evolution

  • Therefore science and Christian thought are compatible

  • The Genesis account in the Bible is more of a general account, rather than describing an actual event

  • It is more of a story to communicate an idea

• This Christian response could reduce conflict between those who accept and those who reject the biblical account of creation as the literal truth

• However, fundamentalist Christians would still reject this document and argue that the theory of evolution and the biblical account of creation are not compatible