Darwin and Darwinism 150 Years Later
Overview
In 1859, Charles Robert Darwin published On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection: or, the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. It has affected the worldview of generations since, encouraging them to think that they are the products of an unplanned process and ultimately have no reason for existence. The book has had an incredible effect on western society and has never been out of print since the first edition of 1,250 copies was sold out the first day. Why was the Origin of Species so popular? It is likely the UK public were ready to embrace an alternative to the biblical creation account. The new spirit of the age was one of unbelief, despite religious revivals in Scotland and Ireland. There are two strands to Darwinism. The first states that all life evolved over long time periods from a single prototype cell. The other is the notion of “natural selection.” This book reviews Charles Darwin’s religious ideas and questions his evolutionary claims in the light and authority of the Bible, which sets forth a worldview consistent with faith in God.
In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
Be sure to check out Day One CreationPoints Collection (3 vols.).
- Reviews the religious idea of CHarles Darwin
- Addresses the theory of evolution in light of the Bible, and how Christians are to respond
- Discusses the origins of theory of evolution
- Before Darwin
- The Early Years
- Years of Discovery
- The Evolution of the Theory of Evolution
- Darwin’s Worldview
- Darwinism in Biblical Perspective
- Made by God
- Theistic Evolution
- Conclusion
Top Highlights
“Darwin, however, did not invent the term ‘survival of the fittest’; this was coined five years after his On the Origin of Species was published and was used by Herbert Spencer in his 1864 book, Principles of Biology. Darwin defined evolution as descent with modification.” (Page 50)
“Monboddo’s views were considerably less Lamarckian than those of Erasmus Darwin and contained elements of ideas about natural selection. It is also worth noting that Monboddo was a man of some religious faith. He therefore attempted to harmonize Scripture with his evolutionary and deep-time views by insisting that the accounts in the early chapters of Genesis were just allegories. Such compromises in the 18th century were remarkably similar to those of today.” (Page 13)
“Are the ‘days’ of Genesis 1–2 literal, and are they real twenty-four-hour days? If so, it would directly contradict the theory of evolution and Charles Darwin’s attempt to undermine the Christian faith that is founded on God’s Word alone. Francis Schaeffer said that creation was ‘the first category that many churches either failed or refused to recognise’.” (Page 86)
“Later, when Darwin published his On the Origin of Species, FitzRoy clearly felt betrayed. He attended the famous debate in 1860, in which Bishop Samuel Wilberforce attacked the concept of evolution. His contribution to the debate was not well received and he was shouted down, as he stated that On the Origin of Species had caused him the most acute pain.” (Page 35)
“In the New Testament, Jesus Christ mentions the death of Abel, the son of Adam and Eve, thereby confirming the history of man’s origin (Matt. 23:35), and the apostle Paul accepted the historicity of Adam, saying, ‘The first man was of the earth, made of dust’” (Page 81)
- Title: Darwin and Darwinism 150 Years Later: Biblical Faith and the Christian Worldview
- Authors: Paul Taylor, Ian McNaughton
- Series: Creation Points
- Publisher: Day One
- Print Publication Date: 2009
- Logos Release Date: 2013
- Pages: 103
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Darwin, Charles, 1809-1882 › Criticism and interpretation; Evolution (Biology) › Religious aspects--Christianity; Creationism
- Resource ID: LLS:DARWIN150
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-02-11T18:17:17Z
Ian McNaughton is the chairman of Answers in Genesis (UK/Europe). He studied theology at the Free Church of Scotland College, Edinburgh, and earned his ThM in historic theology from Westminster Theological Seminary. He has served as a pastor in FIEC Churches for over 30 years and now pastors West Worthing Evangelical Church, West Sussex.
Paul Taylor spent 17 years teaching science in state schools, eventually becoming head of the department and gaining a master’s degree in science education at Cardiff University. His first book, Just Six Days, arranged contemporary creationist thinking into biblical order as a commentary of Genesis chapters 1 to 11. Paul joined Answers in Genesis in August 2005 as a writer and speaker. He is a regular contributor to the AIG website and Answers Magazine, and is often published in various Christian magazines.