Evolution and Creation—So What’s the Question? (November 4, 2020) Kirk Larsen

Evolution and Creation—So What’s the Question?

by KIRK LARSEN, Professor of Biology NOVEMBER 4, 2020

It is just as noble a conception of the Deity to believe that He created a few original forms capable of self-development into other and needful forms, as to believe that He required a fixed act of creation to supply the voids caused by the action of

His laws. Charles Darwin, On the Origin of Species

So earlier this fall when Eric Baack natural world? That is the realm of us asked me if I’d be willing to speak folks in the natural sciences. in chapel today, he asked specifically if I’d speak on evolution and religion, because none of the other folks he had been talking to were evidently willing to talk about it, especially that today is the morning after the election. “Would you be interested,” he asked? I didn’t tell him this, but to be honest no, I’d much rather be talking about how we are called to care for creation. Some day when I’m standing at the pearly gates, I don’t think the question God will ask me is, “How did I create the world?” Instead I think God will ask me: “What did you do to take care of the garden I placed you in? Did you care for the animals, the plants, and the incredible diversity of people in the world I asked you to take care of?” But since Dr. Baack asked me to focus on evolution and religion, I’ll try to focus my remarks today on how I personally approach this issue from my Christian perspective. At Luther we are proud of our beautiful location in the driftless region of northeastern Iowa, and as scientists we study the geology, ecology, and yes, evolution of the diversity of life that inhabits this special corner of the world. We ask questions and test hypotheses to explain our observations of the natural world using methods that focus on natural processes. Does believing a natural process such as evolution created the diversity of life we see mean that God didn’t do it? In Psalm 147 we read, “He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills. He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry.” Our meteorologists can explain the natural processes of why clouds form and how it rains. My botanist colleagues can explain the natural processes of how the grasses grow. To me, this is not explaining away God, but simply an indication answer. Questions like, Why am I here? What is my purpose in life? Is there a God? To most of us, these are important questions, yet these are questions that Kirk Larsen In Hebrews 1:10 we read, “In the begin- of how God uses natural processes to science is not equipped to answer, and ning, Lord, you laid the foundations of accomplish his purposes. If God uses religion offers us ways to answer those the earth, and the heavens are the works natural processes to accomplish his questions. Science can answer questions of your hands.” Now I could have read purposes in these examples, why is there such as, How does this world we live in any of numerous passages from the so much opposition to God using the function? What is this world made of? Bible which describe God as the creator, natural processes of evolution to create And how is it structured? How did this and as a Christian I believe this doctrine the diversity of life? The evidences for incredible diversity of life come to be? of creation is a clear and consistent Bib- evolution through the various mecha- and How should we care for the natural lical principle stretching from Genesis 1 nisms of natural selection, genetic drift, world to preserve this diversity of life to Revelations. gene flow, and mutation are compelling, that God uses to provide for us and all Romans 1:20 says, “Ever since the creand frankly overwhelming. of creation in so many ways? ation of the world his eternal power and Many folks think evolution by defini- Science and religion are two compledivine nature, invisible though they are, tion is atheistic, but I think not. Science mentary ways of knowing. They answer have been understood and seen through and faith are simply two ways of exam- different yet complementary questions. the things he has made.” This verse talks ining the same thing, providing comple- One of the most important reasons I about looking at the “things he has mentary answers to different questions see for our current general education made,” that is, the natural world which about the world we live in. It seems to categories is for students to be exposed we often call creation. Who studies the me that there are questions science can’t to and wrestle with questions various

disciplines ask, and learn the different ways we try to approach and come to answer those questions. Then students can make interdisciplinary connections that provide for a satisfying understanding of themselves and this world in which we live and in which we are called to serve. As a Christian, I take Jesus and his teachings seriously, and as a scientist, I study the natural world, holding to necessary scientific methodologies and assumptions. Those of you who know me know that I get a little excited about insects. Personally, the reason I study, teach about, and care for the incredible diversity of insects we have here right in northeastern Iowa is because of my faith. I believe I am called to care for all of God’s creatures. My research focuses on how we take care of the insects that live in our natural areas, and the impact our land stewardship actions have on those insects. These insects pollinate our crops, control pests, help cycle nutrients through the environment, provide food for the birds and fish that live here, and allow us to live a more sustainable life in this piece of the garden. To again read from Darwin at the conclusion of his On the Origin of Species: “There is a grandeur in this view of life . . . having been originally breathed by the Creator into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being evolved.” It is these endless forms that we have been called to steward and care for. So if evolutionary creationism is true, that is, evolution is God’s method of creating, then we can believe both the science of evolution AND the theology of creation. There is no need for the false dichotomy and conflict that seems to have developed on this issue. Christians who are evolutionary creationists propose this view based on their careful examination of God’s Word (in the Bible) and their study of God’s Works (in nature). We can be encouraged and humbly trust that what we see and discover observing the natural world through the eyes of science is true, and contains both spiritual and physical truths that we can accept as gifts from our Creator.