The relationship between faith and science often sparks curiosity and conversation. How does the Bible address the idea of evolution? Let’s explore some Bible verses and what they might tell us about creation, nature, and God’s plan for the world.
Bible Verses About Evolution
Genesis 1:1 – The beginning of creation
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” – Genesis 1:1
Psalm 104:24 – The wonders of God’s creation
“How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” – Psalm 104:24
Colossians 1:16 – All things created through Him
“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” – Colossians 1:16
Romans 1:20 – God’s qualities are evident in creation
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” – Romans 1:20
Job 12:7-10 – Learning from creation
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” – Job 12:7-10
Isaiah 45:12 – God as the Creator
“It is I who made the earth and created mankind on it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts.” – Isaiah 45:12
Psalm 139:14 – Wonderfully made
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” – Psalm 139:14
Ecclesiastes 3:11 – God’s perfect timing in creation
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” – Ecclesiastes 3:11
Matthew 6:26 – Reliance on God’s provision through creation
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” – Matthew 6:26
Acts 17:24-25 – The Creator does not need anything
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything.” – Acts 17:24-25
Hebrews 11:3 – Understanding creation by faith
“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” – Hebrews 11:3
John 1:3 – All things made through the Word
“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” – John 1:3
Genesis 1:26-27 – Created in God’s image
“Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:26-27
Isaiah 40:26 – God’s control over creation
“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” – Isaiah 40:26
Revelation 4:11 – God’s sovereignty over creation
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” – Revelation 4:11
Genesis 2:7 – The creation of man
“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” – Genesis 2:7
Psalms 33:6-9 – The power of God’s word
“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.” – Psalms 33:6-9
1 Timothy 4:4 – All creation is good
“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.” – 1 Timothy 4:4
Isaiah 65:17 – God’s new creation
“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.” – Isaiah 65:17
Matthew 10:29 – God’s care for all creation
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” – Matthew 10:29
Psalm 19:1 – Creation declares God’s glory
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” – Psalm 19:1
2 Corinthians 5:17 – Becoming a new creation in Christ
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Proverbs 3:19-20 – Wisdom in creation
“By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.” – Proverbs 3:19-20
2 Peter 3:5 – Creation by the Word of God
“But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.” – 2 Peter 3:5
Exodus 20:11 – God’s creative work
“For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” – Exodus 20:11
Psalm 148:1-5 – All creation praises the Lord
“Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above. Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies.” – Psalm 148:1-5
Matthew 28:18 – Authority of Christ in creation
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.'” – Matthew 28:18
Revelation 21:5 – All things made new
“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'” – Revelation 21:5
James 1:17 – Every good gift from above
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” – James 1:17
Genesis 9:16 – God’s covenant with creation
“Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” – Genesis 9:16
Psalm 25:1-3 – Trust in God as our Creator
“In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.” – Psalm 25:1-3
Also Read: 30 Bible Verses About Defending Yourself
What Does the Bible Say About Evolution?
When approaching the topic of evolution through the lens of the Bible, it’s essential to understand that the scriptures were written in a context far removed from modern scientific debates. That being said, the Bible certainly touches on themes relevant to the discussion of creation and the origin of life.
In Genesis, we find the foundational narrative of how God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1 describes a six-day creation period, where God methodically brings everything into existence, from light and skies to plants, animals, and humans. This account emphasizes God’s intentional and ordered process, highlighting the inherent goodness of creation. The phrase “God saw that it was good” repeatedly reinforces the divine approval of each stage of creation.
The creation of humanity is given special attention. In Genesis 1:26-27, we read that God created humans in His image, giving us dominion over the earth and its creatures. This passage presents humans as distinct from the rest of creation, imbued with a unique purpose and relationship with the Creator.
Genesis 2 offers another perspective, focusing specifically on humanity’s creation. In this account, God forms Adam from the dust of the ground and breathes life into him. Eve is later created from Adam’s rib, emphasizing the interconnectedness and complementarity between male and female.
For many, these narratives are seen as literal historical accounts. They argue that the specific order and manner in which creation is described point to a direct act of divine intervention, incompatible with evolutionary theory. Others interpret these passages more allegorically or metaphorically, suggesting that the days of creation are not 24-hour periods but symbolic of longer epochs of time. This perspective allows for the idea that God could have used evolutionary processes as a means of creation.
The Psalms and other wisdom literature also reflect on God’s role as Creator. For instance, Psalm 19:1-4 speaks of the heavens declaring the glory of God and the skies proclaiming the work of His hands. Such texts reinforce the belief that creation, in all its complexity and beauty, is a testament to God’s power and wisdom.
In the New Testament, Colossians 1:16-17 asserts that all things were created through Christ and for Him, further underscoring the central role of divine agency in the existence of everything. This reinforces the idea that regardless of the process, the purpose and intentionality behind creation are rooted in God’s will.
Ultimately, the Bible emphasizes a view of creation that highlights God’s sovereignty and purposeful design. Whether one interprets the days of Genesis as literal or symbolic, the unifying theme across scripture is that God is the ultimate Creator and sustainer of life. This foundational truth helps us navigate the broader conversation about evolution with a focus on the interplay between faith and science, recognizing that various interpretations exist within the Christian community.