When Charles Darwin published his book The Origin of Species it was met by vehement rejection by the Christian public. This argument was understandable, for it differed from the literal interpretation of the Bible. But does that necessarily equate evolution as something contrary to scripture? In fact, after close examination, some may even conclude that the two are one in the same.

Most scientists agree that the earth is millions of years old. In the past, Christians have rejected this citing their belief that the world was created in a week, and that traditionally it was believed that the world was only some six thousand years old. Based on dates in the Bible, it does seem as if Adam and Eve existed in about that time ago. History itself would not even skew that too dramatically. But did creation really only take a week as the literal interpretation of the Bible suggests? Can a day in the eye of God be equivalent to our own days? II Peter 3:8 says, "But do not let this one thing be hidden from you, beloved, that one day with the Master is a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." This tells us that God cannot be constrained to time; therefore a more accurate interpretation of the word “day” in Genesis might be “era”.

Evolutionists believe that first, the universe and earth formed. Earth developed a steady atmosphere and became a planet suitable for life. Life started in simple forms, single celled organisms such as bacteria or protests, from there emerged more complex life, plants like alga, ferns, and eventually trees. Life in the sea emerged, fish, and eventually amphibians that would move onto land becoming reptiles, birds and mammals. From the small rodent-like creatures came apes, arthropanpithicus, homo erectus, the Neanderthal, and eventually homo sapiens or modern man. The creation story in Genesis 1 follows the same order. Verses 1-3 describe the planet and the universe being formed, and the stars and the sun. We find in verses 7-8, describe the formation of a steady atmosphere and the formation of continents an in verses 11-12, the creation of simple life, and more complex botanical life. We find amphibian life, birds, and more complex aquatic life in verses 20-21. More complex animals and mammals are found in verses 24 and 25. Finally, in verse 26, the creation of man.

One basic part of the Theory of Evolution is that water is the essential element that makes life possible. It is water from which all life emerged; this is no different from what scripture tells us. Genesis 1:20 is essentially Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, “And God said, let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.”

Evolution and Creation are not contradictory. As Galton said, “Those who enjoy a sense of communion with God can dwell on the undoubted fact that there exists a solidarity between themselves and what surrounds them…”. Simply put, evolution is the crown Jewel of creation!