Does God Evolve?

ET writes: I was having a discussion with a friend, and he was attempting to argue for evolution, saying that God used evolution to shape us in His image. I told him that evolution, by definition, is a never-ending improvement and change. So if God used evolution to shape us in His image, that means that He is changing too, which should be impossible since He is perfect. My friend then quoted Scripture saying, "So the LORD changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people" (Exodus 32:14). I was wondering if you wouldn't mind clearing things up for me.

Great question, ET! Let's answer it in two parts. First off, let's deal with the question of the possibility of God "evolving." A passage like James 1:17 describes God as "the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." The moon's light waxes and wanes, the light from the sun varies based upon cloud cover, seasons, latitude, and time of day. But our Father is the SOURCE of all light and His light does not vary. He is the one true constant. This is a way of saying that God does not change in who He is. His character is not subject to development or improvement. God will never become more loving, more holy, more just, more powerful, or more wise.

So what do we do with a verse like Ex. 32:14? I find it helpful to recognize that there is a difference between WHO GOD IS AND WHAT HE DOES. Who God is will never change. But what He does can change. In the case of Exodus 32:14, it is a marvelous testimony to the power of prayer. Moses interceded for Israel, and God altered His plans accordingly. God's CHARACTER did not change. But because Moses pled for the welfare of Israel, God decided to TAKE A DIFFERENT COURSE OF ACTION. By the way, note how Moses' prayer was informed by a knowledge of and appeal to God's character. Moses declares, "Show yourself as the God of goodness and covenant faithfulness." God's character did not evolve or improve in this passage. But what God did was affected by humble and earnest prayer grounded in bold knowledge of who God is.

Part two: I am not sure I would use the line of argument you outlined with your friend. I think your approach has merit, but it's power as proof is compromised by what happened in the Fall. When Adam sinned, the image of God in man became effaced or distorted. Man is still "created in God's image." But as through a lens that is fogged up, it is now harder to see something of what God is like by looking at man.  Redemption is about unfogging the lens. I would not say that man is "evolving." But I would say that men who are redeemed are being transformed. Someday, we will see Jesus face to face, and in that moment become perfect lenses through which to see the image of God.

Because your friend might not see the difference between "evolution" and "transformation in Christ," here's a thought that might suggest a new tack to your conversation. Evolution is theorized to be the engine of improvement driven by chance. Transformation in Christ is the engine of improvement propelled by God's grace. Ask him, "What are the pro's and con's of each approach?" God offers any man the sure hope of becoming a new man in Christ. Your friend does not have to wait millions of years. He does not have to leave things to chance. He can take God up on His amazing offer, RIGHT NOW! Show him the evidence: God's offer is worth believing and receiving. Now that would be an interesting conversation!

Comments

[Jeff]

Your friend's initial statement is odd to me. It's probably similar to what you said, but my reaction is that it implies that God didn't make us in his image in the first place, that it was a process that is still occurring. So either he thinks Genesis hasn't been fulfilled yet or he thinks that where it says we were made in his image in Genesis is a fabrication (or irrelevant and obscure, to paraphrase a certain politician).

This doesn't even go into the concept that if God is working us up to his image, the fall of man and redemption through Jesus is irrelevant.