The Evolution of a New Species: The Body of Christ

The Evolution of a New Species: The Body of Christ

In 1859, Charles Darwin published his book, The Origin of Species by Natural Selection in order to change the way we view modern science. Little did he know that his same logic could be used to take a deeper look at the way we view the world in light of God’s plan. Sound extreme? Probably so, but let’s take a look and see.

Darwin’s theory, for the general gist of it, is held by many evolutionary scientists today (although I would disagree with it generally myself). This is not to say that Darwin would fit perfectly with any scientist today, but his general theories are held by many scientist who believe in the origin of species by evolutionary means. But what are his theories, and how do they in any way affect Christian theology?

Basically, Darwin defended his views on mutations and natural selection. His theories assumed the existence of one already living cell capable of reproduction. Generally, this reproducing cell would reproduce in its likeness, but not a completely perfect copy. The genes may be slightly different, but overall, the general makeup of what made this cell what it was would fall into the same order as its parent cell. But the theory would say that once in a while, a mutation occurs, which would slightly alter who this creature was. Still, one single mutation would not completely change who this creature was. Mutations happen today. Being blind, being mute, and being deaf, can all be from mutations. Most mutations are bad, resulting in less reproduction from these creatures (survival of the fittest). However very occasionally, says Darwin, someone will inherit a good mutation, capable of survival and reproduction.

Still, one mutation is a long way from being considered a different creature. Darwin would claim that after a "good" mutation, this creature would reproduce with another creature of its general kind- whether they hold the mutation or not (probably not), and pass it on to some of its future generations. Darwin says that after a whole lot of small mutations that are capable of survival and reproduction, a new creature would form. Natural selection would decide what mutations are capable of reproduction, and what would simply die out.

I believe that there are many flaws in this logic when applied to explain the world today, but that is for another blog. For now, we have said enough about biological evolution, and it is time to look to spiritual evolution.

This "Spiritual evolution" could happen in your own personal life. You could come across a lot of bad things that are all brought to naught by God, and inherit only the good things, and then become closer to God. But that is not really what I want to get at. What if we applied this logic to God’s Kingdom at large?

What if through the life of the Body of Christ, we went through many bad "mutations" that all died away. What if we would sometimes inherit a good mutation that would last forever? No matter how many bad mutations the Body may encounter over the years, this logic would suggest that the good would eventually prevail. What if this went on for a long time, and eventually brought the Church closer to God? Could this happen?

Our Christian culture today rejects this today for two reasons. For one, we are obsessed with the end times idea, and for two, we are obsessed with the idea that the world must get worse, because of the troubles it has today. Essentially, impatience is at the key to rejecting the idea of "Spiritual evolution" I presented above.

There is a difference in this kind of obsession with the end times, and the looking forward to Jesus’ return that Scripture tells us to do. We should look to the end of the world, when one day all of God’s saints will be gathered together to give praise to God on high, and all evil will perish away in death and hell. One day we will have new bodies, and be made as the Body of Christ should be made. Today, though, we seem to assume that that day must be soon. We seem to lose faith in the fact that God can and will bring all evil to naught as He tells us in the Scripture (particularly the Psalms). To some Christians today, it is as if the world is getting worse and God will just give up on it.

The way biological evolutionists look to the future with wonder should be the way Christians look to the future in wonder- only in light of the Gospel. Darwinists wonder at what the world will be like millions of years from now and how evolution would direct the way. Christians should be in awe at the progress of the world, and what it could be like millions of years from now with God leading the way. It seems odd to think that the world will still be here in five-hundred thousand years from now- but for all we know, it could be. We really don’t know.

What if this blog plants one very small mutation in just one of its readers? What if this person then go and plant the same mutation in someone else. What if they plant another mutation in me, or anyone else- that I or whoever received that mutation could then go plant the same mutation in someone else? I speak in terms of spiritual mutations, not biological mutations.
It does seem as if the world is in a very low and confused state right now. It has been only in the last one-hundred years that we have entered into world wars, and it seems as if nearly all the countries are at some war now- including the very nation I live in. How could this be God’s plan? How could God bring good from this? We should realize that pretty much ever since the beginning of civilization nations have risen and fallen, and entered war with other nations. There was war- sometimes Holy war- that is recorded for us in the Old Testament. All of these wars end, but God’s Word never does. It is possible that America could one day fall, and that many more nations could assume their places in the world. Perhaps, just perhaps, we are only in the baby stages of history. To me, that is just as exiting as being in the last days of history. Ultimately, though, we really don’t know- which probably makes it even more exiting!

If what was said has validity to it, then perhaps it is the little things that bring forth the most revival. Even such revival movements and reforms, both Christian and otherwise, have not originated from attempted revival and reform, but through years of people doing the little, but most important things. The Protestant Reformation and The Great Awakening both originated because people began to take a deeper and more personal look at the Word of God, and because people began to have a stronger fear and reverence of the Lord, and place Him above all other things. There is nothing wrong with intended revival, but perhaps the best revival comes from unintended revival- when God’s people put a stronger emphasis on God and His Word.

Jeremy Sexton, Pastor-in-training at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama, puts this well. In a recent sermon, he said (paraphrased), "Husbands and Fathers, you can crush Satan’s head by staying loyal to your wife- even in your private thoughts, and by training your children in the way they should go; wives and Mothers, you can crush Satan’s head by staying loyal to your husbands- even in your own private and secret thoughts and desires, and by assisting your husband in training your children in the way they should go; children, you can crush Satan’s head by obeying and honoring your Father and your Mother as Scripture commands; furthermore, everyone can crush Satan’s head by entering into weekly covenant renewal service with the Lord their God." As Sexton points out, it are these basic- but very important- things that ultimately will reach the Gospel to the ends of the earth. As the Reverend Rich Lusk has pointed out, "Your actions are the ultimate apologetic [defense] for the faith."

So in closing, I encourage you to study God’s Word for yourself, focus on the little, but most important things. Making an attempt at a revival is fine- but you should first lead by example and have personal revival with God. Part of this personal revival means fellowship with other Christians. Going to church is an essential aspect to crushing Satan’s head. Satan hates it when all of God’s people are singing to God on high. He’s jealous. He’s angry. However it is when we lose faith- believing that it must take all of God’s strength all at once to crush Satan’s head- when Satan and all his company are happy. God is winning the war even now. Even if it takes thousands of years more of spiritual evolution in the church, the Body of Christ will be made the way God wants it. This is not Satan’s world but it is God’s world. Let’s live that way!

What do you think?

Ryan