Philosophical Origins of Evolution
By Editorial Staff
Published December 2007
The concept of evolution had its origin long before Charles Darwin published his book, Origin of Species, in 1859. All of history just set the stage for the 19th century scientist. As one investigates the past, one will find the predominant influence of philosophy, not scientific discoveries, in the development of evolutionary thought.
The idea of evolution first developed as a philosophical explanation for our existence. Later, attempts were made to justify that belief with science. However, as new scientific discoveries proved those explanations false, men postulated newer theories on a more microscopic scale that had not yet been discovered by scientific technology. Throughout history, the concept of life spontaneously arising from smaller non-living molecules prevailed.
Evolution, the idea that life has arisen from simpler forms of life, had its beginnings with the Greeks about 700 B.C. Before this time, origins were normally explained in terms of the gods of Greek mythology. As scientific observations were developed and recorded by the Greeks, the question of origins, originally philosophical in nature, now appeared to be justified by naturalistic and materialistic explanations.
Thales of Miletus (640-546 B.C.) first originated the idea of a cycle of development. He believed that all of life began with a single element – water – from which all other elements arose. From these developed plants, animals and finally man. Thale broke away from mythological explanations and believed that all life arose out of the seas.
Anaximander (611-547 B.C.) modified Thales theory, believing that the source of life began with a “primordial mass” and that the earth basically consisted of mud. This mud or primordial mass eventually broke off to form plants, animals and organisms of higher complexity. Anaximander thought that man arose from the fishes and that everything would eventually revert back to its primordial mass.
Anaximenes, a student of Anaximander, followed his beliefs except that the primordial mass was air. Since it was observed that air could expand and contract, he thought this could be the animate source of life. Heracletus of Ephesus (540-475 B.C.) proposed that individuals were in a struggle to preserve themselves against a constant force of change and decay. The “weeping philosopher” also proposed that the original matter for all forms of life was fire.
Empedocles (490-435 B.C.) incorporated all previous thought into the idea that the essential elements were water, earth, air, and fire. These elements formed bodies when drawn together, and the most successful were capable of reproduction. He believed that chance alone was responsible for the entire process and that man had developed from prior plant life.
Spontaneous Generation
The Greek notion that life arose from essentially nothing, or from simple matter, prevailed into the Middle Ages and was known as spontaneous generation. The Egyptians saw frogs, snails, toads and worms appear on the river bank after a high flood. The Chinese found tiny aphids suddenly appearing on leaves when there was no sign of aphids on the previous day. They assumed that these creatures “evolved” out of matter!
Jan Baptista van Helmont (1577-1644 A.D.) developed the scientific recipe for the generation of mice: one simply needed to wrap wheat kernels and cheese curds in a sweat-soaked shirt and leave the bundle in an open container for 20 days. Twenty days later, as a result of the combination of sweat and wheat, baby mice appeared! The idea of spontaneous generation became very popular and it was the popularity of the idea that kept many prominent scientists from seeing the error of their reasoning.
However, men were unwilling to give up the concept that life could arise from non-living things. The next step was the proposition that micro-organisms were the first living organisms that could arise spontaneously. Englishman John Needham (1713-1781) had heated gravy and sealed the flasks with corks. He later discovered putrification and thus proposed support for the spontaneous generation of micro-organisms.
Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) put the notion of spontaneous generation to rest once and for all. Pasteur boiled a broth in special long neck tubes and thus had created sterile conditions. Micro-organisms were prevented from entering the flasks even though they were still open to the air. His discoveries and research revolutionized the sanitation practices of man and introduced the vital techniques of sterilization and pasteurization.
Pasteur’s experiments confirmed that life reproduces only after its own kind and that even micro-organisms, at that time unseen by the human eye, need micro-organisms as parents. For the first time, evolutionary reasoning was refuted by sound scientific inquiry that was not first influenced by philosophical thought. Pasteur, a devoted Christian, could have been approaching the problem from the biblical viewpoint of reproduction after kinds (Gensis 1), thereby understanding how to test the idea of spontaneous generation.
The history of evolutionary thought has a long record of theories that would attempt to explain the existence of life merely on the properties of matter. Modern scientists are now in the position of trying to prove that all the elements are derived from one element – hydrogen. They are also trying to show that subatomic particles have arisen from nothing. One might think that science would learn from history, but the notion of spontaneous generation still lingers in the minds of some, due to the evolutionary bent of its reasoning.
The historical roots of evolutionary thought lie within philosophical speculations about the origins of life. As science has discredited each theory, man has speculated ahead of the frontiers of scientific capabilities in an effort to explain the origin of life. Yet science only seems to destroy those lofty philosophical speculations while upholding the biblical concept of life arising from life. Perhaps scientists will come to accept this truth and then realize that the true source of all life is Jesus Christ, (John 11:25, John 14:6).
Forerunner - Home » The Forerunner Newspaper » Science
You comments are welcome!
God's Law and Society (DVD)
Download the Free on-line Study Guide.
God’s Law and Society powerfully presents a comprehensive worldview based upon the ethical system found in the Law of God.
Speakers include: R.J. Rushdoony, George Grant, Howard Phillips, R.C. Sproul Jr., Ken Gentry, Gary DeMar, Jay Grimstead, Steven Schlissel, Andrew Sandlin, Eric Holmberg, and more!
Sixteen Christian leaders and scholars answer some of the most common questions and misconceptions related to this volatile issue:
1. Are we under Law or under Grace?
2. Does the Old Testament Law apply today?
3. Can we legislate morality?
4. What are the biblical foundations of government?
5. Was America founded as a Christian nation?
6. What about the separation of Church and State?
7. Is neutrality a myth?
8. What about non-Christians and the Law of God?
9. Would there be “freedom” in a Christian republic?
10. What would a “Christian America” look like?
Perfect for group instruction as well as personal Bible study.
Ten parts, over four hours of instruction!
Running Time: 240 minutes
Watch over 60 streaming videos from God’s Law and Society at:
The Second American Revolution.
$19.95 — ORDER NOW!
Click here for more information
Massacre of Innocence (DVD)
Exposing The Occult Roots of Abortion
This presentation looks at the spiritual roots of abortion and exposes the myths surrounding child killing. Little known historical facts about abortion and how they relate to modern feminism are presented logically and accurately. Has been effective in converting many to a pro-life position.
Massacre of Innocence goes where no pro-life presentation has gone before in “tearing the lid off abortion” to reveal the spiritual realities we must battle if we will bring an end to this crime. The presentation is absorbing, fast-paced, informative and incredibly devastating to any attempt to justify abortion.
“… an extraordinary statement … a powerfully articulate presentation about what abortion really means, and why a great and moral nation like the United States must not allow the slaughter to continue.”
— Congressman Robert K. Dornan
Running time: 85 minutes
$19.95 — ORDER NOW!
Click here for more information
Martin Luther: 1953 Classic (DVD)
Special 50th Anniversary edition
The dramatic classic film of Martin Luther’s life was released in theaters worldwide in the 1950s and was nominated for an Academy Award. A magnificent depiction of Luther and the forces at work in the surrounding society that resulted in his historic reforming efforts, this film traces Luther’s life from a guilt-burdened monk to his eventual break with the Roman Catholic Church.
In spite of its age, this film continues to be a popular resource to introduce Luther’s life. This historical epic captures the life and times of the greatest figure of the Protestant Reformation with depth and clarity, while giving a glimpse at the private man in the eye of the storm. Luther’s protest against the established order of the Church gave birth to one of the largest religious and cultural movements history and serves as a prime example of how one man’s conscience can change the course of human events.
Running Time: 105 minutes
$14.95 — ORDER NOW!
Click here for more information
Amazing Grace: The History and Theology of Calvinism (DVD)
Just what is Calvinism?
Does this teaching make man a deterministic robot and God the author of sin? What about free will? If the church accepts Calvinism, won’t evangelism be stifled, perhaps even extinguished? How can we balance God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility? What are the differences between historic Calvinism and hyper-Calvinism? Why did men like Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Spurgeon, Whitefield, Edwards and a host of renowned Protestant evangelists embrace the teaching of predestination and election and deny free will theology?
This is the first video documentary that answers these and other related questions. Hosted by Eric Holmberg, this fascinating three-part, four-hour presentation is detailed enough so as to not gloss over the controversy. At the same time, it is broken up into ten “Sunday-school-sized” sections to make the rich content manageable and accessible for the average viewer.
Running Time: 257 minutes
$19.95 — ORDER NOW!
Click here for more information
The Beast of Revelation: Identified (DVD)
Who is the dreaded beast of Revelation?
Now at last, a plausible candidate for this personification of evil incarnate has been identified (or re-identified). Ken Gentry’s insightful analysis of scripture and history is likely to revolutionize your understanding of the book of Revelation — and even more importantly — amplify and energize your entire Christian worldview!
Historical footage and other graphics are used to illustrate the lecture Dr. Gentry presented at the 1999 Ligonier Conference in Orlando, Florida. It is followed by a one-hour question and answer session addressing the key concerns and objections typically raised in response to his position. This presentation also features an introduction that touches on not only the confusion and controversy surrounding this issue — but just why it may well be one of the most significant issues facing the Church today.
Ideal for group meetings, personal Bible study — for anyone who wants to understand the historical context of John’s famous letter “… to the seven churches which are in Asia.” (Revelation 1:4)
Running Time: 145 minutes
$17.95 — ORDER NOW!
