Charles Darwin: Evolutionist

Charles Darwin: Evolutionist Studied medicine at Edinburgh University Studied theology at Christ's College, Cambridge University (1827) Studied geology at Cambridge University Naturalist on the 5 year surveying expedition of HMS Beagle (1831-1836) Secretary of the Geological Society (1838-41) Books: The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection (1859) / The Fertilization of Orchids (1862) / The Variation of Plants and Animals under Domestication (1867), and The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex (1871) / The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals (1872) / Insectivorous Plants (1875) / The Effects of Cross and Self Fertilization in the Vegetable Kingdom (1876) / Different Forms of Flowers in Plants of the Same Species (1877) / The Formations of Vegetable Mould through the Action of Worms (1881) Grandson of the scientist Erasmus Darwin Born: 1809 / Died: 1882. Charles Darwin's book named On the Origin of Species, was published on Thursday 24 November 1859, is a seminal work of scientific literature considered to be the foundation of evolutionary biology. Its full title was On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. For the sixth edition of 1872, the short title was changed to The Origin of Species. Darwin's book introduced the theory that populations evolve over the course of generations through a process of natural selection, and presented a body of evidence that the diversity of life arose through a branching pattern of evolution and common descent. He included evidence that he had accumulated on the voyage of the Beagle in the 1830s, and his subsequent findings from research, correspondence, and experimentation. Some think that he recovered from, "the snare of the Devil" and resumed his faith in Christ. But evidence points to against a deathbed conversion. Some have attributed this to bitterness after the early death of his young daughter Annie but there were other factors involved. We find that Charles Darwin's thinking and writings on the subject of evolution and natural selection is what caused him to reject the evidence for God in nature and ultimately to renounce the Bible, God, and the Christian faith. Though Darwin did not lack religious influences in his youth. Being baptized an Anglican and steeped in his mother's Unitarianism, young Charles was brought up to pray. He used to run the mile or so from home to school, concerning which he wrote, "I often had to run very quickly to be on time, and from being a fleet runner was generally successful; but when in doubt I prayed earnestly to God to help me, and I well remember that I attributed my success to the prayers and not to my quick running, and marvelled how generally I was aided." He had dropped out of medical studies after two years at Edinburgh, and his father suggested to him the calling of an Anglican clergyman. Charles wasn't sure whether he could accept everything in the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of England. However, he later wrote, "I liked the thought of being a country clergyman. Accordingly I read with care Pearson on the Creed and a few other books on divinity; and as I did not then in the least doubt the strict and literal truth of every word in the Bible, I soon persuaded myself that our Creed must be fully accepted." During his three years of theological studies at Christ's College, Cambridge, he was greatly impressed by Paley's Evidences of Christianity and his Natural Theology (which argues for the existence of God from design). He recalled, “I could have written out the whole of the 'Evidences' with perfect correctness, but not of course in the clear language of Paley,” and, “I do not think I hardly

ever admired a book more than Paley's 'Natural Theology.' I could almost formerly have said it by heart.” In a letter of condolence to a bereaved friend at that time, he wrote of “so pure and holy a comfort as the Bible affords,” compared with “how useless the sympathy of all friends must appear.” His intention to enter the ministry, he wrote, was never “formally given up, but died a natural death” when, on leaving Cambridge, he joined HMS Beagle as an unpaid naturalist. Some of his later words are as what follows. "I gradually came to disbelieve in Christianity as a divine revelation." And this statement. "But I was very unwilling to give up my belief ... Thus disbelief crept over me at very slow rate, but was at last complete." He wrote, “I never gave up Christianity until I was forty years of age.” He turned 40 in 1849. Commenting on this, Darwin's biographer, James Moore, says, "... just as his clerical career had died a slow 'natural death,' so his faith had withered gradually." He was a known liar. His words show this forth. "The Old Testament is a false history of the world. It should not be trusted” – Charles Darwin. "I did not then in the least doubt the strict and literal truth of every word in the Bible, I soon persuaded myself that our Creed must be fully accepted" - Letters of Charles Darwin. Well, which one is it Darwin? There you contradicted yourself. Is the Bible "a false history of the world" or is "every word literal truth?" In conclusion, Darwin initially believed in Christianity. Charles Darwin was a man who drifted from a childlike trust in the One who helped him run to school on time into an abyss of hopelessness and agnosticism. His journey was one from the glorious light to descent into the slippery path of darkness. Darwin was not a Christian. Nor did he ever return to the God of his youth.