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The revelation that God created all things does not necessarily preclude all forms of evolution, or at least natural selection. There are at least, 6 different views that different Bible believing Christians have with regard to the creation account. All are endeavoring to be faithful to God’s highest authority the Bible, and also be truthful to the evidence of science. The two do not need to conflict.

Young Earth Creationism – In the ‘Young Earth Creationism’ view, taking a literal reading of the creation account in Genesis 1 and 2, God created the entire universe, including humanity in six literal days. Looking at Biblical genealogies, it also affirms that the entire universe is less than 10,000 years old.

Historical Creationism – The word “beginning” in Genesis 1:1 is re’shit in Hebrew, which marks a starting point for what comes afterwards, but does not connote a specific length of time. So, what God created at that first instance could have existed for a very long period of time before God began his further work of creation. This view leaves open the possibility of an old earth, six literal days of creation, and a young humanity on earth.

The Gap Theory – Genesis 1:1 explains a first creation that could have taken place perhaps billions of years ago. Then, a catastrophic event takes place that leaves the earth ‘without form and void’, as in Genesis 1:2. God then recreates the earth in six literal days and repopulates the earth.

Literary Framework View – Genesis 1 and 2 are read as a figurative framework explaining creation in a topical, non-sequential, order. Hence, the 6 days of creation are to be interpreted metaphorically, and not as literal 24-hour periods.

Day-Age View – God created the universe, including humanity in 6 sequential periods of time that are geologic ages, not literal 24-hour days.

Theistic Evolution – This view sees God as the creator of matter, and the overseer of the evolutionary process.

The view that would be most opposed to evolution is that of ‘Young Earth Creationism’. Even within this view, proponents note that when the Bible talks about God creating ‘according to their kinds’ (Genesis 1:21,24,25), that the word ‘kind’ (Hebrew baramin) is broad enough to encompass diversification that comes about via natural selection. So, it is possible that different kinds of dogs came from a common wolf-like ancestor in just a few thousand years after the global flood.

Obviously, not all 6 views can be true at the same time. They do contradict one another, and each has their set of strengths and weaknesses. There is ongoing debate among Bible-believing Christians on these matters, as different ones seek to be true to Scripture and the evidence presented from scientific and other sources.

What is clear however, is that science and Christianity do not have to conflict, and should not detract us from the revelation of God to us in Jesus Christ. In Jesus Christ, God is revealed as holy, we have rebelled against Him, and therefore incur His wrath. Jesus Christ died on the cross in place of us, paying the penalty for our sins, has risen from the dead defeating sin and death. By repenting of our sins and believing in Him, we receive the saving benefits of what He has done – namely forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and reconciliation with God, our Father.