The Atheistic influence of evolution on the faith of man cannot be better illustrated than in the life of its own exponent, Charles Darwin, the Father of Evolution. Young Darwin according to his own expression was ‘quite orthodox’ in his Christian faith even during the time of his famous Beagle Expedition. He had a good taste for music and poetry and a heart for the things of God, which he lost during his later years. In fact he made up his mind to become a minister of Jesus Christ and underwent theological studies at Cambridge for about three years. But as his belief in the theory of evolution increased, his faith in Christianity and God declined, until 50 years later he wrote: ‘For myself, I do not believe there ever has been ant revelation.’ Though not wantonly, Darwin lost his faith as he became a confirmed evolutionist. Unfortunately this has been the experience of many a young man of godly parentage, who has made shipwreck of his faith on the theory of evolution. The Scripture has a timely warning for such in Romans 1:21-22. We are exhorted not to become vain in our imagination lest we become spiritually blind, and this was particularly the experience of Charles Darwin, and of others, who, ‘when they knew God, glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing themselves to be wise they became fools.’
There is yet another important lesion to be learned from the experience of this great scientist. Lady Hope, who visited Charles Darwin during his last days on earth, has the following to say[i] regarding his views on evolution towards the end of his life.
‘It was on a glorious autumn afternoon when I was asked to go and sit with Charles Darwin. He was almost bedridden for some months before he died. Propped up with pillows, his features seem to be lit up with pleasure as I entered the room. He waved his hand towards the window as he pointed out the beautiful sunset seen beyond, while in the other he held an open Bible which he was always studying.’
‘What are you reading now?’ I asked.
‘Hebrews’, he answered, still Hebrews. The royal Book, I call it ……’ Then he placed fingers on certain passages and commented upon them.
I made some allusions to the strong opinions expressed by many unbelievers on the history of the creation and then their treatment of the earlier chapters of the book o f Genesis. He seemed distressed, his fingers twitched nervously and a look of agony came across his face as he said, ‘I was a young man with unformed ideas. I threw out queries, suggestions, wondering all the time over everything. And to my astonishment the ideas took like wild-fire. People made a religion of them.’ Then he paused and after a few more sentences on the holiness of God and the grandeur of this Book, looking at the Bible which he was holding tenderly all the time, he said:
‘I have summer house in the garden which holds about thirty people. It is over there (pointing through the open window). I want you very much to speak here. I know you read the Bible in the villages. Tomorrow afternoon I should like the servants on the place, some tenants and few neighbors to gather there. Will you speak to them?’
‘What shall I speak about?’ I asked.
‘Christ Jesus,’ he replied in a clear emphatic voice, adding in a lower tone, and His salvation. Is not that best theme? And then I want you to sing some hymns with them. You lead on your small instrument. Do you not?’
The look of brightness on his face I shall never forget, for he added, ‘If you take the meeting at three 3 o’clock this window will be opened and you will know that I am joining with the singing.’
We thank God for the above confession from the Father of Evolution himself. It serves as a good warning to every youngster not become vain in his or her imagination, and blind to spiritual things. Darwin never regretted the scientific facts he observed and recorded. BUT HOS REMORSE WAS FOR THE GODLESS PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE FOR WHICH HE IS RESPONSIBLE.
There is yet another important lesion to be learned from the experience of this great scientist. Lady Hope, who visited Charles Darwin during his last days on earth, has the following to say[i] regarding his views on evolution towards the end of his life.
‘It was on a glorious autumn afternoon when I was asked to go and sit with Charles Darwin. He was almost bedridden for some months before he died. Propped up with pillows, his features seem to be lit up with pleasure as I entered the room. He waved his hand towards the window as he pointed out the beautiful sunset seen beyond, while in the other he held an open Bible which he was always studying.’
‘What are you reading now?’ I asked.
‘Hebrews’, he answered, still Hebrews. The royal Book, I call it ……’ Then he placed fingers on certain passages and commented upon them.
I made some allusions to the strong opinions expressed by many unbelievers on the history of the creation and then their treatment of the earlier chapters of the book o f Genesis. He seemed distressed, his fingers twitched nervously and a look of agony came across his face as he said, ‘I was a young man with unformed ideas. I threw out queries, suggestions, wondering all the time over everything. And to my astonishment the ideas took like wild-fire. People made a religion of them.’ Then he paused and after a few more sentences on the holiness of God and the grandeur of this Book, looking at the Bible which he was holding tenderly all the time, he said:
‘I have summer house in the garden which holds about thirty people. It is over there (pointing through the open window). I want you very much to speak here. I know you read the Bible in the villages. Tomorrow afternoon I should like the servants on the place, some tenants and few neighbors to gather there. Will you speak to them?’
‘What shall I speak about?’ I asked.
‘Christ Jesus,’ he replied in a clear emphatic voice, adding in a lower tone, and His salvation. Is not that best theme? And then I want you to sing some hymns with them. You lead on your small instrument. Do you not?’
The look of brightness on his face I shall never forget, for he added, ‘If you take the meeting at three 3 o’clock this window will be opened and you will know that I am joining with the singing.’
We thank God for the above confession from the Father of Evolution himself. It serves as a good warning to every youngster not become vain in his or her imagination, and blind to spiritual things. Darwin never regretted the scientific facts he observed and recorded. BUT HOS REMORSE WAS FOR THE GODLESS PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE FOR WHICH HE IS RESPONSIBLE.
[i] Quoted in the Bombay Guardian, 25th March 1916
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