Created in God’s Image: The Biblical Truth vs. Evolution’s Error

For centuries, one of the most controversial debates has been between the Bible’s account of creation and the theory of evolution. Evolution teaches that mankind is simply another animal in the chain of survival, while the Scriptures declare a higher, eternal truth — that man is uniquely made in the image of God. Understanding this difference is not just an academic issue; it is at the heart of the gospel message itself.

Why Evolution’s View of Man Falls Short

In 1970, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones summarized the failure of evolution’s philosophy in a simple but profound statement: “The modern view of man makes too much of him, and at the same time, not enough of him.” Evolution strips humanity of its divine purpose by reducing us to mere animals, yet it elevates man’s morality by declaring him to be naturally good or neutral. Both assumptions directly contradict biblical truth.

Made in God’s Image (Imago Dei)

The Bible reveals that man was designed by God with a unique identity and divine mission. Genesis 1:26–28 records:

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it.’”

This passage reveals three vital truths about humanity:

• Man is not an accident of evolution but a deliberate creation of God.
• Human life carries inherent dignity because we bear the divine image.
• We have a mission — to rule, steward, and glorify God in creation.

Unlike animals, mankind is a moral being accountable to his Creator. Theologian James Montgomery Boice emphasized that being made in God’s image means we possess morality, responsibility, and freedom under God’s authority. This truth lifts humanity above mere biology, but it also confronts us with serious accountability before God.

The Reality of the Fall and Original Sin

A common question arises: Do we become sinners because we sin, or do we sin because we are sinners? The Bible is clear — we sin because we are already sinners by nature. This condition traces back to Adam’s fall in the Garden of Eden. Romans 5:19 explains, “Through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners.”

This doctrine, known as original sin, teaches that Adam’s guilt and sinful nature were passed down to all humanity. We don’t become sinners after our first wrong act; rather, every sinful act reveals the corruption already within us. As John MacArthur has written, “We prove our willing complicity in Adam’s rebellion every time we sin.”

Evidence of original sin surrounds us: wars, injustice, broken families, crime, disease, and even death itself. Romans 3:23 says it plainly: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Original sin explains why we lock our doors at night, why every society enforces laws, and why no one escapes suffering or mortality.

Man Is Guilty and Without Excuse

Some people claim ignorance of God, but Scripture tells us otherwise. Romans 1:20 declares: “Since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

Every human heart instinctively knows that there is a Creator. The issue is not ignorance, but rebellion. Romans 1:18 explains that men suppress the truth in unrighteousness. They know God but refuse to honor Him, choosing instead to love sin. This rebellion brings God’s judgment, for Hebrews 9:27 warns, “It is appointed for men to die once, and after this comes judgment.”

That judgment will examine our actions, words, and even thoughts (Revelation 20:12; Matthew 12:36; 1 Corinthians 4:5). Nothing will remain hidden on that day.

Why Evangelism Must Confront Sin

Some modern preachers prefer to speak only of God’s love, avoiding topics such as judgment, sin, and righteousness. Yet Scripture never separates these truths. In fact, Jesus Himself said the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). If evangelists refuse to speak of sin, the cross becomes meaningless, because the gospel only makes sense against the backdrop of man’s guilt.

The Apostle Paul affirmed that the law reveals our sin (Romans 3:20) and leads us to Christ (Galatians 3:24). Without exposing the depth of sin, we cannot show the height of God’s love. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

To minimize sin is to minimize the cross. To omit judgment is to strip the gospel of its urgency. A faithful gospel presentation will always include both the bad news (man’s sin and guilt) and the good news (Christ’s redemption through His death and resurrection).

The True Hope of Humanity

When we contrast the holiness of God with the sinfulness of man, the need for salvation becomes undeniable. Evolution cannot explain morality, purpose, or hope. Secular humanism cannot remove guilt or change the sinful heart. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ offers forgiveness, transformation, and eternal life.

As believers, we are called to proclaim this message boldly. The cross is not just one option among many — it is the only solution to mankind’s greatest problem: separation from God. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Conclusion

Man is not an evolved animal, nor is he morally neutral. He is a divinely created image-bearer of God, fallen into sin, guilty before his Creator, and in desperate need of redemption. Evolution’s doctrine of man strips life of meaning, but the Bible restores man’s dignity and responsibility by showing both our problem (sin) and God’s solution (Christ).

As Christians, our responsibility is clear: we must declare the whole counsel of God — creation, fall, judgment, and salvation. Only then will people see the glory of the gospel and the saving power of Christ. Let us preach boldly, not to comfort sinners in their rebellion, but to warn them of judgment and call them to the grace found only in Jesus Christ.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)