Editing Theistic evolution (section)

==Relationship to other positions==

===19th-century 'theistic evolution'===
{{See also|Alternatives to evolution by natural selection#Theistic evolution}}

The American botanist [[Asa Gray]] used the name "theistic evolution" in a now-obsolete sense for his point of view, presented in his 1876 book ''Essays and Reviews Pertaining to Darwinism''.<ref name=Larson2004>{{harvnb|Larson|2004|pages=[https://archive.org/details/evolutionremarka00lars/page/125 125–128]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Gray, Asa |author-link=Asa Gray |year=1876 |title=Essays and Reviews Pertaining to Darwinism |url=https://archive.org/details/darwiniaessaysa00graygoog |publisher=Appleton |doi=10.5962/bhl.title.19483 }}</ref> He argued that the deity supplies beneficial [[mutation]]s to guide evolution. [[St George Jackson Mivart]] argued instead in his 1871 ''On the Genesis of Species'' that the deity, equipped with foreknowledge, sets the direction of evolution ([[orthogenesis]]) by specifying the laws that govern it, and leaves species to evolve according to the conditions they experience as time goes by. [[George Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll|The Duke of Argyll]] set out similar views in his 1867 book ''The Reign of Law''.<ref name=Larson2004/><ref>{{cite book |last1=Campbell |first1=George |title=The Reign of Law |date=1867 |publisher=Strahan |url=http://www.victorianweb.org/science/science_texts/argyll/5rl.htm}}</ref> The historian [[Edward J. Larson]] stated that the theory failed as an explanation in the minds of biologists from the late 19th century onwards as it broke the rules of [[methodological naturalism]] which they had grown to expect.<ref name=Larson2004/>

===Non-theistic evolution===
The major criticism of theistic evolution by [[Nontheism|non-theistic]] evolutionists focuses on its essential belief in a [[supernatural]] [[Creator deity|creator]]. Physicist [[Lawrence Krauss]] considers that, by the application of [[Occam's razor]], sufficient explanation of the phenomena of evolution is provided by ''natural'' processes (in particular, [[natural selection]]), and the intervention or direction of a ''super''natural entity is not required.<ref>[[Lawrence Krauss|Krauss, Lawrence M.]] (2012) ''[[A Universe from Nothing]]'' Free Press, New York. {{ISBN|978-1-4516-2445-8}} p.146 f.</ref> Evolutionary biologist [[Richard Dawkins]] considers theistic evolution a "superfluous attempt" to "smuggle God in by the back door".<ref>{{cite book|last=Dawkins | first=Richard |title=The Blind Watchmaker| page=316 |year=1986 |publisher=Longman |isbn=9780582446946|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sPpaZnZMDG0C&q=The+Blind+Watchmaker%3A+Why+the+Evidence+of+Evolution+Reveals+a+Universe}}</ref>

===Intelligent design===
{{unreferenced section|date=May 2025}}
{{See also|Intelligent design}}
A number of notable proponents of theistic evolution, including [[Kenneth R. Miller]], [[John Haught]], [[George Coyne]], [[Simon Conway Morris]], [[Denis Alexander]], [[Ard Louis]], [[Darrel R. Falk|Darrel Falk]], [[Alister McGrath]], [[Francisco J. Ayala]], and [[Francis Collins]] are critics of [[intelligent design]].

===Young Earth creationism===
[[Young Earth creationism|Young Earth creationists]] including [[Ken Ham]] prefer to criticize theistic evolution on theological grounds rather than on any scientific data,<ref>[https://answersingenesis.org/theistic-evolution/god-and-evolution/couldnt-god-have-used-evolution/ Chapter 3: Couldn't God Have Used Evolution?] Ham, Ken (2006). ''The New Answers Book: Over 25 Questions on Creation / Evolution and the Bible ''. Master Books. {{ISBN|978-0890515099}}</ref><ref>[https://www.jashow.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Serious_Consequences_of_Theistic_Evolution The Serious Consequences of Theistic Evolution] (excerpted from ''The Occult Invasion'' by [[Dave Hunt (Christian apologist)|Dave Hunt]])</ref> finding it hard to reconcile the nature of a loving God with the process of evolution, in particular, the existence of death and suffering before the [[Fall of Man]]. They consider that it undermines central biblical teachings by regarding the creation account as a myth, a parable, or an allegory, instead of treating it as an accurate record of historical events. They also fear that a capitulation to what they call "[[Atheism|atheistic]]" [[naturalism (philosophy)|naturalism]] will confine [[God of the gaps|God to the gaps]] in scientific explanations, undermining biblical doctrines, such as God's [[Incarnation (Christianity)|incarnation]] through [[Christ]].<ref>Gitt, Werner (2006). ''Did God Use Evolution? Observations from a Scientist of Faith''. Master Books. {{ISBN|978-0890514832}}</ref>