Easy Chair No. 162, January 15, 1988 - Cultural Impact of Evolution

R.J. Rushdoony and Otto Scott examine Darwin and the cultural impact of evolution, highlighting Michael Denton’s Evolution: A Theory in Crisis, which critiques Darwinian theory from a molecular biology standpoint, concluding that evolution lacks conclusive evidence and serves as a foundational myth for 20th-century secularism. They trace Darwin’s influence as removing purpose and God from natural processes, creating a worldview in which humanity could see itself as self-directing, a concept embraced by Marx and Engels to justify materialistic and social theories.

They discuss the consequences of Darwinian thought on society, science, and morality: it fostered racism, eugenics, and anti-feminism, while elevating science to a quasi-religion that devalues human life and liberty. Language, according to scholars like Robert Keefe, was reinterpreted as merely a biological tool, diminishing its role as a divine gift and as a medium of moral and intellectual expression. This has contributed to the decline of literacy, critical reasoning, and meaningful communication across generations.

Rushdoony and Scott note that while Darwin catalyzed a cultural and intellectual shift, the decline of faith and the rise of secularism were already underway. Christian education and literacy movements now serve as counter-trends, seeking to restore meaning, moral grounding, and the mastery of language. They stress the importance of understanding and responding to the intellectual and moral consequences of Darwinism, arguing that the preservation of culture and truth depends on active Christian engagement.