What does the UMC say about evolution?

August 22, 2019

United Methodists recognize science as a legitimate interpretation of God’s natural world. Science and theology are complementary. As science expands understanding of the natural world, our understanding of the mysteries of God’s creation are enhanced. Image by skeeze, courtesy of Pixabay.

The denomination's official statement on Science and Technology says, "We find that science’s descriptions of cosmological, geological, and biological evolution are not in conflict with theology."

The statement goes on to clarify that science and theology each have realms in which they have some authority to speak, and others where each does not. In making this point, the Church affirms, "Science and theology are complementary rather than mutually incompatible." The understanding of the place of humans in the universe is enriched through the multiple perspectives science and theology bring to the conversation, and would be impoverished if either were to claim exclusive rights to speak to these matters.

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This is why United Methodists "encourage dialogue between the scientific and theological communities and seek the kind of participation that will enable humanity to sustain life on earth, and, by God's grace, increase the quality of our common lives together."

Related Statement:

Caring for Creation: A Call to Stewardship and Justice

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