Creationism - National Center for Science Education

CHAPTER 5
DIVERSITY AND SPREAD OF CREATIONISM AND ANTI-EVOLUTION
RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY: PROTESTANT
The creationist movement is of course predominantly a movement of Protestant
fundamentalists. Within Protestantism, denominational and other differences have
shaped various anti-evolutionist styles and approaches. There is, for instance, a basic
difference between fundamentalism (strictly defined), evangelicalism, and
Pentecostalism, which results in some differences in approach to creationism.
Though fundamentalists, evangelicals, and Pentecostalists are often lumped
together as if the terms were synonymous, these conservative Christians themselves often
insist that there are deep and significant distinctions between them (though certainly
much overlap also). “Evangelical” is sometimes used as a broader, inclusive term which
subsumes fundamentalists. Often, however, “evangelicalism” is used in opposition to
“fundamentalism” as a contrasting term. Fundamentalists accuse “evangelicals” of not
taking biblical doctrine seriously enough and not adhering to a truly Christian life.
Evangelicals in turn consider that fundamentalists are too rigid and closed-minded in
their doctrine, thus weakening the primary evangelical goal of preaching the Gospel to,
and converting, as wide an audience as possible. To evangelicals, evolution may not be
an important issue, or, if it is, they are very often old-earth creationists. Fundamentalists,
with their insistence on biblical inerrancy and literalism, generally feel obligated to
oppose evolution directly.
Fundamentalism is sometimes used as a term which includes Pentecostalism, but
again, these two terms may be used in opposition to one another. Fundamentalists insist
on sola scriptura: the Bible as sole source of God’s revelation. This “Bible only” attitude
contrasts with Pentecostalism, which admits of and encourages other sources of
revelation: healing by laying on of hands, speaking in tongues, and other manifestations
of the Holy Spirit. God, in the person of the Holy Spirit, frequently communicates
directly with Pentecostalists, above and beyond scripture. Fundamentalists such as Jerry
Falwell often imply that they receive advice from God, but, when asked directly, Falwell
says that he does not speak directly with God. Pentecostalism, derived from Holiness and
Perfectionist movements which taught that spirit-filled believers would exhibit outward
signs of this state of grace, “officially” began with ecstatic outbreaks in the Azusa Street
Mission in Los Angeles in 1906. As at the original Pentecost, when the Spirit descended
upon the Disciples and they spoke in tongues, and were commanded to bear witness to
Christ, Pentecostalists seek flamboyant manifestations of the Holy Spirit (sometimes
including snake-handling and similar practices) and claim direct revelation from God.
There are a number of Pentecostalist denominations (e.g. the Assemblies of God, to
which Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker belonged). There are also elements within non-
Pentecostalist denominations, and also within the Catholic church, which share these
beliefs; these elements are generally referred to as “charismatics.” Pat Robertson is a
charismatic Baptist.