What is Darwinism

Charles Hodge's "What is Darwinism" examines the theological implications of Darwin's theory of evolution, particularly its challenge to traditional Christian understandings of divine design in nature. Writing from a Presbyterian theological perspective at Princeton Seminary in the late nineteenth century, Hodge addresses what he perceives as the fundamental incompatibility between Darwinian evolution and Christian theism.

The work centers on Hodge's distinction between evolution as a scientific theory and Darwinism as a philosophical worldview. While acknowledging that theories of development or evolution need not necessarily conflict with theism, Hodge argues that Darwin's specific formulation—with its emphasis on random variation and natural selection operating without divine guidance—effectively eliminates God from the natural order. For Hodge, the critical issue is not change or development per se, but rather Darwin's exclusion of teleology and design from biological explanation.

Hodge engages primarily with the design argument, contending that the intricate adaptations observable in nature cannot be adequately explained through undirected processes. He draws on contemporary scientific debates, citing various naturalists who reject Darwin's anti-teleological framework while accepting aspects of evolutionary theory. The work also touches on prophecy arguments, suggesting that a purposeless universe undermines the coherence of biblical revelation and divine providence.

The monograph's theological methodology combines scriptural exegesis with natural theology and contemporary scientific discussion. Hodge positions his critique within broader Presbyterian orthodoxy, defending what he sees as the essential Christian doctrine of divine sovereignty over creation. His analysis anticipates later debates about theistic evolution, though he remains skeptical that Darwin's mechanism can be reconciled with purposeful divine action.

Hodge's contribution to the God debate lies in his early articulation of what becomes a persistent Christian analytical response to evolutionary theory. By distinguishing between the scientific evidence for species change and the philosophical interpretation of that evidence, he establishes a framework that allows for critical engagement with evolutionary science while maintaining traditional theological commitments. His famous conclusion that Darwinism is "atheism" reflects not a rejection of all evolutionary thought, but rather a specific critique of theories that exclude divine design and purpose from nature. This work thus represents a foundational text in the ongoing dialogue between Christian theology and evolutionary biology.