Creation and Evolution in Bahá'í Thought:

Abstract: This essay examines the Bahá’í perspective on creation and evolution, situating it within both contemporary scientific discourse and broader philosophical and theological debates. Rejecting a literalist reading of Genesis while affirming the enduring moral and symbolic value of scriptural creation narratives, the Bahá’í writings present a view in which physical evolution and spiritual development form an integrated, law-governed process guided by divine purpose. The discussion engages with modern physics, evolutionary biology, and the social sciences, emphasizing their reciprocal influence on cultural values, ethical frameworks, and worldviews. Special attention is given to debates surrounding natural selection, intelligent design, and the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis, highlighting parallels between emerging scientific paradigms and the Bahá’í call for the unity of knowledge. Distinctive features of the Bahá’í framework—including its teleological orientation toward global unity, its integration of moral and civilizational progress into the evolutionary process, and its epistemological emphasis on the harmony of science and religion—are explored in depth. The essay concludes by proposing that a reconciliation of scientific and spiritual perspectives on evolution could herald a transformative shift away from both religious dogmatism and materialist reductionism, fostering a multidimensional understanding of life and the human condition.