Why I Reject Evolution | An Orthodox Christian Perspective

In my previous episode, I explored whether the Eastern Church Fathers actually reject the theory of evolution. In this follow-up, I answer a different question entirely: **Do I reject evolution—and if so, why?** Rather than appealing to the age of the earth or death before the Fall, this discussion examines the philosophical foundations of evolution through the lens of realism, a metaphysical framework embraced by the Eastern Church Fathers. Along the way, I respond to common objections, clarify my views on Young Earth Creationism, and explain why these conversations matter for Orthodox theology. ====================================== **Timestamps** 00:00 Introduction 00:00:53 Two Questions About Evolution 00:01:58 Why I Reject Evolution 00:02:40 Realism vs. Nominalism 00:05:01 Essential vs. Accidental Properties 00:06:31 The Problem with Evolutionary Change 00:12:20 Why Nominalism Undermines Science 00:16:14 The Church Fathers and Realism 00:19:11 "According to Their Kind" 00:20:55 Responding to Common Objections 00:22:18 Old Earth vs. Young Earth 00:27:06 The Consensus of the Fathers 00:31:48 What Kind of Consensus Matters? 00:36:01 Theology vs. Science 00:42:15 The Orthodox Mind and Philosophy 00:45:14 What the Fathers Actually Handed Down 00:47:20 Can You Be Orthodox and Young Earth? 00:49:08 Responding to More Objections 00:57:12 Is Young Earth Creationism Possible? 01:00:03 The Real Danger ====================================== Do you like this content? Join Jacobs Premium to get exclusive access to essays, lecture series, monthly Q&A Zoom calls, and ourbook club. Use code: LEWIS to get a discount: https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/ Support the East West Series: http://theeastwestseries.com/ ====================================== Relevant Links:​ Do the Church Fathers Reject Evolution: https://youtu.be/4BugOwStHqg​ The Most Important Question: https://youtu.be/nVmPIMg4St4 The Truth About Why Do Christians Worship on Sunday:  https://youtu.be/0wCnpitmfZg Misunderstanding Mystery: https://youtu.be/VlWiYFfHTeY The True Christian Philosophy | The Metaphysics of the Ecumenical Councils: https://youtu.be/sFWp2QQzUFA All links: The Theological Letters (Substack): https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcast X: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathanandrewjacobs Academia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobs Listen and please review the podcast elsewhere: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QS Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast