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The Sacred Chain: How Understanding Evolution Leads to Deeper Faith
A thought-provoking and eye-opening work by Jim Stump, Vice President at BioLogos and host of the Language of God podcast, offering a compelling argument about how evolution does not have to be at odds with faith, but can actually enrich and deepen it. In this moving and deeply thoughtful book, Jim Stump takes readers with him on his journey to understanding evolution and reconciling it with his faith. The Sacred Chain draws on philosophy, theology, and the latest scientific research to tackle some of the biggest questions facing humanity and people of faith today, such
Deeply researched and a delight to read, The Sacred Chain provides clarity in our uncertain times, revealing a bigger picture of our world and our place within it. It is a panorama consistent with the scientific findings about who we are and where we come from that can actually bolster our faith as it engages our curiosity about ourselves, our universe, and the nature of existence itself.
Deeply researched and a delight to read, The Sacred Chain provides clarity in our uncertain times, revealing a bigger picture of our world and our place within it. It is a panorama consistent with the scientific findings about who we are and where we come from that can actually bolster our faith as it engages our curiosity about ourselves, our universe, and the nature of existence itself.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published April 2, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 1, 2024
What:
=====
In Stump's own words from near the end of this book, he is "... simply trying to show that the way I have reconciled evolution and Christian faith is reasonable in the light of evolutionary science. And even further, I think I've shown that the kind of faith I've landed in is a deeper more authentic version of faith for our world today."
The author was a professor of philosophy whose Christian college employer decided they no longer wanted to deal with the uncomfortableness of his scientific journey. Stump now works with BioLogos, so there is a connection with Francis Collins in this book. (Collins wrote, "The Language of God" on related topics, which is quite different from this book, but certainly it and "The Sacred Chain" are in harmony).
The book certainly covers some of the evidence for a very old earth (evolution requires enormous amounts of time) but an old earth is not the primary focus of this book, evolution is. You might expect a lot of time spent in the first chapter of Genesis - this book doesn't do that.
If you want to start with the biblical text, I would recommend Gordon Glover's "Beyond the Firmament: Understanding Science and the Theology of Creation" for a much better coverage of the problems that any "young earth creation" viewpoint or really, any ultra literal approach to the early chapters of Genesis, must address. It won't do to be literal about some things (e.g., six sequential 24 hour days of creation) but refuse to be literal about others (for example, the firmament, which clearly doesn't physically exist as described in Genesis).
Also, various titles from Wheaton College professor John Walton's "The Lost World of ..." series focus on the text. Consider especially, "The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate" and "The Lost World of Adam and Eve: Genesis 2–3 and the Human Origins Debate"
The Sacred Chain is wrestling with broad philosophical and theological topics that arise from all of evolution, including human origins, so all of these titles are complimentary to each other. This book spends some time on the author's own journey, which was not always that engaging for me, but I agree it was relevant.
Some High Points:
==============
It is common for those that hold to a very young earth (to be clear, *not* my tribe!) to insist it was created as recently as 6,000 years ago, but God made it look very old. Stump takes that argument to the philosophical woodshed and delivers a pretty thorough caning of it. I think his deconstruction of that way of thinking is the best counter that I've yet read to the "made recently, but looks old" argument.
While all human study of theodicy and suffering remain incomplete (in this life, anyway), Dr Stump does some valuable work in addressing the enormous amount of pain and suffering that clearly exists in any evolutionary path. Hard questions are given a hard look - we should expect nothing less from a professor of philosophy.
The suggestions on the development of morality were interesting and insightful as well.
Reasons to Read:
=============
You hold a traditional Christian faith (including an inerrant view of scripture) and would like to better understand how to reconcile that with the current scientific understanding of evolutionary biology, up to and including human beings.
You're interested in the thought process as well as the kinds of experiences encountered by those who run beyond the edges of what fundamentalist thinkers will tolerate. The board of his former college doesn't get an editorial input here, so we all gain from Dr Stump's unfiltered insights.
Side note: when those in power bluntly censor ideas they don't like, the result is often to cause those ideas to spread further and faster.
Reasons to Skip:
=============
If you are expecting this book to be like Professor Walton's "Lost World of ..." series or want a book focused primarily on the biblical texts discussing creation, that is not the book for you.
If you are looking to see all the loose ends of this topic wrapped up in a bow, you'll also be disappointed here (and by any other book in the foreseeable future, I predict).
If you are a full subscriber to an "Answers in Genesis" viewpoint, I think this book will make you angry and I doubt it will change your mind - but then - I don't know what will!
Digression on dogmatism
====================
The nature of human cognitive biases (especially confirmation bias) suggests that a continued siege of deeply held viewpoints (even with overwhelming evidence) seldom causes people to revisit a belief. Rather, they tend to become ever more dogmatic and double down on whatever view they already hold. This is true in all kinds of domains, not just religion. It's one of the reasons that frauds and cons work so well - the victim has to re-think and reframe their entire recent past in order to admit that they have been "had"; that they were completely wrong. That's very hard to do.
Plus, as Stump's experiences (and many, many others) clearly show, when you violate (or reject) the views of your "tribe", you are going to get evicted from your tribe in one form or another. Zealots of all flavors have the least tolerance for those who "abandon" the tribe's dogma. It almost *never* results in other members of the tribe rethinking their dogma or reviewing what they treat as inviolate givens. Such is the nature of humans.
=====
In Stump's own words from near the end of this book, he is "... simply trying to show that the way I have reconciled evolution and Christian faith is reasonable in the light of evolutionary science. And even further, I think I've shown that the kind of faith I've landed in is a deeper more authentic version of faith for our world today."
The author was a professor of philosophy whose Christian college employer decided they no longer wanted to deal with the uncomfortableness of his scientific journey. Stump now works with BioLogos, so there is a connection with Francis Collins in this book. (Collins wrote, "The Language of God" on related topics, which is quite different from this book, but certainly it and "The Sacred Chain" are in harmony).
The book certainly covers some of the evidence for a very old earth (evolution requires enormous amounts of time) but an old earth is not the primary focus of this book, evolution is. You might expect a lot of time spent in the first chapter of Genesis - this book doesn't do that.
If you want to start with the biblical text, I would recommend Gordon Glover's "Beyond the Firmament: Understanding Science and the Theology of Creation" for a much better coverage of the problems that any "young earth creation" viewpoint or really, any ultra literal approach to the early chapters of Genesis, must address. It won't do to be literal about some things (e.g., six sequential 24 hour days of creation) but refuse to be literal about others (for example, the firmament, which clearly doesn't physically exist as described in Genesis).
Also, various titles from Wheaton College professor John Walton's "The Lost World of ..." series focus on the text. Consider especially, "The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate" and "The Lost World of Adam and Eve: Genesis 2–3 and the Human Origins Debate"
The Sacred Chain is wrestling with broad philosophical and theological topics that arise from all of evolution, including human origins, so all of these titles are complimentary to each other. This book spends some time on the author's own journey, which was not always that engaging for me, but I agree it was relevant.
Some High Points:
==============
It is common for those that hold to a very young earth (to be clear, *not* my tribe!) to insist it was created as recently as 6,000 years ago, but God made it look very old. Stump takes that argument to the philosophical woodshed and delivers a pretty thorough caning of it. I think his deconstruction of that way of thinking is the best counter that I've yet read to the "made recently, but looks old" argument.
While all human study of theodicy and suffering remain incomplete (in this life, anyway), Dr Stump does some valuable work in addressing the enormous amount of pain and suffering that clearly exists in any evolutionary path. Hard questions are given a hard look - we should expect nothing less from a professor of philosophy.
The suggestions on the development of morality were interesting and insightful as well.
Reasons to Read:
=============
You hold a traditional Christian faith (including an inerrant view of scripture) and would like to better understand how to reconcile that with the current scientific understanding of evolutionary biology, up to and including human beings.
You're interested in the thought process as well as the kinds of experiences encountered by those who run beyond the edges of what fundamentalist thinkers will tolerate. The board of his former college doesn't get an editorial input here, so we all gain from Dr Stump's unfiltered insights.
Side note: when those in power bluntly censor ideas they don't like, the result is often to cause those ideas to spread further and faster.
Reasons to Skip:
=============
If you are expecting this book to be like Professor Walton's "Lost World of ..." series or want a book focused primarily on the biblical texts discussing creation, that is not the book for you.
If you are looking to see all the loose ends of this topic wrapped up in a bow, you'll also be disappointed here (and by any other book in the foreseeable future, I predict).
If you are a full subscriber to an "Answers in Genesis" viewpoint, I think this book will make you angry and I doubt it will change your mind - but then - I don't know what will!
Digression on dogmatism
====================
The nature of human cognitive biases (especially confirmation bias) suggests that a continued siege of deeply held viewpoints (even with overwhelming evidence) seldom causes people to revisit a belief. Rather, they tend to become ever more dogmatic and double down on whatever view they already hold. This is true in all kinds of domains, not just religion. It's one of the reasons that frauds and cons work so well - the victim has to re-think and reframe their entire recent past in order to admit that they have been "had"; that they were completely wrong. That's very hard to do.
Plus, as Stump's experiences (and many, many others) clearly show, when you violate (or reject) the views of your "tribe", you are going to get evicted from your tribe in one form or another. Zealots of all flavors have the least tolerance for those who "abandon" the tribe's dogma. It almost *never* results in other members of the tribe rethinking their dogma or reviewing what they treat as inviolate givens. Such is the nature of humans.
Read
October 3, 2024Had some trouble with this one! I went in with an open mind because I really am interested in learning how scientific study and the belief in a Creator can truly work together. Because they can! This wasn’t quite it for me, but maybe for someone else. I’m caught on the fact that it seems the author is stuck holding God to the human standards of logic. He presents logical arguments for the things God “can” and “can’t” do, but I believe God is not bound by men’s logic. Some of his bigger arguments are based in that reasoning, so I couldn’t get behind it
August 8, 2025
A very interesting book. The author makes a convincing case that Christianity and evolution are compatible.
January 21, 2026
I think this healed something in me.
March 7, 2024
The Sacred Chain gives a nonfiction story of a Christian who sees and discover evolution in a way that was not initially part of his world and explains his path of this journey.
As what you could say believes in a meld of creationism and evolution, which is not based on or in my religion, The Sacred Chain exhibits how people can change views while staying within a boundary in which one has had for a lifetime.
As what you could say believes in a meld of creationism and evolution, which is not based on or in my religion, The Sacred Chain exhibits how people can change views while staying within a boundary in which one has had for a lifetime.
December 24, 2024
Having greatly enjoyed Francis Collins' THE LANGUAGE OF GOD after its 2006 publication and also having been a frequent-albeit-sometimes-inconsistent listener to the podcast of the same name since its inception 5 years ago, I expected I would appreciate Jim Stump's THE SACRED CHAIN. It surpassed my modest expectations. Even if one doesn't necessarily agree with every conclusion, Stump's tale of exploration is inviting and writing style accessible (not overly academic, and full of good analogies, illustrations, and questions-- some of which I had previously heard from the podcast). I'd highly recommend this book both to Christians in America (many of whom are way too rash in condemning evolutionary creationism/ theistic evolution without having expended any serious effort to understand it-- I've heard a few people in my denomination label it as outright "evil"), as well as to proponents of science as they consider the Christian faith. If there was one area I'd like to have seen given more of a passing nod, it would have been the immanent return of Jesus Christ--not so much as to the "how and when" but explicitly, by name, and not just as the next upcoming "Big Bang"-- even though I appreciated this thoughtful exposition as well. I'd have to say that this book is the hands-down favorite of the 35 I've read so far this year. But it's only August, so time will tell!
May 18, 2024
This was a great book at explaining different aspects of human evolution. A few points were over my head, but mostly understandable with slower, close reading. This book did leave me wanting more of what the title alluded to though. Of course, I could have missed it, but I would like to have read more about how a deeper understanding of evolution can bring a deeper faith in Gid.
April 7, 2024
I so appreciate this book and hope many will read it. How often am I allowed to say I love a book? Well, I loved this one! Throughout it, I saw parallels to my own faith story and I too have experienced deeper faith through my journey. I found this book hopeful and helpful and was thankful that despite the author’s negative experiences, he found a fruitful path to his faith story and is now part of the wonderful organization, BioLogos, which works hand in hand with science and faith; exploring God’s Word and God’s World to inspire authentic faith for today.
The book is divided into 5 parts and organized by progressively more complex topics, like opening Pandora’s box to find that simple, pat answers aren’t enough in this messy, complicated world. It has many qualities of a biography and is very much the author’s personal story which, if I may say, is also a very archetypal story since a great many people ask the kinds of questions he asks and wonder about the facts we have learned from science and where they fit with Christian faith.
After introducing himself and his story, he starts the book with a focus on the Bible. As a Christian who graduated from and then taught at a Christian college, he knew as well as anyone that all good Christians choose the Bible over science. This section looks at what that means (and what it doesn’t mean). Part 2 looks at Time, the time God spent creating, the priorities of God over this time, and the minuscule amount of time that humans have been here. In Part 3, Species, Stump starts to explore the evidence for evolution and the challenges this poses for Christian theology. Part 4, Soul, continues looking at concerns with human evolution, the image of God, and possible ways to reconcile these ideas. Finally, Part 5 looks at pain and suffering and ponders the difficult question, why would a good, powerful God create a world with so much pain and suffering?
The entire book is well thought through and is organized like the plot of a movie, drawing the reader deeper into the storyline. Honestly, there are some really difficult concerns related to these topics, and Stump neither glosses over them nor claims to have all of the answers. Instead, he proposes possibilities to consider and potential ways they might walk together in harmony.
I found his discussion on suffering particularly thought-provoking. In preparation for leading our small group in studying pain and suffering this fall, I have been reading and thinking quite a bit on this subject recently. It is difficult to understand why God created the world like it is, where there is so much suffering. And for the Christian who believes in a future eternity with God where there is no suffering, why didn’t God start with that to begin with? Obviously, a few chapters in one book won’t resolve such a complex issue, but I did find his ideas on the development of moral maturity interesting and was especially intrigued by his proposal that there may be a future type of evolutionary advancement that will change everything just as significantly as when life itself began.
There’s something particularly impacting about biographies and this book, though not exactly a biography, brought the reader on a journey along with the author through times of deep reflection, soul searching, high points, and breakthroughs. I resonated with many parts of Stump’s reflections and have asked many of the same questions he addressed throughout the book. This book is an excellent companion for people wondering about science and faith and the places where they seem to be in tension.
The book is divided into 5 parts and organized by progressively more complex topics, like opening Pandora’s box to find that simple, pat answers aren’t enough in this messy, complicated world. It has many qualities of a biography and is very much the author’s personal story which, if I may say, is also a very archetypal story since a great many people ask the kinds of questions he asks and wonder about the facts we have learned from science and where they fit with Christian faith.
After introducing himself and his story, he starts the book with a focus on the Bible. As a Christian who graduated from and then taught at a Christian college, he knew as well as anyone that all good Christians choose the Bible over science. This section looks at what that means (and what it doesn’t mean). Part 2 looks at Time, the time God spent creating, the priorities of God over this time, and the minuscule amount of time that humans have been here. In Part 3, Species, Stump starts to explore the evidence for evolution and the challenges this poses for Christian theology. Part 4, Soul, continues looking at concerns with human evolution, the image of God, and possible ways to reconcile these ideas. Finally, Part 5 looks at pain and suffering and ponders the difficult question, why would a good, powerful God create a world with so much pain and suffering?
The entire book is well thought through and is organized like the plot of a movie, drawing the reader deeper into the storyline. Honestly, there are some really difficult concerns related to these topics, and Stump neither glosses over them nor claims to have all of the answers. Instead, he proposes possibilities to consider and potential ways they might walk together in harmony.
I found his discussion on suffering particularly thought-provoking. In preparation for leading our small group in studying pain and suffering this fall, I have been reading and thinking quite a bit on this subject recently. It is difficult to understand why God created the world like it is, where there is so much suffering. And for the Christian who believes in a future eternity with God where there is no suffering, why didn’t God start with that to begin with? Obviously, a few chapters in one book won’t resolve such a complex issue, but I did find his ideas on the development of moral maturity interesting and was especially intrigued by his proposal that there may be a future type of evolutionary advancement that will change everything just as significantly as when life itself began.
There’s something particularly impacting about biographies and this book, though not exactly a biography, brought the reader on a journey along with the author through times of deep reflection, soul searching, high points, and breakthroughs. I resonated with many parts of Stump’s reflections and have asked many of the same questions he addressed throughout the book. This book is an excellent companion for people wondering about science and faith and the places where they seem to be in tension.
February 8, 2025
I saw this on the shelf at Powell’s and put in on my “check out from the library, we don’t need to own this one” list. That said, once I started reading this, I found myself pulled in and read it in just a few days. It is easy reading, told in a sequence of personal stories and anecdotes that relate to the author’s experience and formation of views on the intersection of science and faith (Christianity). But the main point is evolution. And on this topic Stump is on mission to find a bridge, or at least crossovers, between scripture, faith, and (irrefutable) science. The arguments, if they can be called that, are made briefly with minor elaboration and supporting references.
What stuck with me the most: Bottoms up interpretation of scripture vs top down, ref CS Lewis and “Reflections on the Psalms”. I liked the visual that Stump drew: the biblical authors were not stenographers, copying verbatim words whispered to them by the Holy Spirit. They were real people, imperfect sinners even, who wrote books and letters and poetry that are inspired by the spirit and form the collective Word of God.
“The human qualities of the raw materials show through. Naivety, error, contradictions, even (such as the cursing psalms) wickedness are not removed. The total result is not “the Word of God” in the sense that every passage, in itself, gives impeccable science or history. It carries the Word of God. - CS Lewis
On the topic at hand, one could even make the claim that literal biblical interpretation is lazy biblical interpretation. My words, not the authors, but perhaps not far from his perspective on creationist “science”.
I appreciated an accessible book on a controversial topic that looks for commonality and is not afraid to speculate (Stump makes a point to say when he is doing just that). His references also pointed me at further reading with more depth. A good starting point.
What stuck with me the most: Bottoms up interpretation of scripture vs top down, ref CS Lewis and “Reflections on the Psalms”. I liked the visual that Stump drew: the biblical authors were not stenographers, copying verbatim words whispered to them by the Holy Spirit. They were real people, imperfect sinners even, who wrote books and letters and poetry that are inspired by the spirit and form the collective Word of God.
“The human qualities of the raw materials show through. Naivety, error, contradictions, even (such as the cursing psalms) wickedness are not removed. The total result is not “the Word of God” in the sense that every passage, in itself, gives impeccable science or history. It carries the Word of God. - CS Lewis
On the topic at hand, one could even make the claim that literal biblical interpretation is lazy biblical interpretation. My words, not the authors, but perhaps not far from his perspective on creationist “science”.
I appreciated an accessible book on a controversial topic that looks for commonality and is not afraid to speculate (Stump makes a point to say when he is doing just that). His references also pointed me at further reading with more depth. A good starting point.
May 20, 2025
What if faith and science could not only coexist, but also strengthen each other? The theory of evolution seems to be responsible for the deconstruction of many a people of faith. Why is this? Ever since the Scopes Trial of 1925, the movement of creation science has been aggressively asserting that young-earth creationism and faith in God are a package deal. But was God inspiring people to write the texts of the Bible with the intention of “smuggling some modern science into them?” Beware of a "veneration of the Bible rather than a veneration of what the Bible bears witness to!"
Modern science estimates that about 6 or 7 million years ago, a population of primates was separated into two separate sub-populations, interbreeding between these groups stopped, with one group eventually evolving into chimpanzees and bonobos, while the other group evolved into Homo sapiens and “all the other hominids on our side of that split who have since gone extinct.”
Stump argues that we as humans are “more than distinct, but maybe not exceptional in the sense that it’s all about us.” We are “uniquely unique, unique in a different kind of way.” Our Creator invites us to “participate in transforming the groaning creation into what it was ultimately intended to be!”
Modern science estimates that about 6 or 7 million years ago, a population of primates was separated into two separate sub-populations, interbreeding between these groups stopped, with one group eventually evolving into chimpanzees and bonobos, while the other group evolved into Homo sapiens and “all the other hominids on our side of that split who have since gone extinct.”
Stump argues that we as humans are “more than distinct, but maybe not exceptional in the sense that it’s all about us.” We are “uniquely unique, unique in a different kind of way.” Our Creator invites us to “participate in transforming the groaning creation into what it was ultimately intended to be!”
March 18, 2024
The Sacred Chain by James Stump is a landmark work, that contains the best amalgam of philosophy, science, and theology that I have come across. I was strongly moved by the many discussions of the role of change (exemplified by biological evolution) in our world. Stump discusses how science itself, as much as the subjects of scientific enquiry changes, and ties this in with the theological implications of biblical/scientific interactions.
The book covers a great deal of ground as the chain of the title weaves into the problem of evil, the origins of humanity, the definition of the soul, and a lot more. It is all beautifully written, and highly accessible, as well as accurate and thorough, throughout.
Many readers will know the author from the high-quality podcast “The Language of God”. Reading this book, one can almost hear Stump’s melodious voice as he discusses the science of God’s creation with his typical humility and perception. For anyone interested in the intersection of the best science with a strong Christian faith, this book is a must read.
The book covers a great deal of ground as the chain of the title weaves into the problem of evil, the origins of humanity, the definition of the soul, and a lot more. It is all beautifully written, and highly accessible, as well as accurate and thorough, throughout.
Many readers will know the author from the high-quality podcast “The Language of God”. Reading this book, one can almost hear Stump’s melodious voice as he discusses the science of God’s creation with his typical humility and perception. For anyone interested in the intersection of the best science with a strong Christian faith, this book is a must read.
September 28, 2024
Years ago I heard of Johm Clayton's "Does God Exist?" program. I have seen his lectures. I often wished he could get a mainstream book published so more people might be aware of his teachings. In a sense, Frances Collins did this when he wrote "The Language of God" in 2006. It became one of my favorite books on science and religion. His Biologos organization, website and emails led me to "The Sacred Chain." Stump takes us through a thoughtful exploration of evolution and faith that I found quite enjoyable. Now I hope some friends and family will read this book as well so we can talk about it.
November 18, 2025
Solid Introduction
There is not much in the way of originality in this book but I don't think it was meant to be that original. Rather, this is Jim's story of reconciling his religious and scientific commitments. Overall, I this is worth the time and something good for those who are struggling to with how to find truth in our world. I also think that honestly read this book should be a challenge to those who do not share Jim's religious or scientific commitments. Is it possible to read this and disagree with him, of course. But even if you leave the book unconvinced by his position I think you should at least be able to respect his ideas.
There is not much in the way of originality in this book but I don't think it was meant to be that original. Rather, this is Jim's story of reconciling his religious and scientific commitments. Overall, I this is worth the time and something good for those who are struggling to with how to find truth in our world. I also think that honestly read this book should be a challenge to those who do not share Jim's religious or scientific commitments. Is it possible to read this and disagree with him, of course. But even if you leave the book unconvinced by his position I think you should at least be able to respect his ideas.
January 7, 2026
I don’t know how I came upon this book and author, but I really enjoyed this book. I’ve never felt a conflict between evolution vs religion in my faith, though I know there are those with different opinions. So this was an unexpected choice for me. However, I found a lot of joy in the reconciliation of mystery, awe, and reverence with a curious, scientific, modern viewpoint.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2024
As someone who has always believed in both God and evolution. I've had an ongoing inner dialogue for the last 25 years reconciling both of these concepts. Reading the facets of my own inner dialogue expanded upon from someone who is more learned on the subject was refreshing.
August 20, 2024
A book justifying why he should not have been asked to leave his teaching position at an unnamed Christian College. Many great thoughts here, but a bit ponderous and wordy. I felt like I was being beat over the head with his academic degrees.
September 7, 2024
Very good argument that creationism is the beginning of of all life.
October 15, 2024
I was really interested to hear how his faith deepened, but it was more a lesson on current theories of evolution than about God or Christ.
December 19, 2024
A great read. He delivers on the promise of understanding evolution leads to a deeper faith.
October 31, 2025
I enjoyed how Jim sketched out the evolutionary history through the lens of a sacred chain. Jim's humility in his book makes the conversation between science and faith more approachable.
August 18, 2024
I enjoyed reading Stump's book on tying religion and modern science together.
August 14, 2024
An excellent and well-rounded overview
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews