How did modern science encourage philosophers and theologians to rethink religious teachings about creation?

Modern science has significantly influenced how philosophers and theologians approach religious teachings about creation, primarily by shifting the focus from literal interpretations toward a synthesis of faith and empirical evidence.12

The publication of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species in 1859 served as a major catalyst for this rethinking. While some conservative groups viewed evolutionary theory as an existential threat to the doctrine of divine creation, many religious institutions eventually sought to reconcile these perspectives. For instance, the Roman Catholic Church has affirmed that there is no intrinsic conflict between evolution and faith, provided that the human soul is recognized as a divine creation.1

Furthermore, the rise of the natural sciences encouraged a move away from total dependence on tradition toward an emphasis on observation and experience. This transition led some to challenge traditional dogmas, while others, such as Johannes Kepler, viewed scientific inquiry as a way to celebrate God. In the late 20th century, the concept of intelligent design emerged as a contemporary attempt to use scientific observations to support the argument from design for the existence of a creator.21