Chapter 8 The History of Life

Worldviews and the History of Life Chapter 8A Worldviews and the History of Life

Worldview The frame of reference that a person uses to interpret and understand the world around him Everyone has a worldview, and this worldview affects every choice he makes.

The Christian Worldview Creation (“ex nihilo”) The Fall Redemption

I Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”

Creation and evolution do not mix. Key point 1 Creation and evolution do not mix.

The earth is NOT billions or even millions of years old. Key point 2 The earth is NOT billions or even millions of years old.

The Bible and science do not disagree. Key point 3 The Bible and science do not disagree.

“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Psalm 118:8 “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”

Noah’s flood is a significant catastrophe. Key point 4 Noah’s flood is a significant catastrophe.

The genetic basis of biological evolution is statistically impossible. Key point 5 The genetic basis of biological evolution is statistically impossible.

Evolution A belief about all the changes that have transformed life on the earth from its earliest beginnings to the diversity that characterizes it today

Change over time toward greater complexity Evolution Change over time toward greater complexity

Results of Believing Evolutionary Theory

Results of Believing Evolutionary Theory God does not exist. Man is not responsible to God. Man no longer needs a Savior.

Results of Believing Evolutionary Theory Man is a highly evolved animal. Man’s religion should be scientism. the belief that science is the only path to truth

“The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.” Psalm 53:1 “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.”

A Matter of Viewpoint

A Matter of Viewpoint A person either accepts the Bible or not. Many are unwilling to admit that there is a God to whom they are accountable. Based on faith, not science

Evolutionary Beliefs & the Word of God

Is there proof for evolution & against the Bible? Science cannot prove. Both creationists and evolutionists have the same physical evidence. It is our interpretations of that evidence that differ.

Is there proof for evolution & against the Bible? Any accurate observation of God’s creation could not contradict the revealed Word of God.

How Should a Christian View Biology? A Proper Balance A Proper Motivation A Proper Perspective

Chapter 8B Biological Evolution

Jean Lamarck Theory of need Theory of use and disuse Theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics

Analysis of Lamarck’s Theory Basic problem: passing on acquired characteristics to future generations

The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection (1859) Charles Darwin Theory of natural selection The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection (1859)

Artificial Selection Vs. Natural Selection

Descent with Modification Proposed that all living things descended from a single common ancestor

Survival of the Fittest peppered moth

Analysis of Darwin’s Theory There is not always overpopulation.

Analysis of Darwin’s Theory The “fittest” do not always survive and reproduce.

Analysis of Darwin’s Theory An organism must have the gene for a certain characteristic in order for it to be produced.

Analysis of Darwin’s Theory The theory does not allow for the formation of new characteristics. It only selects for already existing traits.

Analysis of Darwin’s Theory Natural selection regroups existing characteristics. No new genetic information is created.

Later Developments in Evolutionary Theory

Species and Varieties, Their Origin by Mutation Hugo De Vries Species and Varieties, Their Origin by Mutation

Mutation-Selection Theory (Neo-Darwinism) Blending of Darwin’s theory of natural selection & De Vries’ theory of mutations Mutations supply the variations, and natural selection determines which variations survive.

Mutation-Selection Theory (Neo-Darwinism) For evolution to occur, new genes must form. Mutations are the only known way for this to happen. However, mutations have not been shown to increase the amount of genetic information.

Problems with the Mutation Theory of Evolution Mutations are random. Scientists cannot control or predict which genes mutations will affect.

Problems with the Mutation Theory of Evolution Mutations are rare. It is estimated that uncorrected mutations occur once in 10 million cell divisions.

Problems with the Mutation Theory of Evolution To be passed on, mutations must occur in the germ cells. Mutations in somatic cells will not affect the organism’s offspring.

Problems with the Mutation Theory of Evolution Requires “good mutations” Must be beneficial Mutations are either neutral or harmful.

Problems with the Mutation Theory of Evolution Requires “good mutations” happening repeatedly In many, many organisms all over the world Not just unlikely . . . impossible!

Problems with the Mutation Theory of Evolution Too many mutations will kill an organism. Genetic load

Problems with the Mutation Theory of Evolution The mutation theory of evolution is statistically impossible. Mathematicians have proved that it could not have occurred, even given billions of years.

Problems with the Mutation Theory of Evolution What about the missing links?

Punctuated Equilibrium Stephen Jay Gould The view that evolution occurred in periods or leaps of time, while at other times, no or very little evolution took place

Chapter 8C Biblical Creationism

The Short-Day Theory A literal interpretation Each day (morning and evening) was a 24-hour period.

The Short-Day Theory “Morning and evening” Use of the Hebrew word “yom” Exodus 20:9-11

Nonliteral Interpretations of Creation

Theistic Evolution A mixture of the Bible and evolution Tries to interpret biblical statements to support evolution as God’s method of creation

Day-Age Theory (Long-Day Theory) Holds that the seven days in Genesis 1 were long periods of time or ages

Progressive Creationism Holds that the earth is millions of years old and that at particular moments in time, God created new creatures

Framework Hypothesis Tries to interpret Genesis in a literary light

The Gap Theory Holds that there was a long period of time between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2 First creation fall of Satan new creation

Arguments Against The Gap Theory 1 Corinthians 15:45 Romans 5:14 Romans 5:12 Exodus 20:11

Noah’s Flood & Fossils

Noah’s Flood Antediluvian Postdiluvian The earth before the flood The earth after the flood

Reasons for a Universal Flood God’s revelation to Noah Purpose of the flood Genesis 6:13, 17

Reasons for a Universal Flood Confirmation in the New Testament Luke 17:27 2 Peter 2:5 and 3:6

Reasons for a Universal Flood The covenant of the rainbow Genesis 9:11-15 The continental shelves and seamounts

Reasons for a Universal Flood Universality of the fossil record The waters covered the mountains to over 20 feet. Fossils have been found on mountaintops.

Reasons for a Universal Flood The duration of the Flood was over a year. If the Flood was local, the ark would have been unnecessary.

Fossil Fossilization Lasting evidence of a once-living organism The formation of fossils

Types of Fossils Preservation of parts Preservation of carbon (coal) Preservation of forms Preservation of tracks Petrification Freezing

The Deluge & Fossilization The Flood described in Genesis 6-9 is referred to as the deluge.

The Deluge & Fossilization Sedimentation laying down of materials Sedimentary rock layers of rock deposits

The Deluge & Fossilization Evolutionists propose fossil formation by many smaller catastrophes. Suggest that fossils are a progressive record

Support for the Deluge-Fossilization Theory Abundant fossilization is not taking place today. Fossil arrangement & abundance Polystrate fossils

Support for the Deluge-Fossilization Theory Fossilization must be rapid. Most fossils required water for formation.