Problems In Intermediate Models of Origins Jim Gibson Geoscience Research Institute www.grisda.org

PURPOSE To show that all models of creation over long ages have scientific problems. To show that no model of long age creation is better than the biblical view of recent six-day creation.

OUTLINE Introduction Problems in Long-age Creation Models Problems in TE/Evolutionary Creation Models Conclusions

What Is An “Intermediate Model”? Intermediate models of origins are attempts to combine divine activity and long ages, in an “extended creation.” Nature shows evidence of design. This suggests divine involvement. Science cannot study miracles. Restricting design to natural processes requires long periods of time.

Two Classes of “Intermediate” Models Immediate direct creations Two creations, separated by long ages Multiple creations over long ages Gradual continuous evolution “Evolutionary creation” Theistic (“deistic”) evolution

OUTLINE Introduction Problems in Long-age Creation Models Problems in TE/Evolutionary Creation Models Conclusions

A Classification of Long-Age Creation Models Distinguished by the meaning of “day” in Genesis 1 1. Literal, sequential days of creation 2. Non-literal, sequential days or “day-ages” 3. Non-literal, non-sequential “days”.

Long-Age Creation Models Literal, Sequential Days - 1 The “Active Gap” Theory Original perfect creation long ages ago; (accepts long-age time scale). 2. Satan corrupted the original creation, producing the fossil record of death, etc. 3. Recent 2nd creation in six days as in Genesis.

“Active” Gap Theory: Two Corrupted Creations Genesis creation Modern Humans Birds Terrestrial animals Note that modern humans appear before the “Genesis” creation. Marine animals Corrupted by Satan First creation

Problems With the Gap Theory 1. The model has no valid biblical support. 2. The model predicts an abrupt change or gap in the fossil record between the first and second creations. No such gap is found. 3. The model proposes that Satan corrupted God’s original creation, yet the results are indistinguishable from God’s second creation.

Long-Age Creation Models Literal, Sequential Days - 2 The Multiple Gap Theory (= Intermittent Day Theory) 1. Six literal days of creation. 2. The days separated by long ages. 3. Same creation sequence as in Genesis.

Multiple Gap Theory: Many Corrupted Creations Modern Humans Fruit trees Birds Dinosaurs Land vertebrates Marine animals Note the sequence of “creation” based on fossil record. Microbes

Problems With the Multiple Gap Theory 1. The model has no valid Biblical support. 2. The fossil sequence conflicts with the Genesis creation sequence. (see below)

Comparison of Fossil Sequence with Genesis Sequence First marine creatures Swamp plants, insects Flying insects, land vertebrates “Mammals” Birds Fruit-bearing trees Humans Genesis Sequence (3) Land plants, Fruit-bearing trees (5) Water creatures, Flying creatures (6) Land creatures, Humans

Long-Age Creation Models Non-literal, Sequential “Days” The “Day-Age Theory” (Includes “Overlapping Day” Theory and “Relativistic Day” Theory) 1. Six successive creation periods. 2. Creation sequence as in Genesis.

Day-Age Theory: Six Stages of Creation. Modern Humans Age 3: Fossil fruit trees Age 5: Flying animals Age 6: Land animals Fossil insect Age 6 Fossil scorpion Note: Land creatures (D6) come befoe flying creatures (D5); and fruit trees (D3) come after animals (D5 and 6) Age 5: Marine animals Age 3: Formation of the Earth, plants Age 2: Expansion of the universe Age 1: Light from Big Bang

Problems With the Day-Age Theory 1. The model has no valid Biblical support. 2. The fossil sequence conflicts with the Genesis creation sequence. 3. In Genesis, the Earth is present before light. The day-age theory puts Day 1 light before the planet.

Problems with the “Serial Creation” Model 1. Inconsistent Biblical exegesis. 2. Implies serial mass destructions. 3. Scientifically, entirely conjectural, ad hoc. 4. Scientifically, is no better than saying that God supernaturally arranged the fossil sequence during the Flood. 5. The version that humans were created 6,000 years ago negates the rest of creation week, doesn’t explain “pre-Adamites.”

Kenneth Miller 1999 (Finding Darwin’s God, p 128) Serial Destructions Kenneth Miller 1999 (Finding Darwin’s God, p 128) “Intelligent design [long-age creation] does a terrible disservice to God by casting Him as a magician who periodically creates and creates and then creates again throughout the geologic ages. . . . Why did this magician, in order to produce the contemporary world, find it necessary to create and destroy creatures, habitats, and ecosystems millions of times over?”

Theological Problems With All Long-age Creation Models* 1. Death before sin – lost meaning of Jesus 2. No curses – suffering, death natural 3. No 7th-day Sabbath – no six-day creation 4. Bible not reliable – creation story only myth *Except “Active gap theory,” which doesn’t work textually or scientifically.

Evolutionary Creation Theory: Continuous Active “Creation” and Multiple Catastrophes Modern Humans evolved Major extinction - Dinosaurs destroyed Fruit trees evolved Major extinction Modern fauna evolved Major extinction - Paleozoic fauna destroyed Major extinction Major extinction Cambrian fauna destroyed Paleozoic fauna evolved Cambrian fauna evolved Microbes created

Evolutionary Creation Theory: Continuous Active “Creation” and Multiple Catastrophes Modern Humans Modern fauna Fruit Trees Paleozoic fauna Cambrian fauna Microbes

Problems with “Evolutionary Creation/ “Tinkering” Evolution 1. The fossil sequence does not appear to reflect a continuous process – many gaps. 2. The fossil sequence does not appear to be intelligently guided – many extinctions. 3. Genetic diseases do not appear to be divinely directed – produce evil.

Theistic Evolution Models –2 Divinely Guided Evolution God acts subtly to influence the direction of evolution (note pantheistic tendencies). 2. God’s actions are undetectable to us and are constrained by natural law (opposed to intelligent design). 3. Some theorists allow God to act in the lives of believers.

Scientific Problems with Theistic Evolution Nature appears to have many gaps: Origin of living cells; Origin of meiosis, sexual reproduction; Origin of development, multicellularity; Origin of mind, consciousness. The fossil record has many gaps and abrupt appearances. Harmful mutations do not appear to be guided by God.

Philosophical Problems with Theistic Evolution 1. If natural law is sufficient to explain evolution, why propose an invisible, undetectable God also? 2. If God created, why would He not continue to care for His creation? 3. Why should death occur in such a system that produces life naturally? 4. What is the explanation for evil?

Theological Problems With All “Extended Creation” Models Death before sin – lost meaning of Jesus No Adam and Eve – gradually human 3. No “image of God” – created from animals; (unless a “soul” is implanted) 4. No Fall, no curses – suffering, death natural 5. No 7th-day Sabbath – no six-day creation 6. Bible not reliable – creation only a myth

OUTLINE Introduction Problems in Long-age Creation Models Problems in TE/Evolutionary Creation Models Summary and Conclusions

Results 1. No model of origins escapes scientific problems; science cannot explain origins. 2. None of the long-age models enjoys experimental support, or Biblical support. 3. All long-age models affirm death before sin, corrupting the gospel.

Telling the Story of Jesus The Church’s mission is to tell the story of Jesus. Before a model of origins can be seriously considered, one must first hear the story of Jesus in the context of that model. This is sufficient reason to reject all intermediate models.

There Is More to Nature than Science Can Discover Conclusions There Is More to Nature than Science Can Discover It would be a tragic irony if we rejected the biblical model because of its alleged scientific problems, and adopted another model that not only has scientific problems, but also a multitude of theological problems.

THE END I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded. Isaiah 45:12