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Claim ID: BIO-IS01

Claim: Life Finds its Origin in a Formative Power of God

Summary: Needs Work!

Description: The appeal of Darwinian evolution is at first glance conceptually intuitive and logical. We observe the power of microevolution all around us in the biological world. It seems natural then that the process of evolution should apply to macroevolution - the creation of all distinct life forms.

Darwinian evolution is also a convenient alternative to theism. For many, it explains how life emerged without the guidance of an all-powerful, intelligent god.

Over the past 150+ years, evolution has become the most popular theory for the origin of life, so much so that it is regarded as fact. In the United States alone, an overwhelming 81% of adults believe humans evolved [REF-MAC01].

As the evolution debate continues, the ultimate question is "can evolution be substantiated by scientific evidence?" More specifically, could the earliest life forms have evolved to the levels of distinction and complexity we observe in the fossil record in a mere 5-6 million years?

In the Fullness of Time

Given enough time anything is possible. Unfortunately, Neo-Darwinists must explain the process of evolution, and more specifically the emergence of phyla, in the brevity of time. Given the lack of supporting evidence, this is an insurmountable task.

Within the taxonomic system of classification, phyla represent the highest rank of distinction within the Animalia kingdom [REF-TAX01] [REF-KGM01]. Within each phylum, organisms are similar in terms of body plans (physical features) and genetics. Across phyla, organisms are highly dissimilar in terms of body plans and genetics.

The central question in this debate is the emergence of phyla from a single point of origin. What evidence can be brought to bear on the efficacy of Darwin's theory that complex and distinct life forms emerged in a mere 5-6 million years.

Summary of Key Evidence

The following evidence, or lack thereof, demonstrates the implausibility of Darwin's theory of evolution.

• Biological Big Bang - The sudden appearance of phyla during the Cambrian period, followed by an absence of macro-evolutionary change in the Post-Cambrian period. Distinct living creature came into being in an extraordinarily short period of time of 5-6 million years. This explosive period of biological activity was immediately followed by a relatively long period of time of 485 million years devoid of any macroevolution. [BIO-EV01]
• Lack of Transitional Intermediates - There is a complete absence of earlier life forms or transitional intermediates in the fossil record from the Precambrian period. [BIO-EV04]
• Infeasibility of Point-Mutations - It is highly unlikely that individual point-mutations would result in viable organisms. Research suggests that multiple, coordinated genetic mutations are required to produce highly functioning organisms to ensure both viability and survivability. Statistically, the probability of these combinations of genetic mutations r randomly is practically impossible. [BIO-EV03]
• Insufficient Propagation Time - Research in Population Genetics suggests that there was insufficient time for beneficial evolutionary changes to propagate successfully from one generation to the next. This is largely due to constraints such as low population sizes, low reproduction rates, and unconducive environmental conditions. [BIO-EV02]

Observations

Many secular scholars are concluding that the numbers do not add up [REF-HOV01]. Seemingly, time is not on Darwin's side.

While the emergence of phyla cannot be explained by natural means, perhaps it can be explained by a combination of natural and supernatural means. Perhaps the earliest Cambrian creatures found their origin in the formative power of God.

Resources:

• For Darwin Day, 6 Facts About the Evolution Debate (REF-MAC01)

• Kingdom (Biology) (REF-KGM01)

• Mathematical Challenges to Darwin’s Theory of Evolution (REF-HOV01)

• Taxonomic Rank (REF-TAX01)