Define the issue: Evolutionism vs. Creationism

 

1.      Issues at contention:

·        Random Chance vs. Intelligent Design

·        Atheistic naturalism vs. Theistic supernatural intervention

 

2.      Issues not really at contention:

·        Changes over time compatible with both viewpoints

·        Observable microevolution cannot be equated or elavated to hypothetical macroevolution

·        Common Descent vs. Common Master Plan

·        Old Earth (4.5 billion years) camp vs. the Young Earth (<10,000 years) camp

 

 

Problems with Molecular Evolution (Formation of the First Living Cells):

 

·        Major Hypotheses: Primordial Soup, RNA World, Deep Sea Hot Vents, Panspermia,

·        Questionable existence of a reducing atmosphere in early history of Earth

·        Racemic synthesis problem of life's building blocks (amino acids, riboses)

·        Unfavorable dilution problem

·        Instability problem of biomolecules (building blocks and biopolymers)

·        Improbable assembly of higher order macromolecular complexes

·        Improbable coupled evolution of information storage and processing machinery

·        Improbable coupled evolution of complex metabolic pathways and networks

·        Improbable assembly of the first replicating cells

 

 

Problems with Macroevolution (Formation of New Species):

 

·        Microevolution explainable by gene mutation/recombination and natural selection

·        Macroevolutionary Theories: Darwinism, Neo-Darwinism, Non-Darwinism

·        Commonly Cited Evidence: Paleontology, Developmental Biology, Molecular Biology

·        Fossil Record paints a picture against gradualistic evolution: Systematic Abrupt Appearance, Systematic Gaps and Missing Links, Systematic Similarity and Stasis

·        Huckels' fraudulent evidence for the law of biogenesis (Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny)

·        Diversity and harmony in biosphere: coupled evolution of photosynthetic plants and herbivorous animals; orderly introduction of the right species at the right time; the coming (265M YBP) and going (65M YBP) of dinosaurs; co-evolution of both sexes.

·        Similar Molecular Circuitry and Rich Information Content: universal genetic code, similar basic modes of DNA replication, RNA transcription, and protein translation, similar basic metabolism, homologous genes. The simplicity and necessity of having one common master plan for life. The apparent phenomenon of common descent is not incompatible with common design.

·        Simple cell is not simple at all: the essential tool kits of life's genes are already there. This only adds greater difficulty of reaching the climax of molecular evolution.

·        The mysterious vital power of upward evolution: what factors continually sustain the complexity-building evolution during the last 3.9 billion years? Is it simply environmental changes or catastrophism? What have been pressuring the living cells to go upscale in evolutionary ladder?

 

 

Biblical Revelations and Issues:

 

·        Finite beginning of universe: Is 6-day creation literal?

·        Nothing to something ("Let there be…"), things invisible to things visible (Energy to Mass)

·        Species were created each according to its kind

·        Something inorganic to something organic (Dust to Adam): the appearance of evolution

·        Something to something similar: transgenic "cloning" of Eve from Adam

·        Variation and mutability within the boundary of humanity: all men came from one man (Genesis 2, Acts 17:26), Isaac's twin sons (the reddish hairy Esau and the smooth Jacob), Giants (Genesis 6:4, Numbers 13:33), Ethnic divergence (Genesis 10)

·        Inter-sibling marriage allowed in very early history of human: it is legally banned when rampant genetic defects accumulated with time would harm the overall health of mankind.

·        Catastrophe and the Genesis Flood (Deluge)

·        Initial long life span and its rapid slide soon after the Great Fall: Biochemical basis for longevity is being unraveled.