Evolution, is it a Valid Argument
Many today believe that modern science and the Bible are hopelessly at odds. Most scientists believe the theory of evolution, which teaches that all living things evolved from a simple life form that came into existence millions of years ago. The Bible, on the other hand, teaches that each major group of living things was specially created and that human kind was created "from the dust of the ground. Is this a glaring scientific error in the Bible? Before deciding, let us look more closely at what science knows, as opposed to what it theorizes.
The theory of evolution was popularized by Charles Darwin. When he was on the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific, Darwin was impressed by the different species of finches on the different islands, which he concluded must all have descended from just one species. So he promoted the theory that all living things come from one original, simple form. He said it was natural selection, the survival of the fittest. Thanks to this theory, he claimed, land animals developed from fish, birds from reptiles, and so forth.
What Darwin observed in the Galapagos was not out of harmony with the Bible. All the races of mankind, for example, came from just one original human pair. So it is nothing out the ordinary that these species of finches would come from a common species. They did remain finches. They did not evolve into hawks or eagles. (vs)
Many scientists assert that evolution is no longer just a theory but that it is a fact. Others, while recognizing the theory’s problems, say that they believe it anyway. It is popular to do so.
How can the theory of evolution be tested? The most obvious way is to examine the fossil record to see if a gradual change from one kind to another really happened. Did it? No, as a most scientists admit to. The truth is, though, that the sudden appearance of animals in the fossil record supports creation much more than it does evolution. (vs)
Another question that scientists have failed to answer is: What was the origin of life. In Darwins time they thought that flies could develop from decaying meat and that a pile of old rags could spontaneously produce mice.
So how do scientists explain the source of life? A chance combination of chemicals and energy sparked a spontaneous generation of life
Even under far different conditions, though, there is a huge gap between nonliving matter and the simplest living thing. The idea that nonliving material could come to life by some haphazard chance is so remote as to be impossible. The Bible’s explanation, that ‘life came from life’ in that life was created by God, is convincingly clear. (vs.)
Despite the problems inherent in the theory of evolution, belief in creation is viewed today as unscientific, even eccentric. Why is this? Well it’s obviously not popular to think that life on earth was created by another life form, its too supernatural. But it does make good summertime movies.
In other words, the fact that creation involves a Creator makes it unacceptable. `They say that Miracles are impossible because they are miraculous!
The theory of evolution deals with a series of unique events, the origin of life, the origin of intelligence and so on. Unique events are unrepeatable and cannot be subjected to any sort of experimental investigation. So all they have is a theory. The truth is that the theory of evolution, despite its popularity, is full of gaps and problems. It gives no good reason to except it as fact. The first chapter of Genesis provides a complete and reasonable account of how these "unrepeatable" "unique events" came about during creative ‘days’ that stretched through millenniums of time.
Here is an outline that I wrote for a talk several years ago, I cant find the final copy of it, it had Bible verses to follow from and a different ending. All info in this came from the Evolution - Creation Book and couple of WT mags.
Hope this helps. I know its tough to write something that will keep them awake. I always like to use a little bit of humor.
