Isn't It True that Since Evolution Is a Proven Fact, God Is Obsolete? Co-presenting: Steve Scott, M.D. David McAlpin, Ph.D. Emmanuel Baptist Church March 11, 2018
EVOLUTION
1. Evolution is... A random, natural and purposeless process
1. Evolution is... A random, natural and purposeless process the central and unifying theme of biology
1. Evolution is... A random, natural and purposeless process the central and unifying theme of biology a gradual change over time
1. Evolution is... The transformation of life from simple to complex
2. Evolution explains: The formation of life from non-life
2. Evolution explains: The formation of life from non-life The variety of life
2. Evolution explains: The formation of life from non-life The variety of life The complexity of life
2. Evolution explains: The formation of life from non-life The variety of life The complexity of life The development of bipedal gate, the blood-clotting/anti-clotting system, the tendency to laugh when amused,
2. Evolution explains: Obesity and anorexia, business negotiations, political rhetoric, maternal love, monogamy, polygamy, and Pokémon go
3. Evolutionary hurdles: Life from non-life
3. Evolutionary hurdles: Life from non-life The Cambrian explosion
The Cambrian Fossil Record The Cambrian strata of rocks, vintage about 6oo million years, are the oldest ones in which we find most of the major invertebrate groups. And we find many of them
The Cambrian Fossil Record in an advanced state of evolution, the very first time they appear. It is as though they were just planted there, without any evolutionary history. - Richard Dawkins
3. Evolutionary hurdles: Life from non-life The Cambrian explosion Lack of transitional forms
THE ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE
Four possibilities:
Four possibilities: 1. All matter and energy have always existed.
Four possibilities: 1. All matter and energy have always existed. 2. The universe came from nothing.
Four possibilities: 1. All matter and energy have always existed. 2. The universe came from nothing. 3. Something within the universe created itself.
Four possibilities: 1. All matter and energy have always existed. 2. The universe came from nothing. 3. Something within the universe created itself. 4. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
ARGUMENTS FOR CREATION
1. The complexity of life
1. The complexity Protein / DNA of life
1. The complexity of life Protein / DNA The city we know as the cell
1. The complexity of life Protein / DNA The city we know as the cell Irreducible complexity
2. The precision of the universe
2. The precision of the universe The fine-tuning of physics
2. The precision of the universe The fine-tuning of physics The amazing molecule
2. The precision of the universe The fine-tuning of physics The amazing molecule The anthropomorphic principle
3. The limitation of mutation
Random Mutations The opportune appearance of mutations permitting animals and plants to meet their needs seems hard to believe. Yet the Darwinian theory is even more demanding: a single plant, a single animal would require thousands and thousands of lucky, and appropriate
Random Mutations events. Thus, miracles would become rule: events with an infinitesimal probability could not fail to occur. There is no law against daydreaming, but science must not indulge in it. - Paul Grasse
3. The limitation of mutation The deleterious nature of most mutation
3. The limitation of mutation The deleterious nature of most mutation Mutation overload
3. The limitation of mutation The deleterious nature of most mutation Mutation overload The on / off switches
3. The limitation of mutation The deleterious nature of most mutation Mutation overload The on / off switches Random chance in a precise order
4. The moral dilemma
4. The moral dilemma Do morals benefit the individual to reproduce?
4. The moral dilemma Do morals benefit the individual to reproduce? Do morals benefit the species?
4. The moral dilemma Do morals benefit the individual to reproduce? Do morals benefit the species? Do morals transcend biology?
A sense of morality is part and parcel of what it means to be human.
Romans 2:14 16 (ESV) - For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience
also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
Romans 1:18 23 (ESV) - For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible
attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile
in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Acts 17:30 31 (ESV) The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.