Page 56 - The Origin of Life and the Universe - International Conference 2016

The Origin of Life and the Universe

Generation of new organisms by these mechanisms is not evident
today. It is rather an appeal to a sketchy, if not well-imagined, extrapolation
of observed complex interdependence of symbiotic organisms to account
for large-scale naturalistic changes in life's history. Although many
mechanisms are appealed to for macroevolution, no plausible account has
yet rationally and reasonably described the “muddy middle layer of
mechanism”.
No credible mechanism or explanation has been offered for generating
true novelty. No account can be given for the rapid appearance of most
known phyla and fossils that occurred 540 million years ago in the Cambrian
explosion. No true transitional species has ever been identified in the fossil
record or through phylogenetic analysis. And no genetic map exists showing
a clear Darwinian pathway from one order, kingdom, phyla, class or order
to another.
So what do we do with the evidence? I believe the evidence concludes
that we must reject chemical evolution and macroevolution as not being
well evidenced in scientific data. Each of us knowingly or unknowingly in-
terprets the data in a way that fits into our view of reality. Molecular
adaptation I think is a better phrase or perhaps even molecular variation to
take the place of the word evolution in our opening statement. I think it’s
better to rephrase “There is more evidence for a molecular based adaptation
or variation of highly complex and wildly diverse organisms than there is that
the Earth revolves around the Sun”.
But I think that this view supports the view of progressive creationism:
that God created life over long apex of time, according to specific kinds.
And God endowed his creatures with the ability to adapt to challenging
and changing environments for their continued survival. So progressive
creationism is a reasonable and rational conclusion, concordant with the
data, accounting for the diversity and early appearance of complex life. And
it also accounts for the fine-tuning and intelligibility of the universe, which
my colleague Dr. Zweerink will talk about this afternoon.
As a first century follower of Jesus puts it, "For ever since the world was
created, people have seen the Earth and sky. Through everything God made,