Expert: Marilyn - 4/7/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I went to a evolution seminar a few nights back here at a local church.  I heard about the event on the radio and i had to go because this is my most troubling piece in my Christian studies.  The big problem is this:  We wouldn't even have to debate the evolution theory if we didn't resemble the chimpanze, monkey, gorilla family.... I know that over time things evolve  (i go to school for biology education because i really like anatomy and want to teach it.)  anyway...there's alot of resemblance, and i know a lot of differences to...i mean a gorilla baby cligs to it's mother like little children do their mother....but i also know that some say that if a cell mutates, info is lost, not gained so a new species wouldn't arrise...also, one species can't give rise to a brand new species...right?  i think if we were more separate...like there were no monkey family...we would be more unique.  look at an earlobe of a chimp...looks like a humans...can you help me?  I like to think we are what we are.  each species is it's own animal.  Thank You!!

ANSWER: Hello Joe!

Praise God for your inquiring mind!

The Bible does describe a limited evolution, Genesis 1:24, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds..."  This ability is limited to "according to their kinds," therefore a salamander isn't going to change into a bird, but Darwin's finches can develop different beaks in order to adapt to new feeding niches.  Human beings have been evolving animals and plants for centuries, the various breeds of dog and corn for example, but always according to their kinds--that is until we get into gene splicing, which cannot be construed as anything remotely resembling a nature process.

The new evidence of whale evolution and the long standing example of the "dinosaur bird" (forgive me, I can't remember it's name right now) thumb their noses at the Christian paradigm of creation--that is the belief that creatures don't change into something else.  

The whale evidence appears the most convincing example of intermediate forms I remember seeing.  But, for me, the verdict is still out.  It's a tricky business to extrapolate the formerly living creature from bones.  How scientists think dinosaurs looked changes every so often as new theories of where muscle and bone should be placed come to the fore.

My belief is that all animal species begin and end with themselves, just as the Bible teaches.  There is no linkage between human beings and chimpanzees or anything else for that matter in terms of this creature begat this creature which was an intermediate form which led to this creature and so on in the classic evolutionary view.

Until the whale evidence was presented, few if any intermediate forms had been discovered.  I don't really think the dinosaur bird is an intermediate form, it's a creature all of it's own, beginning and ending with itself.  In fact, virtually all the evidence supports the view that creatures spring into the geological record fully formed, which backs the Bible's view.

So, as you were saying, what's the deal with 90%+ or however much it is of chimpanzee genes being identical to human?  

First, we are spirit beings residing in material bodies--if you will forgive me--animal bodies!  Though our bodies do resemble the Lord physically, that's not our real distinction.  Our real distinction is the Image of God, His breath of life in us, that eternal spirit, best testified in archeological terms as grave goods, which no other "animal" leaves, not even early hominids.  I'm talking about the kinds of grave goods like food and horses for the journey into the afterlife--that kind of grave goods, not farewell gifts.  No other being, except human beings, leave grave goods to supply the person for the afterlife.

So, my question, right back at you is this:  Given God placed us in a material universe and gave it to us to rule--have dominion--which by the way includes scientific mastery, and requiring material--animal bodies--so we CAN rule in it, AND given that God is super efficient, then why not reuse efficient structures in a variety of creatures?

Just because the gene serves the same function doesn't mean the whole creature it is found in has any relationship to any other.  For example, the numbers 0 - 9 are used in physics, mathematics, algebra and so on, but that doesn't mean physics and algebra, for example, have anything truly in common except those digits.  

God noticed Adam needed a companion, but the very next thing He did was place Adam in the middle of a bunch of animals and tell him to name them.  Animals have things in common with us because, while they're not true companions in the sense that a man and a woman can be companions, they have emotions, they have devotion--the whole earth and all the creatures in it reflect, in varying, degrees God.  

They have to have things in common because they come from a common creator.  You might pet your dog and enjoy a moment of affection and limited companionship.  Because your dog is created by God, he's going to reflect a limited aspect of God.  The whole universe is a witness to God's existence and His nature, right down to the sub-atomic matierals scientists now strive to comprehend.  It's those very things that are in common which make us feel at home in the universe God gave to us because He can be seen all around us.  

When God created Eve, Adam then had a companion who could relate to him in an unlimited way, much as God hopes to relate to us as we grow in Him, in more and more unlimited ways.

I hope this answers your question.  

In the meantime I recommend the following for more information:
www.afcinc.org/afcsite/english/literature/whatsay.htm

www.reasons.org/index.shtml

Also, D. James Kennedy has an informative book called "What if Jesus had Never Been Born?" which I highly recommend.

And Gerald L. Schroeder has a whole set of books dealing with God as Scientist.  The one I've read is:  "The Science of God"  However, I don't agree with him on the age of humanity, I think we're much older.  

May God give you revelation knowledge about His creation and increase your wisdom,

Marilyn



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: WOW!  I forgot i even wrote this!  Been a long time!
Yes, thanks for replying.  I changed my major to health education, no more biology.  I realize biology is just a thing for people to do, just like everything else....
We will see the truth when we see God.  Everything on this planet is or ultimatle is a disapointment, until we get to Heaven.  
I think biology has it's place, but it's no answer to God.

ANSWER: Hello Joe;

Great to hear from you again.

Atheists tout science as the new religion.  Evolutionary theory is their dogma; they'll defend it to the death, even if it means hushing up any other points of view.  

You're wise to switch to a different major where you can help others if you don't feel called to enter this fight.  The Body of the Lord needs everyone.  

The Lord be with you.

Marilyn

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thanks marilyn!
I read a book a few years ago.  It was one of the best books i've ever read.  It's the best Christian book I've read, called "Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel.  It was an easy read and inquizitive.  
I really appreciate your reply. It's hard to surround yourself with people who are positive and actually like to talk about Jesus.  I feel so much better after spending 5 minutes with someone who wants to talk about Jesus and the things he did.  I am no scholar by any means, I have never read the whole bible, and never read the whole new testament, (i keep going back to the gospels after I start acts or letters!)  I dont beat people over the head with "jesus talk", but people know where I stand, and my family knows, (even though my brothers give me crap for it).
I just bought Matthew on cd, I play it sometimes when i work out.
I love jesus specials on tv....
Just need to know what i believe and stick to it!
joe

Answer
Hello!

You've got the right idea.

The Lee Strobel book is excellent.  Check out "What If Jesus Had Never Been Born?" by D. James Kennedy.  You can order it from:  http://www.coralridge.org/default.asp

The Lord be with you and guide you,

Marilyn