Darwinian evolution has three main components: random mutations (variation), natural selection (selection), and common ancestry (inheritance).
Today, evolutionary theory has two parts: 1. the mechanisms that make it possible (Darwinian evolution), and, 2. a scientific material worldview that acts as a lens for interpreting the evidence. While it may appear intuitively obvious that evolution explains physical reality, it's also surprising that the scientific evidence doesn't line up as one would expect. Moreover, adopting a worldview anchored in evolution creates difficult philosophical problems.
Problems with evidence:
- The fossil record is the “biggest problem” (pg. 323 Origin of Species, C. Darwin). Punctuated equilibrium is a complex explanation.
- Lack of evidence from the natural world for macro or vertical evolution. No evidence for essential steps such protein to protein interactions based on random mutations and natural selection.
- The mathematics of adaptive vs deleterious mutations do not add up to account for complex structures
- Difficult to explain complex design with serial assembly ("Most of the mutations that built the great structures of life must have been nonrandom." Michael Behe)
- 2nd Law of Thermodynamics – entropy
- Limited or no ability to apply scientific method (e.g., observation, repeatability, falsifiable)
Philosophical problems include:
- No basis for morality: If evolution explains all of reality then there is no evil, moral accountability or judgment
- No objective and consistent basis for values of any kind
- No intrinsic value for human beings
- No basis for the equality of human beings
- No answer to fear of death, non-being, the impersonal, dread, or existential angst
- No satisfactory explanations for evil, love, guilt, pain and suffering, or our need to hide and control
- No answers to our need for rest, forgiveness, freedom, and ultimate personal relationship
- No means by which we can be saved from ourselves (e.g., pride, selfishness, self-delusion)
- No meaning and purpose
- No ultimate destiny
In fact, in a debate (with Phillip Johnson on April 30, 1994 at Stanford University) Dr. William Provine as an evolutionary naturalist, rightly concluded that there are: no gods or purposive forces, no ultimate foundation for ethics, no free will, no life after death, and no ultimate meaning in life. Those are some of the logical conclusions of evolutionary naturalism. Evidence for evolution:
- adaptation - horizontal change within species in response to environmental conditions (e.g., finch beaks, moth coloring)
- micro-evolution (e.g., sickle cell and other adaptations to malaria, HIV adaptations to drugs, E. Coli adaptations to anti-biotics)
- gene sequencing points strongly to common decent
Reasonable explanations:
- Evolutionary theory in its current state is incomplete and/or has mistaken assumptions
- Some type of intelligent design is involved
The evolutionary worldview dictates that reality is bound by the uniform laws of cause and effort in a closed system. Humanity and God are part of the cosmic machinery. Embracing this worldview has logical consequences that one cannot escape without illogical leaps of faith.
Over the last hundred years unimaginable brutality and death came by way of non-theistic religions. These religions were based in post-modern worldviews that sprang from evolutionary naturalism. Some of the leaders of these religions include: Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Mao Tse-tung, and Pol Pot.
In fact, Hitler's "final solution" to the Jewish "problem" was grounded in the naturalistic philosophy of "survival of the fittest". Of Christianity, Hitler said, " I shall never come to terms with the Christian lie." and "Our epoch will certainly see the end of the disease of Christianity." Hitler's thinking was also strongly influenced by Nietzsche and his ideas of "will to power" and uber-man. Hitler's use of ideas from Nietzsche and Darwin turned out to be a deadly combination.
A Biblical worldview also supports the uniformity of cause and effect. However, this system is open and permits humanity and God being outside the system.
Other views, opposed or different?
