| Evolutionist Assumptions: |
Creationist Assumptions: |
1. Evolution is a universal principle.
Everything observable in the universe can be explained by evolutionary or naturalistic processes.
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1. Creation is a universal principle.
Everything observable in the universe originated via an act of creative will and omniscient intelligence. |
2. Invoking a Creator is forbidden.
Only explanations with a naturalistic basis are valid. Any causes outside of matter and energy are anathema and must be excluded. |
2. A Creator exists.
God is the cause of all things - whether we understand them scientifically or not. Revealed extra-universal information is found in the Bible.
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3. Matter and/or energy have always existed.
Since the law of conservation of matter and energy has never changed, the totality of matter + energy has always been the same, (even if it was shrunk and stored in a pre-Big Bang mathematical point).
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3. Universe created without any pre-existing matter or energy.
The law of conservation of matter and energy was established after creation was complete and cannot be applied prior to that. Matter and energy are both objects of creation and are organized via information. (Natural Laws or Instructions.)
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4. There is no difference between material processes and life processes.
The natural laws used in nucleosynthesis, geology, or the formation of galaxies are the same as those used in the development of life. The transition from non-living to living is a gradual change from simple elements to molecules to complex compounds to life. |
4. There is a clear distinction between living and non-living.
The jump from non-life to life requires the addition of information (coding with storage and retrieval systems), which is the defining characteristic of all life. Viruses are alive since they are carriers of information. Complex organic compounds like proteins are not alive since they do not contain information, (even though they are assembled via compiled code). Information can only arise from an information source.
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5. Natural processes promote self-organization from the simple to the complex.
Mutations and Natural Selection alone are able to develop new structures, organize complex life processes, and generate new information. The major goal of evolutionary research is to discover and articulate how natural processes can bring about decreases in entropy and even lead to inevitable increases in organization and complexity. Processes that circumvent thermodynamics will soon be discovered.
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5. Natural processes prohibit self-organization from the simple to the complex.
The natural laws of today were determined upon the completion of Creation. Laws and processes during creation are currently inaccessible to us; we cannot know anything concerning thermodynamics or 'creation law' as it existed then. Energy, information, and therefore life must have been installed at that time. Natural Selection and Mutations eliminate information and lead to genetic deficiencies as Creation 'runs down'.
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6. Mutation, extinction, and death are natural and necessary to the mechanisms of evolution.
Mutation, selection, annidation, chance, long periods of time, ecological changes, and death are needed factors in the mechanics of Evolution. Death is absolutely essential as it eliminates that which is less 'survivable'.
"Mutation and selection are the motors of evolution." (K. Lorenz). |
6. Mutation, extinction, and death resulted from the Biblical Fall.
Mutation, disease, and death are abnormal intruders into an otherwise perfect creation. Man's willful abandonment of God and subsequent curse brought about these evils which evolution now calls 'good and necessary'. This is not to be confused with natural selection which is part of God's plan for adaptability, speciation, variety, and demonstrating God's ability to design in anticipation of the future.
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7. There is no plan, goal, or purpose in the universe.
Allowing plan or purpose in the universe would open the door to a Creator, which, as we have seen above, is prohibited.
Evolution MUST be un-directed.
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7. Causes and results require a planner or goal-giver.
Design and specified complexity show evidence of intelligence. Specifically, the wisdom and omnipotence of a Creator to pre-program all of life with its vast genetic reserves of variety and adaptability.
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8. Genetic similarities are proof of common ancestry.
Similarities (homology) in DNA and physical traits can all be used to build a great 'Tree of Life.' Once all the transitional forms are found, the tree will be complete. A great deal of effort is expended to create models that allow newly discovered life forms to fit within that tree. Problems like convergence will be solved with more data.
Certain biochemical capacities are common to all living things, so there is even a degree of similarity between the DNA of yeast, for example, and that of humans.
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8. Genetic similarities are proof of a common designer.
Homology is apparent throughout life because God used similar components when He created the various kinds. A manufacturer can use similar computer chips in a variety of products, and be identified by the components or methods he uses.
Certain biochemical capacities are common to all living things, so there is even a degree of similarity between the DNA of yeast, for example, and that of humans.
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9. The present is the key to the past.
The observed data and processes of today may be extrapolated in time as far back as one likes.
Geological processes, atomic decay, and cosmic expansion are universal and uniform. When dating organic matter, it is a given that the 14C/12C ratio in the atmosphere has never changed, which requires that the Earth's magnetic field be constant. Natural laws continue today as they always have.
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9. The past is the key to the present.
The present should be explained acknowledging at least these three events of the past: Creation, the Fall, and the Flood. Ignoring past events, gives rise to extremely faulty deductions. For example, the geology of today's earth cannot be understood without considering the Flood. Also, any dating using atomic decay will be erroneous if it ignores the fact that natural laws and processes were different during creation week which created an 'event horizon' into the past.
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10. Evolution will continue in the far future.
All life is in transition between types, and the future of Evolution (since it is undirected) could bring about improvements or regressions.
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10. The formation of basic types (kinds) ended at Creation.
All variety and changes which arose later on (like races) are only variations of the basic types, utilizing inherent genetic information. Minor, (mostly non-beneficial) changes are a result of mutations (damaged or lost genetic information).
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Theistic (Progressive) Evolutionist Assumptions:
Theistic Evolutionists embrace evolutionary assumptions 1, 3, 6, 8, and 9 above.
God supernaturally intervened to bridge those gaps which can not be realistically spanned by pure naturalism.
In addition, the following 3 tenants are assumed:
1. God used evolution as a means of creating.
Evolutionary processes were helped along as God intervened with direction and genetic improvements. God was/is however, confined to utilize the natural laws as they exist today.
2. The Bible contains little or no usable or relevant ideas which can be applied in present-day origins science.
The Bible contains information pertaining to Salvation and other spiritual matters, but tribal and nomadic observations about the universe are not reliable and can not be used as a basis for modern scientific thought.
3. Evolutionistic pronouncements have priority over biblical statements.
The Bible must be reinterpreted whenever and wherever the latest scientific theories or current evolutionary world-view contradict it.
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