I am working on a middle school heredity unit. I am surprised to see Natural Selection is now part of evolutionary theory. As I remember, Natural selection expresses genes already in DNA. Evolutionary Theory states that organisms can change greatly over time. Why are they linked so closely together? Every teaching resource I find denies a difference. I need resources that acknowledge God, or at least don't exclude him. I wont teach a theory as fact, and the current resources I am finding use "Science" to make evolutionary theory fact, and make fun of Creationist theory. Thank you for your help Frens.
You're viewing a single comment thread. View all comments, or full comment thread.
Comments (16)
sorted by:
Evolution, as it is commonly understood today, depends upon four factors. Evolutionists (people who have confidence in the theory of evolution) explain them in this way:
Spontaneous generation. This means that life arose from inanimate (dead) material. In a pond or other moist environment (referred to as the pre-biotic soup), a perfect combination of carbon-based molecules happened to be present at the same instant. Denying all scientific logic, a DNA code, nucleus, cell wall, and energy-generating apparatus — the minimum requirements for a living cell — were all somehow present, each having randomly come together on its own. This first cell reproduced itself and the first life was off to a start.
Random mutation. Minor changes in the DNA code are thought to occur spontaneously within a creature. Most of these are attributed to “accidents” that happen when the creature’s genetic code is copied at the time of reproduction. Outside radiation and chemicals are also thought to play a role.
The result of these random mutations is a new creature, slightly different from the first. Most importantly, it will either be better or less well prepared to live in its environment. Most mutations are harmful to a creature. So, a high number would be necessary to increase the chances of a positive mutation taking place.
Any random mutation that results in a “weaker” creature, evolutionists reason, would cause the early elimination of that plant or animal. By contrast, any random mutation which increased the strength or fertility of a plant or animal would give it an advantage in the struggle for existence.
The accumulation of many small but favorable mutations over time is evolution’s explanation for converting a microscopic bacterial cell into a human being. Yet even over many millions of years, as explained later, such a process would never have enough time to occur.
Thank you again.