Evolution and Creation:
Conflicting or Compatible?
Patricia H. Kelley
University of North Carolina
Wilmington
What is science?
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Not just collection of facts about the
natural world
Tightly integrated set of facts and theories
Attained through “scientific method”
Scientific explanations are based
on natural law
No supernatural explanations!
Observe facts… construct
hypotheses
Hypothesize, predict, collect
more data to test hypotheses
If data don’t confirm it, the
hypothesis collapses…
What then?
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Anguished
reassessment
Reject hypothesis?
Modify hypothesis?
On the other hand…
If a hypothesis survives
repeated attempts to
disprove it
And if alternative
hypotheses are
rejected
… The hypothesis gains
the status of a theory!
(Hallelujah!)
The work of science is
hypothesis testing
To be
scientific, ideas
must be
testable
against the
natural world
(i.e., potentially
falsifiable)
Supernatural ideas can’t be tested
No conceivable way to disprove theories
involving the supernatural.
Characteristics of Science
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Only natural explanations
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Involves scientific method
Observe natural or experimental phenomena
„ Construct hypotheses
„ Draw predictions from hypotheses
„ Collect data to test hypotheses
„ Hypothesis that survives testing gains status
of theory
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Conclusions are tentative
Fact and Theory
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Facts = observations
Theory = well-tested explanation of facts
based on natural law
So what is evolution?
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Evolution = fact.
Evolution = only viable scientific theory for
history of life.
Evolution as fact
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Evolution = change in life through time
Evidence = Direct observation during
historic time
Laboratory tests
„ Breeding experiments
„ Nature
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Evolution = change in genetic
makeup of a population
Breeding and hybridization
experiments
Evolution of new species
The fossil record shows change
in life through time
Each layer due to a single event
or episode of deposition
Sediment core
showing laminations
of mud that settled
out in quiet water
Glacial deposit
Marine coral reef
Stream channel deposit
Petrified Forest
Desert
dune
deposit
Principle of superposition
Single-celled
microorganisms
Soft-bodied multicellular
organisms
Shelled invertebrates
Vertebrates
Human fossils
only at top of
sequence
Second meaning of evolution
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Explanation for change in life through time
Organisms related by descent, with
modification, from common ancestors
Theory (well-tested explanation of facts)
Only viable scientific theory for change in
life through time
Cytochrome C
Humans vs.
Mean mutational
distance
Chimpanzee
0
Rhesus monkey
1
Mammals collectively
10.4
Reptiles collectively
14.5
Amphibians collectively
18.0
Fish collectively
22.5
Transitional sequences:
Triceratops
45 million years earlier…
Add 20 million years and a frill…
10 million years later:
Monoclonius
Most famous
transitional
fossil:
Dinosaur
skeleton,
bird feathers
Fish to amphibian transition
Horse
evolution:
size, toes,
teeth
Human family
tree: ancestors,
cousins, dead
ends
Transition in hip bone structure
Australopithecus jaw
intermediate between
apes and humans
Homo habilis
(“handy man”)
Homo erectus
You!
Brain size, Australopithecus to
Homo sapiens
Third meaning of evolution
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Mechanism for descent with modification
Theory still being tested
Broad outline known
Details still being studied
Darwin’s contribution = Natural Selection
Organisms
vary from one
to another
within species
Variation is
inherited
Organisms
produce more
offspring than
can survive
Those that do survive are best fitted to the environment.
Evolution is
the best
scientific
explanation
for the
history of
life….
… Not a
tower of
speculation
about to
collapse!
Genesis I
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6th century B.C.
Babylonian exile
Concerned with origin of universe, earth,
inhabitants
Affirms monotheism, repudiates idolatry
Babylonian cosmogony
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Tablet I – male (Apsu) and female (Tiamat)
waters commingle, beget gods; day and night
appear
Tablets I-III – various gods begotten
Tablet IV- Marduk conquers Tiamat, divides
her into waters above and below
Tablet V – stars, moon and sun emplaced
Tablet VI – humans created from blood of
Tiamat’s accomplice; temple for gods to rest
Tablet VII – Marduk enthroned
Genesis 2
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10th century B.C.
Reign of King Solomon
Concerned with humans
Rejects temptations to idolatry
Genesis 1 and 2 differ in:
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Context
Language (“Elohim” vs. “Yahweh”)
Mode of creation
Details (e.g., treatment of water)
Sequence of creation
Sequence of creation
Genesis 1
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Vegetation
Sun, moon, stars
Birds and fish
Land animals and
humans (male and
female)
Genesis 2
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Sun, moon, stars
presupposed
Man
Plants
Animals
Woman
Biblical creation stories
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Genesis 1 – “And God said, ‘Let there
be…’”
Genesis 2 – Adam and Eve
Proverbs – role of Wisdom in creation
Job 26 – conquering of sea and Rahab
Psalm 74 – crushing of dragon and
Leviathan, dividing the sea
Statements supporting evolution
or opposing teaching of
creationism:
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Pope John Paul II
Central Conference of American Rabbis
American Jewish Congress
General Convention, Episcopal Church
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church
United Presbyterian Church USA