by Barry Hufstedler

Created on: February 21, 2009

Can God and Darwin co-exist? A more accurate question would be: Can the Biblical account of creation and Darwinism both be correct? When both explanations are taken to their full conclusion, they cannot. Creationism. and Darwinism are two different worldviews of the same data. First let's define what we mean by the term "Darwinism" and "Creationism".

Darwinism is the theory of evolution by which all species descended from simple life forms to more complex over a long period of time (usually millions or years). Genetic mutation and natural selection are the mechanisms by which this takes place. Darwin based much of his conclusions on the different variety of animals he encountered while in the Galapagos Islands. It is obvious fact that species do change and genetic mutations do happen. Does this make Darwinism the victor of the conflict?

Unfortunately for Darwin, we know more about how life works from a cellular and molecular level than he could have in his time. Even though genetic mutations occur, they do not increase the genetic information only change what exists; in most cases information is removed. Without an increase of information you cannot achieve more complexity of life.

Mankind has long discovered that selective breeding can produce better stock. This is an example of natural selection that Darwin
discusses in "On the Origin of Species". In the animal kingdom the weak, sick, or lame usually die sooner and therefore do not get a chance to breed. This would seem to provider a stronger breed of animal overall. Again the limit is the amount of genetic information within the group, the benefit has limits.

The biggest question for Darwinism is how life itself came to be. How did life come from non-living things? No amount of chemical reactions or other natural process has been able to bring forth the simplest living cell.

So if we follow these claims of Darwinism we come up short on how life began or how we have what we see in the world now. Now let's look at the other side of the debate.

Creationism can be defined as special creation based on the accounts given in Genesis and other books contained in the Bible. We see God creating all varieties (kinds) of life (especially man) on purpose and in perfect harmony. Instead of millions of years we see this take place over a period of six days. By God's supernatural power life was given to non-life which answers the question Darwinism couldn't. The fall of man in Genesis chapter three caused the whole creation to

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