Origin TheoriesOrigin Theories

The Theory of EvolutionThe Theory of Evolution

“…man’s world view .. Dominated by the knowledge that the universe, the stars, the earth and all living things have evolved through a long history that was not foreordained or programmed, a history of continual, gradual change shaped by more or less directional natural processes, consistent with the laws of physics…(Mayer)

The Theory of CreationThe Theory of Creation “… “…special creation ‘in the beginning’ special creation ‘in the beginning’

during which all the basic laws and during which all the basic laws and categories of nature, including the major categories of nature, including the major kinds of plants and animals, as well as kinds of plants and animals, as well as man, were brought into existence by; man, were brought into existence by; special creative and integrative special creative and integrative processes which are no longer in processes which are no longer in operation…(being) replaced by processes operation…(being) replaced by processes of conservation designed by the Creator of conservation designed by the Creator to sustain and maintain the basic to sustain and maintain the basic systems…” (Morris)systems…” (Morris)

DefinitionsDefinitions --ism--ism – “ – “ adherence to a system or class of adherence to a system or class of

principlesprinciples””

CreationismCreationism – – “a doctrine or theory holding “a doctrine or theory holding that matter, the various forms of life, and the that matter, the various forms of life, and the world were created by God out of nothing world were created by God out of nothing and, usually, in the way described in and, usually, in the way described in GenesisGenesis””

EvolutionismEvolutionism – “– “the theory of biological or the theory of biological or metaphysical evolution.. a belief in that metaphysical evolution.. a belief in that systemsystem””

(from Webster’s 20th Century Dictionary,1940)(from Webster’s 20th Century Dictionary,1940)

DefinitionsDefinitions

Darwin’s FinchesDarwin’s Finches

The The Fossil Fossil

EvidenceEvidence

ArchaeopteryxArchaeopteryx