Renowned theologian, author, and pastor R. C. Sproul interviewed Stephen Meyers, author of “Darwin’s Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design,” about his research on neo-Darwinian evolution and evidence for Intelligent Design. Sproul says that Meyer’s book is the most detailed analysis on the inconsistencies in evolution that he has ever seen.
Believers in neo-Darwinism think that creation was a result of natural selection acting on random genetic mutations; that all of life adapted from one “kind” to another, although there are no observable evidences of this. In his book, Meyers explains how Charles Darwin left one large question unanswered: he was puzzled by the abrupt appearance of animals in the fossil record known as the “Cambrian explosion” as opposed to small, incremental changes over a long period of time. “Within the ranks of evolutionary biology itself, there is now a tremendous skepticism being expressed about the creative power of the mutation-selection mechanism – the standard mechanism that is part of modern neo-Darwinian theory,” he said.
In “The Origin of Species,” Darwin himself admitted that the Cambrian explosion proposed “a valid objection to the views here entertained.” Meyers argues that it could not have been simply a “burst” of physical matter, but would also have had to produce reams of intricate genetic information that would be the basis of creation. What’s more, he believes that modern study of DNA reveals its intricate complexities and create much doubt – even among non-believers – that the evolutionary process could have formed something as complex as an animal.
Sproul had predicted that the theory of Darwinian Evolution would eventually be deconstructed by secular scientists because of its vast inconsistencies, and attested that neo-Darwinian macro-evolution presents “wild violations of the fundamental principles of the laws of immediate inference” in science. He argues that creating something out of nothing is “absolute absurdity … everything [coming from] nothing is the great magic [trick] –it’s the rabbit out of the hat, without a hat, without a rabbit, and without a magician.”
Intelligent Design is the concept that there is purposive intelligence behind all of creation – that a mind has intricately shaped all of the matter and genetic code that exists. It is based on the scientific method, and Meyers believes that it has significant theistic implications. While one does not have to be a Christian in order to agree with Intelligent Design, it presents a “powerful evidence of the activity of purposive intelligence acting in the history of life,” says Meyers. Macro-evolutionists may conclude that species have a common ancestor because of commonalities in the way their structures are designed, but Meyers argues that commonalities are instead evidence for a common Creator.
Many scientists feel as though they must limit their scientific conclusions to the material realm. Meyers called this pre-conceived idea a closed circle that by which some feel bound, “excluding from consideration the very explanation that makes most sense in light of our cause-and-effect experience of the world.” Excluding the immaterial from the possible set of solutions for the existence of the universe creates a “sub-rational historical biology” by refusing to consider one possible true answer, he said.
Meyers wants to encourage Christians to not be intimidated by the “alleged ‘indisputable body of facts’” that evolutionists present, because there is so much scientific evidence now that supports the idea of a Creator. He agreed with Sproul that Intelligent Design is consistent with God’s word, and quoted Psalm 104:24:
“O LORD, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom have You made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures” (English Standard Version).
Ligonier Ministries is currently offering “Darwin’s Doubt” for a donation of any amount.
