CCHEA Creation Seminar 01/17/08

CCHEACreation Seminar

01/17/08

CCHEACreation Seminar

01/17/08Presented by David A. Prentice, M.Ed., M.A.S.T.

[email protected]

Background graphic courtesy of Mike Riddle, Answers in GenesisContains photos taken by the author at various locations,

and other pictures as noted

Presented by David A. Prentice, M.Ed., [email protected]

Background graphic courtesy of Mike Riddle, Answers in GenesisContains photos taken by the author at various locations,

and other pictures as noted

PART 2:PART 2:

Does it Really Matter Whether or Not We Came From Apes?

Does it Really Matter Whether or Not We Came From Apes?

The Biblical Origin of Humans:The Biblical Origin of Humans:

Theistic Evolution:(also known as “progressive creation”)

The first humans were a pair of highly evolved apelike creatures into whom God placed souls. They came from biological parents

who were slightly less advanced than they were. Since death had been here for billions of years, they had nothing

to do with bringing it into the world. From birth, they were destined to die.

Theistic Evolution:(also known as “progressive creation”)

The first humans were a pair of highly evolved apelike creatures into whom God placed souls. They came from biological parents

who were slightly less advanced than they were. Since death had been here for billions of years, they had nothing

to do with bringing it into the world. From birth, they were destined to die.

Atheistic Evolution:Humans evolved by chance.

There is no such thing as an eternal soul or spirit.

Atheistic Evolution:Humans evolved by chance.

There is no such thing as an eternal soul or spirit.

The first man’s body was made miraculously from the dust of the earth. The first woman was made miraculously from part of his body.

If Adam had not sinned, he and Eve would have lived forever.

The first man’s body was made miraculously from the dust of the earth. The first woman was made miraculously from part of his body.

If Adam had not sinned, he and Eve would have lived forever.

WHAT IN THE WORLD DO “APE-MEN” HAVE TO DO

WITH THE GOSPEL?

WHAT IN THE WORLD DO “APE-MEN” HAVE TO DO

WITH THE GOSPEL?

????

???? ??

??

THE CLEAREST STATEMENT OF THE GOSPEL: Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I

preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at

once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of

due time. (1 Cor. 15:1-8)

THE CLEAREST STATEMENT OF THE GOSPEL: Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I

preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at

once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of

due time. (1 Cor. 15:1-8)

Paul’s Defense of The Gospel(1 Cor. 15)

Paul’s Defense of The Gospel(1 Cor. 15)

Some denied the Future resurrection (v. 12) - the Promise of the Gospel.

Paul’s reply (v. 17-19) - this removes our Present hope - the Power of the Gospel.

Paul’s explanation for why Jesus had to die (v. 21-22, 45): The fall of Adam in the Past shows the

Purpose of the Gospel.

For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so

in Christ shall all be made alive. (v. 21-22)And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul;

the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. (v. 45)

Some denied the Future resurrection (v. 12) - the Promise of the Gospel.

Paul’s reply (v. 17-19) - this removes our Present hope - the Power of the Gospel.

Paul’s explanation for why Jesus had to die (v. 21-22, 45): The fall of Adam in the Past shows the

Purpose of the Gospel.

For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so

in Christ shall all be made alive. (v. 21-22)And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul;

the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. (v. 45)

If death was here before man sinned, then Adam was a myth. If the First Adam was a myth, then what do you need a Last Adam for?

Jesus died because of something that never happened!

If death was here before man sinned, then Adam was a myth. If the First Adam was a myth, then what do you need a Last Adam for?

Jesus died because of something that never happened!

NO DEATH BEFORE ADAMNO DEATH BEFORE ADAMGen. 1:29-30 - And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb

bearing seed, which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which [is] the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein [there is] life, [I have given] every green herb for meat: and it was so.

Gen. 3:17 - And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed [is] the ground for thy sake...

Rom. 8:19-22 - For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected [the same] in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Gen. 1:29-30 - And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which [is] the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein [there is] life, [I have given] every green herb for meat: and it was so.

Gen. 3:17 - And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed [is] the ground for thy sake...

Rom. 8:19-22 - For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected [the same] in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

NO DEATH BEFORE ADAMNO DEATH BEFORE ADAMIsa. 11:6-8 - The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall

lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den.

Rom. 5:12-15 - Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned... Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come... For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, [which is] by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

1 Cor. 15:21-22, 45 - For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit.

Isa. 11:6-8 - The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den.

Rom. 5:12-15 - Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned... Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come... For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, [which is] by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

1 Cor. 15:21-22, 45 - For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit.

But what about people who claim to believe in both God and evolution?

It’s not the God of the Bible!

Their idea of God is that he started the universe billions of years ago, then go out

of the way and let everything run by evolution.

SO WHAT’S WRONG WITH THAT?SO WHAT’S WRONG WITH THAT?

EVOLUTIONEVOLUTION

You can’t have it both ways!You can’t have it both ways!

CREATIONCREATION

Death and struggle led to the existence of man.

Man was the direct cause of death and struggle.

AN ATHEIST ON THE MEANING OF EVOLUTION

AN ATHEIST ON THE MEANING OF EVOLUTION

Christianity has fought evolution because... evolution destroys utterly and finally the very reason Jesus’ earthly life was supposedly made necessary. Destroy Adam and

Eve and the original sin, and in the rubble you will find the sorry remains of the son of god. (sic)

...It becomes clear now that the whole justification of Jesus’ life and death is predicated on the existence of

Adam and the forbidden fruit he and Eve ate. Without the original sin, who needs to be redeemed? Without Adam’s

fall into a life of constant sin terminated by death, what purpose is there to Christianity? None.

Christianity has fought evolution because... evolution destroys utterly and finally the very reason Jesus’ earthly life was supposedly made necessary. Destroy Adam and

Eve and the original sin, and in the rubble you will find the sorry remains of the son of god. (sic)

...It becomes clear now that the whole justification of Jesus’ life and death is predicated on the existence of

Adam and the forbidden fruit he and Eve ate. Without the original sin, who needs to be redeemed? Without Adam’s

fall into a life of constant sin terminated by death, what purpose is there to Christianity? None.

G. Richard Bozarth, “The Meaning of Evolution,”

The American Atheist, Sept. 1978, p. 30

G. Richard Bozarth, “The Meaning of Evolution,”

The American Atheist, Sept. 1978, p. 30

WHAT MOST PEOPLE THINK:WHAT MOST PEOPLE THINK:

Evolution is science...Evolution is science...

Creation is religion.Creation is religion.

From June 5 - July 5 of 2007, I was privileged to go to four countries in Africa (South Africa, Zambia, Kenya, and Uganda) to teach on the subject

of The Bible and Science. My focus was specifically on the

accuracy of the creation account in Genesis.

From June 5 - July 5 of 2007, I was privileged to go to four countries in Africa (South Africa, Zambia, Kenya, and Uganda) to teach on the subject

of The Bible and Science. My focus was specifically on the

accuracy of the creation account in Genesis.

The places I spent most of my timeThe places I spent most of my time

Evolutionary indoctrination is everywhere.

From the BATHROOM at the “Cradle of Human- kind” museum in Sterkfontein, S. Africa:

Evolutionary indoctrination is everywhere.

From the BATHROOM at the “Cradle of Human- kind” museum in Sterkfontein, S. Africa:

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “KNOW” SOMETHING?WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “KNOW” SOMETHING?

1. Personal Experience through the five senses. I know a bee sting hurts; I know how to ride a bike.

1. Personal Experience through the five senses. I know a bee sting hurts; I know how to ride a bike.

2. Reliance on Authority. I know the sun is 93 million miles away; Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.

2. Reliance on Authority. I know the sun is 93 million miles away; Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.3. Logic.

I know 2 million + 2 million = 4 million, even though I’ve never counted that high. I know I have a brain, even though I’ve never seen it.

3. Logic. I know 2 million + 2 million = 4 million, even though I’ve never counted that high. I know I have a brain, even though I’ve never seen it.

4. Feeling or Intuition. I know she’s the one for me; I know God has called me to the ministry.

4. Feeling or Intuition. I know she’s the one for me; I know God has called me to the ministry.

5. Wishful Thinking (you really want it to be true) I just know I’m going to win the lottery!

5. Wishful Thinking (you really want it to be true) I just know I’m going to win the lottery!

6. Bluffing (lying) - you try to persuade others for an ulterior motive. You should buy these tickets from me because I know this team is going to the Super Bowl this year; I know evolution is a fact!

6. Bluffing (lying) - you try to persuade others for an ulterior motive. You should buy these tickets from me because I know this team is going to the Super Bowl this year; I know evolution is a fact!

Everybody knows that toilets swirl the other direction in the southern

hemisphere, right?

Everybody knows that toilets swirl the other direction in the southern

hemisphere, right?

THE PREHISTORIC PAST:THE PREHISTORIC PAST:

1. No living person has personal experience.1. No living person has personal experience.

2. There are no eyewitness accounts except the

Bible, which is unacceptable to skeptics.



SO HOW DO WE “KNOW” ABOUT THE BEGINNING? Through LOGIC ONLY.


IF man evolved from apes,

your brain evolved from an ape brain.

IF man evolved from apes,

your brain evolved from an ape brain.

IF your brain evolved from an ape brain,

your logic

evolved from

ape logic.

IF your brain evolved from an ape brain,

your logic

evolved from

ape logic.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IT EVOLVED RIGHT?Maybe you’re not even asking the right questions!

HOW DO YOU KNOW IT EVOLVED RIGHT?Maybe you’re not even asking the right questions!

Evolution is only logical if you are a modified ape.Evolution is only logical if you are a modified ape.

IS IT LOGICAL TO BELIEVE IN EVOLUTION?IS IT LOGICAL TO BELIEVE IN EVOLUTION?

Use the basic ideas of Initial Disorganization versus Initial Complexity

to make predictions in as many areas as possible:

Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Paleontology, Geology, etc.

Whichever set of predictions better fits what we observe is much more likely to be correct.

HOW TO SET UP MODELS:HOW TO SET UP MODELS:

Logical Implications of Creation and Evolu-tion Concerning Fossil Apes and Humans: Logical Implications of Creation and Evolu-tion Concerning Fossil Apes and Humans:

1. If we evolved from some apelike ancestors, it would have taken millions of years. We should find a great many fossils of the transitional steps.

2. If humans were created as humans and apes were created as apes, we should find a systematic pattern of gaps in the fossil record.

HOW DO YOU MAKE A FOSSIL?

1. Bury something quickly so it doesn’t rot.2. Make sure the right kind of minerals are in

the mud or water.3. Apply lots of heat and pressure.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

CHICKEN BONES: ?

OIL: ?

HOW DO YOU MAKE A FOSSIL?

1. Bury something quickly so it doesn’t rot.2. Make sure the right kind of minerals are in

the mud or water.3. Apply lots of heat and pressure.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

CHICKEN BONES: ?

OIL: ?

You may have heard that it takes millions of years to make a fossil. Wrong!

You may have heard that it takes millions of years to make a fossil. Wrong!

• Chicken bones have been turned into mineralized fossils in laboratories in 5 to 10 years.

• Chicken bones have been turned into mineralized fossils in laboratories in 5 to 10 years.

• Organic garbage (banana peels, etc.) has been turned into crude oil, otherwise known as “fossil fuel,” in as little as 20 minutes.

• Organic garbage (banana peels, etc.) has been turned into crude oil, otherwise known as “fossil fuel,” in as little as 20 minutes.

• Spark plugs are often used as fishing sinkers in Durban, S. Africa. The water has such a high concentration of minerals that they be-come coated and look like fossils in just a few years!

• Spark plugs are often used as fishing sinkers in Durban, S. Africa. The water has such a high concentration of minerals that they be-come coated and look like fossils in just a few years! Courtesy of Joshua GilbertCourtesy of Joshua Gilbert

Spark plugs from Durban harborSpark plugs from Durban harbor

IF THERE WAS A WORLDWIDE FLOOD, IF THERE WAS A WORLDWIDE FLOOD, WHAT WOULD WE EXPECT TO FIND?WHAT WOULD WE EXPECT TO FIND?

Billions and billions of dead things buried in rock layers laid down by water all over the whole earth, even on top of

the highest mountains.

WHAT DO WE ACTUALLY FIND?Billions and billions of dead things buried in rock layers

laid down by water all over the whole earth, even on top of the highest mountains!

IF THERE WAS A WORLDWIDE FLOOD, IF THERE WAS A WORLDWIDE FLOOD, WHAT WOULD WE EXPECT TO FIND?WHAT WOULD WE EXPECT TO FIND?

Billions and billions of dead things buried in rock layers laid down by water all over the whole earth, even on top of

the highest mountains.

WHAT DO WE ACTUALLY FIND?Billions and billions of dead things buried in rock layers

laid down by water all over the whole earth, even on top of the highest mountains!

Africa is the site of many well-known fossil finds, used to support evolution.

Africa is the site of many well-known fossil finds, used to support evolution.

Above and left: Fossils of Bradysaurus, a “mammal-like reptile” from the Karoo Supergroup in the southwest of South Africa

Right: Neanderthal skull from the “Cradle of Human-kind” museum in Sterkfontein, near Pretoria

Above and left: Fossils of Bradysaurus, a “mammal-like reptile” from the Karoo Supergroup in the southwest of South Africa

Right: Neanderthal skull from the “Cradle of Human-kind” museum in Sterkfontein, near Pretoria

1. First type of cell -- 1. First type of cell -- unknown.unknown.

2. Transitions from first cells to known kingdoms (animal, plant, etc.) unknown.

3. Transition between single- celled and multi-celled organisms unknown.

4. Origin of every type of plant unknown.

5. Origin of soft-bodied invertebrates of the Ediacaran Fauna unknown.

6. Origin of vertebratesunknown.

1. First type of cell -- 1. First type of cell -- unknown.unknown.

2. Transitions from first cells to known kingdoms (animal, plant, etc.) unknown.

3. Transition between single- celled and multi-celled organisms unknown.

4. Origin of every type of plant unknown.

5. Origin of soft-bodied invertebrates of the Ediacaran Fauna unknown.

6. Origin of vertebratesunknown.

THE FOSSIL RECORD – Nothing BUT missing links!


Artist’s conception of extinct Lepidodendron tree - New Orleans Artist’s conception of extinct Lepidodendron tree - New Orleans Botanical GardenBotanical Garden

Artist’s conception of extinct Lepidodendron tree - New Orleans Artist’s conception of extinct Lepidodendron tree - New Orleans Botanical GardenBotanical Garden



There is no known transitional form from There is no known transitional form from fish to amphibian (sea to land).

There is no known transitional form from There is no known transitional form from fish to amphibian (sea to land).

Eusthenopteron fossil – Houston Museum of Nat. Hist.Eusthenopteron fossil – Houston Museum of Nat. Hist.Eusthenopteron fossil – Houston Museum of Nat. Hist.Eusthenopteron fossil – Houston Museum of Nat. Hist.

• Proposed candidates such as Eusthenopteron, the coela-canth, or Tiktaalik have fins loosely embedded in muscle.

• Amphibians that have legs (such as Ichthyostegalia) have joints firmly attached to bone. There are no known in-between types of joints.

• In addition, the supposed transitional forms resembled only one of the nine orders of amphibians. There is no candidate for the ancestors of the other eight orders, some of which have no legs at all!

• Proposed candidates such as Eusthenopteron, the coela-canth, or Tiktaalik have fins loosely embedded in muscle.

• Amphibians that have legs (such as Ichthyostegalia) have joints firmly attached to bone. There are no known in-between types of joints.

• In addition, the supposed transitional forms resembled only one of the nine orders of amphibians. There is no candidate for the ancestors of the other eight orders, some of which have no legs at all!

HOW ABOUT APE-MEN?

HOW ABOUT APE-MEN?

“There is something fascinating about science. One gets such

wholesale returns of conjectures out of such a trifling investment of

facts.”

Mark Twain, Life on the Mississippi

“There is something fascinating about science. One gets such

wholesale returns of conjectures out of such a trifling investment of

facts.”

Mark Twain, Life on the Mississippi

Logical Implications of Creation and Evolu-tion Concerning Fossil Apes and Humans: Logical Implications of Creation and Evolu-tion Concerning Fossil Apes and Humans:

1. If we evolved from some apelike ancestors, it would have taken millions of years. We should find a great many fossils of the transitional steps.

2. If humans were created as humans and apes were created as apes, we should find a systematic pattern of gaps in the fossil record.

PRIMATE FOSSILS: FEW AND FAR BETWEEN.PRIMATE FOSSILS: FEW AND FAR BETWEEN.All the fossils of alleged human ancestors known today

“would barely cover a billiard table.” (J. Reader, New Scientist, March 26, 1981)

“...all the physical evidence we have for human evolution can still be placed, with room to

spare, inside a single coffin.” (L. Watson, Science Digest, May 1982)

PRIMATE FOSSILS: FEW AND FAR BETWEEN.PRIMATE FOSSILS: FEW AND FAR BETWEEN.All the fossils of alleged human ancestors known today

“would barely cover a billiard table.” (J. Reader, New Scientist, March 26, 1981)

“...all the physical evidence we have for human evolution can still be placed, with room to

spare, inside a single coffin.” (L. Watson, Science Digest, May 1982)

WHY SO FEW PRIMATE FOSSILS?EVOLUTIONEVOLUTION -- They just weren’t in the right place at the right time.

CREATIONCREATION -- The Flood produced most of the fossil record, so the creatures that were most mobile and resourceful (such as primates)

would have been least likely to be buried and fossilized.Some primates may have been buried in LOCAL floods soon after the global flood, but humans had not yet spread out from Babel!

PRIMATE CLASSIFICATIONPRIMATE CLASSIFICATIONOrder PrimatesOrder Primates

Suborder Prosimii

Suborder Prosimii

Suborder Anthropoideia

Suborder Anthropoideia

Lemurs/LorisesLemurs/Lorises

TarsiersTarsiers Platyrrhines (New World

Monkeys – Capuchin, squirrel monkey,

howler, etc.)

Platyrrhines (New World

Monkeys – Capuchin, squirrel monkey,

howler, etc.)CatarrhinesCatarrhines

Old World Monkeys – (baboons,

mandrills,macaques, etc.)

Old World Monkeys – (baboons,

mandrills,macaques, etc.)

ApesApes HumansHumans

Chimpanzee Gorilla Man Orangutan Gibbon

??? Common ancestor ??? Common ancestor of Asian apes of African apes

????? Common ancestor of African apes and man

??? Common ancestor of hominoids

Old World Monkeys New World Monkeys

??? Common ancestor of higher primates

Lemurs/Lorises Tarsiers

??? Common ancestor of all primates

??? Transition from insectivores

??? Insectivore ancestor

Question marks represent unknown forms.Question marks represent unknown forms.

OUR EVOLUTIONARY “FAMILY TREE”OUR EVOLUTIONARY “FAMILY TREE”

ERA PERIOD EPOCH Approx. Beginning (Years Ago)

Cenozoic Quaternary Holocene (Recent) 10,000Pleistocene 1.8 million

Tertiary Pliocene 5.3 millionMiocene 23.8 millionOligocene 33.7 millionEocene 54.8 millionPaleocene 65 million

Mesozoic Cretaceous 144 millionJurassic 206 millionTriassic 248 million

Paleozoic Permian 290 millionPennsylvanian 323 million } CARBON-Mississippian 354 million } IFEROUSDevonian 417 millionSilurian 443 millionOrdovician 490 millionCambrian 543 million

Archaeozoic Precambrian 4.5 billion(incl. Ediacaran or Vendian, 650 million)

The Geologic (Evolutionary) Time ScaleThe Geologic (Evolutionary) Time Scale

Source: Univ. of Calif. Museum of PaleontologySource: Univ. of Calif. Museum of Paleontology

LOWER MAMMAL ANCESTOR OF PRIMATESLOWER MAMMAL ANCESTOR OF PRIMATES

UNKNOWN!UNKNOWN!Because there is nothing else to offer in its place, the only only candidate is an insectivore called Tupaiia (a tree shrew).

Besides having major physical and anatomical differences from primates, the tree shrew appears in the wrong layer of

the fossil record to be their ancestor. The hypothetical ancestor of primates should have evolved millions of years earlier than the primates themselves. However, tree shrews

first appear in the same geologic layer as primates (the Eocene). According to evolution, this is millions of years too late.According to evolution, this is millions of years too late.

ANCESTOR OF PROSIMIANSANCESTOR OF PROSIMIANS

UNKNOWN!UNKNOWN!Lemurs, Lorises, and Tarsiers

all appear in the fossil record in Eocene rocks (the same layer as tree shrews), suddenly

and fully formed, with no known ancestry.None of them have evolved since then.

Smilodectes, an Eocene lemur Artist’s conception of Smilodectes

(Denver Museum of Natural History)





Old World Monkeys New World Monkeys

??? Common ancestor of higher primates


??? Common ancestor of all primates - UNKNOWN

??? Transition from insectivores - UNKNOWN

??? Insectivore ancestor - UNKNOWN











ANCESTOR OF MONKEYSANCESTOR OF MONKEYS

UNKNOWN!UNKNOWN!

OLD WORLD MONKEYS include:Guenon monkeys,

mangabeys, macaques,

rhesus monkeys, drills, mandrills,

baboons, langurs, proboscis monkeys, guereza monkeys,

etc.

NEW WORLD MONKEYS include:

Capuchins, squirrel

monkeys, spider monkeys, howler monkeys,

marmosets, etc.

The first monkeys appear suddenly and fullysuddenly and fully formedformed in the Oligocene layer. Even the“later” modern types appear in the fossil rec-ord suddenly with no known ancestors.

Skull of Aegyptopithecus, believed to be an

Oligocene monkey (Denver Museum)





Old World Monkeys New World Monkeys ??? Common ancestor of higher primates - UNKNOWN















ANCESTOR OF HOMINOIDS (APES AND MAN)ANCESTOR OF HOMINOIDS (APES AND MAN)

UNKNOWN!UNKNOWN!

AFRICAN APES AFRICAN APES (gorillas and chimpanzees) appear in the fossil record suddenly and fully formed, with no known ancestors leading up to them.

ASIAN APES ASIAN APES (orangutans and gibbons)

do too. Orangs are identical to a “17 million

year old” Miocenefossil known as Sivapithecus. They forgot to

evolve!


??? Common ancestor ??? Common ancestor of Asian apes of African apes – UNKNOWN - UNKNOWN


??? Common ancestor of hominoids - UNKNOWN








WHY WOULD HUMANS EVOLVE FROM APES?WHY WOULD HUMANS EVOLVE FROM APES?

There would have to be a series of beneficial mutations in DNA, each building on all the ones from previous generations.

There would have to be a series of beneficial mutations in DNA, each building on all the ones from previous generations.

There are about 3 billion base pairs in human DNA. Even if it really were 98% similar to that of chimps, there would

still be 60 million genetic differences!

There would have had to be millions of beneficial mutations in both the human and chimpanzee lines.

Though some mutations benefit individuals, we have never seen a single one that helped the affected species,

or that added any genetic information.

There are about 3 billion base pairs in human DNA. Even if it really were 98% similar to that of chimps, there would

still be 60 million genetic differences!

There would have had to be millions of beneficial mutations in both the human and chimpanzee lines.

Though some mutations benefit individuals, we have never seen a single one that helped the affected species,

or that added any genetic information.

• Suppose there really are only 60,000,000 genetic differ-ences between humans and chimps. The wildest estimate for our common ancestry is about 10,000,000 years ago. This is an average of 6 beneficial mutations per year.6 beneficial mutations per year.

• In order to be passed on, mutations must occur in breeding individuals. If the line evolving toward humans began breeding at age 15, then each breeding individualeach breeding individual would have to acquire an average of 90 beneficial mutations.

• Some of the mutations would have to be identicalidentical in the males and females; others would have to be complementary complementary so that the reproductive systems worked together.

• The process could never miss a single generation, for about 667,000 generations!

• Suppose there really are only 60,000,000 genetic differ-ences between humans and chimps. The wildest estimate for our common ancestry is about 10,000,000 years ago. This is an average of 6 beneficial mutations per year.6 beneficial mutations per year.

• In order to be passed on, mutations must occur in breeding individuals. If the line evolving toward humans began breeding at age 15, then each breeding individualeach breeding individual would have to acquire an average of 90 beneficial mutations.

• Some of the mutations would have to be identicalidentical in the males and females; others would have to be complementary complementary so that the reproductive systems worked together.

• The process could never miss a single generation, for about 667,000 generations!

WHY WOULD HUMANS EVOLVE FROM APES?WHY WOULD HUMANS EVOLVE FROM APES?

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HUMANS AND APESDIFFERENCES BETWEEN HUMANS AND APESCharacteristic HUMANS APES

1. Shape of cranium (skull) Large and vaulted Flattened2. Mastoid process (bone structure Prominent Missing or behind ears) inconspicuous3. Canine teeth Small Large4. Diastema (gap where canine teeth fit None Present into opposite jaw)5. Simian shelf on lower jaw None Present6. Lips Prominent Thin7. Vertebral column 3 curves 2 curves8. Spines on cervical vertebrae Short Long9. Arm length Relatively short Relatively long10. Nipples Lower Higher11. Breasts Pronounced Flattened12. Body hair Relatively little Relatively much13. Hair distribution Mostly on front Mostly on rear of body14. Male reproductive organ No bone Contains bone15. Pelvis Deep, bowl-shaped Shallow, flattened16. Gluteus maximus (muscles that enable Bulging Flattened upright stance)17. Linea aspara (roughened ridge on Present (prominent) Absent femur where muscles attach)18. Feet Different from hands Same as hands19. Dental arcade (curvature of tooth Parabolic U-shaped arrangement)

Source: Dr. Wilbert Rusch, Academic Dean of Concordia College, on “Crossroads” television program

WHAT IS A “SPECIES?”WHAT IS A “SPECIES?”

Pictures from andrethegiant.com and rotttentomatoes.com

Pictures from andrethegiant.com and rotttentomatoes.com

To a biologist, a species is a group whose mem-bers cannot breed with

any other group. However, it is impos-sible to do breeding

experiments on extinct animals. Researchers have to simply guess

whether they belong to different species, based

on how different the specimens seem to be.

To a biologist, a species is a group whose mem-bers cannot breed with

any other group. However, it is impos-sible to do breeding

experiments on extinct animals. Researchers have to simply guess

whether they belong to different species, based

on how different the specimens seem to be.

If you had only bones to go by, would you guess that Andre the Giant (7 ft 4 in) and Verne Troyer (2 ft 8 in) were the same species? They are!

If you had only bones to go by, would you guess that Andre the Giant (7 ft 4 in) and Verne Troyer (2 ft 8 in) were the same species? They are!

There is no way to be sure whether differences in extinct creatures mean they belonged to different species, or just showed normal variation within the same species.

There is no way to be sure whether differences in extinct creatures mean they belonged to different species, or just showed normal variation within the same species.

Candidates for Human Ancestors Through the YearsCandidates for Human Ancestors Through the YearsRudapithecusRamapithecusDryopithecusOreopithecusLimnopithecusKenyapithecus““Nebraska Man”Nebraska Man” (Hesperopithecus)(Hesperopithecus)

““Piltdown Man”Piltdown Man” (Eoanthropus)(Eoanthropus)

RudapithecusRamapithecusDryopithecusOreopithecusLimnopithecusKenyapithecus““Nebraska Man”Nebraska Man” (Hesperopithecus)(Hesperopithecus)

““Piltdown Man”Piltdown Man” (Eoanthropus)(Eoanthropus)

Named from a few bones - regarded as too apelike after more

evidence was discoveredMistake

Fraud

Artist’s conception of “Nebraska Man” (Hesperopithecus haroldcookii) based on a single tooth that turned out to belong to an extinct pig.

(Illustrated London News, June 24, 1922)

Artist’s conception of “Nebraska Man” (Hesperopithecus haroldcookii) based on a single tooth that turned out to belong to an extinct pig.

(Illustrated London News, June 24, 1922)

Ape jaw (filed to fit skull)

Human skull fragments(stained to look old)

Filled in by imagination

Fragments supposedly found in a gravel pit in England; despite obvious file marks, accepted as an ape-man for over 40 years until the hoax was exposed.

Fragments supposedly found in a gravel pit in England; despite obvious file marks, accepted as an ape-man for over 40 years until the hoax was exposed.

Cast of the Piltdown skull at Sterkfontein

Cast of the Piltdown skull at Sterkfontein

Human skull fragments (stained to look old)

Filled in by imagination

Ape jaw(filed to fit skull)

ProconsulProconsulProconsul skull – Denver Museum

Miocene – probably a small chimp

SivapithecusSivapithecusMiocene - identical to orang-utan (also to Ramapithecus)

Australopithecus (“Southern Ape,”a.k.a. Paranthropus / Zinjanthropus)Australopithecus (“Southern Ape,”a.k.a. Paranthropus / Zinjanthropus)Appears suddenly, with no known ancestry. Regarded as an evolutionary dead

end – too committed in the direction of apes to be a human ancestor

The “Taung Child” – juvenile Australopithecus africanus

(discovered 1924)

Paranthropus robustus female, dis-covered 1994 (also known as Austra-

lopithecus and Zinjanthropus)

“Littlefoot” – most complete specimen of Australopithecus

known (discovered 1998)

Skull photos by the author- “Cradle of Humankind” museum, Sterkfontein, S. AfricaSkull photos by the author- “Cradle of Humankind” museum, Sterkfontein, S. Africa

Candidates for Human Ancestors Through the YearsCandidates for Human Ancestors Through the Years

WHAT ABOUT “LUCY?”WHAT ABOUT “LUCY?”

1988 photo of A. afarensis skel-eton at Denver museum (9 year

old boy for size comparison)

(Australopithecus afarensis)(Australopithecus afarensis)

The same skeleton in 2008.

Look how much more

complete it seems,

even showing

Lucy walking upright.The changes are NOT based on new

discoveries. The light colored “bones” – most of the display, including the feet --

are plaster, based on imagination!

(Denver museum)

Human feet are different from hands; ape feet are like hands.

No one has found a complete foot of Australo-pithecus, but the most complete one, from

“Littlefoot” in Sterkfontein (see right), is typical of apes. There is no evidence that “Lucy” had

human-type feet.

WHAT IF Australopithecus WALKED UPRIGHT?WHAT IF Australopithecus WALKED UPRIGHT?

Modern human skullAustralopithecus skull

The skull of Australo-pithecus is not at all like

humans.

Bonobo skull

Living Bonobo(photo by Kabir Bakie – from

Wikimedia Commons)

Professional scientists recognize that

Australopithecus is not a human ancestor, but an extinct ape similar to a

chimpanzee.

Professional scientists recognize that

Australopithecus is not a human ancestor, but an extinct ape similar to a

chimpanzee.

Instead, it is extremely similar to that of the bonobo, a type of pygmy chimpanzee that

spends a fair amount of time walking upright.

Homo habilis (handy man”)Homo habilis (handy man”)

However, thirteen years later Leakey found, in his words, “bones virtually indistinguishable from those of modern

man” at a lower level. Thus, true humans must have occupied the area before Australopithecus or H. habilis.

Many scientists recognize that H. Habilis was nothing more than a variant of Australopithecus.

First unearthed in 1959-60 at the Olduvai Gorge in Kenya.

Placed in the human genus by discoverer Louis Leakey not

because of anatomical features but because the

bones were found with tools, which only humans are known

to make.

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Compare H. habilis to this Australo-pithecus skull (Karoo Natl. Park, S. Africa)


First found in 1899 in the banks of the Solo Riverin Java, East Indies (In-donesia) and called Pithecanthropus or “Java Man.” Unusually smallbrain, but within the range of humans.Undisputed Homo sapiens leg bones found in the same place, so it’s not

older than humans. Later reclassified H. erectus.

THE ONLY CANDIDATE LEFT:THE ONLY CANDIDATE LEFT:A

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Java

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Photo by the author – Sterkfontein museum

Homo erectus (“upright man”)Homo erectus (“upright man”)

Java skullcap

H. erectus was next discovered in a cave in China in the 1920s and 1930s. At first it was called Sinanthropus or

“Peking man” – later recognized to be the same species as “Java Man” and reclassified to its present status.

The skulls were small, but within human range. No bomes were found other than the skulls, which were all

bashed in. Undisputed human skeletons were later found in the same cave. Many suspect cannibalism.

“Peking Man” skull, now

classified as H. Erectus –

National Museum, Xi’an,

China

THE ONLY CANDIDATE LEFT:THE ONLY CANDIDATE LEFT:Homo erectus (“upright man”)Homo erectus (“upright man”)

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H. erectus has also been found in Kenya and Aus- tralia. Again, the average skull size is between the average size of apes and humans. Some creationists think that it was a different type of apelike

creature; however, most think it was a variant of humans, perhaps a degenerate form. Regardless, everywhere H. erectus has been found, so have

modern-type human skeletons. Rather than being a human ancestor, it was a contemporary.

Photos by the author – Sterkfontein museum

THE ONLY CANDIDATE LEFT:THE ONLY CANDIDATE LEFT:Homo erectus (“upright man”)Homo erectus (“upright man”)

WHY IS THERE UNCERTAINTY ABOUT Homo erectus?WHY IS THERE UNCERTAINTY ABOUT Homo erectus?

Only a few bones are

available, so we can’t tell

much about it for sure. The

features we can examine

are within the normal range of H. sapiens.

Only a few bones are

available, so we can’t tell

much about it for sure. The

features we can examine

are within the normal range of H. sapiens.

WHY NOT A HUMAN ANCESTOR?

WHY NOT A HUMAN ANCESTOR?

Whatever it was, Homo erectus was a contemporary of true humans, not an ancestor.

Whatever it was, Homo erectus was a contemporary of true humans, not an ancestor.

1. Most of the places H. erectus has been found, so have undisputed H. sapiens.

2. H. erectus’ brain size was well within the normal human range.

3. Its other skeletal features are also within the normal human range.

1. Most of the places H. erectus has been found, so have undisputed H. sapiens.

2. H. erectus’ brain size was well within the normal human range.

3. Its other skeletal features are also within the normal human range.

Homo ergaster-- the name used for many of the African H. erectus fossils

Homo ergaster-- the name used for many of the African H. erectus fossils

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Homo heidel-

bergensis --

considered archaic,

but accepted as true H.

sapiens

Homo heidel-

bergensis --

considered archaic,

but accepted as true H.

sapiens

Photos by the author- Sterkfontein museum


HOW ABOUT NEANDERTHAL MAN?HOW ABOUT NEANDERTHAL MAN?Named for the Neander Valley in Europe. Some had skeletal deformities characteristic of arthritis, rickets, or acromegaly, but most did not. On

average, Neanderthals were bigger than modern humans and had thicker bones and bigger brains -- physically superior to modern man.

They buried their dead in what seem to be religious rituals.

Named for the Neander Valley in Europe. Some had skeletal deformities characteristic of arthritis, rickets, or acromegaly, but most did not. On

average, Neanderthals were bigger than modern humans and had thicker bones and bigger brains -- physically superior to modern man.

They buried their dead in what seem to be religious rituals.

Right: Artist Zdenek Burian’s

very apelike conception of

Neanderthal (1960).

Right: Artist Zdenek Burian’s

very apelike conception of

Neanderthal (1960).

Below right: his conception of a

Neanderthal burial

Below right: his conception of a

Neanderthal burial

Left: Neanderthal skull at the Sterkfontein museum

Left: Neanderthal skull at the Sterkfontein museum

Below Left: The latest artist’s conception of Neanderthal (2007) at Sterkfontein – no longer apelike!

Below Left: The latest artist’s conception of Neanderthal (2007) at Sterkfontein – no longer apelike!

Many regard them as a subspecies (separate race) of H. sapiens.Many regard them as a subspecies (separate race) of H. sapiens.

WEREN’T NEANDERTHALS CAVE-MEN?WEREN’T NEANDERTHALS CAVE-MEN?

What does it take to be a cave man? You have to be a man and live in a cave.

Unusual living arrangements have nothing to do with evolution.

Some of the people of Israel lived in caves (Judges 6:2, 1 Sam. 13:6, Job 30:6 et al.).

Some still do. That doesn’t mean they are ape-men!

What does it take to be a cave man? You have to be a man and live in a cave.

Unusual living arrangements have nothing to do with evolution.

Some of the people of Israel lived in caves (Judges 6:2, 1 Sam. 13:6, Job 30:6 et al.).

Some still do. That doesn’t mean they are ape-men!

Named for a cave at Cro-Magnon, France, where the fossils were first located.

Named for a cave at Cro-Magnon, France, where the fossils were first located.

Physically superior to modern humans; regarded as true man. Sophisticated in culture. Elaborate cave art, tools, etc.

Physically superior to modern humans; regarded as true man. Sophisticated in culture. Elaborate cave art, tools, etc.

Burian’s conception of Cro-Magnon Man in his tent villageBurian’s conception of Cro-Magnon Man in his tent village

CRO-MAGNON MANCRO-MAGNON MAN

CRO-MAGNON MANCRO-MAGNON MAN

Cro-Magnons

are known for cave art of animals and nature

scenes. Some-

times they painted

them-selves.

Cro-Magnons

are known for cave art of animals and nature

scenes. Some-

times they painted

them-selves.

Cave painting at Lascaux, France show-ing a man and three boys. Note clothing on all four and shoes on at least three. (Denver Museum)

Cave painting at Lascaux, France show-ing a man and three boys. Note clothing on all four and shoes on at least three. (Denver Museum)Detail of boys (above) and

of man with bow (right)Detail of boys (above) and

of man with bow (right)

HOW ABOUT “FLORES MAN?”HOW ABOUT “FLORES MAN?”

Every few years the news media report that the “missing link” between apes and man has finally been found.

(But wait – that’s what you said last time. Were you lying then?)

Every few years the news media report that the “missing link” between apes and man has finally been found.

(But wait – that’s what you said last time. Were you lying then?)

The latest candidate is from Flores, Indonesia; nicknamed

“Hobbit” because the specimens

were less than four feet tall.

Now recog-nized as fully human. Nothing more exotic than a group of pygmies.


??? Common ancestor ??? Common ancestor of Asian apes of African apes – UNKNOWN - UNKNOWN

????? Common ancestor of African apes and man - UNKNOWN

??? Common ancestor of hominoids - UNKNOWN








THE PREHISTORIC PAST:THE PREHISTORIC PAST:

1. No living person has personal experience.1. No living person has personal experience.







WHAT DO FOSSILS TELL US ABOUT EVOLUTION?

There are fossil apes, there are fossil men,but there are no fossil (or living) Ape-Men.

Logically, we should conclude that evolution didn’t happen

with humans!

WHAT DO FOSSILS TELL US ABOUT EVOLUTION?

There are fossil apes, there are fossil men,but there are no fossil (or living) Ape-Men.

Logically, we should conclude that evolution didn’t happen

with humans!

THE BEST EXPLANATION FOR THE ORIGIN OF

HUMANS:

“Let us make man in Our image.”

THE BEST EXPLANATION FOR THE ORIGIN OF

HUMANS:

“Let us make man in Our image.”

For copies of all materials, go to

www.originsresource.org or

www.mrprentice.com.

For copies of all materials, go to

www.originsresource.org or

www.mrprentice.com.

CCHEA Creation Seminar 01/17/08

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