Counsel #10 — Hard Questions When Assuming Evolution

Picture: Counsel #10 — Hard Questions When Assuming EvolutionCSe 20.1

Yes, we all must make assumptions, comparable to faith. Whether we believe God created us or not, both require faith since neither can be proven. However, this does not mean the Bible is as unreliable as science. Faith based on the Bible rests on a strong foundation, while the scientific basis for life is uncertain, as the illustration in Counsel #s 7 and 9 show.CSe 20.2

Fossils provide evidence only if we ask the right question. For “Did amphibians arise by evolution?” the answer hinges on an assumption. If we believe they evolved, the next question is “What is the most likely ancestor of amphibians?” We compare possible ancestors’ fossils, looking for skeletal similarities. Despite significant differences between fish and amphibians, fish seem most similar, with Ichthyostega showing some resemblance to Eusthenopteron in its skull and teeth. This evidence does not confirm whether amphibians evolved; it only suggests the most likely ancestor if we assume all animals arose through evolution.^{[17]https://adventistreview.org/magazine-article/2102-58/}CSe 20.3

“God looks down from heaven at the human race, to see if there is anyone who is wise and seeks God.” Psalms 53:2 NETCSe 20.4

“Ignorance may seek to support false views of God by appeals to science; but the book of nature and the written word do not disagree; each sheds light on the other.” Ellen White in The Signs of the Times, March 20, 1884, par. 8CSe 20.5

Reflect: If the fossil record can only suggest potential ancestral relationships based on the assumption of evolution, what are the limitations of using fossils to reconstruct the history of life?CSe 20.6