Historical Adam

The Genesis 1 narrative begins with the creation of the universe and culminates with God’s special creation of Adam and Eve. Historic Christianity holds that Adam and Eve were the first two humans, uniquely made in God’s image, and that all humanity has descended from them. The biblical genealogies (both Old and New Testament), Jesus’ teachings, and Paul’s epistles all refer to Adam as a real individual.

Genetic, linguistic and pathogen studies support a historical Adam and Eve. This research indicates that humanity arose 1) recently (within the last hundred thousand years or so), 2) at a single location (close to where Bible scholars place the Garden of Eden), and 3) from a small population, arguably as small as a single pair. Much scientific work remains to be done toward refining details, but ample evidence supports the historic Christian idea that all humanity descended from two historical persons, Adam and Eve.

Featured Articles –

• Were Adam and Eve Real?
• Language Studies Support Historical Adam and Eve
• Diseases Point to Shared Human Ancestors
• Genetic Discoveries Support Historical Adam and Eve

Featured Podcasts –

• Jack Collins Interview: Implications for Biblical Worldview – ST 09/14/2011
• Jack Collins Interview:Implications for Biblical Authority -ST 09/21/2011
• Jack Collins Interview: Implications for Human Condition – ST 09/28/2011
• Jack Collins Interview: Implications for Integration with Science – ST 10/05/2011
• The Search for the Historical Adam – SNF 05/31/2011
• Phonetic Clues Hint that Language is African-Born – SNF 04/15/2011

Featured Video –

• Human Evolution? – The Compelling Genetic & Fossil Evidence for Adam and Eve

Genomics

Every organism on Earth contains a genome carrying the complete set of biological information from which that creature is built. Researchers in the field of study called genomics focus on sequencing, analyzing, and comparing the genetic make-up (DNA) of various life forms. In 2003, scientists published the first complete draft of the human genome (all the hereditary information that makes a human) and began comparing it to the genomes of other organisms–viruses, bacteria, amoeboids, plants, fungi, nematodes, insects, fish and mammals.

The similarity of features such as DNA sequences and gene locations within the genomes of related organisms seem to argue for evolutionary models. But these similarities actually fit just as well within creation models. We would expect the Creator to build upon existing designs in the making of new organisms.

As researchers analyze the growing body of genetic data, the encounter increasing difficulties in their attempts to build evolutionary “trees”. For now, the genomics data remains inconclusive with respect to creation or evolution. However, the staggering advances in genomics over the last twenty years have revealed an almost unimaginable genetic complexity and sophistication.

Featured Articles –

• Origin of Complex Cells: A Big Event for Evolution or Creation?
• New Study Raises More Questions about Evolution
• Failure of Molecular Clocks: Important Implications for the Christian Faith
• RTB Genomics Model

Featured Video –

• Genomics

Junk DNA

Scientists originally applied the term “junk DNA” to any section of DNA that appeared non-functional. Through advances in genomics, the definition has shifted. The term is currently used for a section of the DNA that may have functioned in the past but no longer functions. (See Who Was Adam? for an extensive discussion of the major types of junk DNA—pseudogenes, endogenous retroviruses, SINEs and LINEs—and the mechanisms thought to have generated them.) Because some identical segments of so-called junk DNA occur in a wide range of related organisms (for example, psi GULO in multiple primates) Many researchers view it as evidence for the common ancestry of these organisms, a basic tenet of evolutionary theory.

The concept of junk DNA seems to provide strong evidence for an evolutionary model and against a creation model. Such a conclusion assumes, however, that this genetic material really is junk. A growing body of research says otherwise. Biologists and biochemists continue to find evidence of function in every class of junk DNA. It appears that even the quantity of junk DNA in various organisms has been fine-tuned for a purpose. In other words, it serves as evidence for design. Although many scientists still use junk DNA to argue for an evolutionary model, the data seems a close and comfortable fit with a creation model.

Featured Articles –

• Dinosaur Genome Size Undermines Junk DNA Idea
• Pseudogenes Show Design
• More Function for Junk DNA
• Transposons Demonstrate Design
• Junk DNA- An Outdated Concept

Featured Podcasts –

• “Selfish Genes” Reveal Design - SNF 02/18/2011

Human & Chimp DNA Similarities

A high degree of genetic similarity (as high as 99% according to some studies) between humans and chimpanzees leads evolutionary biologists to conclude the two species share a common ancestor. However, a closer look at the genomic data presents a less certain and far more complex picture. It shows significant differences between humans’ and chimps’ gene expression and regulation—most notably in regard to brain structure.

We would expect the Creator to make use of common designs when populating the Earth with life, and yet He introduced something entirely new when He made Adam and Eve. As the only creatures “made in His image,” humans are endowed with capacities uniquely associated with spirituality. Evidences shows no indication that these capacities and behaviors emerged gradually. Instead, they seem to have appeared suddenly. RTB’s creation model accommodates the for the differences and similarities scientists see in the genomic data.

Featured Articles –

• Bible and Brains Explain Human-Chimp Similarities
• New Brain Study Spoils Evolutionary Drama
• Chromosome 2: The Best Evidence for Evolution
• Yet Another Genetic Difference between Humans and Chimpanzees

Featured Podcasts –

• The Orangutan Genome Has Been Decoded- SNF 01/28/2011

Origin of Life

In RTB’s creation model, Genesis 1:2 describes the origin of life on Earth. Thus, we expect that life arose early in Earth’s history and persisted under hostile conditions. Additionally, this first life should appear quickly and exhibit complexity.

From 4.5 to 3.8 billion years ago, an unusually large number of comets and asteroids bombarded Earth’s surface—particularly toward the end of this period. Many of these collisions would have liquefied the crust hundreds of meters deep, nearly (if not completely) sterilizing the planet. The scientific data shows an abundance of life right after the intense bombardment ceased—in the absence of any evidence for a prebiotic or primordial soup. Multiple lines of evidences also indicate a high level of complexity for this first life.

While evolutionary models strain to accommodate this scientific data—and also struggle to explain how life can originate from non-life (called abiogenesis)—the evidence affirms RTB’s creation model.

Featured Articles –

• Evolution vs Biblical Creation Predictions
• No Prebiotic Soup for You!
• New Evidence for Ancient Life on Earth
• Problems Explaining Homochirality

Featured Podcasts –

• Early Life Liked Sulfur – SNF 8/22/2011
• Study Turns Back Clock on Origin of Life – SNF 05/21/2009

Bad Designs

Skeptics often argue for evolution and against creation by pointing to “bad designs” in nature. They say that if an all-knowing, all-powerful creator made life, these “inferior” or even “leftover” features would not exist. However, a closer study of the frequently used examples of bad designs reveals a different picture. They typically fall into one of three categories predicted by RTB’s biblical creation model:

1. Unappreciated good designs. These are revealed as good by further and closer investigation. Examples include the inverted retina in vertebrate eyes and the giant panda’s thumb.

2. Intentional sub-optimization.  In these cases, one or more aspects of the organism or system is not optimized so that the whole system or organism works properly. The 30% inefficiency in protein synthesis provides an example.

3. Decay from optimal. An initially well-designed system decays due to the operation of the laws of physics. Deviants of the universal genetic codes illustrates this process.

Any example of a so-called bad design in nature deserves deeper study to see if it fits into one of these three categories.

Featured Articles –

• New Research Highlights Elegant Design in the Inverted Retina
• Does Inflammation After Injury Traumatize the Case for Intelligent Design?
• Responding to a Skeptic
• The Appendix: Adding to the Evidence for Intelligent Design
• A Second Opinion on the Giant Panda’s Thumb

Featured Podcast –

• The Cell’s Design podcasts
• Scientists Catalog Zoo of Bacteria in our Guts
• The Appendix: Useful and in Fact Promising

Hominids

RTB’s biblical creation model identifies “hominids,” Neanderthals, Homo erectus and others, as animals created by God. These extra-ordinary creatures walked erect and possessed enough intelligence to assemble crude tools and even adopt some level of “culture.” The RTB model maintains that the hominids were not spiritual beings made in God’s image. RTB’s model reserves this status exclusively for Adam and Eve and their descendants (modern humans).

The model predicts many biological similarities will exist between the hominids and modern humans but also significant differences. The greatest distinctions between modern humans and the hominids can be seen in their cognitive capacity, behavior patterns, technological development, and culture, especially artistic and religious expression.

Featured Articles:

• “Hobbits Grab Headlines, Again!”
• “The Leap to Two Feet: The Sudden Appearance of Bipedalism”
• “From Whence Do We Come? Part 1 and Part 2

Featured Podcasts:

• “Human and Neanderthal Brains Differ After Birth“
• “Lucy’s Great-grandfather Found“
• “Questioning ‘Ardi’, Man’s 4.4-Million-Year-Old Ancestor“